The Bike For a 13 Year Veteran Of The Industry

For those who don't know, Arin has been with us for a whopping 10 years and has over 13 years of industry experience. If you've ordered a custom bike through us, you've more than likely dealt directly with Arin. He is our bicycle encyclopedia and truly knows every spec off-hand—seriously, if there were a game show or competition about bike standards, he would no doubt win. He's extremely competitive, and his choice in parts beautifully highlights an unrelenting drive to have the best components, perfectly suited to his riding style. This build has some fun quirks, definite conversation starters, and plenty of incredible (and newly released) parts!

So let's get into the breakdown of the bike:

• Frame: Ibis Ripley V5 / XM / Green Flash - He has a Ripmo linkage on here, so it’s 150mm of travel…

• Fork: Fox Factory 36 / Orange / GripX / 160mm

• Shock: Fox DHX / SLS 475# Coil

• Dropper: BikeYoke Revive Special Edition Silver Post / 213mm drop

• Saddle: SDG Bel Air V3 / Silver

• Brakes: Hayes Dominion T4 (Titanium Hardware / Reynolds Carbon Lever Blades)

• Rotors / Pads: MTX Gold / SRAM HS2 200mm

• Drivetrain: SRAM XX T-Type / 165mm Crank

• Bottom Bracket: Chris King Threadfit 30 / Jade

• Headset: Chris King Inset 2 / Jade

• Handlebar / Stem: Bontrager RSL One-Piece / 35mm

• Rims: Chris King MTN30 Carbon

• Spokes: DT Swiss Competition / Silver / Double Butted

• Hubs: Chris King Mountain / Centerlock / Jade

• Front Tire: Specialized Butcher / 29x2.4 / Grid Trail / T9

• Rear Tire: Specialized Eliminator / 29x2.4 / Grid Gravity / T9

Why the Ripmo? And more specifically, why a Ripley frame that has been changed to a Ripmo?

“I chose the Ripmo because I had a Ripmo V1 several years ago and it is still one of the top mountain bikes I've owned (of many). It was so good on technical climbs and still super fun to descend on. I'm hoping for the same thing here.

I started with a Ripley frame because I wanted to run a coil shock. Neither model came with one, and the Ripley green was my favorite color available. The Ripmo clevis is so cheap that I figured it would be cool to have both configurations available to me. I also have a 140mm air spring for the fork, so I can go back and forth with the same fork. I also really like that it will be confusing for people who see the bike, and a good conversation starter on the trail.”

What component are you most excited to try for the first time?

“The thing I'm most excited to try for the first time is the Chris King carbon wheelset. The rims are made in the USA by Forge & Bond using mostly recycled material and supposedly have a really nice ride feel. I'm also trying 165mm cranks for the first time, because why not?”

Tell us more about the headset, bottom bracket, and hubs.

“The headset, bottom bracket, hubs, and centerlock lockrings are all the new Chris King matte jade color. Originally I was going to go with blue anodized parts that I already had, but the matte jade came out and it almost perfectly matches the painted logos on the frame. I've owned many Chris King bottom brackets and headsets over years, but never hubs so I'm excited to ride with those too. The other parts are going on a future bikepacking rig.”

What's your favorite detail?

“My favorite detail is the color transition from green, to silver, to black. You can see it on the hubs/spokes/rim, as well as the headset/spacers/stem. If Chris King made a 38.6mm seatpost clamp I would've done it there too.”

Overall, it's a fantastic bike, and you can tell it's been built by someone who understands a thing or two because they've seen a thing or two.

This build is a masterclass in meticulous personalization, reflecting Arin's deep knowledge and uncompromising standards. The spec sheet reads like a wishlist for any serious rider, blending robust, top-tier performance parts like the SRAM XX T-Type drivetrain and Hayes Dominion T4 brakes. Arin's decision to start with a Ripley frame just to get the color he wanted, then modify it with a Ripmo linkage to accommodate a coil shock, isn't just a quirk; it's a perfect example of his problem-solving mindset and refusal to settle for anything less than his ideal ride. The aesthetic choices are just as deliberate, with the stunning new Chris King Jade components perfectly accenting the frame's logos, demonstrating an expert eye for detail.

Arin's bike is more than just an employee build; it's a physical representation of the expertise we bring to every project. This level of attention to detail—from suspension kinematics to color coordination—is the standard we apply to all our custom bikes. It showcases a thought process that weighs every component's performance, compatibility, and aesthetic contribution to the final product. When you trust us with your dream build, you are tapping into decades of hands-on, professional experience dedicated to creating a bike that is not only perfect on paper but perfect for you on the trail.

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