Ribble launched three “all-road” bikes under the collective “exactly what it says on the tin” Allroad name. The new range falls under the brand’s new direct-to-consumer ‘Road+’ ethos, which combines road-focused performance with the ability to tackle light off-road segments.
Rounding out the range is the entry-level Allroad SL – a model I had the chance to drive before launch – the range-topping Allroad SL R and electric Allroad SL R e. All three boast comfort and endurance geometry, but beyond that there are striking similarities and some significant differences, not least the price.
Interestingly, Ribble has decided to cater to the growing all-road market by developing a collection of aero-inspired road bikes that can take on the terrain, rather than creating a set of gravel bikes with rideable on-road performance. I think this is a completely valid approach.
The state of the tarmac – at least in the UK – means there is demand from riders looking to switch to a bike that’s fast but comfortable for long distances on poor road surfaces. A lightweight bike with crisp handling that will tolerate the occasional gravel track but won’t suffer from dull road performance thanks to a massive frame or 45mm tyres. They want an endurance bike redesigned for modern riding conditions.
“A lot of our customers are cash-strapped, they want to get every pound of value they can out of a bike,” says Jamie Burrow, product director at Ribble. “I believe the competitively priced, versatile Allroad range allows them to do just that. They are road bikes that most cyclists will enjoy riding better than dedicated racing machines.”
Allroad SL R
The highlight of the range is the Allroad SL R
(Image credit: Ribble)
In both looks and construction, the flagship Allroad SL R borrows heavily from the Ultra SL R, Ribble’s aero race bike. There’s a similar, deep, truncated head tube that flows organically into a slender top tube and a uniquely profiled down tube. Ribble says the shape of the downtube makes the SL R faster with a bottle than without. Every part, from the wide forks to the slim, aerodynamically profiled dropped seatstays, has been developed to function as a wind-cheating system.
For the first time, Ribble used a mix of Toray T1000 medium modulus carbon fiber and M46 high modulus carbon fiber in a frame setup.
“This allowed us to reduce weight and, on the M46, strengthen it in key areas of the bike’s power transmission,” says Burrow. “At the same time, the combination and layout is compatible enough in areas that need to offer the level of comfort that is important in an endurance bike.”
Ribble didn’t give a frame weight figure, but the total bike in the top-of-the-range ‘Hero’ Medium size construction weighs 7.5kg. Not the lightest in racing circles, but impressive for aero endurance.
The Allroad SL R features Ribble’s new aerodynamically shaped UB2 bars
(Image credit: Ribble)
Another first for the SL R is the inclusion of new, eye-catching UB2 bars. “They work as a fork and head tube system to provide a fully aerodynamically optimized front end,” says Burrow, “which directs airflow around the rider.” Massive, deep-section bars provide a fully integrated, cable-free cockpit with direct-mount levers.
Maximum tire clearance for the SL R is just 38c, a clear statement of Burrow and his team’s intent that this is a road bike and not a gravel bike. Geo tells a similar story.
Chainstay length is a medium 415mm, as is the 985mm wheelbase for the size medium (54 equivalent). The stack is 568 mm and the reach is 376 mm. These dimensions suggest the SL’s handling will be predictable yet agile – great fun to throw into a fast corner while smiling, not grimacing.
The choice of tires will be decisive. The sample bike I was shown was shod with fast Pirelli P Zero Race TLR 32c road tires, but of course you can take the handling and off-road potential up a notch by fitting wider, more gravel-friendly rubber.
Allroad SL R e
The Ribble Allroad SL R e is equipped with a Mahle X20 electric hub drive system
(Image credit: Ribble)
The SL R e is essentially an SL R equipped with a Mahle X20 electric hub drive system. While I’ve seen samples of the Allroad SL R and SL, I haven’t seen or driven the SL R e, so pre-launch details are a bit sparse.
Ribble says the SL R e has a range of 140km, which can be increased to a massive 200km with an optional range extender. Hopefully the bike will be comfortable! The SL R e weighs a very competitive 11.8kg in Hero mid-size construction, so I suspect the ride feel will remain natural.
Allroad SL
The entry to the range comes in the form of the Allroad SL
(Image credit: Ribble)
The cheapest of the bunch, the Allroad SL – the model I had the chance to put some miles on – starts at just £1,699 in base Sport trim. Like the SL R, it also has aerodynamically optimized tube profiles, but the bike shares more DNA with Ribble’s proven R872, the winning endurance bike. Cycling Weekly Editor’s Choice Award in both 2018 and 2020.
The Allroad SL frame and fork are constructed from a mix of T700 and T800 carbon fiber – a step down from the SL R T1000/M46 build – yet still produce a bike that weighs in at a still respectable 8.8kg in top Pro construction. size medium. It shares some family resemblance to the SL R, the same distinctive down tube profile and fork with a wide, purposeful stance, but it’s a more conventional-looking bike overall.
The Allroad SL’s aero downtube profile is similar to the range-topping SL R, but they are two very different bikes.
(Image credit: Ribble)
“We’ve worked really hard to deliver the SL’s specs and price,” says Burrow. “The £2,999 Pro gets you a T700/T800 full carbon frame with Shimano 105 Di2 on Mavic carbon wheels shod with Pirelli tyres.”
As with the SL R, the geometry is road endurance through and through. The 35c tire clearance, which is surprisingly conservative for a modern Allroad bike, allowed for the same 415mm chainstay center length and a similar 986mm overall wheelbase for the medium size (54 equivalent). Stack height for the same frame size is 562.7mm, which is about 20mm less than a comparable Specialized Roubaix and interestingly about 6mm less than the SL R.
First ride
The Ribble Allroad SL was at home in the Cotswold hills despite the poor road surface
(Image credit: Simon Fellows)
Days before the launch, Ribble loaned me a Pro spec Allroad SL fully loaded with Shimano 105 Di2 and Mavic Cosmic S 42 Carbon wheelset. My time on the bike was limited but I managed to squeeze in a decent couple of hours riding my favorite short but sweet circuit in the north Cotswolds.
While no one would mistake the Cotswold hills for the Alps or even the English Lake District, we have some short but impressive climbs – with percentages often reaching the middle ages. My 50km route sticks to the narrow country lanes that loop east from Cheltenham and include the pretty villages of Guiting Power, Notgrove, Turkdean, Hazleton, Compton Abdale and Withington.
Road surfaces vary greatly. There is a beautifully surfaced Cat 3 climb from Withington that has featured in recent Tour of Britain stages, but this is the exception. Most of the roads are in appalling condition, littered with potholes, exposed gullies, broken surfaces and limestone gravel washed down from the local hills. It’s the perfect testing ground for all-road bikes.
My first impressions confirm that the SL is very much a road bike. The relatively low stack height, perhaps accentuated by my own tall 190cm frame and no time to properly fit the bike, combined with the moderate chain stay length and wheelbase, provide a liveliness that is often muted on slacker gravel bikes.
The SL is light and nimble enough to climb well. It’s stiff enough too, I noticed very little sag in the bottom bracket area even when I was out of the saddle to make a real effort. The descent is always fun. The aforementioned Withington Hill has some tight switchbacks at its base which can unsettle some bikes, which is always an unnerving experience. The SL behaved well throughout – it’s not the fastest bike I’ve ridden down that hill, but it remained smooth and responsive.
The Mavic wheels, shod with 32mm Pirelli P Zero Road TLR tires, were untroubled by the broken pavement or loose gravel deposits that I encountered regularly. I haven’t had time to take the SL further off-road, but I’d consider swapping the tires for something sturdier and more suitable for looser surfaces if it becomes more of a focus.
The Allroad SL proved comfortable over 50km, but frankly that’s no distance for an endurance bike. I look forward to trying it out on much longer rides in the coming weeks.
spectacles
As every Ribble bike is made to order, it is possible for customers to customize their bike using various components at checkout on the brand’s website. It is even possible to specify a CustomColour using the Ribble web configurator.
For this reason, Ribble offers suggested builds rather than specific models with set-in-stone specifications. These follow the convention: Sport, Enthusiast, Pro and Hero. Ribble is a direct-to-consumer brand, so specs are usually generous. For high-end bikes like the Allroad SL R, the Sport bikes are typically equipped with Shimano 105, the Enthusiast with Shimano Ultegra, and the Hero with Shimano Dura-Ace.
The Allroad SL Sport starts at £1,699 up to the Pro at £2,999.
The Allroad SL R Sport starts at £2,999 up to the top spec Hero at £8,299.
The Allroad SL R e Sport starts at £3,999, going up to Hero spec at £8,499.