Believe it or not, another iteration of Ibis’ popular Ripley trail bike has just been unveiled, widening tire clearance on the 29er and bringing with it more all terrain versatility. The latest 3rd generation Ripley LS trail bike (we learned about the Long & Slack naming in generation two) keeps a lot the same, like the 120mm of DW Link rear travel and 130mm fork spec, but bumps up to 2.5-2.6″ tire clearance out back depending on tire:rim combos. The update also gave Ibis the opportunity to widen the upper eccentric (their version of internal suspension linkages) hardware as they moved to a wider, stiffer swingarm design and more in the direction of 1x drivetrains. The Ripley LS is still compatible with a Sideswing front derailleur, if you are into that kind of thing. Check the full details on the updated bike after the break…
This bike marks a bit of a move forward for the Ripley. And while not a ton has changed, it is more about leaving the past behind. While gen 2 linked back to previous standards, the new gen 3 Ripley LS means that the trail bike will only be available in the more modern long & slack geometry option and will be Boost 148 only. It does keeps the threaded bottom bracket, though.
That wider swingarm means more stiffness, more tire clearance, and an overall improved ride. Ibis says that the new bike steps clearance up to fit the new (but not quite 29+) 2.6″ tires from Schwalbe as well as Maxxis’ new 2.5″ WT tires, when wrapped on the wide rims that Ibis makes.
Apparently the previous bike still carried over compatibility for triple chainrings. Well, that is justifiably gone as 1x setups are the rage. But with the wide Boost spaced rear and cranks, you can still work a double chainring in there, and Ibis build in routing for a Sideswing derailleur if you want. That front derailleur mount can also work as a nice chain guide attachment point if one ring is enough for you.
With the wider rear end, weight on the monocoque carbon frame & swingarm seems to have climbed about 180g to 5.9lb/2675g for a medium frame with Fox Float DPS EVOL shock (but without all the other small bits.)
The new bike is available now in stealthy Ti-Ho silver or bright Vitamin P yellow for $3000 for a frame only. Complete bikes start at just a grand more at $4000 with a SRAM NX group and top out at $6600 for a X01 Eagle build.
