The original MRP Ribbon Coil helped prove that coil forks still had a place on modern aggressive trail bikes. This article breaks down what the current Ribbon LT Coil actually does well, where it needs careful setup, and how it compares with the air-sprung Ribbon LT if you are trying to choose the right fork for rough UK terrain.
The main decision is whether you want coil feel more than air-spring flexibility
- The fork is built around a 35mm chassis, a Lift damper, and an advanced coil spring system with Ramp Control.
- It is a 29-inch fork only, with 150, 160, or 170mm travel and internal adjustment down to 140mm.
- MRP lists the weight at 4.7 lb / 2.14 kg, so it is not the lightest option in the segment.
- The ride character is aimed at traction, consistency, and bottom-out control rather than the most poppy front end possible.
- Spring choice matters more than most riders expect, and the fork rewards a measured setup rather than a random click-and-hope approach.
- If you want maximum tuning range and lower weight, the air version is still the cleaner fit.
What the Ribbon LT Coil is trying to fix on rough trails
The point of a coil fork is not just to feel soft. What matters is how consistently it tracks the ground when the trail gets ugly, the front wheel is loaded under braking, and the surface keeps changing from roots to rocks to loose dirt. That is where the Ribbon LT Coil makes its case: a simple spring curve, a supportive chassis, and enough damping adjustment to keep it from feeling vague.
MRP pairs the coil spring with its Lift damper and a 35mm chassis, then adds Ramp Control so you can add end-stroke support without turning the whole fork harsh. In plain terms, that means the fork can stay active over small bumps while still resisting the last part of travel on bigger hits. The brand also uses an Automatic Casting Vent to reduce pressure-related weirdness from altitude and temperature changes, which is a small detail that matters more than it sounds on long descents or big weather swings.
For me, that is the real appeal. Coil suspension is at its best when the bike feels calmer and more predictable, not merely plusher. On wet British roots, repeated braking bumps, and long alpine-style descents, that kind of consistency can matter more than shaving a few hundred grams. That leads straight into the next question: what does it actually feel like on trail when the spring rate is correct?
How it feels on the trail when the spring rate is right
When the spring matches the rider, the Ribbon LT Coil should feel composed without feeling dead. The initial stroke is where coil forks usually win their reputation, and this one is no exception. Small chatter disappears earlier, the front wheel holds traction better on awkward lines, and the fork tends to sit in a calm, usable part of its travel instead of constantly hunting for the right pressure.
That said, the setup is not forgiving of a bad spring choice. Pinkbike's review of the earlier Ribbon Coil found that a soft spring bottomed out too easily for a 160 lb rider until the medium spring was fitted, after which hard bottom-outs dropped noticeably. That lines up with how I would expect a good coil fork to behave: if the spring is too light, no amount of clever tuning fully fixes it; if the spring is right, the fork suddenly makes sense.
- Best use case - rough descents, repeated braking bumps, square-edge hits, and days when front-wheel grip matters more than a lively feel.
- Less ideal use case - riders who want a very light front end, lots of pump on smoother trails, or a fork they can retune dramatically with air pressure alone.
- What surprised me most - the fork can still feel supportive if you use Ramp Control properly instead of just relying on preload and hope.
If the spring is wrong, the fork will tell on you quickly. If the spring is right, the rest of the setup becomes much easier, which is why the spec sheet deserves a close look before you buy.
Specs that actually matter before you buy
The current Ribbon LT Coil is not trying to be a universal fork. It is a focused 29er option, and the details tell you a lot about who it is for.
| Spec | What MRP lists | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel size | 29-inch only | That immediately rules it out for 27.5 or mullet builds. |
| Travel | 150, 160, or 170mm, internally adjustable down to 140mm | It suits long-travel trail and enduro bikes more than short-travel machines. |
| Chassis | 35mm stanchions | Strong enough for aggressive riding without jumping to a heavier gravity fork. |
| Weight | 4.7 lb / 2.14 kg | Reasonable for a coil fork, but not a weight-weenie choice. |
| Spring system | Coil with Ramp Control and preload | Lets you tune bottom-out support without destroying small-bump sensitivity. |
| Damper | Lift cartridge with external compression and rebound adjustment | Gives enough control to fine-tune feel without making setup complicated. |
| Axle and brake standard | 15x110 Boost axle, 180mm PM mount, 203mm with adapter | You need the right wheel and brake setup, so this is not a casual swap. |
| Offset | 41 or 46mm | Helps match steering behaviour to the frame and riding style. |
At the moment MRP lists the fork at $749.97 USD on sale, down from $1,249.95. For UK buyers, I would treat that as a reference point only, because dealer pricing, VAT, and shipping will change the landed cost. The bigger filter is simple: if your bike is not a 29er enduro or aggressive trail build, this fork probably is not the right fit.
How I would set it up on day one
I would not start by turning every adjuster to the middle and assuming the fork will sort itself out. With a coil fork, the spring rate is the foundation, and the damping fine-tunes the shape of the ride. MRP's own setup notes start with the middle of the compression and rebound range, which is a sensible baseline rather than a magic setting.
- Pick the spring from your naked rider weight, not your fully kitted riding weight. MRP says the chart is based on rider weight without bike or gear.
- Start compression at the middle of the range, which MRP describes as 6 clicks from closed.
- Start rebound at the middle of the range as well, again 6 clicks from closed.
- Use preload for fine adjustment only. MRP gives roughly 10.5 turns of preload, but preload is not a substitute for the correct spring.
- Use Ramp Control to manage hard hits and end-stroke behaviour before you reach for a firmer spring.
- Check tyre clearance at full compression and make sure there is at least 6mm between the inflated tyre and the crown.
If the fork feels wrong, I would change things in this order: spring first, then Ramp Control, then compression, then rebound. That order keeps you from masking a mismatch. A fork that feels too deep in its travel usually wants a firmer spring or more end-stroke support. A fork that feels harsh early in the stroke often needs less preload, not more compression. That distinction saves a lot of wasted trail time, which is why the coil vs air choice deserves a proper comparison next.
Coil vs air is a real choice, not a religion
MRP still sells the air-sprung Ribbon LT, and that fork exists for good reasons. It is lighter, more adjustable in some areas, and easier to reshape if your preferences change. But it does not behave exactly like the coil version, and that difference is larger than most spec sheets make it look.
| Trait | Ribbon LT Coil | Ribbon LT air |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 4.7 lb / 2.14 kg | 4.2 lb / 1.90 kg |
| Travel range | 150-170mm, internally down to 140mm | 140-170mm, internally down to 120mm |
| Spring character | Natural linear coil feel, more consistent over long descents | More tunable with pressure, volume, and negative spring settings |
| Bottom-out tuning | Ramp Control plus spring choice | Ramp Control plus air-spring tuning |
| Support tuning | Strong when the spring is correct, but less adjustable | Easier to reshape for different riders or trail types |
| Best for | Riders who want a planted front end and repeatable feel | Riders who want lower weight and broader tuning range |
The air fork is the more flexible tool. The coil fork is the more settled one. If you want a bike that feels a little sharper to pedal and easier to tailor across season changes, the air version makes a strong argument. If you want the front wheel to track the ground with less drama on rough, fast terrain, the coil version earns its keep. I tend to frame it like this: air gives you more options, coil gives you more consistency. That trade-off matters even more once you think about maintenance and long-term ownership.
What ownership looks like after the honeymoon
MRP is fairly clear about service intervals, and that is useful because coil forks can tempt riders into forgetting about maintenance. The fork is still a suspension system with seals, bath oil, damper oil, fasteners, and wear items. If you ride in muddy conditions, the service rhythm gets shorter very quickly.
- Bath oil - every 50 hours in normal conditions, every 30 hours in muddy conditions.
- Wiper seals - every 100 hours in normal conditions, every 50 hours in muddy conditions.
- Coil spring relube - every 50 hours.
- Damper oil and seals - every 200 hours.
- Fastener check - every 30 hours.
- Inspect and clean stanchions - every ride.
MRP's factory fork service is listed at $189.95, and the company says the full service is recommended at 200 hours maximum, which for most riders works out to about once a year. That is a fair reminder that the long-term cost is not just the purchase price. A coil fork can be simple to live with, but only if you respect the service interval and do not treat suspension like a fit-and-forget part. The next question is the important one: who should actually buy this fork, and who should pass?
Where it makes the most sense and where I would pass
I would choose the Ribbon LT Coil for a rider who spends a lot of time on rough descents, values traction over outright weight savings, and wants a fork that feels calm when the trail becomes repetitive and harsh. That includes a lot of UK riders who split their time between wet roots, steep natural descents, and bike-park days where the front end gets hammered for minutes at a time.
I would also choose it for someone who dislikes the constant pressure-chasing that comes with air springs. If you want to set the fork once, refine it a little, and then ride, the coil platform makes sense. The fork has enough adjustment to be dialled, but it does not demand endless tinkering.
I would pass if your frame needs 27.5-inch or mixed-wheel compatibility, if you want the lightest possible front end, or if your riding is more trail-centre flow than rough-enduro abuse. In those cases, the air Ribbon LT is the more practical buy. I would also pass if you are still unsure what feel you want, because coil is usually a deliberate choice, not a neutral one.
For the right bike and the right rider, the Ribbon LT Coil is not just "plush". It is predictable, supportive, and honest about what it wants to be. That is why it makes sense on aggressive 29er builds, and why I would not force it onto a bike that is not built to take advantage of that character.
