Ribble has launched three ‘all-road’ bikes beneath the collective ‘precisely what it says on the tin’ Allroad title. The brand new vary falls beneath the direct-to-consumer model’s new “Highway+” ethos that marries road-focused efficiency with the potential to deal with gentle off-road segments.
Finishing the vary are the entry degree Allroad SL – the mannequin I’ve had the chance to experience forward of the launch – the vary topping Allroad SL R and the electrical Allroad SL R e. All three boast consolation endurance geometry, however past that there are putting similarities in addition to some important variations, not least value.
Apparently, Ribble has chosen to fulfill the rising all-road market by growing a set of aero-inspired street bikes that may enterprise off street, slightly than engineering a set of gravel bikes with satisfactory on-road efficiency. I feel that is a completely legitimate method.
The state of tarmac – at the least within the UK – means there is a demand from roadies wanting to modify as much as a motorbike that’s fast but snug over lengthy distances on poor street surfaces. A light-weight, sharp-handling bike that can tolerate the occasional gravel path however received’t undergo blunted on-road efficiency attributable to a closely constructed body or 45mm tyres. They need an endurance bike reinvented for contemporary using situations.
“Cash is tight for a lot of of our prospects, they wish to get each pound of worth they will out of a motorbike,” says Jamie Burrow, Head of Product, Ribble. “I consider the competitively priced, versatile Allroad vary allows them to do exactly that. These are the street bikes that the majority cyclists will get pleasure from a greater experience on than a devoted race machine.”
Allroad SL R
High quality is the Allroad SL R
(Picture credit score: Ribble)
In each look and construct, the flagship Allroad SL R borrows closely from the Extremely SL R, Ribble’s aero race bike. There’s an identical, deep, truncated headtube, which transitions organically into the slender high tube and uniquely profiled downtube. Ribble says the downtube form makes the SL R quicker with a bottle than with out. Each half, from the extensive forks to the slender aerodynamically profiled dropped seat stays has been developed to work as a system to cheat the wind.
For the primary time, Ribble has used a mix of intermediate modulus Toray T1000 carbon fibre and excessive modulus M46 carbon fibre within the body’s layup.
“This has allowed us to carry the burden down and, with the M46, stiffen it up in the important thing energy switch areas of the bike, says Burrow. “On the identical time, the combo and layup hold it compliant sufficient within the areas that want to supply the extent of consolation that’s necessary in an endurance bike.”
Ribble hasn’t offered a body weight determine, however the complete bike in top-level ‘Hero’ construct, measurement Medium, weighs 7.5kg. Not the lightest in race bike circles, however spectacular for an aero endurance bike.
The Allroad SL R options Ribble’s new aero-sculpted UB2 bars
(Picture credit score: Ribble)
One other first for the SL R, is the inclusion of latest, eye-catching UB2 bars. “These work as a system with the forks and headtube to supply a totally aero optimised entrance finish,” says Burrow, “that manages airflow across the rider.” The chunky, deep part bars present a totally built-in, cable-free cockpit with direct mount levers.
Most tyre clearance for the SL R is simply 38c, a transparent assertion of intent from Burrow and his group that this can be a street bike and never a gravel bike. The geo tells an identical story.
Chainstay size is reasonable at 415mm, as is the 985mm wheelbase for a measurement medium (equal 54). Stack is 568mm and attain is 376mm. These dimensions recommend the SL’s dealing with will likely be predictable but agile – nice enjoyable to throw into a quick nook whereas bearing a smile, not a grimace.
Tyre selection will likely be vital. The pattern bike that I’ve been proven was shod with quick 32c Pirelli P Zero Race TLR street tyres, however you’ll be able to, after all, dial compliance and off-road potential up a notch by becoming wider, extra gravel pleasant rubber.
Allroad SL R e
Ribble’s Allroad SL R e encompasses a Mahle X20 electrical hub drive system
(Picture credit score: Ribble)
Primarily, the SL R e is an SL R fitted with an Mahle X20 electrical hub drive system. Whereas I’ve seen samples of the Allroad SL R and the SL, I haven’t seen or ridden the SL R e, so pre-launch particulars are just a little scant.
Ribble says that the SL R e has a variety of 140km, which may be elevated to an enormous 200km with an non-compulsory vary extender. Let’s hope the bike is cozy! The SL R e weighs a really aggressive 11.8kg in Hero construct, measurement medium, so I think experience really feel will stay pure.
Allroad SL
Entry into the vary comes within the form of the Allroad SL
(Picture credit score: Ribble)
Most cost-effective of the bunch, the Allroad SL – the mannequin I’ve had the chance to log some miles on – begins at simply £1,699 in base Sport guise. Just like the SL R, it too options aero optimised tube profiles, however the bike shares extra DNA in widespread with Ribble’s time-honoured R872, an endurance bike that received Biking Weekly’s Editor’s Alternative award in each 2018 and 2020.
The Allroad SL’s body and fork are engineered from a mix of T700 and T800 carbon fibre – a step down from the SL R’s T1000/M46 construct – however creating a motorbike that weighs in at a nonetheless respectable 8.8kg in range-topping Professional construct, measurement medium. It shares some household resemblance with the SL R, the identical characterful downtube profile and a fork with a large, purposeful stance, however that is an altogether extra typical wanting bike.
The Allroad SL’s aero downtube profile is much like the range-topping SL R however they’re two very completely different bikes
(Picture credit score: Ribble)
“We labored actually laborious to ship spec and value for the SL,” says Burrow. “In Professional construct, which prices £2,999, you are getting a full carbon T700/T800 carbon combine body, with Shimano 105 Di2 on Mavic carbon wheels shod with Pirelli branded tyres.”
Just like the SL R, geometry is street endurance by way of and thru. The 35c tyre clearance, which is surprisingly conservative for a contemporary Allroad bike, has enabled the identical reasonable chainstay size of 415mm, and an identical total wheelbase of 986mm for a measurement medium (equal 54). Stack peak, for a similar body measurement is 562.7mm, which is about 20mm lower than a comparable Specialised Roubaix and, curiously, about 6mm lower than the SL R.
First experience
The Ribble Allroad SL was well-behaved and cozy, if not the quickest downhill
(Picture credit score: Ribble)
Days earlier than the launch, Ribble loaned me an Allroad SL in Professional spec, which comes totally loaded with a Shimano 105 Di2 groupset and Mavic Cosmic S 42 Carbon wheelset. My time with the bike was restricted however I used to be capable of squeeze in a good couple of hours, using my go-to, brief however candy circuit within the north Cotswolds.
Whereas no-one would mistake the Cotswold hills for the Alps, and even the English Lake District, we do have some brief however punchy ascents right here – with percentages steadily reaching into the mid-teens. My 50km route sticks to the slim rural lanes that hint a circuit to the east of Cheltenham, encompassing the gorgeous villages of Guiting Energy, Notgrove, Turkdean, Hazleton, Compton Abdale and Withington.
Highway surfaces range enormously. There’s the superbly surfaced Cat 3 climb out of Withington, which has featured in latest Tour of Britain phases, however that is an exception. A lot of the roads are in an appalling state, plagued by potholes, uncovered gullies, damaged surfaces and limestone gravel washed down from the native hills. It’s the proper testbed for an all-road bike.
My first impressions verify that the SL may be very a lot a street bike. The comparatively low stack peak, maybe emphasised by my very own tall 190cm body and no time for a correct bike match, mixed with the reasonable chainstay keep size and wheelbase, present a liveliness that’s usually dulled in slacker gravel bikes.
The SL is gentle and agile sufficient to climb nicely. It’s lots stiff sufficient too, I seen little or no flex within the backside bracket space even when getting out of the saddle to place in some real efforts. Descending all the time stays enjoyable. The aforementioned Withington Hill has a few tight switchbacks at its foot that may unsettle some bikes, which is all the time an unnerving expertise. The SL was well-behaved all through – it’s not the quickest of bikes I’ve ridden down that hill, however it remained each fluid and responsive.
The Mavic wheels, shod with 32mm Pirelli P Zero Highway TLR tyres, weren’t troubled by the damaged street surfaces or the patches of free gravel I usually encountered. I didn’t have time to take the SL additional offroad however would think about swapping the tyres out for one thing extra sturdy and higher suited to looser surfaces if that have been to turn into extra of a spotlight.
The Allroad SL proved to be snug over 50km, however frankly that’s no distance for an endurance bike. I’m wanting ahead to testing it on for much longer rides over the approaching weeks.
Specs
Since each Ribble bike is constructed to order, it’s potential for patrons to customize their bike with completely different elements at checkout on the model’s web site. Utilizing Ribble’s net configurator, it’s even potential to specify a CustomColour livery.
Due to this, Ribble gives steered builds slightly than particular fashions with specs set in stone. These observe the conference: Sport, Fanatic, Professional and Hero. Ribble is a direct-to-consumer model, so specs are normally beneficiant. For top-end bikes, such because the Allroad SL R, Sport degree bikes are usually outfitted with Shimano 105, Fanatic with Shimano Ultegra and Hero with Shimano Dura-Ace.
The Allroad SL Sport begins at £1,699 as much as the Professional at £2,999.
The Allroad SL R Sport begins at £2,999 by way of to the range-topping Hero spec at £8,299.
The Allroad SL R e Sport begins at £3,999, by way of to the Hero spec at £8,499.
