The story of Ribisu
Engineer and downhill racer Adrian Summermatter from Visp in Switzerland designed oversized brake discs (220 mm) for the steep slopes of the Valais back in 2007. He called them Ribisu, a Swiss play on words for friction iron. He then went on to design elaborate milled aluminium bikes until he set his sights on carbon. The result: full carbon frames that can be built as super enduro, freeride or downhill bikes. Features: elegant lightweight construction, low centre of gravity and a short rear end. The latter is intended to make the bike particularly manoeuvrable and agile, ideal for alpine freeriding and bike park use.
How the Ribisu Rocket rides on the trail
Originally we wanted the Swiss lightweight (15.2 kg!) against the downhill bikes in our test but in M, the bike was too squat. A fair comparison was impossible. The light weight and geometry make the Ribisu Rocket incredibly manoeuvrable. Like an enduro bike, it whizzes through corners and is easy to pull into the air for a jump. The rear end felt very progressive, which is intentional on the part of the manufacturer. We would have liked more comfort and smoothness. Was that more down to the geo or the suspension? The upcoming test of the large bike will show.
Who is the gravity bike suitable for?
According to the manufacturer, the noble downhiller is probably the lightest big bike on the market, weighing less than 15 kilos in its lightest version. The elaborate carbon fibre construction makes it possible. Anyone can imagine that a carbon fibre bike like this is no bargain: Ribisu wants 9599 Swiss francs for the top model. For that, you get a downhill bike as exclusive as a Patek Philippe watch. The Rocket is available in 29 inch, 27.5 inch or mullet, in matt black, gloss or white.
Technical data Ribisu Rocket DH RS 27.5"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame sizes: M / L (tested in size M)
- Suspension travel: 200 mm / 200 mm
- Suspension: Fox 40 Factory / DHX RC4
- Reach: 420 mm
- Stack: 619 mm
- Chain stay: 434 mm
- Steering angle: 62.2°
- Seat angle: 74°
- Wheelbase: 1242 mm
- Weight: 15.2 kg
- Price: from 5199 Euro
Note: The M frame is very small. The large bike (reach: 461 mm) will be available from December.
