The Romero, named after the iconic Romero Canyon trail, is a meticulously engineered, American-made hybrid of steel and aluminum designed to handle everything from marathon trail days to aggressive enduro lines.
The headline here isn't just a motor update; it's the 'One frame, three personalities' philosophy. By using a modular chassis, Ibis has created a single platform that adapts to three distinct travel classes: HD, TR, and S.
The tire features a tread pattern designed for dry to damp conditions across rocky, hardpack, and medium-loose surfaces, incorporating a fast-rolling center section for straight-line efficiency.
The HotBars handlebars have a removable power-bank-slash-control-unit that's wired into the bars and out to heating elements at the ends, warming your hands through standard mountain bike grips.
Batch aims to repeat the process, now in the gravel corner of the industry. Now, surely, these new gravel offerings won't completely knock your socks off, but that isn't Batch's intention. However, will they get new riders out on two wheels without the incredible cost barrier? Absolutely.
Today, Ibis is introducing the brand-new Ripley SL, a lightweight short-travel model that the brand is calling " a 5-pound rocket on wheels." With 117mm of rear wheel travel, a 130mm fork, and a claimed frame/shock weight of just 5 pounds, this bike fills the gap in the Ibis lineup that the Ripley V4 previously occupied. Categorize it however you will, but the Ripley SL looks like a great new option for those seeking race-inspired weight and efficiency with a trail bike attitude.