I wish you could review the bike stock before upgrading it. Chances are 90% of people are just buying a bike and leaving it stock so doing a review with different suspension really makes for a completely different bike.
Got the NX/GX Ripley AF for my 13 yo son. Traded the stock tires for some 2.4 Maxxis Rekons. Bike is very well specced for a $3000 bike shop bike. This is might be the best $3000 bike a person could get---perfect geo, great spec. Now my son has a better bike than the 3 yo bike I currently ride. I would recommend the AF to anyone who has a $3000 budget.
This really seems to be true. Unless you're doing some pretty/really hardcore stuff and/or hate adjusting to any decent line the N/GX is the best spec'd bike for the money.
I bought this bike and have a few rides on it, and I'm lovin' it! Good to hear that I don't need to get carbon wheels- guess I'll get GX AXS instead! ;-)
@@cortezthekiller8178 Even though Ibis shows 5'9" at the very top of the Medium range, I think it should be fine as it's a pretty long bike. It's the longest bike I've ever owned. I put a higher rise bar on mine, but that's just because I like a more upright riding position.
So, if the channel is sponsored by Ibis, this so called "review", its nothing more than a commercial for Ibis. You are not going to say anything bad about the bike, cause you are not going to bite the hand that feeds you.
Check into the Giant Stance for a really similar bike with 27.5 wheels. They are really the kings of budget full suspension bikes if you don't mind upgrading some parts over time.
My wife is very petite. So I have a lot of experience with fitting small bikes. Usually, the limiting factor on size for small people is the standover. The Ripley AF has the lowest standover of any 29er made. The size-S Ripley AF has a standover of 676mm which is lower than many size-XS 27.5 bikes.
@@CarlosSoto-re2oj oh that’s interesting I think I would still pick a 27.5 because I like the more playful of bikes and smaller even if the standoever is small
Have it my cart waiting to pull the trigger but still considering the Ripmo in case I decide to go all out and hit the parks. Dont want to be under biked. Decisions
I like your review but I always wish there was a review with no upgrades so many of us don't have the time, skills, money to do upgrades and just want to know how the bike is stock. I see so many bikes for sale on the secondary market boasting upgrades for the price they want. It always makes me suspicious that someone did an upgrade that just didn't turn out and now wants to unload it. hey I respect the tinkering and only wish I had the time and money to do it but sometimes I just want to know what the stock is like.
Thanks for sharing! I am actually in the process of doing a custom build from N+1 bikes so it was cool to hear you had a good experience with them. I was going to do the Fox Factory fork, ibis carbon wheels, and full GX, but now I am wondering if my money is better spent cutting the wheels and getting a factory shock as well? Did they do the DVO suspension for you there? I have upgraded wheels on almost all of my bikes and noticed a differnece, but you have me second guessing it this time. Thanks!
Would love to have the a ripely but the polygon Siskiu t7 or d6 Is more in my budget which one would you go with to compare with the Ripley thanks thanks
I was able to get my hands on this bike.. should have it in a few weeks.. Since your from Socal... How do you think this bike will do with socal trails?? I frequently go to Laguna (lizards, ole e) , Santiago Oaks, San Clemente, Luge, etc.. you think I should upgrade the suspension,, also I am coming off a hardtail.. thanks
Earlier you were running yes ram code on those Shimano rotors How did you like this set up ? I’m on my way to install those Rotos... with my code RSC and I would like somebody else ‘s thoughts ThAnks For all your great videos
I like your reviews and respect your input. Not sure how to interpret your long term review for this bike. Both you and Jeff Kendal-Weed give the impression suspension upgrades are needed. You even give the impression thousands of dollars are need to realize the potential of this bike / frame. Your drivetrain and sponsor upgrades are over $4,000 (retail) and this makes it a short travel Ripmo CF except at a discount? ($7,300 vs $10,999). Maybe a little to much sponsor promotion for a long term review of a bike. I'm seriously considering the Ripley AF along with YT IZZO, Fezzari Cascade AF 29er, Revel Rascal, and Yeti SB115.
Hey thanks for the positive feedback on the review! So few things, #1 I wouldn’t put AXS on here! I had it on the bike to see if I would like it and honestly for the type of bike this is I probably would stick with the stock drive train! And while I do think the suspension would be rad with an upgrade if you want to go the all mountain route, the stock buil is still insanely fun! And also you can also get the bike in a frame only option as well! So many good bikes on the market it really depends on what your looking for! Is there a certain thing your trying to achieve?
@@moandhannahtravel I live in SoCal and ride similar trails to the one in the long term review. It's actually on my hit list. I'm not a big air, guy and older. Really like the trail / all mt GEO. (29er 120-130mm R - 130 -140mm F) It needs to climb well, be trail friendly and fun. I believe enduro bikes are overkill for me. Thus Ripley AF over Ripmo for GEO, GX/XT drive train would be nice. You are so right about good bikes in the $3000 to $6,000 range. A big issue, lots of us are currently facing is lack of demo bikes and stock. We have to order / buy to try some. Any rumors of an Ripley CF with Ripley AF Geo?
I would love one but they are just to expensive here in New Zealand and a dealer here said that and the alloy bike not worth it because of that and all credit to him for being honest .Think ibis need to perhaps cut out a middle man and them more affordable. Other high end brands have and it shows in bike sales.
Cool Video! Would it be accurate to say, what Ibis did with the Ripmo AF, they did with the Ripley AF? In other words it's an identical concept, where they slackened the frame. Also, how does the stability at speed compare to the V4 Ripley?
Interesting take on alloy wheels! I recently bought another V1 Ripmo - XT build with S35 Carbon/ I9s. I noticed this wheelset makes the pedaling more precise ( I think it’s the I9s) but doesn’t feel much different than the alloy 938s on the other Ripmo. I wonder if I put the I9s on the 938s if I can tell the difference? I almost bought a Ripley AF instead, but this Ripmo was too good a deal to pass and have a buyer for my other Ripmo, so it’s not costing me much considering what I’m getting!
I have a Ripley AF and I'm running a 140mm ribbon coil fork and a dvo topaz and just installed bontrager line elite carbon wheels. The Topaz really woke the bike up and with three volume spacers I'm no longer bottoming out. the carbon wheels helped me counteract the weight I added but I am running cushcore XC. the wheels make it feel more precise and energetic, it felt a tad lethargic with the aluminum wheels with cushcore and all the suspension. im setting new PR's both up and down over my past 6" travel bikes both 27.5 and 29
Hey man, are you still loving the Ripley AF? I was wondering what the fatigue factor is with the aluminum frame? I currently ride a Surly Karate Monkey steel frame and I'm feeling the fatigue during my ride and after. Had my mind set on a carbon frame, but the AF is more in my price range. Wondering what your thoughts are?
@@terrymtbnurse4760 what specifically was fatigued (hands, feet, whole body?) I ended up selling it because I was moving and needed to go down to one bike. I was never fatigued by it, enough flex in it to keep it forgiving imo
@@terrymtbnurse4760 late reply but I'm assuming this is on rough terrain. Suspension could definitely help that along with the slightly bigger tires if run at a good pressure. If not rough terrain but regardless you may want to look at your riding position and contact points (saddle, saddle height and position front to back, handlebar reach, width and height). Lots of fitting videos on here but getting fit at a good shop can help more. Riding lots of rough terrain without suspension is fatiguing no matter what and I personally think something like this/a little more forgiving than a straight xc bike would be better and more fun than going fat tire or xc.
@@BMOutdoorz I switch to the PNW handle bar with their 50mm stem and debating on changing something, but not sure what. I am about the same size as Mo and wondering what his cockpit setup is?
