Today, Ibis is introducing the brand-new Ripley SL, a lightweight short-travel model that the brand is calling “a 5-pound rocket on wheels.” With 117mm of rear wheel travel, a 130mm fork, and a claimed frame/shock weight of just 5 pounds, this bike fills the gap in the Ibis lineup that the Ripley V4 previously occupied. Categorize it however you will, but the Ripley SL looks like a great new option for those seeking race-inspired weight and efficiency with a trail bike attitude. If the Exie and the Ripley V5 had a baby, we think it would be the new Ripley SL.
When the Ripley V5 came out, many riders, ourselves included, lamented the loss of the brand’s much lighter Ripley V4. The addition of 10mm of travel with the beefier frame shared with the Ripmo turned the V5 into a more purebred trail bike than its predecessor, and it gained a bit of weight in the process. At the other end of the spectrum, Ibis’ Exie is a super-light, short-travel, thoroughbred XC-racer with World Cup palmarès. It seems the folks at Ibis aimed to combine the best of both bikes to create a zippy, lightweight, short-travel ride, and the result is the Ripley SL.
“What are we calling bikes like this these days? Downcountry? XC? Light trail? Call it what you want, I just call it fun.”
— Scot Nicol, Ibis Founder and Mountain Bike Hall of Famer
Ripley SL Details
Made in the U.S.A.
Along with the Exie USA, the Ripley SL frame is crafted by the in-house carbon experts at Ibis’ CA factory. Not only is it made in the U.S., but Ibis’ Watsonville, California, factory is 100% solar-powered. While these two models represent just a portion of the brand’s bike sales, we think it’s commendable that Ibis is producing at least some of its frames stateside, and doing it in a factory that’s powered by renewable energy.
“With the Ripley SL, our engineers successfully met aggressive strength, stiffness, and weight targets through highly efficient manufacturing processes. Our factory is 100% solar-powered and utilizes unique molding techniques that require significantly less energy than traditional factories,” said Ibis founder, Scot Nicol. “By combining meticulous hand layup with strategic automation, we have reduced manufacturing time to less than half of what is typically required in Asian factories. These innovations allow us to offer the Ripley SL at a price comparable to that of our high-end competitors, despite the higher manufacturing and labor costs in California.“
Frame Design
The Ripley SL frame has 117mm of rear wheel travel using a DW-Link suspension design, paired with a 130mm travel fork. The frame is designed to be used with 29″ wheels front and rear, and has clearance for tires up to 2.4″ wide. The biggest story is arguably the claimed weight of 5 pounds (2,275 grams) for the frame and shock. For reference, that’s 2.3 pounds less than the Ripley V5 frame and only 0.6 pounds heavier than the Exie XC-race bike. This lightweight frame makes it possible for complete builds starting as low as 25 pounds.
On the Ripley SL frame, Ibis included its STOW (Snacks, Tools, or Whatever) in-frame storage compartment with custom tool bags. Inside, the flange for the storage compartment includes internal clips to simplify internal routing and cable management. The storage compartment cover includes bosses to mount a water bottle, and frame sizes M, XM, L, and XL all include a second set of bosses on the downtube, making it possible to fit two 22 oz. bottles inside the front triangle. The small frame fits one 26 oz. bottle.
Cable routing on the front triangle is internal, with the aforementioned clips to secure them and prevent rattling. On the rear triangle, Ibis chose to reduce complexity and save a little frame weight by opting for external clips to route the brake hose and derailleur cable/housing. For the brake line, this should theoretically make it easier to detach the brake for certain service procedures that require removing the rear triangle. And given the proliferation of wireless drivetrains, the clip-on cable routing provides the option for mechanical shifting without extra holes that won’t get used by a large percentage of riders.
Additional frame features include a Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) for broad drivetrain compatibility, molded protection for the downtube and chainstay, and a threaded bottom bracket. The Ripley SL frame has 12 x 148mm Boost spacing, a 55mm chainline, and 180mm rear brake post mounts. The maximum chainring size is 34T.
Features and Specs
- 117mm DW-Link travel with 130mm fork
- 29″ wheels only
- Claimed frame and shock weight: 5 pounds
- Frame clearance for 2.4″ tires
- Ibis STOW in-frame storage w/ custom bags
- Threaded Bottom Bracket
- Universal Derailleur Hanger
- Molded protection on downtube and chainstay
- External brake line guide on rear triangle for ease of service
- External cable clip on chainstay for drivetrain compatibility without extra holes
- Space for 2 water bottles in the frame on sizes M-XL
- Made in the U.S.A. at a solar-powered California Factory
- Colors: Gold Rush, Tahoe Blue, and Raw Carbon
Geometry
The Ripley SL’s geometry splits the difference between the XC racing-focused Exie and the trail-oriented Ripley V5. The SL’s 66-degree head tube angle is 1.2 degrees slacker than the Exie and 1.1 degrees steeper than the Ripley V5. It has modern reach measurements and size-specific chainstays for a balanced ride feel across the size range. The 75-degree seat tube angle, generous stack heights, and stock 30mm rise handlebars should make for a fairly neutral seated pedaling position that avoids the more aggressive, racier stance of the Exie.
And while some of those angles might seem a little conservative by today’s standards, they are sensible for the terrain and riding Ibis designed this bike for. The Ripley SL’s angles speak to its genre-blending intended use — cross-country meets trail in a snappy and efficient bike for moving fast and racking up miles. If you’re looking for a longer, slacker (and slightly heavier) trail bike, Ibis already makes the 130mm Ripley V5.
Similar to the Ripley V5 and Ripmo V3, the Ripley SL comes in five frame sizes, including Extra-Medium (XM). The XM frame is intended to fit those riders who often find themselves between medium and large sizes. This size range is claimed to fit riders between 5’0″ and 6’7″.
Ibis Ripley SL: Builds and Pricing
Ibis is currently offering the new Ripley SL in three complete builds, all of which share the same U.S.-made lightweight carbon frame. Riders interested in building up their own dream bike can purchase the frameset with the Fox Factory Float SL shock for $4,499.
Ripley SL XTR: $11,449
- Fork: Fox Factory 34SL, Grip SL, 130mm
- Shock: Fox Float Factory SL, 210 x 50mm
- Drivetrain: Shimano XTR Di2, short cage, 10-45T cassette
- Brakes: Shimano XTR M9220, 4-piston, 180mm rotors
- Wheels: Ibis S28 Carbon, Industry Nine Hydra hubs
- Tires: Continental Magnotal 29” x 2.4”
- Seatpost: BikeYoke Revive, 31.6mm
- Saddle: WTB Silverado, Fusion Ti, 142mm
- Handlebar: Ibis Blackbird Carbon 35, 30mm rise, 800mm wide
Ripley SL XT: $7,799
- Fork: Fox Factory 34SL, Grip SL, 130mm
- Shock: Fox Float Factory SL, 210 x 50mm
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT Di2, long cage, 10-51T cassette
- Brakes: Shimano XT M8220, 4-piston, 180mm rotors
- Wheels: Ibis 933Alloy rims w/ Ibis Blackbird hubs (optional carbon wheel upgrade for $850)
- Tires: Continental Magnotal 29” x 2.4”
- Seatpost: BikeYoke Revive, 31.6mm
- Saddle: WTB Silverado, Fusion CrMo, 142mm
- Handlebar: Ibis Blackbird Carbon 35, 30mm rise, 800mm wide
Ripley SL Eagle 90: $6,249
- Fork: Fox Factory 34SL, Grip SL, 130mm
- Shock: Fox Float Factory SL, 210 x 50mm
- Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM DB8, 180mm HS2 rotors
- Wheels: Ibis 933 Alloy w/ Ibis Blackbird hubs
- Tires: Continental Magnotal 29” x 2.4”
- Seatpost: KS Vantage, 31.6mm
- Saddle: WTB Silverado, Fusion CrMo, 142mm
- Handlebar: Ibis Blackbird 35 Aluminum, 30mm rise, 800mm wide
Ibis Ripley SL: Availability
The new Ripley SL is available now, with limited pre-ordered quantities arriving at select Ibis retailers. Head to the Ibis website or your local Ibis dealer to learn more.
