New Whip: Ibis Exie

 Rainy day Post: New bike Report

After riding the same bike for close to a decade, I decided  to start shopping for a new bike. I was happy with my old Pivot 429SL, but sometimes yearned for more suspension... Or so I thought. I would occasionally suffer from a sore neck and numb hands on long rides. I had played around with fit and bike position to reduce discomfort, but still had some. The goal of the new bike was to try and find more comfort without losing performance or adding too much weight to the bike. I also wanted to try a more modern geometry ( slightly slacker head angle ).

Bicycle Workshop in Tenafly has a a great demo program that would allow me to take a bike home to my own trails to try out. It was then that I discovered that the Ibis Ripley that I had my hopes on was actually not the best fitting bike for me. I tried the Exie and the fit was much better with a longer top tube and slightly slacker seat tube than the Ripley. It also still had the plush yet efficient suspension design that I liked in the Ripley, just a little less travel. The lighter weight frame was also a plus, as I hate dragging around a lot of extra weight. I know a few grandmas that ride at bike parks, but I am not one of them. A park worthy bike was not on my wish list.

Now that I have had the new Exie out on my home trails for a few weeks, all I can say is  ...WOW! I really love this bike. I was uncertain if a XC bike would be enough for the trails in Ringwood, .... but for me it is. This bike is as worthy descending as it is climbing.  Besides being efficient AND compliant, the bike is nimble. It has noticeably less opportunity for squat causing pedal strikes, compared to my previous bike. This was surprising as the suspension feels very active. The faster I ride, the better the bike feels.

Thanks to Bicycle Workshop, I chose a custom Berd Wheel build which adds another level of compliance. It is hard to say whether it is the bike suspension or the wheels, but much easier on my neck and hands. Thank you Bicycle Workshop for the custom wheel build! ..... and dealing with an old girl with old habits. There has been change and it is a good thing. ..... Loving this bike!

Now all I need is for the rain to stop and the trails to dry so I can go out and dance my way through the woods on my new whip.