Each year the bike industry gathers in Monterey, California, for the Sea Otter Classic. The event combines races and rides with a bustling outdoor trade show. You can ride a gran fon do and drool on the coolest new products all in one place. This year’s edition had a noticeable mountain bike focus, as some of the biggest brands brought new trail rippers to the show. If you didn’t make it out to California, we’re here for you. We’ve assembled all the best products we saw right here.
Ibis Ripley LS
The third generation Ibis Ripley updates the legendary
company’s flagship all-around shredder. The Ripley’s 29-inch wheels
offer a nod toward its cross-country roots, but the current geometry
with its long wheelbase and slack head tube give it trail bike-style
stability. The Ripley can run 130 to 140 mm front suspension forks and
offers 120mm of rear suspension. The DW-Link suspension system allows
for more efficient pedaling. Ibis-built 35mm-wide rims provide a stiff,
stable platform for the new wider tire options. The flagship Ripley
comes built up with the new SRAM Eagle, which boasts the widest 1x gear
ratio available and a uniquely quiet drive train. The new Ripley is
available next week in two colors, “Vitamin P” and “Ti-Ho Silver.” Built
with Eagle, suggested retail is $7,500. Looking for a lower priced
option? Built with SRAM NX, the Ripley is available for $4,000.
Cannondale Trigger Carbon
A standby in the Cannondale mountain bike line-up, the Trigger
receives some notable updates for 2018. Designed for aggressive trail
riding, the Trigger offers 150mm of travel up front and 145mm in the
rear. The new Trigger loses Cannondale’s signature Lefty fork in favor
of a Fox Factory 34, while Cannondale’s proprietary Gemini system
creates a two-mode rear suspension set-up. “Hustle” shortens the travel
to 115mm, which is great for climbing or for sprinting out of corners.
“Flow” opens up the full 145mm travel and lowers the bike’s center of
gravity when it’s time to rip downhill. A slack, 66-degree head tube
offers stability, while short, 420mm chain stays make for an unusually
tight, corner-smashing geometry. The 74.5-degree seat angle aims to put
you over the pedals, so you can charge uphill. Prices range from $3,999
to $7,750 and the 2018 Trigger is available at Cannondale retailers now.
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