We love your bikes, Santa Cruz, and the all-new 5010 is cool and all, but we think the launch video is so damn awesome… even better than the Chameleon.
Bravo Santa Cruz!
The Ibis Ripley has been part of the Santa Cruz firm’s lineup since 2011, and while Ibis doesn’t do the annual traditional model year sort of thing, it has nevertheless undergone three major iterations of refinements. Let’s face it: bike technology and the geometry of today’s 29ers are vastly different than the 29ers made as little as two, three seasons ago, and so the 4th generation Ripley reflects that.
The new Ripley, according to Ibis, is a complete redesign with a nod to the current trend of extended reach (by an average of 45mm), slacker headtube (by 1 degree at 65.5), a steeper seat tube (by three degrees at 76), and of course, a shorter chainstay (by 12mm at 432mm). What does that translate too? Ibis’ ultimate trail bike.
The new 1x specific chassis is still made out of carbon with 120mm of rear travel, but it has borrowed cues from the company’s longer travel Ripmo in ditching its double eccentric in favor of a linkage-based suspension design. The new combination of bearings and hermetically sealed IGUS bushings are not only lighter and stiffer, but also allows users freedom to run longer dropper posts. Talk about a win-win.
Before you start murmuring about them bushings, however, Ibis is so confident in its performance that there’s a lifetime warranty on the said bushings. The dw-link suspension has also been updated with more progressive kinematics for better performance.
Weight weenies will be delighted to hear the Ripley 4 frame is also some .65lbs lighter. In addition, the 148mm Boosted frame features a removable ISCG 05 mount, 2.6″ tire clearance, molded internal cable channels and a replaceable downtube protector to protect your hard-earned investment.
Each Ripley will come with a seven year warranty on the frame. Framesets will be available in four sizes in either Blue Steel or Matte Braap for $2,999 and six complete bike builds starting at $4,099 today.
All Images: Lear Miller / Ibis
Santa Cruz’s Chameleon has been a fun, versatile hardtail within the firm’s lineup for as long as I can remember. While multiple iterations have been made to the frame over the years, Santa Cruz is (finally) giving the Chameleon a full blown makeover.
Yes, the Chameleon has gone carbon. It’s compatible with 29″ and 27.5+ hoops with clearance up to 3.0″ in 27.5+ or 2.5 in 29er, a swappable dedicated dropout for single speeders, a threaded bottom bracket, internally-routed cables and dual bottle cage mounts, with one being a heavy duty triple bolt mount on the downtube.
The carbon Chameleon is available now starting at $1,599 frame only plus four build kits in both wheel sizes ranging from $3,799 to $5,699. The higher-end SE build will be kitted out with matching Hope hubs and headsets as well. Furthermore, the pre-existing aluminum Chameleon will continue to stay in the lineup for the time being.
But enough about the bike. I absolute LOVE the accompanying launch video. It doesn’t feature Christopher Walkens, or crazy ride footage from Whistler, but it’s got the whole office involved. Can I just work there now?
Ibis launched this sweet long-travel 29er, the Ripmo, merely two weeks ago that got much of the mountain bike world going all oh and ah. Dw-linked frame with 145mm of rear travel, 160mm of front travel, a threaded bottom bracket and room for 2.6″ tire. What’s not to like?
And now Ibis just dropped this sweet riding video. I guess its time to post my steed on Craigslist.
It’s not piloted by some random Joe Blow, but by Ibis Cycles Enduro Team member Robin Wallner, who just so happens to be sitting in second overall at the Enduro World Series. A vignette of what this big-wheel machine is capable of doing.
I could write more about Sea Otter but pictures are way better than words. Enjoy the partly random, partly happy snaps along the way!
