In July 2024, Ribble launched a trio of endurance bikes below its Allroad banner, to fulfill the rising variety of roadies with an urge for food for using extra adventurous surfaces. Mild, quick gravel anybody? Examine. Pothole-strewn nation lanes and damaged tarmac? Examine.
Of the three bikes, the Allroad SL is the common-or-garden, entry-level mannequin. Above it sits the extra focussed SL R – suppose extra refined aero options and higher-grade carbon – and its Mahle X20-powered e-bike sibling. All have been developed utilizing an method Ribble calls Street+ – particularly quick, agile street bikes that aren’t constrained by the confines of tarmac.
For the reason that launch, I’ve spent hours placing a whole bunch of kilometres on my Allroad SL loaner, which arrived manufacturing unit contemporary, absolutely loaded in top-tier Professional spec. However earlier than we get into the using expertise, let’s rewind to find what impressed Ribble to introduce the Allroad SL within the first place.
R872 advanced
The Allroad SL shares a lot in frequent with Ribble’s venerable R872 mannequin
(Picture credit score: Simon Fellows)
The Allroad SL is a direct descendant of Ribble’s profitable R872 mannequin, a keenly priced performance-oriented endurance bike that has received many accolades, together with Biking Weekly’s Editor’s Selection award twice over.
In profile, to the informal eye, the body silhouettes are practically an identical, with the SL’s barely chunkier fork the one apparent visible giveaway. Learning the geometry sheet does reveal some variations although. Predictably, probably the most vital is the elevated tyre clearance, up from 32mm to 35mm, which just about definitely accounts for the longer chainstays. These have elevated 5mm to 415mm, stretching the general wheelbase for a measurement M (approx 54) to 986mm, up just below 6mm. Attain, at 378mm, is actually the identical, however stack has been elevated by 8mm to 562mm. The pinnacle angle and seat angle are the identical at 73 levels and 73.5 levels respectively.
So, what do all these figures imply in real-world using circumstances? The R872 was developed with efficiency endurance geometry, reasonably than the tight, lengthy, low-slung stance of a real race bike. Which is ok, it’s a motorbike that was meant for swift but spun-out sportifs reasonably than quickly executed crits. The Allroad is a contemporary tackle this, the additional size ought to give it a bit of extra stability whereas the elevated stack top will present a bit extra consolation with out robbing it of an excessive amount of velocity. In any case, it’s decrease than some rivals, such because the Specialised Roubaix.
The Allroad SL has clearance for 35c tyres
(Picture credit score: Future)
Essentially the most vital distinction within the specs, which will be felt instantly, is the elevated tyre width, a change that breathes new life into this mature platform. The place the R872 ships with 28mm tyres, the SL is shod with extra modern 32s, and there’s sufficient clearance to suit 35c rubber. This extra quantity supplies the chance to run decrease pressures, which brings extra consolation, higher grip and the flexibility – liberty, in case you like – to discover beforehand inaccessible routes.
The Allroad SL’s body and fork are engineered primarily from T700 carbon fibre, with a mixture of larger grade T800 used the place further stiffness is required, such because the drivetrain space. This can be a step up from the R872 however inferior to the premium layup of the SL R, which makes use of a mix of T1000 and M46 carbon.
The flared, aero downtube is claimed to be quicker with a bidon then with out
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
The SL shares the SL R’s wind-cheating downtube profile, which, in flip, is borrowed from Ribble’s uncompromising Extremely SL R aero race bike. The profile flares from the mid-section down – from across the cage mounts – making the bike extra aerodynamic with a bidon than with out.
Past the forks, that are broad and comparatively deep-bladed, there’s little else that’s overtly aero in regards to the SL. The bars are extensive, with a daily, semi-oval tube form, and the hoses are externally routed across the headset till they disappear into the fork and downtube. No full inside routing to worry about right here.
Neatly hidden mounts exist for guards/fenders however there aren’t any fixings for racks, which can make bike packing on the Allroad extra awkward for some.
Recommended builds
Shimano 12-speed 105 Di2 comes as commonplace on the top-tier Professional construct
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
Ribble assembles its bikes in Lancashire, UK, which permits for a excessive diploma of customisation. Inside purpose, it’s potential to stipulate color, wheelset, groupset, saddle, pedals and so forth. Nonetheless, to keep away from choice paralysis, it suggests one in all three really helpful builds as a place to begin. Sport is an entry-level Tiagra spec, from £1,699/$2,010. Fanatic options mechanical 105, from £1,999/$2,365 and Professional will get 105 Di2, from £2,999/$3,545. Wheelsets turn out to be progressively extra fascinating too – the Professional, for instance, is fitted with Mavic Cosmic S 42 Carbon wheels as commonplace.
The journey
I’ve lined greater than 700km on an Allroad SL in Professional guise in the course of the previous few months, totally on my dwelling turf within the north Cotswolds. Earlier than even swinging a leg over the SL, it’s instantly obvious – and the clue is within the title – that that is no gravel bike. The geometry, the headtube angle specifically, simply isn’t slack sufficient and the tyre clearance, by fashionable requirements, falls quick.
As a substitute, it’s an immensely succesful endurance bike that’s now versatile sufficient to sort out some mild off-roading. Present it some lengthy miles down nation lanes pocked with potholes and a rash of damaged tarmac and it’s in its factor – exactly the sort of circumstances that the majority of us roadies are actually using in northern Europe.
My using
My using takes to the slim rural lanes that hint circuits to the east of Cheltenham, encompassing the gorgeous villages of Guiting Energy, Notgrove, Turkdean, Hazleton, Compton Abdale, Withington, Winson, Coln St Aldwyns and Bibury.
Street surfaces range enormously however most are in an appalling state, suffering from potholes, uncovered gullies, damaged surfaces and gravel washed down from the native limestone hills. It’s the right testbed for an all-road bike.
Climbs are hardly ever lengthy however inclines regularly attain double digits.
The SL isn’t the lightest of bikes, neither is it the quickest or probably the most responsive. Regardless of. It takes a very good stab at efficiency – it’s no slouch – whereas remaining comfy and safe. It’s an ‘I like using my bike for the sake of using my bike’ kinda bike. It’s not a machine it is advisable get psyched as much as journey, or limbered as much as maintain a good journey place.
Don’t get me incorrect, the stack top provides it racy pretensions, and it’s nice enjoyable to level it down some lengthy, flowing descents. Nonetheless, the dealing with is finest summed up as on the spicy facet of impartial.
Once we final reviewed the R872 we discovered it suffered a scarcity of stiffness across the backside bracket space however, maybe because of the inclusion of T800 carbon fibre, I didn’t discover this to be an issue with the SL. Even when standing on the pedals for a playful dash or climbing one of many many steep ramps now we have right here within the Cotswolds, it by no means felt that the body was sapping energy.
Ribble specs first rate saddles on its bikes. On this case it is the Selle Italia Mannequin X Superflow however different saddles can be found as construct choices
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
Compliance is great, however I think that is because of the 32mm tyres as a lot as it’s the body layup. My loaner was fitted with Pirelli P Zero Street TLR tyres, high quality tyres with first rate safety however too slick for all however the best-groomed off-road sections. However, they enabled me to hyperlink up sections of tarmac by way of the occasional, simply navigable bridlepath or clean gravel path. I’m unsure that swapping them out for a wider 35c slick tyre would make that a lot distinction however a extra outlined tread sample – a set of Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC tyres maybe – would, however on the expense of rolling resistance on tarmac.
It was refreshing to see a set of Mavic wheels specified on my Professional construct, for previous time’s sake, if nothing else. As carbon wheels go, the Cosmic S 42 Disc set falls on the price range finish of the market, however they appear the enterprise, carry out effectively and are comparatively light-weight at 1,660g. Frankly, it’s spectacular to see nearly a grand’s value of wheels on a three-grand bike. Their versatile 21mm inside width allows the mounting of 25mm tyres, in case you should go that slim, proper as much as 65mm monsters, which, after all, received’t clear the SL’s stays.
Remarkably for its worth, the Professional construct additionally options 12-speed Shimano 105 Di2, with a 50/34t compact chainset up entrance and a 11-36t cassette on the rear. This can be a nice alternative of ratios for endurance using over hilly terrain – I definitely labored my approach by means of each cog right here within the Cotswolds – however in case you dwell someplace flatter, you’ll most likely starvation for some meatier gears to realize a better top-end velocity. As anticipated, Shimano’s 105 Di2 gruppo carried out flawlessly.
Bars are superb however a bit of lacklustre. It is the one part we’d improve on the Professional spec mannequin
(Picture credit score: Future)
The SL’s cockpit is my least favorite space of the bike, which is a disgrace as a result of it’s a significant contact level. The semi-oval alloy bars are Ribble’s personal Degree mannequin, a compact set that’s comfy sufficient however a bit of ‘meh’. Bolting on a extra ergonomic set, with narrower tops and barely flared drops, can be one of many few upgrades I’d spend money on.
I didn’t sort out any mammoth rides on the SL however a number of reached across the 100km mark, so a couple of good hours within the saddle. Most of those had been massive Cotswold loops on minor backroads, passing by means of fields neatly clipped by sheep, densely wooded valleys and steep climbs progressively revealed by slim, twisting lanes. Whole ascent can be within the order of 1,400 metres.
The SL was a valued companion on these rides. Loads quick sufficient to make first rate progress, entertaining on the descents and sufficiently strong to shrug off the numerous street surfaces. It’s additionally an immensely comfy bike. Ever skilled that terrible ‘I wish to get off now’ feeling three-quarters of the way in which by means of a journey? Nicely, I by no means felt the necessity to finish a journey early on account of discomfort on the SL.
Worth
Carbon wheels are a pleasant contact on the Professional construct, however they’re certainly not important
(Picture credit score: Future/Simon Fellows)
The worth of the Allroad SL in Professional construct is little greater than the mixed RRP of its Mavic carbon wheelset and the Shimano Di2 groupset. Certain, in case you look in the fitting place you should purchase both part closely discounted however, however, the £2,999 SL Professional represents stonking worth for cash.
Nonetheless, I’d be tempted to avoid wasting a 3rd of that price by choosing the Fanatic construct with its Shimano 105 mechanical groupset and alloy Mavic Aksium wheels. That is the place the actual worth is to be discovered – 95 % of the journey really feel and efficiency for 66 % of the fee.
That is the place the actual worth is to be discovered – 95 % of the journey really feel and efficiency for 66 % of the fee.
Alternatively, the bottom SL Sport, with the identical Aksium wheels however Tiagra 10-speed makes for a stonking winter bike or a wonderful beginner journey.
Ribble is aggressive with its pricing as a result of it’s a direct-to-consumer model. Even so, it nonetheless manages to undercut related manufacturers akin to Canyon. It’s difficult to check one model’s bike mannequin towards one other as a result of the elements are unlikely to match, however Ribble’s Allroad SL vary is marginally inexpensive than similar-level Canyon Endurace fashions.
Specs
For the Allroad SL in Professional construct:
- Body and fork: Mixture of Toray 700 and 800 carbon fibre
- Backside Bracket: BBR60 68mm
- Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed
- Cassette: CS-HG710 12spd Cassette HG 11-36T
- Chainset: FC-R7100 105 12spd Chainset 165mm 50-34T
- Brake rotors: RT70 CL Rotor 160mm
- Wheelset: Mavic Cosmic S 42 Disc Carbon
- Tyres: P Zero Street TLR Black 700x32mm
- Handlebar: Degree Alloy Handlebar
- Stem: RS-2 Stem 80mm
- Saddle: Selle Italia Mannequin X Superflow
- Claimed weight for measurement M: 8.8kg
- Precise weight for measurement XL: 9.28kg
