Best Trail Bikes: Head To Head Comparison
Ibis' Ripley and Pivot's Switchblade live at opposite ends of the trail bike spectrum—a contrast in travel and intent. But both are built to maximize the fun you have on the ride. We compare the two so you can choose features to help you decide which ride is best for you.
Ibis Ripley
A staff fave for lunchtime rides is Ibis' Ripley, and this latest model has us clocking back in late to roll extra laps. Updated with more travel, slacker geo, and a tighter overall ride feel, the new Ripley is a whip we can't wait to crack open as soon as the clock strikes twelve.
How’s It Ride?
Now, with 140mm in front and 130mm in back, Ripley is a bike that satisfies hard-chargers and feature riders alike. And perhaps the best new spec outside the increased travel is the flip chip that lets you swap that 29er for a 27.5" when the ride calls for extra spice. With the MX'd setup, Ripley pops up, digs in, and easily takes flight to deliver the trail ride we always knew it could. Size-specific geo and the renowned DW-link suspension make it less of a grind uphill, too, so lunch laps are even more of a blast.
How Ours Is Equipped
Our test model was equipped with the can't-go-wrong Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain and Fox Float 34 Factory Grip X fork. The fork is perfect for Ripley as it keeps weight down and creates some of the best small-bump compliance and traction we can have on a bike. This allows Ripley to be pushed on the uphills and thrown into high-energy runs downhill with extreme confidence.
Pivot Switchblade
Pivot's Switchblade hits on the deeper end of the trail spectrum with a full 160mm up front and 142mm in back. On paper, it's more capable of challenging bigger features than the Ripley, yet Pivot designed Switchblade to ride surprisingly more nimbly than a bike of its size should be able to.
How’s It Ride?
The somewhat steep headtube angle at 65.2° gives Switchblade agility and responsiveness uncharacteristic of bikes in its category. Yet other design elements point to its downhill-favoring engineering, like the longer lower link, which gives the bike freedom to roll tech bits more like an enduro MTB. Overall, it's a wonderfully balanced ride that sends just enough pep up the mountain to leave you fresh for the ride down.
How Ours Is Equipped
We have SRAM's X0 Eagle Transmission on this one with the excellent DT Swiss XM1700 wheels and Fox's Factory Float X shock and Factory Float 36 fork, all of which make for effortless feeling and fun riding. It's fast to steer and nimble in the tech, and we didn't flinch when dropping off the steeper log and boulder features.
Watch Our Full Review
The trail category is quite broad, and these two bikes inhabit different ends of its spectrum. The new Ripley stands out as the lunch whip of choice... a versatile ride that fits in on most trails. However, if you have the itch to tackle bike park days and need more travel, Switchblade has our vote. Check our review video, where we run through the specs in more detail.
