haven't found anything that compares to an ibis/castellano softail. can't believe there are not more softails being made. have already climbed several steep loose rocky pitches i hadn't been able to get up on my sugar 4+ or loaner epic. ultra low maintenence, great handling, all the pluses of a hardtail with a comfortable ride and better climbing. great bike for the cross country rider not wanting big jumps and a big bike.
Similar Products Used: ibis silkti - had to have a softail after that. owned a sugar 4+ that snapped, and used a specialized epic for 3 weeks, but the the only thing "similar" to the ripley is that they had 2 wheels.
Strengths: Light and agile on the trail. Stiff for climbing and smooths out rough stuff very well.
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
I love this bike! I never thought I could own such a cool bike, but the frame came to me used ( six rides ) for a price I couldn't turn down! It rides like a dream, and has put a whole new element of fun back into riding. Highly recommend checking out the now available Fango. This bike is for anyone wanting to give up the harshness of a hardtail and doesn't want the monkey motion of a duely. Ride it, race it, doesn't matter. Just get one!!!
Bike Setup: Mars fork, Grip shift shifters and rear, XT front, XTR V brakes, Sun Ringle' RPM wheelset, XTR Ti cog, Easton bar, Thompson seat post, Kenda tires
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Submitted by
Troy
a Weekend Warrior
from Honolulu, HI
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2002
Strengths: Climbs insain. Feathery light. No maintenance. Sick design.
Weaknesses: Que?
Bottom Line:
This bike is money. Outclimbs my Klein and tracks perfectly while literally erasing bumps. Was too prideful for a full suspension rig. This frame is the perfect all around x country ride- period. Ibis is legendary but sadly no more. Highly recommend checking out Fango. Castellano's rebirth of the Ripley.
Bike Setup: Full XT Build Kit. Syncros: Stem/Post/Bar. Yata, yata, yata...
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Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Ann Arbor, MI
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002
Strengths: See my first review below; after one year and over 2000 miles of trails this bike is still the cat's meow.
Weaknesses: Um...? I have to work, so I can't ride it all day.
Bottom Line:
The real news here is that John Castellano, the designer from Ibis, has started making Ripleys again. Only now the company name is now Castellano, and the bike is now called the Fango. Here's a web site with some info: http://www.dreambike.com/fangobikes.htm
As I said above, I have a year and a lot of miles, including two laps of the Maah Daah Hey, on my Ripley. If I had to buy another frame I would call up John and get the same one. I posted a review a few months after getting this frame and my opinion has not changed.
Strengths: 'Tour-de-Force' suspension design, frame sizing to fit lots of differently-sized riders, geometry allowing head angle tuning based on tire/fork used, color (understated to bold)
Weaknesses: Availability now that company is gone. But the patents are safe?!, Availability now of small parts (derailleur hanger, shock elastomers, seatpost clamp) needed over time to maintain frame longevity, need for downtube graphics to be under not over clearcoat
Bottom Line:
Perfect ride for me, at age 44. Lee Bridgers of Moab's DreamRide said it best in his webpage review of the Silk-Ti, "...perfect for an experienced full suspension rider who wants to get that 'old feeling back'." Old feeling as in my nimble, quick, 90 Bridgestone MB-2 hardtail, albeit with a little cushion to offset a decade of rigid riding and body pounding. After getting a U.R.T., I realized that long-travel rides are great if you have a trialsin mentality of getting mental penalty points for each foot dab on rough trails, and racing your friends on each ride. I personally have never been into that, so a full-on freeride machine is overkill for me. My new R.I.P.ley brought back that joy of riding, exploring new trails, and returned the silly grin to my face like I had back in 1985 when I first rode a mountainbike and when I rode my Bridgestone. It's quick handling allows me to revert back to my hardtail riding style that hibernated while I rode a U.R.T. that necessitated a seating position to activate the suspension.
I often find myself gazing at wonder at it, and imagining reriding all my favorite trails across the U.S. on it. Simply the best. Hats off to the designers and builders for bringing this design to fruition. Hopefully the current Ibis demise won't relegate this frame design to becoming simply yet another of Pres. George Bush'es 1000-points of light and a blip on the evolution of the suspension mountain bike's design.
Bike Setup: Parts primarily cannabalized from my 98 Ibis Szazbo. Emphasis on Clydesdale durability (I'm 6'-7" and weigh 245), performance, and getting a great fit. R.I.P.ley size XL frame in 8-Ball black. Top of saddle to floor = 44 inches. Total built weight = 28+/- lbs.
Parts: Shock: 98 White Bros. SC70XC (70mm) with extra-heavy springs, XTR V-brakes, ceramic pads, Thomson post, Terry Fly saddle, Koski 135mm, 10 degree 4-bolt stem, White Bros. 1.5" Ti riser bar with Ibis Rosie barends, XTR/Gripship 9.0 SL 8 speed shifters/derailleur, King headset, SPDs, RaceFace 180mm cranks. Wheelset: Front [Hugi hub, 32 spokes, Mavic 517 ceramic rim, 2.4 Motoraptor tire (cush)/2.1 Velociraptor tire (fast)], Rear: [Phil Wood cassette mtn. hub, 36 spokes, Mavic 618 ceramic rim, 2.1 Velociraptor tire], Salsa skewers.
I wanted to come back and do another review after I had put her through some serious rides and races. I love this bike more every time I ride it. I pull off extremely technical sections with regularity now. You can jump out of the saddle on very steep climbs and pound the pedals and she will stick. If you love to race but don't have a ton of cash to spend, this bike is a STEAL,it is a serious singletrack racing weapon. For the recreational rider, this will probably be the last bike you will buy. I'll bet this bike will be one of the all time best designed frames ever, and will not be outdone by anything .......maybe ever! If you know someone who has one, don't ride it unless you plan on buying one (Ripley or Silk TI).Trust me, the mountain bike gods smiled on Ibis when they thought this one up.
Strengths: Sweet ride, climbs like a mountain goat, hold aline like mothing I've ridden before. It really lives up to the point and shoot description the guys at Ibis told me about. Ridding in the desert you really need something to take off the edge of the rocks and the washboards. This thing rides like a hardtail, only better.
Weaknesses: I can't say I have found any.
Bottom Line:
If you race hard, unforgiving courses, buy it. Not tomorrow, today. I would give it 10 flaming turds if I could.
Strengths: Climbs like a goat, doesn't slip, a confidence inspiring ride.
Weaknesses: This is a reach. The only thing that I can find is a somewhat low BB. I've noticed the crank arms hitting things that they never used to hit. BUT, small adjustments in riding style has all but eliminated the problem.
Bottom Line:
I brought this bike in as a demo in my store. For the last 3 months it has reminded me how fun mountain biking is. I highly recommend this bike to anyone looking for a light, sturdy, forgiving and fun bike to ride. The price for the frame ain't bad either.
Strengths: This bike has an amazing feel. When you ride it you can't tell that you are on a bike with any rear suspension at all, granted that it is only 1.25 inches of travel, but this is a softail. It feels as if you are riding on a hardtail b/c you don't feel the travel, although the one and a quarter inches of rear wheel travel takes the edge off on those really bumpy trails or decent hits. The bike provides a very smooth plush ride that any rider would be psyched about. There is a substantial amount of laterall ridgidity that comes out of the flat chainstay but it allows for free movement on the vertical axis (plush travel). All around a great bike and available in some sweet colors... I have "warm beer metalic" and it looks really nice.
Weaknesses: Nothing yet, but my only worry is how the elastomer shock will perform in very cold weather. I know that on onlder elastomer technology below freezing temps were a prbolem but I have yet to see how the ripley will perform.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line on this bike is that it rocks. I couldn't be happier with it. People are still a little afraid of the bendable alluminum chainstay, but I figure they have a lifetime warranty on them so it is like a challenge to see if I can brake it. Anyone who is looking to get into the market of high end soft tail bikes but not wanting to spend all the cash for titanium should look no further than the Ripley from Ibis.
Bike Setup: I have the bike set up kinda strange considering it is really a cross-country frame. I have it set up almost looking like a free-ride bike... minus the 6 inches of rear wheel travel. I have a marzocchi Z3 coil spring with the travel adjusted to 100mm, avid mechanical discs, tompson seatpost, raceface stem, LX shifter pods and derailures, XTR brake levers, and a Truvative Hussefelt crank set with a 22, 32, and a bash gaurd.
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Submitted by
Al McWilliams
a Racer
from Ann Arbor, MI
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2001
Strengths: Light (21.5 lbs built), Extremely responsive on sigletrack, grip like velcro on the steep rooted climbs, takes the edge off the nastyness without sacrificing an ounce of power.
Weaknesses: Ibis offers 10 colors... its sooo hard to choose.
Bottom Line:
My previous race bike was the Trek 9.9 and I have always been a die hard-hard tail racer. I'm light and I want a bike that climbs fast, accelerates fast and doesn't loose a joule of power. Therefore I was a little leary of the soft tail idea... the aluminum stays on the Ripley transfer that power to the ground as well as any hardtail I've ridden.
Basically, the Ripley accelerates like a steel hard-tail. However, when you go to climb over that root, it wont bounce like a steel hard-tail. The 1.25" of travel sticks that rear tire to the ground.
If I had the legs for it... this bike could climb trees.
Strengths: Light,super smooth ride, fits like it was custom made for me,cool paint job.
Weaknesses: Get real
Bottom Line:
This is one awesome ride.If you race and have been looking for a serious single track weapon.....This is your ride.I only wish I could include a pic of the bike ,it is red with a white psylo fork, very cool.
Strengths: This is a sweet bike. It is better than the bike you have now. Don't take my word for it. Weasel a ride on one any way you can. You will agree.
Weaknesses: I don't own one yet... but I'm gonna get mine asap.
Bottom Line:
A superb, quick handling bike that does everything a hardtail does, but better. Racers, if you have to buy your own stuff and want an advantage, score yourself one of these.
Similar Products Used: Ibis Mojo, Yeti ARC, Yeti AS-R, Ibis Silk Ti (very similar product, but much more money)
Bike Setup: Duke, XT, Avid Mechanicals, Ringle DiscoTech wheels.
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Texas (Alex, La)
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2001
Strengths: lightweight, gives just enough suspension to take out the roots and rocks. rides like a hard tail, climbs like the back tire is glued to the trail. Best of all, I noticed that the suspension works great even when your out of the saddle. Sprints great . adjustable preload. easy to service shock if you even have too. looks cool. Ibis has a winner with the ripley. I love the powder coat finish.
Weaknesses: I have really been trying to find something wrong but I can't. Only problem (that really isn't a problem is people keep asking me is that Ti I tell them its aluminum, and they ask is it Ti? I say no its aluminum, and they ask is it Ti? this goes on for a while before i explain that aluminum can flex. They can't believe it. Plus strangers on the trail will want to ride it.
Bottom Line:
This bike handles like my old steel hard tail, and is lighter. Bike jumps out of the corners, like the steel, it does'nt have that dead thud like most aluminums do, how did Ibis do it?The suspension design has no lateral flex no linkage. the bike is quick in the single track. Climbs like you would'nt believe even over loose rocks its grabs. 6 hours of Rocky Hill proved that. The price, the quality is excellent. If all you needs is small to medium bump relief this is your bike you can't go wrong. But if you want a bike for bailing off of 10 ft rock ledges this is not you bike. This is a sweet Cross Country racing machine. Ibis gives exactly what you need.
I'm considering putting a longer travel fork (5" travel) on my 2001 Ripley. Does anyone have any experience with doing this? I'm looking for some advice as to the pros and cons on Read More »
I have a 2001 Ibis Ripley that I am going to put up for sale, but I don't know it's value. It has about 3,000 miles of New England single track behind it and has a lot to be desire Read More »
