Ibis Ripmo AF NGX Eagle Air Mountain Bike Bronze, XL

When we want to take our enduro riding to the next level but can't afford to spend a fortune on a shiny carbon frame, the Ibis Ripmo AF, the affordable, all-metal brother of the legendary Ibis Ripmo, is our go-to. This year, Ibis gave the Ripmo AF two new colors and a frame equipped with an SRAM UDH universal derailleur hanger for easy replacements. Designed for aggressive trail and enduro riding, the Ripmo features an efficient suspension platform, sturdy aluminum frame, dual 29-inch wheels, and 147mm of DW-Link suspension to give us a brawler of an all-mountain bike to plow through rough sections and easily take small drops and jumps. A 64. 9-degree head tube angle gets our front wheel farther ahead of us for more confidence on steep descents, and a 77-degree seat tube angle puts us in the perfect position over the pedals for an efficient pedaling position. Short 435mm chainstays on all sizes give us an agile bike, while the long reach gives us more confidence when heading down steep trails. Additional features on the Ripmo AF include integrated downtube and chainstay protectors, a single water bottle mount inside the front triangle, and a revised swingarm with a wider 55mm chain line for enhanced stiffness. The Ibis Ripmo AF NGX build is entry-level but is loaded with an incredible component value for the money. First up, Ibis's aluminum frame is super durable and now features a universal hanger for easy replacements in the future. The SRAM NX/GX drivetrain gives us a reliable 12-speed drivetrain that has a huge range to help us up those technical climbs, and SRAM G2 R 4-piston brakes provide us with all the stopping power we need in a lightweight package. For a lightweight, durable wheelset, Ibis equipped us with their Blackbird Send I/II 29er wheelset for optimal performance. Marzocchi Bomber suspension gives us quality performance while keeping the price down, with a Bomber Z1 Coil fork up front sporting 160mm of travel to give us great bottom-out support o...

Price: $2249.25 from Backcountry