The all-new Ripley continues that trend. It’s been given the modern longer, slacker, steeper treatment, with an all-new chassis that’s both lighter, stiffer, and more progressive. Like the original, it retains 120mm of dw-link rear travel, paired with a 130mm front fork, and fast rolling 29” wheels.
The new Ripley is here! And it’s still the same snappy, flickable, playful, fast, lightweight and versatile 29″ trail bike it’s always been, except better. Taking everything they’ve learned from the Ripmo, they updated the Ripley with cutting-edge geometry and a stiff, light carbon fiber chassis.
The “from the ground up” redesign is the culmination of everything they’ve learned from 38 years of mountain bike development. This new Ripley has a one-degree slacker headtube angle (now 66.5º), a three degree steeper seat tube angle (now 76º), and a reach that’s been extended by ~45mm across all sizes (475mm on a size large).
| SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Frame Material | Carbon Fiber Monocoque |
| Frame Weight | 5lbs (M, w/o shock) |
| Wheel Size | 29” / up to 2.6” tires |
| Front Travel | 120-140mm forks |
| Rear Travel | 120mm |
| Boost Axles | 148mm rear / 110mm front |
| Seatpost Diameter | 31.6mm |
| Rear Brake | 160mm post mount / 203mm max rotor |
| Chainstay Length | 432mm (17 inches) |
| Bottom Bracket | Threaded (73mm English threaded) |
| Tapered Headtube | ZS44 upper / ZS56 lower |
| Colors | Matte Braaap or Blue Steel |
| Sizes | S / M / L / XL |
| Warranty | 7 years |
It will come in S-XL sizes, with a frame weight of 5 lbs. (w/o shock), and comes in Matte Braaap or Blue Steel color schemes. It will be available as a frameset with a FOX Float DPS ($2833), and an NX ($4099), GX ($4899), XT ($5599), X01 ($6699) and XTR ($9199) kits.
Photo by @LearMiller
They also shaved half a pound off the frame, shortened the chainstays by 12mm, increased stiffness, and made the suspension more progressive while maintaining the incredible pedaling characteristics Despite all these changes, the Ripley remains the same snappy, flickable, playful, fast, lightweight, and versatile trail bike it’s always been.
Clearance for 2.6″ tires
In the process of developing the new Ripley, they shed the double eccentric design. While that design was revolutionary, it took up substantial room in the seat tube. And after giving many riders (M-XL) their first taste of 170mm + droppers on the Ripmo, they knew they couldn’t go back to a shorter dropper.
Because the new Ripley can accommodate a long dropper and has ultra-low standover, you can size your frame based on reach. They still use the standard “small, medium, large…” naming structure because it’s easy to understand, but the size of your seat tube is no longer a limiting factor.
Moving from the double eccentric to a Ripmo style chassis also came with significant weight savings. One big factor is our unique combination of bearings and bushings. Bearings don’t last long in areas with high loads and minimal rotation, like their lower link or clevis. They’ve used hermetically sealed IGUS bushings in these locations, which extends there maintenance intervals, increases stiffness, and helps ensure they have some of the lightest frames on the market. The Ripmo has been trouble free, so the Ripley will share the lifetime warranty we offer on our suspension bushings.
If you love the Ripmo but want something lighter, faster and more nimble than an Enduro World Series capable mountain bike, the Ripley is it. With its combination of modern geometry, progressive suspension, lightweight, and 2.6” tire clearance, the Ripley is their ultimate trail bike.
FAQs
Why no eccentrics?
The dual eccentrics offered an efficient pedaling platform and supple suspension feel, but they took up valuable real estate in the seat tube. To make the Ripley compatible with the new crop of long dropper posts, we’ve transitioned to an all new Ripmo inspired chassis. In the process, we’ve significantly reduced the frame weight and increased stiffness.
Carbon 831 US frame project?
Over the past year, we’ve been manufacturing the size small Ripley V3 in our Santa Cruz, CA headquarters. The new Ripley small is made overseas and we have switched our Carbon 831 lab to development of a new US made model that will be built entirely in house.
Can I run a shorter or longer fork on the Ripley?
Our stock build comes with a 130mm fork but you could pair it with a 120mm stepcast fork to create a BC Bike Race weapon. Or, throw on a 140mm fork and burly tires to build a lightweight enduro bike.
Can I run a 51mm offset fork?
Yes, but the bike is optimized around a 44mm. The 51mm offset fork shortens the trail (the distance between the contact patch and the steering axis), which can cause the front end to feel less stable.
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