Ribble Cycles have launched a brand new range of gravel bikes designed for riders looking to conquer off-road terrain.
Available in carbon, titanium and alloy models - the latter with an e-bike option - the venerable British brand's new Gravel bikes feature updated geometry bringing them in line with the latest trends in long and low bikes designed for romping over rough stuff.
The four new models are the Gravel Ti, Gravel SL, Gravel AL and the Gravel AL e e-bike. The new bikes will sit alongside Ribble's best-selling CGR (Cross Gravel Road) range, with a revised geometry that tilts the balance further towards off-road capability.
The Gravel Ti sees Ribble add to their popular titanium range with a triple butted, custom profiled 3AL/2.5V titanium frame to inspire confidence in extreme terrain.
For all out speed, the Gravel SL utilises a lightweight carbon monocoque construction with aero profiles, while the Gravel AL is built from custom formed 6061T6 heat treated aluminium for a blend of low weight, performance and value for money.
Alloy is also used for the Gravel AL e - a lightweight electric gravel bike that Ribble say looks, rides, and feels just like a traditional off-road bike. It may look traditional, but packing the extra power of the Mahle EBM X35+ motor, Ribble say "you can explore further into the forest or flatten out the toughest mountains".
"Gravel riding has been embraced by the team at Ribble and continues to evolve covering everything from extreme racing, all-out adrenalin chasing through to the bikepacking adventurer," explains Andy Smallwood, Ribble CEO.
"Our new gravel range has been created from a vast wealth of experience and design expertise, incorporating new R&D technologies and off-road specific details across the platform and will enable riders to experience trails in a new and exciting way."
Designed for off-road, every detail has been considered from tube profiles for extra stiffness, geometry tailored specifically for control and handling on rugged terrains, and tyre clearance of 45mm for 700c or 47mm for 650b wheels.
The range features internal cable routing for sleek and clean looks as well as keeping cables free from dirt and grime. Bikepackers and tourers are catered for with multiple mounting points offering maximum luggage carrying capacity, including rear rack mounts, carryall mounts on the fork and multiple bottle mounts.
Ribble have also unveiled new components including a gravel-oriented full carbon integrated bar/stem and fork-mounted luggage cages, designed to further enhance performance and compliment the design of the new range.
Jamie Burrow, Head of Product at Ribble adds: "We've designed the frames with a gravel optimised long and low geometry with an oversized headtube, a short stem and flared bars to provide greater confidence and a more planted feel over varied technical terrain.
"We have optimised the design of the new platform around integration, compatibility and attention to detail to give the rider a bike that will perform whatever their chosen style of off-road riding."
The bikes come in a range of suggested builds or can be fine-tuned and personalised using the Ribble BikeBuilder and Custom Colour tools.
Shimano's GRX gravel groupset features heavily as you might expect, but we're delighted to see that both the Gravel SL and Gravel Ti offer Campagnolo Ekar 13 Speed as one of the recommended builds.
Campagnolo came up in conversation when we toured the Ribble HQ last year, we know CEO Andy Smallwood is a fan and it seems that with their Ekar gravel groupset, the Italian brand have hit on a competitive alternative to Shimano and SRAM.
The gravel range is available to buy now on the Ribble website.
Prices start at £1,599 for the Ribble Gravel AL, £2,399 for the Ribble Gravel SL, £2,599 for the titanium framed Ribble Gravel Ti, or power up to the Ribble Gravel AL e from £2,699.
For full details and to reserve your new gravel bike, visit www.ribblecycles.co.uk.
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