My youngest is growing like a weed, and his bike was looking comically small for him.
So of course the only logical option was that I get to do an N+1 upgrade...hence enter a 2020 Ibis Rimpo AF frame for Dad!!
(don't feel too sorry for him, the little bugger still did very well out of this exchange).
Whilst there was certainly nothing wrong with my current bike (Hightower LT CC), I was pretty keen to sample something a little slacker and with a steeper seat angle, and these seemed to review well. The biggest drawcard though was the cost, as there was no way I could afford the $5k or $6k that they want for a good top end frame nowadays.
Massive shout out to the guys at Summit Cycles. What started as a quick enquiry (fully expecting to be told of a 6-8 week wait), ended with the young bloke from Summit driving to the warehouse for me to pick it up and having the frame in the hands of the courier that afternoon!
I then had a few pangs of buyers remorse, and was very concerned that going from a fancy 'light' carbon frame to alloy would be a backward step - but I chose the air shock and with a slight change in tyres this turned out only 300g heavier than the carbon Hightower LT!
Ride wise - really loving the longer wheelbase and slacker head angle, it makes this much less twitchy and natural through fast corners.
The rear suspension is great too and I now see why people rave about DW link bikes. It feels silky plush and has so much traction (especially climbing tech stuff - the total opposite of the Santa Cruz). At the same time it still feels poppy and jumps very, very well.
Pretty happy with the DVO topaz shock, although I need to do some fiddling with the volume spacers to see how that changes things.
Climbing wise - it is not a fast climber, but is very 'efficient', does not feel heavy, and does not bind up on square edges like the Santa Cruz did. Due to this I'd say it is a better climber, but not necessarily as fast outright (I don't do Strava, just going by feel here)
Overall I'm stoked. Only planned upgrade is a set of Nextie rims once the slow boat from China gets here.
So of course the only logical option was that I get to do an N+1 upgrade...hence enter a 2020 Ibis Rimpo AF frame for Dad!!
(don't feel too sorry for him, the little bugger still did very well out of this exchange).
| Fork | 160mm Lyrik Select | |
| Shock | DVO Topaz T3 Air | |
| Wheels | DT Swiss EX511 / DT350 Hubs | |
| Tires | Minion DHF x 2.5 and Dissector x 2.4 | |
| Brakes | SRAM Guide RSC | |
| Brake Rotors | SRAM Centreline 200/180 | |
| Cranks | SRAM XO1 Carbon, 170mm (non-boost) w 30T Absolute Black Oval | |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM GXP | |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT 11sp | |
| Shift Levers | Shimano XT 11sp | |
| Cassette | Shimano XT 11-46t | |
| Chain | Shimano XT | |
| Headset | Cane Creek 40 ZS44/ZS56 | |
| Grips | Kona Key lock on's | |
| Handlebar | Renthal Fatbar Carbon 760mm | |
| Stem | Renthal Apex | |
| Seatpost | Brand-X Ascend 150mm | |
| Saddle | Fizik Aliente | |
| Weight | 14.9kg |
Whilst there was certainly nothing wrong with my current bike (Hightower LT CC), I was pretty keen to sample something a little slacker and with a steeper seat angle, and these seemed to review well. The biggest drawcard though was the cost, as there was no way I could afford the $5k or $6k that they want for a good top end frame nowadays.
Massive shout out to the guys at Summit Cycles. What started as a quick enquiry (fully expecting to be told of a 6-8 week wait), ended with the young bloke from Summit driving to the warehouse for me to pick it up and having the frame in the hands of the courier that afternoon!
I then had a few pangs of buyers remorse, and was very concerned that going from a fancy 'light' carbon frame to alloy would be a backward step - but I chose the air shock and with a slight change in tyres this turned out only 300g heavier than the carbon Hightower LT!
Ride wise - really loving the longer wheelbase and slacker head angle, it makes this much less twitchy and natural through fast corners.
The rear suspension is great too and I now see why people rave about DW link bikes. It feels silky plush and has so much traction (especially climbing tech stuff - the total opposite of the Santa Cruz). At the same time it still feels poppy and jumps very, very well.
Pretty happy with the DVO topaz shock, although I need to do some fiddling with the volume spacers to see how that changes things.
Climbing wise - it is not a fast climber, but is very 'efficient', does not feel heavy, and does not bind up on square edges like the Santa Cruz did. Due to this I'd say it is a better climber, but not necessarily as fast outright (I don't do Strava, just going by feel here)
Overall I'm stoked. Only planned upgrade is a set of Nextie rims once the slow boat from China gets here.
