The Ripley 29 project started in 2008. The Mojo and Mojo SL were already in production and well received, we were ripping around on our Tranny prototypes, and the Mojo HD was designed and getting readied for production. In other words, it was finally time for us to get our first 29er project moving in earnest.
We approached Dave Weagle (suspension guru, inventor of the dw-link who has never let us down on a suspension design) and told him we needed a bike that had the versatility of the Mojo SL. It needed to be efficient for racing but not so focused on it that that's all it was good for. We asked for 100mm of travel and told him we wanted to be able to build the bike to be the lightest and stiffest in class. What he came back with surprised us: He had figured out how to shrink the whole DW link system down to two tiny and durable eccentric links (more on that later).
During the same time we were riding other 29ers and realized how we were spoiled by the 140mm of front and rear travel found on the Mojo. The big wheels certainly mitigate the shorter travel, but 100mm forks to us felt like we were going back in time (not in a good way). We're were sure a 100mm bike would make a World Cup fire road racer happy but it wouldn't really make us happy. Back to Dave. Can you make the eccentric bike have 120mm of travel and still be just as efficient? No problem he said, so we got to work.
Designing around 29" wheels presented a new set of engineering challenges. How do you make the geometry feel snappy, but maintain toe clearance in the front and an ample tire clearance in the back? How do you keep the front derailleur from hitting the rear wheel? Where do you fit the suspension linkages and shock (while maintaining a short wheelbase, low weight and high frame stiffness)? Can you design the frame to be Ibis Ripley 29er
light and stiff, but still
accommodate water bottles? What is the optimal amount of travel for a 29"
bike that will be as versatile as the Mojo SL? How do you accommodate the
different gearing needs of a 29er whether using a 1X, 2X or 3X drivetrain?
Where do you put the head tube with a fork that tall and keep the bars in the
same place?
These were some of the questions we asked ourselves as we started the design process. Now, three plus years later, here's how we tackled those issues.
Prototype
To prove to ourselves that the short coupled eccentric links would actually work as well as we thought, we built a single prototype, using a Tranny as the starting point. It's definitely not be the prettiest bike we've built, but it proved a point. The eccentrics worked, extremely well it turns out. This gave us the confidence to move forward full speed ahead on the Ripley 29 project.
These were some of the questions we asked ourselves as we started the design process. Now, three plus years later, here's how we tackled those issues.
Prototype
To prove to ourselves that the short coupled eccentric links would actually work as well as we thought, we built a single prototype, using a Tranny as the starting point. It's definitely not be the prettiest bike we've built, but it proved a point. The eccentrics worked, extremely well it turns out. This gave us the confidence to move forward full speed ahead on the Ripley 29 project.
Eccentric Links
The all new linkage technology warranted it's own page.
Molding Technology
The Ripley 29 uses similar molding technology to the Mojo SL-R. We start by molding a sacrificial mandrel in exactly the shape that we want the inside of the frame to be. That becomes the 3D template for the bladder that holds all the carbon preform before it's laid into the mold. This allows the lay-up to be done in one piece, with no joints anywhere. The result is a more precise lay-up that eliminates the need for additional foam or filler to mold the complex shapes. What that means for you is a lighter and stronger frame, critical factors in hitting our targets for weight and stiffness.
Headset
We like the tapered headset found on the Mojo HD and Mojo SL-R, so we're using it on the Ripley 29 as well. It's light and very stiff. The 1.5" lower provides an exceptionally rigid front-end platform. Combined with the through-axle fork and our very stiff front-end layup, you'll be amazed at the precision steering feedback you get, particularly when pushing hard.
You may use several different Cane Creek headsets or the Chris King InSet headset.
Two Bottles
We've made a provision on the Ripley 29 for 2 water bottles, one above and one below the down tube.
Cable Routing
Cable routing is provided for cable actuated adjustable seatposts. An optional polycarbonate cable guard is available that bolts under the down tube, under the second water bottle.
High Direct Front Derailleur
The swingarm mounted front derailleur is always in the right place in relation to the chain and chainrings so front shifting is more consistent throughout the travel.
This mounting system provides increased compatibility with 2 x 10 drivetrains and less chain slap since the chainstay can be located further from the chain. Also since the derailleur is moving with the chain there will be no chain rub at the extreme ends of the travel.
Single Rings and Chain Guides
If you want to run a 1X10, we've got great news. In June 2011, Shimano began shipping a new rear derailleur call the XTR Shadow Plus. It uses heavier chain tension plus a friction stabilizer to dampen the cage and thus chain movement (chain slap). It also dramatically reduces derailing of chains. Combined with either an e*thirteen XCX-ST D-Type or an MRP 1X, the Shadow Plus virtually eliminates the need for the lower half of your chain guide, plus makes your bike nearly silent.
142 x 12mm Maxle
The 142mm Maxle rear through axle provides gobs of extra rear wheel stiffness in an extremely lightweight package.
Bottom Bracket
The bottom bracket is the new press fit integrated style called the BB92, also known as PressGXP. Once again, it provides you with a lighter, stiffer bike, and is compatible with most popular cranksets.
And Finally, Why Ripley?
Contrary to what some might be thinking, the name didn't evolve from "Ibis has a 29er, believe it or not!".
The real reason is that at Ibis, we think recycling is a good thing to do. But why limit it to cans and bottles? You may have noticed that we've recycled a couple of names recently. The Mojo, now a carbon fiber dual suspension bike, was originally a steel hardtail. The Hakkalügi was our original steel cross bike. The Silk Ti was a softtail and now the Silk SL is our road bike. The Tranny? Well, that was just a questionable encounter at one of the Vegas trade shows.
The Ripley was an aluminum softtail, very innovative and lightweight.
The Ripley 29 uses similar molding technology to the Mojo SL-R. We start by molding a sacrificial mandrel in exactly the shape that we want the inside of the frame to be. That becomes the 3D template for the bladder that holds all the carbon preform before it's laid into the mold. This allows the lay-up to be done in one piece, with no joints anywhere. The result is a more precise lay-up that eliminates the need for additional foam or filler to mold the complex shapes. What that means for you is a lighter and stronger frame, critical factors in hitting our targets for weight and stiffness.
Headset
We like the tapered headset found on the Mojo HD and Mojo SL-R, so we're using it on the Ripley 29 as well. It's light and very stiff. The 1.5" lower provides an exceptionally rigid front-end platform. Combined with the through-axle fork and our very stiff front-end layup, you'll be amazed at the precision steering feedback you get, particularly when pushing hard.
You may use several different Cane Creek headsets or the Chris King InSet headset.
Two Bottles
We've made a provision on the Ripley 29 for 2 water bottles, one above and one below the down tube.
Cable Routing
Cable routing is provided for cable actuated adjustable seatposts. An optional polycarbonate cable guard is available that bolts under the down tube, under the second water bottle.
High Direct Front Derailleur
The swingarm mounted front derailleur is always in the right place in relation to the chain and chainrings so front shifting is more consistent throughout the travel.
This mounting system provides increased compatibility with 2 x 10 drivetrains and less chain slap since the chainstay can be located further from the chain. Also since the derailleur is moving with the chain there will be no chain rub at the extreme ends of the travel.
Single Rings and Chain Guides
If you want to run a 1X10, we've got great news. In June 2011, Shimano began shipping a new rear derailleur call the XTR Shadow Plus. It uses heavier chain tension plus a friction stabilizer to dampen the cage and thus chain movement (chain slap). It also dramatically reduces derailing of chains. Combined with either an e*thirteen XCX-ST D-Type or an MRP 1X, the Shadow Plus virtually eliminates the need for the lower half of your chain guide, plus makes your bike nearly silent.
142 x 12mm Maxle
The 142mm Maxle rear through axle provides gobs of extra rear wheel stiffness in an extremely lightweight package.
Bottom Bracket
The bottom bracket is the new press fit integrated style called the BB92, also known as PressGXP. Once again, it provides you with a lighter, stiffer bike, and is compatible with most popular cranksets.
And Finally, Why Ripley?
Contrary to what some might be thinking, the name didn't evolve from "Ibis has a 29er, believe it or not!".
The real reason is that at Ibis, we think recycling is a good thing to do. But why limit it to cans and bottles? You may have noticed that we've recycled a couple of names recently. The Mojo, now a carbon fiber dual suspension bike, was originally a steel hardtail. The Hakkalügi was our original steel cross bike. The Silk Ti was a softtail and now the Silk SL is our road bike. The Tranny? Well, that was just a questionable encounter at one of the Vegas trade shows.
The Ripley was an aluminum softtail, very innovative and lightweight.
No te la imatge de la Mojo, i es evident que això la fa una bike mes normal pel que fa a la imatge.
ResponEliminaEstà clar que Ibis ha volgut fer una bike amb totes les darreres tècniques i tendències tecnológiques. Faltarà veure que tal funciona.