Anyone ridden these in chunky techy rock gardens and roots? Typical east coast singletrack.
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Ripmo vs Rascal
bogeydog
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I have not ridden the Ripmo but my Rascal is amazing in the rocky chunk of central Texas. Pedals better then anything I've ridden so far. I'm running a 150 fork. Bike feels like more than it is. Rascal is shorter rear travel than the Ripmo, a Ripley might be a better comparison although the Rascal falls right in between. The CBF is for real the bike climbs and pedals much better than my Following did.
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Yeah I have a Ripley now and have been curious about the Rascalnin comparison.
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I've ridden all three; most of last year on the V1 Ripmo and new Ripley, and then a handful of days this year on the new V2 Ripmo and Rascal. To simplify things, I'd put the Rascal right between the V2 Ripmo and Ripley... the Ripmo is definitely a more burly, capable bike when it comes to tech terrain. However, the Rascal is definitely very, very capable and (to me) pedals better. In comparison to the Ripley, you've got the opposite: the Rascal is more capable than the Ripley, while it doesn't climb/pedal nearly as well.
My local "test track" here in CO is Hall Ranch with a mile long rock garden that's pretty legit... not quite the same style as east coast chunk, but a good test nonetheless. I found that the Ripley definitely had a speed limit, while the Rascal is way more capable and plush through those same sections. My only real complaint with the Rascal is the relatively slack STA, I wish it was ~77* instead of 75* (I ride a GG Trail Pistol for my main bike now, which is 78*) otherwise it's a damn near-perfect bike. The CBF suspension is pretty awesome.
My local "test track" here in CO is Hall Ranch with a mile long rock garden that's pretty legit... not quite the same style as east coast chunk, but a good test nonetheless. I found that the Ripley definitely had a speed limit, while the Rascal is way more capable and plush through those same sections. My only real complaint with the Rascal is the relatively slack STA, I wish it was ~77* instead of 75* (I ride a GG Trail Pistol for my main bike now, which is 78*) otherwise it's a damn near-perfect bike. The CBF suspension is pretty awesome.
I ended up going for a Rascal coming off a Sentinel V1 for riding in Northern VT.
I found the Rascal to handle the tighter tech much better than the Sentinel, and more suited to my riding style. That being said, I did put a cushcore F/R to help in the chunkier terrain.
I found the Rascal to handle the tighter tech much better than the Sentinel, and more suited to my riding style. That being said, I did put a cushcore F/R to help in the chunkier terrain.
I think you’ll find the 140mm fork to be your limiting factor in long chundery sections. Both my ‘big’ bike and my Rascal have a 36grip2. 170mm 27.5 vs 140mm 29.
For the most part, I can ride the same stuff, and carry the same speed on the Rascal, but my upper body takes a beating.
For the most part, I can ride the same stuff, and carry the same speed on the Rascal, but my upper body takes a beating.
I saw a dude moving along real well with a trail dog in chase on a Rascal at TC a while back. Was that you by chance?
Fantastic input! I've demo'd a few bikes at Hall Ranch, and used to own a V4 Ripley. Sold it because I thought the STA was too steep for my local trails, same with the Ripmo. I tested the Rascal and felt the relatively slack STA was perfect for my body and local trails of flowy smooth buff fast. Currently own an Offering with its claimed 76/77 STA depending on flip chip, and it feels in between the Rascal and Ripley. Evil must measure their STA differently? Anyway, good to read different takes on what works and where.
I've owned Ripleys V1, V2, V4, LS and a Mojo 3. Love Ibis DW link. I've also owned a Riot.
I can't comment specifically on the two bikes, but I've also owned a bunch of others as well.
CBF is the one suspension I've owned that I like better than Ibis.
That's all I can add to this. Good luck in whatever you pick.
You giving up on the Rowl?
I can't comment specifically on the two bikes, but I've also owned a bunch of others as well.
CBF is the one suspension I've owned that I like better than Ibis.
That's all I can add to this. Good luck in whatever you pick.
You giving up on the Rowl?
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Uh oh...
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No, wasn't me probably Wes from Veloragotan. He's riding a Sedona Red Rascal also. Did it have a silver Pike on it? I'm running a Diamond on mine.
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For me specifically, I was referring to climbing ability overall... in CO, we have a lot of long, steep climbs that aren't really all that technical. And then locally, I have a lot of super technical climbs. Overall, I'd take the Ripley because it's more efficient on the longer, steeper stuff where there's more of a platform due to VPP. But technically, I think the Rascal is just as good- if not better- because the CBF suspension gives you tons of traction.
Oh, and here are a few good shots of my friend ripping on the Rascal a couple of weeks ago.
Attachments
I own a ripmo v1, rascal and a ripley v4
I don’t ride east coast. But I do like to ride tech
I’d put the rascal closer to the ripmo in every way. I actually think the ripmo Climbs really steep stuff better ( mostly due to seat tube angle). And pedals a little more efficiently than the rascal. However if your pedaling or climbing something chunky the rascal is more supple and does a better job of soaking up the bumps and maintaining momentum . When the speeds go up I’m more comfortable on the rascal right up until it gets rough enough to warrant the extra travel of the ripmo.
The ripley climbs smooth trail significantly better than either. It just generally feels like it is more efficient pedaling, even with the same wheels and tires. I really didn’t get along with it until I changed the shock though.
I don’t ride east coast. But I do like to ride tech
I’d put the rascal closer to the ripmo in every way. I actually think the ripmo Climbs really steep stuff better ( mostly due to seat tube angle). And pedals a little more efficiently than the rascal. However if your pedaling or climbing something chunky the rascal is more supple and does a better job of soaking up the bumps and maintaining momentum . When the speeds go up I’m more comfortable on the rascal right up until it gets rough enough to warrant the extra travel of the ripmo.
The ripley climbs smooth trail significantly better than either. It just generally feels like it is more efficient pedaling, even with the same wheels and tires. I really didn’t get along with it until I changed the shock though.
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