\u2022 Two geometry options: The nimble geometry of the original or a new school long and slack version called the Ripley LS
\n\u2022 Internal cable routing using our flexible and easy to setup port system
\n\u2022 Increased tire clearance
\n\u2022 Threaded bottom bracket
\n\u2022 Seat mast lowered by 1\/2\u201d to accommodate today\u2019s longer droppers
\n\u2022 Choice of Boost 148 (staring in November ’15) or 142mm x 12mm Shimano through axle (now)
\n\u2022 Stiffer eccentric cores
\n\u2022\u00a0New rubber molded chainstay and seatstay protection
\n\u2022 Two new colors (let’s call them “Tang” and “Black”) <\/p>\n
FEATURES<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 120mm rear wheel dw-link travel ABOUT THE NEW RIPLEY<\/strong> The new Ripley update incorporates changes Ripley owners have been asking for\u200b. People were using the bike for much more aggressive riding than its original intention. Because of the phenomenal dw-link suspension and 29er traction, enduro racers found they were faster than on more traditional enduro bikes on just about any terrain short of a ski slope. Then there\u2019s the confidence-inspiring Ibis 941 wheels that we introduced in 2014, a game changer as far as traction and control go. That combined with huge improvements to mid travel forks and shocks that allowed people to go much faster required some addressing. So here\u2019s what we\u2019ve done:<\/p>\n < strong>NEW! LONGER AND SLACKER GEOMETRY OPTION<\/strong> MORE TIRE CLEARANCE<\/strong> ALL NEW CABLE ROUTING<\/strong> EXCEPTIONAL NEW FOX SUSPENSION<\/strong> NEW! 142 X 12MM SHIMANO THROUGH AXLE<\/strong> SOON! BOOST 148<\/strong> NEW! BOTTOM BRACKET<\/strong> ECCENTRICS-UPDATED<\/strong> NEW! RUBBER MOLDED CHAINSTAY PROTECTION<\/strong> ECCENTRICS-THE REST OF THE STORY<\/strong> The system that we finalized has fewer parts and uses readily available bearings. Along the way we kept reminding ourselves about one of our favorite quotes:<\/p>\n Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. There are many benefits to an eccentric linkage system. Because the bearings are located inside the seat tube, they are shielded from wheel spray and contamination. The look is very clean, as everything is hidden inside the frame. Additionally, the eccentric system is lighter than our external linkage systems.<\/p>\n A great benefit, particularly on the 29\u201d platform is that the eccentrics let us build the bike with shorter chainstays, giving more room in the tight area around the rear tire and front derailleur.<\/p>\n Though the linkages are small and close together, the eccentrics allowed us to make a right side upright between the front of the chain and seat stay, resulting in added stiffness, critical for the larger loads of the big wheels. Not only that but we could mount the front derailleur to it so that it would move with the swingarm. This meant the chainstay didn\u2019t have to be dropped to provide front derailleur clearance at bottom out. This is particularly important with the smaller gears that 29er\u2019s typically use because you don\u2019t want the chain dragging on the bottom of the chainstay. All in all, the eccentrics were a huge challenge that resulted in many nice benefits. Here\u2019s an exploded view.<\/p>\n GEARING<\/strong> GEOMETRY<\/strong> That nimble, responsive, and natural handling geometry is still available in the medium and large in the New Ripley. We’ve also got something for the new school kids out there. Once people started figuring out how capable the Ripley was they started going faster and bigger, and then started asking for more stability at high speed. For them we have the Ripley LS. We added 15mm to the top tube in each size and slackened the head angle out to 67.5\u00ba. <\/p>\n FORKS<\/strong> The 51 mm offset is available from Fox, X-Fusion and RockShox.<\/p>\n FOX<\/strong> Part number: 910-01-925 X-FUSION<\/strong> Trace Taper 120mm 15mm White ROCKSHOX<\/strong> MOLDING TECHNOLOGY<\/strong>![\"Full-Ripley-Orange\"](\"http:\/\/www.mtb-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Full-Ripley-Orange.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Carbon fiber monocoque frame and swingarm
\n\u2022 5.5 Pound frame* with Fox FLOAT DPS EVOL
\n\u2022 Approved for 120-140mm forks, 51mm rake is STRONGLY recommended
\n\u2022 Tapered head tube (suitable for various Cane Creeks & Chris King InSet 3)
\n\u2022 Shock Specs: Fox Factory FLOAT DPS 3pos w\/Adj and EVOL Sleeve with Kashima Coat 184mm x 44mm
\n\u2022 Provision for internal cable-actuated or hydraulic adjustable seat posts
\n\u2022 Post mount rear brake mounts
\n\u2022 Shimano side swing front derailleur compatible.
\n* Frame weight is for a medium black with shock but without seat collar, rear axle, or water bottle bolts.<\/p>\n
\nIn June of 2015 we introduced a fairly major update to the Ripley. We say fairly major because it involved cutting all new molds for the main triangle and heavily modifying the swingarm molds. We also added a second geometry option with a longer top tube and slacker head tube, that’s called the Ripley LS.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe Ripley is now available in two geometry configurations. The Ripley LS features a 15mm longer top tube and is available in Medium, Large and XL sizes, and the LS also features a slack 67.5 degree head angle. This allows for shorter stems and adds stability at speed. The second geometry iteration is identical to the original Ripley. So the original nimble handling geometry that redefined how a 29er could corner is still available (in medium and large and large sizes).<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nOne of the things that happened since we originally designed the Ripley is that both tires and rims got bigger. A 2.1″ tire on a 21mm rim was pretty common but then people realized they liked a little more volume and 2.2″ – 2.35″ tires became popular. Then we blew up rim design with the wide carbon 941’s. The combination of the two meant we needed to update our clearances. Tire labels are notoriously meaningless, especially when it comes to height, but you can now use most 2.35″ tires on our 941 rims on the New Ripley and Ripley LS. <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBased on the success of our cable port system used in the Tranny 29 and Mojo HD3, we have completely revised the cable routing system. The versatile port system is adaptable to just about any configuration of derailleurs and droppers you might have, just look at our cable port line up. You can now run internally routed droppers, mechanical or hydraulic. Additionally, the new Ripley is optimized for the new Shimano side pull front derailleur.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhile we’ve done a lot of work on the frame itself we actually think that one of the most noticeable changes to the New Ripley is the latest Fox suspension. We have worked closely with Fox to develop a tune for the excellent 2016 Float DPS shock with EVOL sleeve. It provides more supple small bump sensitivity in the initial part of the stroke and then ramps up to provide better support in the mid to end stroke. The result is a plush ride that doesn’t wallow and pops off of jumps in a very controlled way. Translation: it’s super fun.
\nThe fork makeover that happened this year was equally impactful. The new Float 34 weighs the same as last year’s 32, has greater stiffness and plushness, and doesn’t dive under braking. Both Ripleys will ship with a 130mm travel version of this fork. <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe New Ripley features a lighter, simpler bolt on axle using the new Shimano 12mm axle standard. There is also an optional Shimano quick release axle that is secure, intuitive, and quiet.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBeginning in November of 2015, you can order the New Ripley or the Ripley LS in the Boost 148 configuration. Currently there are almost no hub or wheel choices for the new Boost standard. We will have Boost 148 wheels for our bikes and for aftermarket in November. Note, we will continue to offer the 142 x 12mm rear axle standard after the Boost rear comes online.<\/p>\n
\nWe have changed to a threaded (73mm BSA) bottom bracket on the Ripley. While we like the press fit for its lightweight and stiff design, we are still seeing too much variation between the different manufacturers’ press in cups to get a consistently reliable fit. <\/p>\n
\nOver the past three years, we’ve made a few tweaks to the eccentrics. We found out with those changes to the cores (we affectionately call them “Gnar Cores”), that they are an effective place to add a bit of weight and gain stiffness. So for this update we further refined them. We moved some weight around and added only 2 grams but that which allowed us to up the torque spec on our eccentric shaft bolts. Since we were cutting new molds for the frame, we also added extra carbon around the \u200beccentrics which gained us a bit more stiffness. All told, even with the bigger tire clearance cuts in the swingarm, the BB torsional stiffness went up 12%. The new cores are retrofittable to the original Ripley. <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nTaking a cue from the Mojo HD3, we’ve built a beautiful molded chainstay and seatstay protector on the new Ripley. Yes, it retrofits to the original Ripley and yes it’s going to be in our web store soon. <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe heart of the Ripley is its dual-eccentric dw-link suspension. Instead of using external linkages like we do on our longer travel bikes, we were able to construct the Ripley with two small eccentrics, hidden inside the seat tube, which act as the suspension linkages. This clever system was conceived by Dave Weagle (he\u2019s the dw in dw-link) in 2005, and we started development of the system in 2007. Since then, we have been building, testing refining, racing and simplifying the eccentric system. We had been developing a system with angular contact bushings, and at the same time we were developing a more traditional bearing version. In the end, the traditional bearing system was chosen for production for a variety of reasons.<\/p>\n
\nAlbert Einstein
\nWe feel that we succeeded.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWe asked Dave Weagle to create suspension kinematics that would provide a very responsive feel, even sprinting out of the saddle in the big chainring. However we realized that there was no need for a 42 tooth ring big on a 29er so we are optimized for a 32\u201334 tooth big ring. This was unique at the time we made the decision but turned out to be perfect for the smaller doubles available now and all the 1X systems that use 28 to 36 rings. <\/p>\n
\nWe\u2019ve owned, ridden and tested a lot of 29ers over the last few years. We liked some aspects but some of them we really disliked. We found that geometry was all over the map with the different bikes and that none of them delivered the snappy handling we all love with our current bikes. We’ll call these first generation 29ers and unfortunately they gave 29ers a bad name. The Ripley was the beginning of the second wave of 29ers that redefined what a 29er could do. ” I didn’t know a 29er could handle like that” is a common refrain around the Demo truck. <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nAlthough the Ripley will still ride well with a shorter rake fork, the best handling is achieved with a 51 mm offset (rake) fork.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nNote that the 51mm rake is what we spec for the 130mm travel Fox Float 34 that comes on the Ripley.
\nThe forks we provide all have the proper offset and have decals that match the color of the bike.
\nIf you are purchasing your own fork, here is the information you need to purchase the excellent Fox Float 34 we use on the Ripley: <\/p>\n
\nDescription: 2016, 34, K, FLOAT, 29in, F-S, 130, 3Pos-Adj, FIT4, Matte Blk, Orange Logo, 15QRx100, 1.5 T, 51mm Rake, AM<\/p>\n
\nAlso available from X-Fusion are the following forks, all are the correct 51mm offset:<\/p>\n
\nTrace Taper 120mm 15mm Black
\nTrace Taper 140mm 15mm White
\nTrace Taper 140mm 15mm Black<\/p>\n
\nRockShox makes 46 and 51 mm offset in 29r 120 and 140 travel forks, but the 51 is not generally stocked by shops and distributors.<\/p>\n
\nThe Ripley begins by molding a sacrificial mandrel in exactly the shape that we want the inside of the frame to be. That becomes the 3D template for the carbon so that everything can be precisely placed for a more consistent layup with no joints anywhere. What that means for you is a lighter and stronger frame, critical factors in hitting our targets for weight and stiffness.<\/p>\n