MRP Ribbon 140 good or is Fox better

[habib]

Hey Guys need some tech advice on forks. I am looking at a 2017 Trek 9.8 the guy that is selling says its a brand new bike but has replaced the fork with a MRP Ribbon 140 from a Fox Performance 34

1. is this an upgrade 
2. If it is an upgrade is there anyone in Jozi that can service these MRP forks
3. which is the better fork for Trail, XC & Downhill in that order of use.

Thanks in Advance

Please assist
 

 

[Iwan Kemp]

Between the two mentioned I'd definitely go for the Ribbon. A Fox Factory will be a better comparison to the Ribbon. 

 

1. Yes
2. Any good bike shop will be able to help. Agents are in Nelspruit
3. MRP for all of them as the Performance is a lower tier / performing fork. Good for the money, but not their top of the range model

[T-Bob]

I'd stick with the Ribbon over a 34... in fact I'd be super stoked about that and be quickly looking for a coil conversion for giggles!

 

[the nerd]

MRP > Fox 

[habib]

Not that after this purchase will I have enough bucks to do any upgrades BUT why would one want to upgrade to coil is there a link online to give the benefits 

[Sparky and the Warden]

Not that after this purchase will I have enough bucks to do any upgrades BUT why would one want to upgrade to coil is there a link online to give the benefits

Coil is not necessarily an upgrade there are pros and cons to both even though the EWS TOP riders are using them doesn't mean that it'll work for everyone... Pretty much a clip vs flats debate.... my reason for ever matching my mrp stage with a coil would be pure unadulterated bike porn!!!

[Grease_Monkey]

Upgraded my bike from a Fox 34 Factory to an MRP Ribbon. The Ribbon is miles better in evey aspect. It's chasis is stiffer, much more adjustable, better small bump compliance, the built in ramp control cartridge is awesome, the dual air chamber gives better adjustability with regards to the forks sensitivity. The agents for MRP are miles better than for Fox, and the services are cheaper.

 

The only downside is that the Ribbon is that it takes longer to get set up, but that's a one time issue. And the Ribbon is slightly heavier than the 34.

 

As you can see I'm a big MRP fan boy, but having ridden Rock Shox, Manitou, Fox, and DVO forks, I can with all confidence say that I will never be using any other brand but MRP.

 

Oh, and my Ribbon is on a Specialized Stumpjumper set to 140mm travel. I do everything from marathon racing to Enduro on it. Very versatile.

 

If I was you I'd be jumping up and down with excitement that the previous owner did the upgrade for you.

 

With regards to coil, it isn't an upgrade for most riders, it's heavier and for the most part less efficient under pedaling than air. I would suggest going coil if your focus is on Enduro and you are the set and forget type of rider, and also it is more plush than air (generalisation), and it goes through it's travel in a linear manner where an air fork allows for more progressiveness. It is at the end of the day a personal choice, but I suspect coil is more for a specific niche of riders, and air for the masses.

[Bizkit031]

Upgraded my bike from a Fox 34 Factory to an MRP Ribbon. The Ribbon is miles better in evey aspect. It's chasis is stiffer, much more adjustable, better small bump compliance, the built in ramp control cartridge is awesome, the dual air chamber gives better adjustability with regards to the forks sensitivity. The agents for MRP are miles better than for Fox, and the services are cheaper.

The only downside is that the Ribbon is that it takes longer to get set up, but that's a one time issue. And the Ribbon is slightly heavier than the 34.

As you can see I'm a big MRP fan boy, but having ridden Rock Shox, Manitou, Fox, and DVO forks, I can with all confidence say that I will never be using any other brand but MRP.

Oh, and my Ribbon is on a Specialized Stumpjumper set to 140mm travel. I do everything from marathon racing to Enduro on it. Very versatile.

If I was you I'd be jumping up and down with excitement that the previous owner did the upgrade for you.

With regards to coil, it isn't an upgrade for most riders, it's heavier and for the most part less efficient under pedaling than air. I would suggest going coil if your focus is on Enduro and you are the set and forget type of rider, and also it is more plush than air (generalisation), and it goes through it's travel in a linear manner where an air fork allows for more progressiveness. It is at the end of the day a personal choice, but I suspect coil is more for a specific niche of riders, and air for the masses.

Coil weighs 2.08 kg and 1.88kg so don’t come with all this weight weenie rubbish here it’s 200grams difference between coil and air.

[Grease_Monkey]

Coil weighs 2.08 kg and 1.88kg so don’t come with all this weight weenie rubbish here it’s 200grams difference between coil and air.

As you can see from my post it's just one of the observations, I'm not necessarily saying it's a bad thing. To be honest, I am the last person to care about weight, my Stumpy currently tips the scale at just over 15kg, and myself at 105kg.

 

I will be going the coil route early next year anyway. But for those that do care about weight, surely it's something to write in the pro column for air and con column for coil?

[PhilipV]

Coil weighs 2.08 kg and 1.88kg so don’t come with all this weight weenie rubbish here it’s 200grams difference between coil and air.

200 grams is substantial actually.

[Bizkit031]

200 grams is substantial actually.

Bwahahahaha really,not when you like some of us big guys.#gramcounters????

[peds]

You can’t go wrong with a MRP or the bike you mentioned on your original post. I have the stage on my Santa Cruz and let me tell you it is a great fork once setup.

 

With regards to service there isn’t someone local but you courier it down to trail tech and they have the fork back to you within a couple of days. There service is awesome and they also super helpful. If you would like their details PM me.

[Grease_Monkey]

Bwahahahaha really,not when you like some of us big guys.#gramcounters????

200gr is 10% if the weight of the fork... Nit substantial on it's own, but if you have that attitude with every part you will soon have a very heavy bike. Once again, not something I care about, but if you race and don't weight 105kg yourself weight does make a difference, so it is a consideration.

[Mawbs]

just asking ..Ribbon vs Pike ..which is better

[trail - er - park]

You can’t go wrong with a MRP or the bike you mentioned on your original post. I have the stage on my Santa Cruz and let me tell you it is a great fork once setup.

With regards to service there isn’t someone local but you courier it down to trail tech and they have the fork back to you within a couple of days. There service is awesome and they also super helpful. If you would like their details PM me.

Exactly what Peds said.

 

And to the point Grease Monkey made, I have used them all and now ONLY ride MRP on my last 4 bikes. Nothing touches them in terms of performance and reliability.

[trail - er - park]

just asking ..Ribbon vs Pike ..which is better

In my experience I prefer even the MRP Stage to the Pike ... and the Ribbon is next level.