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So I have an ebike coming soon and I really don't have the room for all the bikes. I did not intend to change my bikes but I just don't have room
My riding is alot of trail riding at home, plus the local bikepark which is just loads of big jumps and frequent trips to Wales, Scotland, Colorado, Alps (I'm not rich, I just travel alot for work and happen to bring my bike)
I have SBG Patrol set up as my 'big bike' with wide carbon wheels, Lyriks, coil and a Smuggler set up as a trail bike, 130mm fork, inline shock etc
I've taken the Smuggler away for some big riding for laughs before and it's always done really well every time but if I still don't want to send it off road gaps if I'm not sure I'll make it, whilst the Patrol will let me get away with more
I'm a smash through stuff kind of rider and the Patrol caters to my strength which actually probably isn't ideal. I may be better off with a nimble bike as I am very good at sticking lines and taking a beating, so I'm not against being slightly underbiked at times
So enter the Ripmo. It seems to bridge the gap well, apparently poppy but sendable. I'm thinking it may well do as an only bike, it has been raced at EWS and I'm fairly sure it will be fine for most of what I can throw at it, but is it still a playful trailbike?
My thinking is to buy a SH Ripmo AF frame, build up the best bits off my two bikes onto it then see how it goes and sell the Smuggler frame and Patrol complete if it works out. I should even be quids in with it at the end and if I really love it I'll spend that on a carbon Ripmo v2 frame
Also considering SB130 and NP Reactor but the first is expensive and the latter is maybe slightly short on travel
Sorry for the long post
TL;DR: I have a Patrol and a Smuggler, if I get a Ripmo will it be 80% as good at trail riding as the Smuggler and 80% as good a DH bike as the Patrol?
I can't help too much but I have a mk1 Ripmo and love it.
From other bikes I've had and currently got I'd say it is a very good trail bike and eats modest downs easily with confidence.
It isn't a xc weapon although it will cope with it - just feels a little lifeless compared with a lighter hardtail on the same ride but you are not asking for that.
Maybe the SB150 would be more suitable from Yeti as that is a beast on the downs and manageable as a trail bike. The SB130 I rode (for not very long) felt like the Ripmo but maybe more XC ish and possibly closer to the Ripley than Ripmo.
Hopefully more people will come along soon and comment as a few have Ripmos. @Alex Leigh may turn up as he has a Ripmo and could well have had at least a go on the others.
Thanks for the input, sounds positive to me! The SB130 being a bit more XC is good feedback, not what I’m after and the SB150 is defo too much bike!
You're welcome. It's difficult to gauge bikes from other peoples opinions, being as we all want slightly different things and have sometimes chasms of difference in riding ability.
I don't think you'll be disappointed with a Ripmo or SB130 tbh. The SB130 is maybe not quite as much bike but then again compared to the SB100 it's rubbish XC, so all relative.
If you've got time and haven't done so already, have a look at mtb yum yum on youtube. He has rode all sorts, comes across as a nice genuine guy and loves bikes.
Have you looked at the availability of SH Ripmo AF frames? There is huge demand for all Ripmos and I reckon they will be scarce.
Yeah they are scarce, even new ones! But there is one frame for sale in my size luckily
A side point is that my smuggler does not weigh much less than my patrol, weight is not something I’m very bothered about
I had a carbon patrol before my ripmo af. I much prefer the dwlink suspension. It feels much more active and soaks up the bumps better. Also climbs well. I previously had Banshee (ks link), and was never really that happy with the patrol rear end despite vorsprung tuning the rear shock. The ripmo is about 3lb heavier, but you don't really notice it as it climbs so well. I've not felt that I need more travel at all and felt great in the Alps last year. It'll happily replace both your transitions. Your won't regret it.
That is great, cheers superfli! My Patrol is alu so weight should be about the same, and I’m that bothered anyway
Just waiting to hear back on the 2 XL frames I’ve found secondhand but I see Evo have XL in stock brand new, might just go for that, if I’m selling a frame and a complete bike I can take the hit on the cost. I’ll have to just hope I can get the ebike on my work scheme and that my 2k pet insurance claim goes through!
Also, I’m 6’2” on XL Transition bikes so looking at Ibis size chart I should be XL, anyone have a different experience with sizing?
Get a ripmo and stick a 170mm fox 38 or zeb on it like the enduro team. Local Swedish hero here Robin Wallner does alright on his 😁
Get a ripmo and stick a 170mm fox 38 or zeb on it like the enduro team. Local Swedish hero here Robin Wallner does alright on his 😁
I’m thinking of Pikes or Lyriks but having 2 air shafts, 150 for trail riding and 160/170 for going big 😎
Well, just bought a frame so hopefully it’s as good as everyone makes out!
My V1 RipMo is coming up 3 years old. Around 4000km ridden. Lots of big rocky/smashy stuff around Sospel/Finale/Malaga etc. The most capable 'trail' bike I've had (and I've had quite a few, but never ridden a Yeti). I did have a 2017 Smuggler which weighed about the same as my RipMo. RipMo climbs and descends noticeably better.
Mate had a V2 AF and that felt really heavy and cumbersome compared to mine. It did have some DH tyres on it tho. I'm probably going to put a 170mm air spring in my Lyriks this year, and maybe replace the original DPX2 shock.
No point me buying a V2 unless I wanted to run a coil spring. The new DPX2s look really good so I'm happy to stick with air.
So good effort finding one, I think you'll have a blast on it.
OP I did similar to you. I had a YT Capra and a Scott Spark, I bought a Ripmo AF to replace both bikes and it's been the perfect replacement. I've only managed to get to one bikepark due to lockdowns but I've ridden some pretty lairy stuff (for me anyway) in the FOD on it and I was really impressed with how confident I felt on the Ripmo and it was also good on those long steep climbs back to the top again.
Last summer I did a 100km ride on it over the South Downs and the biggest surprise was just how comfortable it was. Generally after 4-5 hours on the bike, my back would be aching, my hands would be sore but I had no issues at all on it.
If you're looking at the Ripmo AF, have a look at the Banshee Titan or Prime.
I have the Prime and I think (it's early days) it's a great "quiver killer" (sorry).
Having ridden my mates smuggler and privateer 161 and loved both equally I’ve decided to go somewhere in the middle of the two for my new bike. I’m going for a privateer 141, sticking a coil shock on it and increasing the forks to 160. Think that will cover all bases for me and compliment my hardcore ht nicely. An alloy sentinel would also fit the bill but not available new anymore.
Edit: just read the above and realised you’ve already bought a frame!
Cheers, good to get some more good feedback on the bike since I've now bought one!
I did actually demo a Sentinel when I bought the Patrol. I was going to just get a Sentinel but luckily I managed to demo both and really didn't get on with the Sentinel. Could be because it was the first 29er I'd ridden, and I was at a bikepark I'd never been to before. And I'd driven 5hrs to get there (Steamboat)
Good to hear it'll take some lairy stuff, I have a personal mission to ride as many WC DH tracks as I can, although I'm only on 5 so far 😀
All of the build kit on my Smuggler will go straight on. Might just go for a 200mm dropper, forks are already short offset as well, just need to put a 160 shaft in there and do a damper rebuild while I'm in there
The Topaz air it comes with is supposedly pretty good, right? I may buy a coil to put in for big days but I don't want to run coil all the time on my only bike
Should be at home waiting for me when I get back from Denmark next Friday, then I have 5-10 days quarantine to build it!
Thanks for all the advice, my wallet is a grand lighter but I'm pretty excited!
The Topaz air it comes with is supposedly pretty good, right? I may buy a coil to put in for big days but I don’t want to run coil all the time on my only bike
Been really impressed with the Topaz. I was thinking of getting a coil for the same reasons but the Topaz has been that good that I haven't felt the need. I do keep an eye out for a reasonably priced 2nd hand Jade x so I can give it a go though.
One thing to consider if you buy a coil shock, is that you need to make sure it's compatible with the clevis linkage on the Ripmo. They have a list of ones that you definitely can use.
We spec and recommend the DVO Jade X Coil shock, but you could run any clevis compatible coil shock. Brands that offer a clevis compatible coil shock include DVO, Cane Creek, EXT, and Rockshox. We recommend verifying clevis compatibility with manufacturers before purchase.
Cheers @muggomagic
You may have some competition for any second hand Jade Xs then 🙂
EXT fitting is interesting, I suppose if I decide to stick with the Ripmo it would maybe be a more sensible upgrade than the £3.2k for getting a carbon frame..
😀 TBF I've not seen any come up in the year I've had my Ripmo so the desire to try it with a coil has waned a bit. There's a thread on Pinkbike forums where a guy from DVO pops up now and again selling off their stock. Worth keeping an eye on if you're keen.
EXT shock would be very nice, but then you'd have to get the forks too 🙂
Haha, this thread has already cost me a grand, I don't need to spend another 1600 on some forks thankyou very much!
First ride on it last night, it rips!
Second ride on it very shortly 😎
I just got a ripmo AF frame to build up, has a Jade x which I loved on my steel FS. Coming from a Rune V3/Full Moxie. Looks like a fun bike.
First ride on it last night, it rips!
Second ride on it very shortly 😎
Just seen this. Congrats, and glad you are happy with it. I have had mine about a year now and a couple of weeks ago gave it a bit of a refresh. New cassette, chain, BB and cables also fitted a 200mm dropper and a set of carbon bars that I had spare. I gave the diamond lowers a service and sent the topaz off to Sprung for a full service. It now feels like a new bike and I still think it's the perfect bike for me.
I also fitted the Assegai back on the rear as I went to BPW last Friday and ended up leaving it on when I rode Surrey Hills on Sunday. I was quite surprised that it didn't seem to be as draggy on the climbs and it's like being on rails having 2 of those on the bike.
I just got a ripmo AF frame to build up, has a Jade x which I loved on my steel FS. Coming from a Rune V3/Full Moxie. Looks like a fun bike.
Nice. Don't think you'll be disappointed, be interested to see how you get on with it.
If my TRP brake spares ever arrive or it is back to XT alps proven 2 piston!
Just as an aside, I once decided to gonfrom 3 bikes to 2... thatbwas 18 months ago... erm, I now have 5... so... theres that
I have gone down to one after having a trail and enduro bike. Got the ripmo built up and tested it yesterday. What a capable bike.