My Ripmo AF NX build arrived Tuesday. I spent the afternoon fitting the invisiframe kit so Wednesday was the first ride out.
Swapped out the 150mm dropper for the 170mm brand x from my other bike and I’ve bought some SLX 4 pot brakes to swap out the guide t once the bits arrive.
I’m a couple of rides in and when I first jumped on it the seated position felt really weird as the SA felt a lot steeper than my 2018 YT Capra despite on paper being the same. As soon as I hit a climb though that feeling disappeared as where on the Capra I might shift my weight forward on the saddle a bit I was already in the perfect position. The way it climbs is actually pretty amazing as it’s not light yet on steep climbs that I struggled to clear on my 120mm Scott Spark, I’m climbing up pretty easily on the Ripmo AF. I’m not having to struggle to keep that balance between rear wheel traction and stopping the front wheel lifting up. Just sit and pedal, easy.
Point it downhill and it picks up speed so quickly and just wants to pop off of every little thing. I really think this bike is going to get me in a shit ton of trouble but I couldn’t be happier with it.
“Swap out” ffs
???
what the travel on that? looks lovely, enjoy!
Nice. Did it come with an Aggrressor out back, or did you swap it out?
It’s 160mm f and 147mm r travel.
It’s comes with 2.5wt exo+ Assegai front and rear. I swapped out the rear assegai for the aggressor and keep the other assegai as a spare.
BTW the Assegai is insanely grippy. Tron bike cornering with that on the front.
Rad bike you must be stoked looks sick what cockpit are you running how do you like those apples @mulacs
In all serious, they are awesome bikes. Congratulations didnt fancy the coil?
😀
I originally wanted the coil but had an email chat with dvo and they recommended the air shock as I’m on the weight limit of the 550 spring.
Tbh the topaz air is super smooth and supple so I can’t imagine much benefit from the coil for the extra weight.
Looks bloody brilliant! Keeps us posted on how you get on with it.
The Ripmo AF is on the shortlist for my next bike and looking at the spec the only thing I would change is the brakes and the rear tyre too.
Yeah, Assegai is a brilliant front tyre, just seemed an odd spec choice to put it on the rear too. That's about the only grumble though, it's fantastic value.
The Ripmo AF is on the shortlist for my next bike and looking at the spec the only thing I would change is the brakes and the rear tyre too
TBF the brakes are ok, I just prefer Shimano levers
A few of the 'merkin youtubers ride the ripmo's and they love them. Would like to throw my leg over one.
Looks badass! Probably my top choice if I was getting a full-sus right now.
(And a great bike for proving that bike weight is so much less important than almost everyone thinks!)
Totally true chief ! 👍
One of my bikes is 40lbs &
Oddly enough it's not a Surly no!
🤣
Oh very sweet ride too Op
I was gonna go af route but went impulse in a good way the DH route coily coily for me
And a great bike for proving that bike weight is so much less important than almost everyone thinks!
I think my biggest concern was that it would feel sluggish uphill or when pedalling along flat sections but quite the opposite. There’s a section of trail which is a fairly mellow gradient but it’s really rooty and on my other bikes I’d have to be out the saddle otherwise I lose momentum as the bike gets hung up on the roots, but the Ripmo just allows you to sit and pedal and keeps going forward.
Should also mention how impressive the DVO suspension is. I’ve generally ended up with Fox performance stuff as I don’t spend enough to get the elite or factory stuff. The feel of particularly the forks is noticeably better then anything I’ve had before and that they managed to get that on a bike that costs under £3k is superb.
A friend has a ripmo (none AF version), and I have a 2018 CF pro capra. I've had a few goes on it, its an impressive climber thats for sure - and goes downhill well.
Interested in the coil shock comments. Was it just that they don't make a heavier spring for that shock? Or do they think the amount of progression doesn't suit a larger/heavier rider on a coil?
The 550 is the heaviest spring they currently make (I think). They said I could get a heavier spring from another manufacturer but said the shock would also benefit from a retune to get the best out of it. Which tbh sounded like a load of time and money I wasn't keen on spending.
Looks good. I’ve ridden the V2 briefly but would be nice to properly compare it my V1. I did like the (DVO Air) shock on it though. I was in the process of buying one for mine when we went into lockdown.
If it's not too personal a question, what does that make the upper weight limit?
That looks ace. These are making their way up my potential next bike list.
“Swap out” ffs
Attempted new bike stoke removal. Way to break rule 1.
Attempted new bike stoke removal. Way to break rule 1.
😀
Would have to try a lot harder than that as the Stoke level is off the charts
I’ve obviously been watching too many bikemag and Pinkbike videos.
Rode a reign on DVO shocks in Vancouver, they are next level....
I’ve potentially sold my hunt wheels from my last bike.
I’m going to buy an SLX 12sp groupset. Does anyone have any experience with SLX 12sp? It’s been a few years since I’ve used a shimano groupset as all the bikes I’ve had have been specced with GX or NX, but always much preferred the shimano feel so keen to give it a go.
I bought an af nx build as well a few months back and changed everything to new slx. It’s miles ahead of the nx in feel. I hated the nx feel, it lasted about 1 week on the bike I think. The 4 piston brakes are fantastic, very powerful.
Sold the bike since because it felt sluggish to me ☹️
Very nice. I just finished up building a bike around a discounted V1 frame.
If it’s not too personal a question, what does that make the upper weight limit?
The upper limit on the ibis quick set up says 230lbs for the 600lb spring. I’m around 240.
Great choice OP! These bikes are the bomb! Suspension is so sorted. Coming from a Transition Patrol Carbon, it may not be as light, and possibly wont be so good over distance and multiple long climbs, but my god it smooths out the trail. Dunno if its the DW linkage or the DVO, but it works well. DVO front, although initially in a car park might feel a little sticky, is superb on the trail, at least as good as my old pikes+vorsprung (and better than my pike ultimate on HT, which I cant get right). The coil is so good. So simple and works a charm. I'm on a medium with 400lb spring (70kg naked :D).
I find this bike as playful. I find it poppy, which is contrary to coil preconceptions.
I've basically rebuilt my bike aroudn the frame and forks, and sold all the original bits. Ended up costing me £200 more for a very high spec bike. Its 33.8lb now.
When the Ripmo came out I thought it seemed such a sorted design apart from the head angle being a bit steep, plus I don’t want a carbon frame - then the AF arrived and it ticked all the boxes. It’s only now that other brands are picking up on the value of not just short seat tubes but tons of insertion depth so you can run big droppers.
If I get sick of my full-sus having a motor then I shall get one! I can’t cope with having three bikes, it’s hard enough swapping between two, and I like riding a hardtail too much to not have one...
@muggomagic
Lovely looking bike mate and you are right to be well chuffed.
Where was the first pic taken btw? SDW?
@superfli Looks great. Have you noticed the weight savings when riding?
@CGG I’m the same. Too many bikes and I find that I end up not enjoying any of them as they all end up feeling a bit weird, so I tended to just use the one anyway.
Hence going back to this rather than the Izzo (as well as my general carbon angst).
I want one bike that I could ride pretty much everywhere. I’ve kept the Capra with the thought of using it on uplift days but not sure I wouldn’t just use the Ripmo now. Maybe I’ll buy some triple clamps forks and build the Capra into a DH bike 😀
@poopscoop thanks bud. Yes, it’s SDW above Steyning. There’s a load of great trails in the woods just up the hill a bit from where that picture was taken.
Lovely bike Muggo, looking forward to seeing it out on the trails when group rides are allowed again.
Lovely bike Muggo, looking forward to seeing it out on the trails when group rides are allowed again.
Cheers, hopefully not too much longer now.
I need to get myself over to Steyning, I'm qecp local. Muggo, I swapped the parts out from new, so can't say whether I'd notice weight savings. Got one more but to change, and that's the wheels. The Ibis wheels are really good and the asymmetric rims are lovely and wide, but I got dtswiss envy when riding my mates bike and have a set of 240exp hubs on pre order, so I can build up a quality set (prob on xm481, as carbon is too expensive).
Makes sense. I thought about upgrading the wheels to the carbon when I ordered the bike but when I looked it up there was only like 200g in it so didn’t think it was worth the extra money.
I need to get myself over to Steyning, I’m qecp local
They’ve done so much work up there over the last couple of years. It really is a fantastic riding spot.
I’ve ridden a few of the southern enduros at QECP you’ve got some mint trails over there. Especially the ones they’ve used for the Day Night race.
Especially the ones they’ve used for the Day Night race.
Unfortunately they are currently being demolished by the forestry 😢
Good to see prioritising decent tyres over carbon rims
👍😀
Unfortunately they are currently being demolished by the forestry 😢
Ah crap. I had seen something about that on the QECP Mtb Facebook group but assumed that was the Buriton stuff.
Good to see prioritising decent tyres over carbon rims
Well pleased with the Assegai and Aggressor combo.
I'm currently considering the Ripmo AF or Carbon but can't decide between Large or XL.
What size are you and what frame did you go for?
Getting a test ride on one is near impossible
I’m currently considering the Ripmo AF or Carbon but can’t decide between Large or XL.
What size are you and what frame did you go for?
Getting a test ride on one is near impossible
I can imagine demos aren’t going to happen for a while. I’m 6ft with 32 inside leg and I’m on the large. The geo charts show that it has very similar reach and stack height to my 2018 Capra which is perfect for me, so I was certain it’d fit and it does. It has a really low stand over height though so if you like a longer reach I would think it’d be no problem sizing up.
Thanks I'm nearly same size as you so that's helpful, I do like the longer reach I've tested a few bikes with 480+ reach and I like them.
Carbon has a 500mm reach in XL but figure I can dial with back with a shorter stem if needs be.
6ft with a 34in inside leg. went XL. can't imagine fitting on a large, i'd imagine the reach being too cramped. personal opinion
I went for gloss on my silver frame which IMO gives it a really nice pop.
Cheers! Decent kit that covered it well? Trying to justify the cost!
Yeah I’ve used it on my last couple of bikes. Really keeps them looking great for a long long time as the invisiframe material self heals all those little scratches that you get
Other than a few deep scratches where I’d come off on the rockiest section of root manoeuvres my 2018 Capra still looked great after 2 years and it had had a pretty tough life with regular winter riding in Surrey.
I also bought some clear gorilla tape which I put on top of the invisiframe around the flat part of the swing arm and linkages as I’d read about the damage caused by stones in that area. It has definitely taken some abuse round there so I’m glad I did.
Looks great, really like the orange.
Do you still prefer it to the Capra?
What would you say are the main differences between them, good and bad?
Ta
Yeah I’ve done over 1000 miles on the Ripmo AF since I got it at the end of April and I think it’s just brilliant. I’ve done big rides on it including my first 100km ride for quite a while and also day trips to 417 and FoD. I was really impressed with it at FoD as I went down some stuff there that for me was probably on the edge of my comfort zone but no problems on this bike (definitely not anything to do with the rider 😀)
It’s a way better climber than the Capra and it pedals really well. It’s not light (mine weighs just under 32lbs) but I’ve never once felt like that weight was an issue, even on the long rides I’ve done on it.
Downhill it’s very good too, I love the way as soon as you let off the brakes you can really feel it accelerate. It’s more nimble and I love popping off every little thing I can find on the trail. I would say the Ripmo is not able to plough through stuff as well as the Capra but then the Capra does have extra 20mm of travel.
The biggest compliment I can give to the Ripmo AF is that when I’m out on it I’m always up for going a bit further and getting another run or 2 in before heading home.
Thank you for the update glad you are enjoying it and that it is confidence inspiring.
Sounds like you are very happy with it:)
I am trying to work out in my mind and have been for a couple of months if I should get a Ripmo or a Capra.... Or get a shorter travel bike like the Izzo for trail riding right now and save to get a second bike the Capra for bigger trips to say Finale or the Alps etc.
Yeah I actually put an order in for the Izzo with the same idea of using that for local stuff and the Capra for bike parks, Alps trips etc, but keeping 2 full sus bikes running gets pretty expensive and it would have meant that the Capra only got used a handful of times a year.
So I went the other way for a one bike to do it all. I was meant to be going to Morzine in July but it got cancelled due to Covid which was a shame and would’ve been good to see how the Ripmo felt on those long descents. Off to BPW in September though and I’m keen to see how it compares to the Capra there.
Ha. Great minds think alike.
Just think a shorter lighter bike might be more fun for 80% of the riding over here but a bigger bike like the Capra for the trips away from a just plough or more of a let off if you get it a bit wrong -the same as when you get on a DH bike it feels amaZing the control and comfort at speed through chunkier terrain. Two bikes = expense though.
I have a V1 Ripmo. It's a burley build and not much lighter than Muggomagic's AF. Still runs 2.6 tyres on 35mm rims, Rimpacts, 4-pots etc. I've never felt under-biked even in Finale and on some super steep/rocky trails in Malaga. I've ridden an AF and I don't like it as much, probably because I'm so used to mine (bought May '18/4000km+).
I also have a Ripley. Because I'm an idiot, it's probably built a bit heavier than it needs to be. I really wanted a lighter, shorter travel, more agile bike than the RipMo. Even with 2.5 tyres (again on 35mm rims) and 4-pots, it's my first choice bike for FoD/local twisty singletrack etc.
It's great to have two. But if I could only have one, I'd keep the RipMo. But I'm really happy having them both!
Very jealous Alex, they sound like a great pair of bikes to own!
Ripmo sounds like a great option.
I'm still unsure what to do. I don't know will probably end up with too many bikes.
To add my thoughts I’ve also come from a cf pro race to the ripmo af . Arrived two weeks ago thought I’d struggle as was on 27.5 but got on and got straight in to some big is bits at mallards and Parkend in the fod and got straight on with it , it go’s up way better and comes down equally as well just different from the Capra , surprisingly playful and poppy . It’s just a well sorted bike . I got off it today after seshing a Local trail just to get the suspension properly dialed and thought what a bike . Seems to work so bloody well . I don’t regret not going for the 29 Capra I wanted originally , pretty close to a do it all bike I’d say
Cheers Makkah, glad you are loving the AF really positive feedback.
Took my af to the Les arcs, pila, la thuile, meribel mid July and it was fantastic. Never felt out of control or lacking travel. Well, maybe should have put my 450lb spring on, which I took. I used a 425 and bottomed a few times, but wasn't enough to concern me. They do seem to under spec the weight of spring imo- my medium came with a 400.
God knows how to get this bike lower than 32lb btw. Mine is pretty high spec and 34lb! Carbon bars and crank. Xt/xtr gears (11s), formula brakes, revive dropper, dt Swiss 240/481 wheels ( weighed with Michelin rubber. Rear 780g, front 1kg)
@muggomagic @makkag and anyone else, what have you done able the brake routing on yours? It appears that there's a twin cable port on the LHS, and a single on the right, but they aren't interchangeable, so you have to either run the dropper or rear brake into the LHS one, which a) makes the routing difficult with decent length cables, and b) looks shit.
I’ve got the dropper routed on the left. Would be nice to swap it to the RHS but don’t the the ports are the same size so it’ll stay as is. Not too bothered about it tbh.
Cheers dude. I guess I'm just a bit too picky 😀
I'll swap the dropper and brake like the manual says.
I agree with you about the cables, the UK is such a large market you'd think the frame makers would cater for it. It just looks crap routed the same side & doesn't help eliminate cable rub.
I managed to drill out a couple of the guides on my HD3 to get the cables running around the head tube, but I see this isn't an option on the Ripmo. Shame.
Evil bikes give you the option to run UK brakes with 2 ports on either side, pity other manufacturers don't follow suit.
Indeed. Literally all it would have taken was to elongate the hole on the RHS to make it the same size as the left, then the port covers could just be swapped! The bike is brilliant, but the cable routing is an afterthought. The rattle is awful, and if you fit a bottle cage it's a right car crash down there!