[Closed] Ripmo AF, Aeris AM9 .....

Hightower

Pick a trail bike, pretty much everyone does one that works just as you want with the right set up, so really it comes down to looks and budget, if you have a large budget then the likes of Santa Cruz Hightower/Megatower come into play, same with Evil doing the Offering and Insurgent models, Transition Scout and so on, if you have a normal budget and looking for a bit more VFM then you have the Giant Trance/Reign, Trek Remedy/slash, Bird AM9, Orbea Occam and so on.

There really is so much choice nowadays i'd definitely just dial in what you are after and add a budget, then the list should be a bit more streamline.

Cheers for the recommendation, but the spec is pants in my budget range - Alloy D.

Meta Tr

All added to the list!! Too much choice!
Anyone rode the Ripmo AF - thoughts?
I know I really need to demo them but need to narrow it down before I start.

Bird/Ibis has been done to death recently tbh.

Both great bikes. Try and get a demo on each and then decide from there.

I’ve got an AM9, brilliant bike and customer service. Get one you won’t be disappointed.

Ripmo was on my list but hard to get hold of, no demos, vfm not as good and didn’t have birds customer service.

I have a Bird and can absolutely back up what @ogden says about the customer service.

Oh, I should also have mentioned that my 145 is an excellent bike 😁

I'm on my second Bird AM9, first was a V1 with a reasonably light trail/am build, now on a V3 with a burly full on endurobro build. Let's just say that I'd have the same frame regardless of the budget. They're incredible versatile, climb really well, amazingly reliable and robust, not to mention the costumer service.

I've had the opportunity in the last couple of years to try the Stumpjumper Evo, the Transition Sentinel, the Meta AM 29 and the Ripmo v1. IMO, my V1 AM9 was as good as the best of the bunch (Meta AM 29) downhill and climbed as good as the Ripmo.

I think either bike will be good. I’ve a Ripmo AF and it’s just a brilliant bike and others have said there’s been quite a few threads on these bikes of late so have a quick search.
You may have a bit of a wait if you go for a Ripmo though.
For those saying the Ripmo isn’t as good value as the Bird though. My RAF cost £2800 and that’s with the amazing DVO Diamond forks and topaz rear shock, the really nice and wide Ibis wheel set that’s made by Stans, exo+ Assegai tyres and NX groupset. An AM9 with SX groupset and a comparable rest of the spec is pretty much the same price.

I'm going through the same turmoil.

A Bird you can demo tomorrow and buy next month. Never read any hint of a bad review. The design is getting on a bit (2018) but the geo and suspension design is comparable to others so they were ahead of the curve!

An Ibis Ripmo.... well after messaging about ten shops I did find one shop that is getting ONE in large due in November that hasn't already had a deposit down on it.

No chance of a demo. Couldn't even give me a final price.

Ripmo AF have been reviewed so well by everyone worldwide and they have had supply issues (corona, california fires) that means they are limited.

Ripmo AF frameset heavier than the bird, also more bearings and more exposed to UK muck (bushings in lower link, but no reports of problems).

Also consider:
'21 Norco Sight (deal with evans)
Kona Process 153
Privateer 141 (although it seems the geo is not so good for all day or undulating rides)

Bit more travel:
Propain Tyee
Nukeproof mega 290 (21 bikes coming very soon, probably with bent downtube for bottle placement)
Rocky Mountain Altitude (press fit urgh)
Trek Slash

If you drop to 140 travel theres loads more bikes. I think I'm going Bird AM9, and I haven't demoed any of them.

Evans isn't listed as a UK distributor for Norco anymore, so you might be lucky for 2021.

Nukeproof Reactor would be closer to the original brief than the Mega

Thanks for all the replies.
Lots to think about but will have to just bite the bullet and go for something soon.
I feel like I’m looking at the menu in a Indian restaurant, thinking “ I fancy something Iv not tried before”

Thanks for all the replies.
Lots to think about but will have to just bite the bullet and go for something soon.
I feel like I’m looking at the menu in a Indian restaurant, thinking “ I fancy something Iv not tried before”

There's always the Cotic RocketMax if you fancied something steel, a good review in enduro mag the other week (you'll have to view it through their app)

To the Ripmo owners...... do they squeak? Squeaky bushes are something I can't abide (iirc Enduro Mags test bike got squeaky?)

Over 1300 miles on mine and no squeaks as yet.

No squeeks yet - Great bike - I own one I know but you won't regret it if you can get hold of one .

I liked the bird - but the Californian turned my head and glad it did - just does everything well.

Where are you im Herts Beds borders about 10 miles from Luton airport and have a large if you wanted to throw a leg over

Cheers for the offer but I’m up in Shrewsbury.
I’m just a bit worried about the weight and thinking it maybe too much bike for some of my riding? Is it a chore to pedal, do you feel like you are just dragging it up in order to have some fun on the downs?

I was worried about the weight, but honestly the thing climbs bloody brilliantly. I can clear climbs on this that I never got up on my Scott Spark and I’ve also done some big rides on it too including my first off road 100km ride in a few years and even with the Assegai tyres it was no problem and I’m certainly not super fit. Unless you are coming from a 20lb xc race bike, the weight really isn’t going to be noticeable. Plus if you are spending around £3k on a Alu 150ish mm travel bike they’re all going to be of a similar weight.

With 3200 to spend I'd get a deposit on one of the next shipment of ripmo AF with deore build and spec the coil shock for £100 extra

Theres two hardly used NX builds on ebay right now, one £2500 XL and one £2750 L

It has heavy tyres and burly build, it's not that heavy. The frame is maybe a touch heavier than some alloy frames but thats the extra links and bearings that enable such a good suspension. Only really a concern if you are carrying it on your back up hike a bike every ride.

I've found a second hand bird am9 with lighter build i'm going for, as I do hike a bike and its used so a chunk cheaper and less loss if I feel over biked and have to sell on. If I could find a used ripmo af at £2k I'd get that. Maybe next year.

Bit the bullet and put a deposit on a large AF Deore build with air shock. Bit surprised it was £100 more than the NX build. Both had the Onyx forks rather than Dimond though, so guessing it is the 2021 build kit.
They had a XL NX left in stock if anyone on the lookout?

Nice one. Think you get the better deore 4 pot brakes rather than the sram ones that came with the NX version.

"better Deore 4 pot" is interesting.
I've got a set & they are great when they work, but I'm now waiting for my 3rd warranty replacement, each one rendering me without a brake for 6 weeks.

One of the big attractions of the AM9 to me is the ability to spec something other than Shimano brakes and cup & cone hubs.

Well I’ve got XT 4 pots (which are brilliant) and I keep hearing the deores are pretty much the same brakes minus the free stroke adjuster and some anodising.
I’d also say deore groupset is an upgrade over NX.
The ibis hubs are cartridge bearings too.