All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

I wouldn't consider the Ripley a cross-country bike, and it is likely a much better choice for technical climbing. I've ridden Porcupine Rim, and if given the choice between a Ripley and a Ripmo, I'd personally choose the Ripley. If doing the Whole Enchilada, I'd definitely choose the Ripley. I've had a 160mm bike and ridden some rowdy trails on it, and I still never used all the bike had. The trade-offs in weight and low-speed maneuverability are just too much for me, personally. Sure, there are some sections where I'd wish I had the bigger bike, but most of the time I'd be wanting the medium bike.

 

cush pro in a conti?

 

Those asking about tailgate pads, this is a pretty nifty one too if you're a sram/rockshox guy
https://sramnation.com/collections/rockshox/products/rockshox-x-evoc-tailgate-pad

 

I can't speak to the Ibis bikes specifically, but I think a Ripley would be a bit outgunned on many of the Grand Junction/Moab area trails but it kinda depends if you like to be under-biked. My wife rode a Pivot Mach4 on TWE and did fine, but definitely enjoys herself more on her Yeti SB140. I personally find my Evil Offering (160/140) to be the perfect bike for this area and that'd be a good comparison to the Ripmo.

 

i've taken a following all over Moab, including the TWE...yeah. it works. but you're kinda more limited in your line choices because youd ont' want to break the bike nor get hurt on short travel. It makes for better pedaling though. hah!

 

Well, they released the 130 completely Raw.
I like my fade to black, but had to share this as well.

https://www.weareonecomposites.com/arrival-2023-130

 

I have a hard time calling that blue

 

Nice, you work at the Specialized Experience Center in Bentonville I take it?

 

Well, this T-Type Transmission stuff rocks. Time to get rid of the XTR setup soon...

 

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

Ooh, Shimano partout you say? I’m interested!

 

I first road in Moab and Canyonlands on a Raleigh Technium Chill in 1992. My friend bought it after I rode it about 5 years and still has it.
Newer bikes seem like cheating.
Current ride is a Rocky Mountain Element 70 the last year they made 26".

 

Great, just great. Now I have to choose between this and the Rocky Mountain Instinct. Thanks for nothing.

 

Just got back from a week in St. George Utah and had an Esker Rowl for the majority of the ride - definitely rode it like a rental and it did not disappoint! It felt a bit more burly than my Fezzari Delano Peak but they both have the same travel and very similar geometry numbers. The bike is on the aggressive side so lifting the front wheel on some tech maneuvers was a workout, but that bike wanted plow through technical downhills. If I didn't buy the Fezzari (and I am by no means upset with having my current bike), I would be seriously looking at an esker for an all mountain bike. Was spec'd a little lower with all SLX components, but for the price you can't really complain.



Rode Gooseberry Mesa and Guacamole Trail on it with some snow and ice (so glad i brought the cold weather with me). Handled all the techy bits as well as I could ask for:

 

Potentially before too long. Still need to figure out the chainring situation for my personal T-Type setup so I can keep my shiny silver cranks that I never want to get rid of.

 

I almost pulled the trigger on a T setup the past couple of days also but decided to wait until compatible 3 bolt oval chainrings come out. I heard through the grapevine that Wolftooth is super close to having one available (a few weeks away).

 

Immortal on the trails of Boise. That's me in the trail etiquette sign (the hiker) almost 20 years ago, almost 20 lbs lighter and I had hair. Quick after work cruise and pizza for dinner.

 

Nice, I’ll keep an eye out. XTR might be out of my budget but I may try to upgrade the SLX bits or possibly piecing together parts for the next build…

 

I've saw people using a standard eagle chainring with the new T chain and it working fine.

 

A guy on the local FB page said he got the full group minus cranks. Doesn't look like he is using the 3 bolt pattern though