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
- Let’s all ride togetherFirst time out with the wife and boys. Also first time on the River Trail this year. The water is running fast and furious. The ride – Logan River Trail The bike – Ibis Ripmo
- Blessed are the trail buildersFirst ride up Millville this year. The winter run off has left the mountains and green and lush. This is a tough climb but the greenery and the views made it worth it. A big thanks goes to all those who work so hard so we get to enjoy these experiences. The ride – Millville Canyon The bike – Ibis Ripmo
- First dam ride of the yearFirst dam visit this year. Still a lot of dam water all over the place. The ride – Porcupine Dam The bike – Time VRS Fluidity
- Cold FeetTwo loops means more creek crossings. couldn’t feel my toes when I got home. The ride – Providence Canyon The bike – Ibis Ripmo
- Wet and WildAll the dry channels are running full right now with the heavy Spring runoff. The skies are blue and the temperature is perfect for mountain biking. The ride – Providence Canyon The bike – Ibis Ripmo
- Zwift – Tempus FugitWe’re headed out of town so Zwift was the best I could pull off today. The entire ride was a sad reminder of how quickly my body deteriorates without constant bike time. The ride – Zwift The bike – Trek Madone 6.9
- You will get wetThis ride contains bumps, stops and sudden drops. You will get wet. Also, watch that last bit to avoid being clotheslined. The ride – Providence Canyon The bike – Ibis Ripmo
- Purple HazeIt’s way to early in the riding season to have smoke filled skies. I’ve heard it’s because our friends to the north in Canada are lighting up some serious grass. This is of course just a rumor. I couldn’t bring myself to hit the trainer. Riding outside is too much of a serious (natural) high. The ride – Paradise The bike – Trek Madone 6.9
- Every put bike shorts on backwards? Ya, me either. #ackwardmomentsincyclingAs I prepared to ride there was something clearly wrong with my situation. Someday you too will be old. I thought mountain biking would be a chance to rest and take a break. The trail would probably still have snow and I wouldn’t go that far. I was wrong about the shorts and about the trail. The snow was gone, the day was beautiful and
Continue readingEvery put bike shorts on backwards? Ya, me either. #ackwardmomentsincycling
- Drafting the Honey BucketDropping back out of Blacksmith Fork Canyon I got a huge draft as a convoy of semi trucks passed. As they broke the wind the smell of breaking wind encouraged me to drop off that draft as fast as possible. I felt the experience and appropriate metaphor for a ride that started out rather crappy. Today was my second ride out in the real world
- I went outsideSpring has arrived. It’s not raining. My bike is wonky and won’t shift when I ask but does randomly shift at the most inopportune moments. The randomness adds a little spice to the ride. Utah received plenty of snow and the spring run off is flowing fast and furious. After spending the winter riding with my own stench in the basement, the smells of the
- Zwift group ride with GXYEasing back into the week after a week off. The ride – Zwift The bike – Trek Madone 6.9
- Zwift – Triple Flat LoopsAnother day on Zwift while it rains outside. The ride – Zwift The bike – Trek Madone 6.9
- Zwift – Muir and the MountainToday marked 2300 activities on Strava. Nothing special about the ride. My legs are still complaining about yesterday. The ride – Zwift The bike – Trek Madone 6.9
- Riding with the HERD in ScotlandI was OK and then I wasn’t paying attention and I got strung out on the back of the group. Once that main group is gone you are 100% screwed on Zwift. The same can be said of a real life ride but in the virtual world it’s hard to perceive what’s going on until it’s too late. /complaint. Also throwing in the warm up
- Zwift – Climber’s GambitIronically, not a painful climb. The ride – Zwift The bike – Trek Madone 6.9
- Zwift – Out and Back againIt’s time to go outside. The ride – Zwift The bike – Trek Madone 6.9
- London and then the HERDStill on Zwift. Taking it easy today with the HERD. The ride – Zwift The bike – Trek Madone 6.9
- 3R Pedal PlayTrying to kill myself. I kept up until the end when I totally burned out. The ride – Zwift The bike – Trek Madone 6.9
- Zwift – Triple Loops in LondonUtah is a desert so it’s raining. I could ride outside but if I get wet I melt so I find myself exploring the streets of London. The ride – Zwift The bike – Trek Madone 6.9
I’ve logged a lot of miles on this bike.