Your heart’s going at 200 bpm, your legs are on fire and there’s sweat running down your brow. You actually wanted to go for a relaxed ride but, once again, things have escalated aboard the Ibis Ripley. How did this happen?

You’ve hardly swung your leg over it and the Ripley just wants to go. It accelerates as if it’s being chased by a grizzly bear. The 120 mm travel rear suspension hardens noticeably as you push down on the pedals, converting every bit of power into forward propulsion. Wow! It turns flat trails into a huge outdoor playground. Where other bikes would get bored, the Ripley is a ton of fun to ride. If you feel like taking it easy, the bike will happily do that too. The riding position is spot on and super comfortable. Whether you’re planning to cross the Alps by bike or regularly ride up long, steep climbs, the Ripley will make your life a whole lot easier. Back pain? Pretty much impossible on this bike.

As spritely and efficiently as the bike climbs, so it descends. The handling is very lively and direct and it responds to rider input immediately. Despite having short chain stays, the handling feels balanced and the steering is calm and composed. The rear suspension responds sensitively, but there is only so much you can expect from 120 mm travel. You get a lot of feedback from the trail and you have to read it carefully at higher speeds.

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