I'm looking at this for all day trail riding 3 - 4 hours punchy climbs - switchbacks - rocks - with not many crazy descents ...
I switched my cockpit out (bars, stem and grips) and I'm in heaven. The Ibis bars were a weird bend. Stock grips were hard AF and I added a bit of rise in my stem. All minor tweaks but a massive improvement.
Certainly doesn't sound like too much bike. It's a surprisingly agile climbing bike, and downhill bike descending capabilities. Not a combo that many others on the market can claim. The only awkward conditions are flat-ish trails, and only because these are the conditions that really make you notice your weight forward on the bars.
My SB150 demo left a lot to be desired. It liked to plow the snot out of DH, but lacked the "poppy" playfulness of the Ripmo and felt really long and wandering while climbing. Which I know long is a trend, but Ripmo seems like a better "all arounder" - SB150 more enduro racer.
The Ripmo is a better descender than it is a climber.
I think it's easier to whip around then the MT tho?
Swage 50mm stem with 5 degree rise, RF NextR bars with 20mm rise, 8 degrees of sweep and 5 degrees of rise and Ergon GE1 grips.
This gave you more reach ? Wouldn't a 60 mm stem open the cockpit more ?Swage 50mm stem with 5 degree rise, RF NextR bars with 20mm rise, 8 degrees of sweep and 5 degrees of rise and Ergon GE1 grips.
The combination of bar and stem rise took pressure of my hands and onto my saddle and these grips are simply perfect. Not big and goey. Not hard and thin. Great shape. Perfect durometer.
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Having ridden both, the Ripley would be my choice for your described riding. Ripley definitely feels like a min-Ripmo, but lighter feeling. Throw a 140mm fork on the Ripley and it'll handle gnarly descents pretty well.
I didn't want more reach. I wanted more rise.
Looking at this now - Ripley - 500 reach XL - great reviews - mtb awesome said it's a better xl than the ripmo tho it needs a better rear shock.
Riding a brand new FOX DPS on the Ripley demo yesterday, it felt reeally good. I don't remember it feeling as nice when my V2 was new. I'm sure there's been some updates over the past 3 years. Nonetheless, I had my DPS redone by Avalanche and I don't think it feels better than the Cane Creek DB IL I mostly run now. I would recommend the CC or try the Manitou McCleod, which has piqued my interest. Maybe a DPX2 if they fit.......Either way, might be happy with the DPS until it gets "old".
I've only had a handful of rides on my Ripmo, but yeah, I feel that too on flat-ish trails. And exacerbated by faster, rougher flatish trails. I found if I move my butt as far back on the seat as possible, it helps alleviate the hand pressure. Therefore I moved my seat back about 5mm on the seat post to see if that helps. My old man knees are pretty sensitive to changes like this, so this is an experiment for sure.
Yes, definitely satisfied. Will keep for long time. I miss the dw link suspension of my old Turner 5Spot. And the Ibis quality and attention to detail is all-time!
