Hi all, I'd love some advice.
I have recently returned to MTB after a long hiatus (the dark ages, if you will). I race a little XC and enjoy my Spesh Epic Comp 29'er (base model), but when I go on social rides (more fun than races!), I feel like the bike is holding me back a bit- it feels too tied down, too tight, too ... I dunno, fragile?
I like carbon, I like F/S and I like 29'ers. I don't ever foresee a need for "big air" or hucking for my bike, just XC and trail. I live in the Pac NW and our trails are often tight, wet and rooty.
I started thinking maybe this is a function of the reduced travel of an XC race bike and maybe I should look for something more trail-capable, but still very XC-oriented. (I hate inefficiency)
That quest has led me to the Ibis Ripley. It sounds great- just the ticket.
However, the Niner Jet 9 RDO and RIP 9 RDO also sound good, although each may be more compromised than I'm hoping for.
I've seen some denigrating comments on the 'net about the Jet 9 from (ostensibly) Ripley owners. Can you tell me why the Ripley is so much better? Is it the new DW linkage?
Sorry for so many open/vague questions, but I don't think I'll be able to demo one. I'm not trolling- more like just naive. I welcome any advice.
I have recently returned to MTB after a long hiatus (the dark ages, if you will). I race a little XC and enjoy my Spesh Epic Comp 29'er (base model), but when I go on social rides (more fun than races!), I feel like the bike is holding me back a bit- it feels too tied down, too tight, too ... I dunno, fragile?
I like carbon, I like F/S and I like 29'ers. I don't ever foresee a need for "big air" or hucking for my bike, just XC and trail. I live in the Pac NW and our trails are often tight, wet and rooty.
I started thinking maybe this is a function of the reduced travel of an XC race bike and maybe I should look for something more trail-capable, but still very XC-oriented. (I hate inefficiency)
That quest has led me to the Ibis Ripley. It sounds great- just the ticket.
However, the Niner Jet 9 RDO and RIP 9 RDO also sound good, although each may be more compromised than I'm hoping for.
I've seen some denigrating comments on the 'net about the Jet 9 from (ostensibly) Ripley owners. Can you tell me why the Ripley is so much better? Is it the new DW linkage?
Sorry for so many open/vague questions, but I don't think I'll be able to demo one. I'm not trolling- more like just naive. I welcome any advice.