My first twenty-niner and the bike that made 29″ wheels the only size I would ever ride again. This is a V1 and as of 2021 is 6 years old. I’ve replaced the XTR drivetrain twice and this bike just keeps going. It’s truly a classic.

I wish the fork on the Ripley V1 was raked out a little bit more. On steep climbs I frequently lift the front end off the ground. The LS version of the Ripley influenced all subsequent models and now the Ripley geometry is pretty spot on.
Now the quirks. The seat collar is 1 cm too tall for my frame. Ibis fixed that in the V2 and so with newer models you can run a tall dropper post and still get the height adjustment right. I’ve learned to live with the extra height and I manage to stop the seat right before it hits its peak.
My other original complaint was the color. I didn’t like the neon green on black. I’ve 100% reversed my thinking and now I really like the color combination. It’s a beautiful bike.
Latest Ripley posts
- Lunch Mountain Bike RideTook the Ripmo on another ride on Providence Canyon, Utah The ride – Providence Canyon, Utah The bike – Ripmo
- Weak day with the leafsTook the Bianchi Cavaria on another ride on Providence, Utah, United States The ride – Providence, Utah, United States The bike – Bianchi Cavaria
- Zwift – Loop de Loop in WatopiaAnother Zwift ride. Looking forward to finding myself outside again. The ride – Zwift The bike – Trek Madone (Trainer)
- So beautiful you can hardly be-leaf itTook the TIME VRS Fluidity on another ride on Paradise, Utah The ride – Paradise, Utah The bike – TIME VRS Fluidity
- Ripley to the rescueTook the Ripley on another ride on Providence Canyon, Utah The ride – Providence Canyon, Utah The bike – Ripley
- Lunch Mountain Bike RideTook the Ripmo on another ride on Providence Canyon, Utah The ride – Providence Canyon, Utah The bike – Ripmo
- ColorsTook the TIME VRS Fluidity on another ride on Paradise, Utah The ride – Paradise, Utah The bike – TIME VRS Fluidity
- Insufferable circlesTook the Ripmo on another ride on Providence Canyon, Utah The ride – Providence Canyon, Utah The bike – Ripmo
- Some colorTook the TIME VRS Fluidity on another ride on Paradise, Utah The ride – Paradise, Utah The bike – TIME VRS Fluidity
- Cow hide and seekTook the Ripmo on another ride on Providence Canyon, Utah The ride – Providence Canyon, Utah The bike – Ripmo
- Never gets oldTook the Bianchi Cavaria on another ride on Providence, Utah, United States The ride – Providence, Utah, United States The bike – Bianchi Cavaria
- SaturdayTook the Ripmo on another ride on Logan, UT, United States The ride – Logan, UT, United States The bike – Ripmo
- Lonely MountainTook the Ripmo on another ride on Jardine Juniper Trail The ride – Jardine Juniper Trail The bike – Ripmo
- Disapearing cowsTook the Ripmo on another ride on Providence Canyon, Utah The ride – Providence Canyon, Utah The bike – Ripmo
- Monday Morning MountainsTook the TIME VRS Fluidity on another ride on Paradise, Utah The ride – Paradise, Utah The bike – TIME VRS Fluidity
- It’s good to be backTook the Ripmo on another ride on Green Canyon, Utah The ride – Green Canyon, Utah The bike – Ripmo
- Heart’s not in itTook the Ripmo on another ride on Providence Canyon, Utah The ride – Providence Canyon, Utah The bike – Ripmo
- Every dam road is closedTook the TIME VRS Fluidity on another ride on Paradise, Utah The ride – Paradise, Utah The bike – TIME VRS Fluidity
- I went outsideTook the Ripmo on another ride on Providence Canyon, Utah The ride – Providence Canyon, Utah The bike – Ripmo
- Zwift – Shisa Shakedown in Makuri IslandsAnother Zwift ride. Looking forward to finding myself outside again. The ride – Zwift The bike – Trek Madone (Trainer)
I’ve logged a lot of miles on this bike.