All three run Ibis’s DW-link suspension, the same design that’s made Ibis some of the best climbing full suspension bikes out there. That matters here in Santa Fe, where you’re pedaling up some steep and loose pitches to get to the good stuff.

Ripley AF

The Ripley AF ($3,999) is the one we’d point most riders toward. It’s light, playful, and pedals emphatically. This is your Dale Ball Trails, Winsor, and pretty much every other trail in town bike. Right now we’ve got Deore builds in stock in Blue Velvet (small and large) and Burnt Orange (medium and extra medium). Want to try one first? We’ve got a Ripley AF Eagle 90 in our demo fleet, and the rental fee goes straight toward your purchase if you decide to buy.

Ripmo AF & Carbon

The Ripmo AF ($4,099, now in a new Deore build alongside the Eagle 90) is built for when the trail gets serious. Glorieta, Rio en Medio, Angel Fire, wherever the climbs are longer and the descents are rowdier, the Ripmo’s got the travel and geometry to back you up. We’ve got Deore builds in Metal (large and extra medium) plus an Eagle 90 in Rose Dust (medium). This is Shimano’s latest update and we’re impressed. The fit and finish leaves little wanting and the shifting is sublime.

For riders who want the same platform in a lighter, stiffer package, we’ve also got a Ripmo XT in Heckleberry Purple (extra medium, $6,799), our one carbon build in stock right now.

Come check them out, take one for a spin, and we’ll help you figure out which one actually fits how you ride.

After six weeks of construction, inspections, and a truly impressive amount of sawdust, The Broken Spoke is moving to the Railyard.

328 S. Guadalupe Street, Unit E (at the end of the Rail Trail)

If you’ve ridden the Rail Trail or come off the train at the depot, you’ve basically already been to our front door.

We’re excited about our new neighbors: Capitol Coal, Big Adventure Comics, On Your Feet (should we rename ourselves On Your Bike?), The Guitar Gallery, and the Jean Cocteau Cinema. The Railyard is turning into a real hub for Santa Fe and we’re proud to be part of it. Group rides, coffee runs, and some well-earned apres with all of you are high on the list.

After 15 years, our old home on Cerrillos Road will be closing its doors. It’s been a good run.

We’re extending the Memorial Day weekend to get the move done properly. Here’s the play:

• Now through Saturday: Odds and ends sale at the old Cerrillos location. Leftover helmets, shoes, and parts. Think of it as a garage sale at a really good friend’s house who happens to own a bike shop. Come make an offer.
• Memorial Day through Thursday: Closed. Like a hermit crab seeking out a new shell, we’ll be busy scurrying from Cerrillos to the Railyard.
• Friday and Saturday: Soft open at the new location. Come say hi. Maybe bring a beverage or a snack. We’ll still be dialing things in but the doors are open and we’d love to see you.

A Quick Word

The last two months has been nothing short of a whirlwind and I will be forever grateful. Thanks to all of you, your generous support and continued patience, and the hard work of our staff keeping the engine running, we’ve been able to get to this point without missing a beat.

My vision for this shop has always been about bringing people together. With this new location we’ll have a front row seat and a real gathering place for everything happening in the Railyard. I cannot wait to see you there.

See you at the Railyard.

– Kyle

The Warakin is built around Otso’s custom-butted 4130 chromoly tubing, the same classic steel DNA that makes a bike feel alive under you for decades. What sets it apart is how far Otso pushed the versatility. We’re talking 50mm tire clearance, suspension-corrected geometry for a gravel fork (if you’re into that kind of thing), tons of cargo and fender mounts, and the ability to run geared or single speed. This is genuinely one bike that can replace several.

The drivetrain spec is Shimano GRX 1x, thank goodness. GRX has proven to be reliable around the shop, with riders rarely bringing them back in for tuning or brake bleeds, making it a crowd favorite for bikes hitting long rides and adventurous excursions.

Then there’s Otso’s Tuning Chip rear dropout system, which adjusts wheelbase by up to 20mm, bottom bracket height by 4mm, and head tube angle by up to half a degree. That means one bike that rides snappy on pavement and confident on chunky gravel, dialed in for however you’re feeling that day. This is also great for if you decide to run a touring setup down the road. Extend the wheelbase, provide some stability, and be on your way.

For 2026 Otso added two new colorways in Sage and Lavender, with a clean timeless paint scheme that nods to the original Warakin Stainless that helped launch the brand back in 2016. It looks as good leaning against a coffee shop as it does loaded up for a bikepacking weekend.

Swing on by and take a look!

A Note From

Mike Chapman, Founder

In 2008 I started the Broken Spoke as a solo operation with the vision of creating a welcoming space with a simple mantra: “There are no stupid questions.” Initially the shop was focused on used bikes and repairs, but I soon saw that Santa Fe was needing more and The Broken Spoke expanded to meet those needs. Quite frankly, before I knew it, the business had taken on a life of its own. While I have remained the one steering the ship, credit goes to the dedicated and long tenured staff members for building The Broken Spoke into what it is today.

While this “thing” has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me, I have long been saying to myself that this isn’t what I’m going to do for the rest of my working life. And for most of you who know me, I have made it no secret that for the last two years I have been actively trying to sell the business. Throughout this process there has been some interest and even an offer made, but it didn’t feel right. Out of concern for the business, the staff, and our clientele, I have been biding my time in hopes that the right person would come along.

Well, I am over the moon to report that this “right person” has in fact come along! About six months ago a very good friend of mine came forward. A riding buddy, a local Santa Feán, and honestly one of the smartest and most driven people I know, threw his hat in the ring.

This person has great plans for The Broken Spoke 2.0, and I am confident that my baby is in good hands. I will be sticking around for a while to ensure a smooth transition, so sorry to say, you all won’t be getting rid of me that quickly.

So without further ado, I introduce you all to my very good friend, Mr. Kyle Klain.

A Note From

Kyle Klain, New Owner

Mike invited me to help around the shop about a decade ago, and ever since I’ve been a small part of the Broken Spoke team. We’ve raced together, built trails together, and hosted local cycling events, so when Mike started talking to me about the future of the Spoke, it felt less like a business opportunity and more like a natural next step.

Some of you know me from my time as president of the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society or maybe might have seen some of my photos and stories from The Radavist. Either way, I’ve been part of this riding community for a long time and I don’t take this lightly.

Mike built something unusual here: a shop where nobody gets talked down to, where the advice is honest, and where it doesn’t matter what kind of rider you are or what kind of bike you show up on. That doesn’t happen without an incredible staff and mechanics who have kept Santa Fe riding all these years, and I’m honored to be working beside them.

Our job is to support every rider who walks through the door, whatever their version of cycling looks like.

I look forward to seeing so many familiar faces around the shop in the coming weeks as we finish up this transition and get to work on Spoke 2.0. Bear with us in the meantime, because we’re also preparing for a big move to the Railyard, where we’ll be joining a handful of other cycling stores, outdoor retailers, and the home of events like the Santa Fe Century. We’re excited to see the Railyard grow into a true cycling hub for the whole city.

My wife Kim, many of you know her already, has always been by my side and she couldn’t be more excited to be a big part of this too. So when you see her out on the trails, say hello! Thanks for being part of this journey. Lots more to come, and I hope you’re as excited as we are.

The trip would be a simple overnighter: start out at Pajarito and traverse the Valles Caldera, spend the night above the rim, and then end at Bode’s in Abiquiu for burgers. It all sounds easy enough and while it fundamentally is, your first time bikepacking has a fairly steep learning curve. Long time customers and friends of the shop, Michael and Bob recently bedecked their bikes with Oveja Negra bags and equally loaded their credit cards at REI with ultralight gear to discover a new way to explore this beautiful state of ours. Kyle, our in-house nerd and photographer, and of course Kim, our carbon expert and team racer, would accompany them along the way.

Step 1: Weight and Volume and Storage

If you have ever been backpacking you already know the challenge of managing space and counting grams. Bikepacking is very similar with a few notable exceptions. A typical backpack will have 60-70 liters of space, while a bikepacking setup will rarely exceed 40L. Where weight backpacking will kill your knees and wear you down, weight carried on a bike isn’t as critical. Oddly, then, the priority is volume over weight.

All four riders would have a similar setup: bedroll using a hauler on the handlebars, frame bag for essentials, a seatbag for clothing and food, and at minimum space for 2L of water. Given this layout, tough choices must be made: will I have a second pair of socks? Do I really need a stove and coffee maker? Is bigfoot really attracted to jerky?

Step 2: The Bike Setup

Unlike a typical bike ride, a bikepacking setup changes how a bike handles and changes priorities. You’re never going to descend like your chasing KOMs thus the focus of packing is keeping everything tight and balanced. Anything left to bounce will eventually break loose or cause such a racket you will inevitably want to silence it.

Likewise, fast rolling tires with some volume helps take the edge off. While there are routes that require heavy casings and sidewall stiffness, comfort and low rolling resistance tend to take priority. Handlebars may be adjusted for a more comfortable position and forget about using that dropper: throw some electrical tape on the stanchion to protect it from the frame bag moving around.

Then there are a few personal but recommended setups. First, stiffen up that suspension. While you may lose weight over the ride, your bike suddenly gained quite a bit of heft and needs that support. Second, consider flat pedals as you may find yourself wanting to explore nearby sites or the inevitable hike-a-bike rears its head.

Step 3: Route Planning

Despite everything said above, this is the most critical part of your trip. Depending on your time, the weather, interest and a million other justifications, everyone has a route they would like to pursue. Mapping your route using a mapping software like Ride With GPS, Trailforks, or Gaia GPS will help you avoid costly pitstops or accidental reroutes.

Determining sources of water is also of critical concern. Here in New Mexico, water sources can be questionable at best. Knowing how much water you can carry and what sort of filtration you need is absolutely necessary.

The last components to check off the list is ensuring your route is legal, considerate, and safe. We share this beautiful place with multiple tribes, private land owners, government agencies and everything in between. Knowing whose land you’re on and where to camp is not only the legal thing to do, but also the respectful one. Leave every campsite and route better than you found it.

The Caldera Crest Route

The group started with a quick jaunt from Pajarito straight into a big downhill descent into the Valles Caldera National Preserve. After making a few bike adjustments and getting a feel for a loaded bike, they descended into the vast, big-sky country of the preserve. Greeted by scampering herds of elk and fresh bear tracks, the transition from a parking lot to a wilder place could not have been more stark.

Cruising along the long stretches of gravel roads piercing the fields of goldenrod, both Michael and Bob already expressed they were jazzed at loaded riding. Rounding a bend and through a canyon, the Rio San Antonio appeared revealing part of the goal for the day: fishing. For our narrow streams and cutbank meadows, Kyle recommends tenkara fishing–a simplified form of fly fishing. And just like that, fresh Brown trout were retrieved from the narrow river and dinner was set for the evening. Ok, maybe it wasn’t that easy, but he doesn’t want to reveal all his secrets…

With the sun casting shadows and a big climb ahead, everyone agreed it would be best to get started on their way after topping off their water. Kyle and Kim use a Steripen for clear water, while Bob squeezed his through a Sawyer filter. Knowing they must climb out of the Valles and back into the Jemez peaks, water would be necessary.

Here the hiking shoes showed their value. Within a half mile of the first climb everyone was dismounted and pushing their bikes. Sadly, this would continue for at least another 30 minutes as the grade was too much for even Eagle gearing. Once at the crest, though, their reward awaited: a panoramic vista of the entire Valles Caldera.

Now chasing evening light, they descended into Chihuahuenos canyon where they would spend the night. After spooking some elk, then seeing hunters, only to spook yet more elk, did the group find their campsite. And just in time; the sun had set and their fish needed cooking. After unpacking their tents and donning down pack-able jackets, a small fire was made and dinner was cooked over open-flame under the million stars of the Milky Way.

Content with the days progress and satisfied with their shelters, rest would come easy.

Riding Out

Morning broke with the familiar cold of high-country autumn. The sound of a Jetboil firing echoed off the canyon walls and the groan of tired legs coming to life was shared. Despite only spending a single night out of doors, the pace of the world had already slowed and no one was in a hurry to get camp packed.

Packing up camp was easier this time round with less space taken by food and familiarity advising. A quick bike check and everything seemed well and after ensuring the fire was dead and no remnants of camp was left behind, the crew started their journey home bound.

By now Michael and Bob were completely hooked. The freedom of knowing everything you need is on your bike and the ability to travel greater distances than by on foot was everything they had hoped it would be. There were other revelations as well: loaded bikes pedal well and provide a stable, accessible way to explore the backcountry. Combined with good comraderie and the excessively beautiful vistas of Northern New Mexico…well, you have a match made in heaven.

Heading towards Abiquiu wouldn’t be as idyllic–winds from the south picked up and mile after mile of dusty gravel roads starting making the bikes protest every pedal stroke. It did not matter, as the experience would help inform further preparatory decisions and opened a door into a whole new world of travel.

This is why we love bikes. Good luck on your next ride, guys!

The Ride

• Cross Country/Trail
• Easy to moderate difficulty
• Best in Fall/Winter/Spring (hot in summer)
• Access from White Ridge Trailhead
• Total climb: 800′, Total descent: 800′
• Total distance: 8 miles
• Time needed: 1-2 hours

Starting at the parking lot, this clockwise loop follows the famous Dragons Back and skips the hike-a-bike, utilizing the lower double-track to connect to the central singletrack.

The climb starts along ‘The Springs’–a series of standing springs seeping from the rock–and continues past a series of stinking, sulfurous sinkholes.

After a short jaunt on the doubletrack, the trail meanders through a series of optional bumps, drops and woops in a moonlike landscape. The remainder of the route continues a series of short punchy climbs and rocky descents up and down a series of times before a ripping fast descent back to the parking lot.

Need to Know

• Great in the winter months. The only exception is right after a big snow.
• It can be quite windy, so be prepared.
• Nearby there is a shooting area, so don’t be shocked to hear gunshots.
• Accessible with most passenger vehicles, gravel road with some ruts.
• Use lots of sunscreen

The Ride

• Cross Country
• Easy to moderate difficulty
• Best Year-round (can get hot in summer and snowy/muddy in winter)
• Access from Frijoles Trailhead
• Total climb: 800′, Total descent: 800′
• Total distance: 9 miles
• Time needed: 1-2 hours

Park at your choice of trailheads, which there are many. From there you can get to the center of LT by practically any trail using the maps available at each intersection. Following the course is pretty self-explanatory and is a great route for XC, SS, and general ridership looking to get some miles in.

As a whole, La Tierra is a great system to explore and enjoy on your own: this route is a good guideline to get started or to measure your fitness if you’re considering the race one of these years.

Click for Route

Download PDF Map

Download GPX Route

The Ride

• Cross Country
• Easy to moderate difficulty
• Best Year round (can get hot in summer, use discretion)
• Access from Cowboy Shack Trailhead
• Total climb: 950′, Total descent: 950′
• Total distance: 10 miles
• Time needed: 1-2 hours

Begin at the Cowboy Shack trailhead and continue up the brief doubletrack before taking your first left and to begin the singletrack climb up to the red rock ridge. Here you will start your up-and-downs as you zig and zag your way through the countryside linking up multiple trails.

Don’t worry about following the route exactly or getting lost: all intersections are signed and each loop offers some fun.

The Ride

• XC/Trail
• Moderate to easy difficulty, good fitness recommended
• Best March-November
• Access from Water History Park
• Total climb: 950′ , Total descent: 950′
• Total Mileage: 8 miles
• Time Needed: 1 hour

Starting at the Water History Park, this loop climbs Upper Canyon Road and connects to Dale Ball Central via the gate just across the river, which starts with a quite steep, albeit short climb.

You’ll meander your way up the mix of rocks, smooth, ledges and head northbound for a few miles, dipping and diving between trees. There is just enough technical to keep things interesting.

After 3 larger climbs, the trail descends near Hyde Park road and turns back towards town, crossing first a driveway, then across Cerros Colorados road. Continue through the swooping turns until a small final climb with views towards downtown.

Here you’ll hoot and holler your way down ‘the luge’–please be careful, this is popular with hikers–and pop out onto Cerro Gordo road. Pedal down Cerro Gordo, either using the social cut through or hooking up with Gonzales Road and pedaling back up using Alameda to Canyon road.