You can count the amount of 140mm travel coil forks available on one hand: there’s the MRP Ribbon Cork and there’s the 140mm Cane Creek Coil Helm MKII.
- Price: £999
- Options: 140mm, 150mm, 160mm, 170mm, 29in, 41mm offset, 46mm offset, 51mm offset
- Weight: 2,240g
- From: Ison Distribution
We really liked the MRP Hazzard coil rear shock we tested last year, so couldn’t wait to have a go on the brand’s Ribbon Coil fork. You’d be forgiven for expecting a slightly smaller price tag for a coil sprung fork. And indeed it is theoretically a bit overpriced from certain points of view.
There’s no separate high and low speed damping adjustments. There’s no super tech air spring malarky. So why does it cost £999?
There are two reasons. Firstly, MRP is not a massive company so there’s no economy of scale as you’d get with bigger brands. Secondly, every single fork that leaves MRP’s factory in Colorado in small batches has been tested on a dyno.
In terms of damping adjustment, there’s low speed rebound (18 clicks) and low speed compression (8 clicks) adjustment. And then there’s the Ramp Control dial. Basically speaking, this does a similar job as adding/removing volume spacers in other (air sprung) forks; it controls how linear or progressive the end part of the suspension travel is.
MRP also includes three different springs in the box (Soft, Medium and Firm). This is mainly to ensure that people have a spring that matches their weight. It also means riders can choose to have a fork handle differently; put a firmer spring in and run it with zero Ramp Control and minimal low speed compression for one fork ‘feel’, or put a softer spring in and run it with max Ramp Control for another type of ‘feel’.
Between the preload dial, the low speed compression adjustment, the Ramp Control and the three springs, there is a reassuringly large range of ways you can set up the Ribbon Coil without any further outlay of money. Changing springs is not quite as easy as you’d think – the fork lowers basically need to be removed. It’s doable without any specialist tools but it is not something you’d opt to do mega frequently.
Out on the trail we quickly fell for the feel of the MRP. The fork is stiff enough at this level of travel and the grip and comfort levels are very probably the best in this test. We did end up running a fair amount of Ramp Control and low speed compression but this just highlights how free-moving the fork is in action.
Overall
There are not many other options for those wanting a coil sprung 140mm fork. Which is no problem because the Ribbon Coil is an excellent trail fork with a surprising amount of adjustment on offer.
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Review Info
Brand: | MRP |
Product: | Ribbon Coil |
From: | Ison-Distribution |
Price: | £999 |
Tested: | by Benji for Singletrack World Magazine Issue 147 |