Why do I feel like I just participated in some sort of market research study?
Exactly the first thing that came to my mind!
But, I think Ibis is such a good company that I'll freely participate in the market study - and hope Ibis gets some positive feedback from it.
To be clear - I don't have an Ibis...yet. It is on order. Friday after they announced Ripley V3 - i went to my LBS to placed an order for a custom build to include 942's on CK hubs. Looks like the mediums shipped last week, anticipating larges (mine included) to ship this week. Anticipation is killing me.
It all mostly boils down to this: Great People with fantastic product
- Customer Service
- For me - a fantastic riding experience
- Openness about design philosophy
- Down to earth folks - that will take the time to talk bikes with you
- Threaded bottom bracket
- Great people behind the company
- What other bike company does stuff like migrations?
Here is my backstory on how I arrived at desperately pulling the most expensive trigger I've ever pulled on a bike - more than several of my past cars and current motorcycle cost me:
I've been riding Ventana frames since 2005-ish and have 2 that I currently ride regularly. I remember seeing a mojo for my first time while riding Soquel Demo and remember thinking - "man that is an awesome bike that I'll never be able to afford."
About 3 or 4 years ago I was at Dirt Fest. I was and still am curious about a 2nd career (my 1st career will set me up where I could live with less pay for more rewarding work that doesn't have to be a career) in bike industry - I ended up over at the Ibis booth talking bikes and bike industry with Scott Nicol - only I didn't know Ibis well enough to realize who I was talking to. I demoed a tranny - because I was curious about a carbon HT and Raystown lake trails are perfect for testing one. Tranny didn't totally blow me away - but talking to Scott did. Later on, I spent time on Ibis website and really liked all the explanations they had about various things - their description of a bikes trail measurement (geometry figure, not the trail you ride) on) among other things left a lasting impression on me.
Fast forward to the year they released the Mojo 3 and i was at Sedona mtb fest. Tried desperately to demo one - but just couldn't. Damn thing was like spotting a unicorn. I demoed a Salsa pony rustler - and had a blast. But really dislike PFBB. Spent the better part of the next year deciding if I wanted to live with the pony rustler, or get my hands on a mojo 3 to demo. I did demo a Ripley - OG i think. It was fun. Super fast and felt like the bike I wanted if I was going to do any more 100 mile mtb races - which I honestly think I'm done with.
Took me to this year to get my hands on a mojo 3, again at Sedona MTB festival. I think mentally, I had built the bike up to be more awesome than possible. It was fun - but my 150mm travel Ventana still seemed just as fun going down - but not as efficient climbing. Then I demoed an HD3 with 2.8" tires. OMG! Holly cow was that a fun fun fun bike. But, i could feel the weight. Just slightly heavier than my Ventana. Finally, I demoed the Ripley LS. WOW did that thing haul some ass on the flats---and the sensation of speed is what I like the most on any bike - this one had it in spades. Felt good every where else - but after 2 days of riding 2.8" wide tires - I felt I wanted just a little bit more width while riding the 2.35s that were on the demo bike.
After talking to Scott some more in Sedona - I was 90% certain I would be buying an Ibis this year - just didn't know which one - HD3 or Ripley LS. I made my decision to go all in on an LS with 942's just days before V3 was announced. Glad I waited.
