Ibis Ripley LS Carbon Mountain Bike Frame 2017

We're accustomed to seeing the SL acronym splashed across myriad bits of bike related components to indicate that they are indeed Super Light and by extension super amazing. Ibis flips the story a bit with its Ripley LS Carbon Mountain Bike Frame. Not to say this frame isn't light it is, but the swapped order designates this Ripley as Longer and Slacker than its standard kin. The LS' wheelbase expands from the standard 1,125mm to 1,167mm with a head tube angle that drops from 69. 2 to 67. 5 degrees for a size large frame paired with a 140mm fork. That bigger, slacker footprint empowers those of us who have already been pushing the original Ripley to its limit, taking the bike in Ibis' words from sporty to gnarly. Other than those geometry changes, this is still the classic Ripley that we've been throwing around in all manner of terrain. The construction process remains the same, beginning with an internal bladder that's wrapped in a monocoque carbon layup that keeps the carbon fabric intact through joints. The precision of this method means that no additional molds or fillers are needed to keep the frame light and strong. The Ripley LS's swingarm and clevis are still filled with foam glass microsphere cores to ensure their structural integrity while keeping weight down, and it has the same expanded dropper capacity as the regular version. The Ripley includes the latest Fox Float DPS shock, which is tuned for the DW Link suspension's firm, consistent pedaling platform. Expect it to handle with nimble speed while accelerating out of turns and taking advantage of the suspension's strong anti squat tendencies. The 120mm rear travel, combined with the Ripley LS's 67. 5 degree head tube, makes for a surprisingly eager trail platform that combines the best qualities of XC and trail bikes. Increasing rear stiffness was the key to this versatility. To this end, Ibis engineers added a Boost rear axle and revisited the internals of the dual eccentrics used in the...