Preston-based Ribble have a good reputation for well priced and specced bikes and they used the Cycle Show to show their latest range which includes an all-carbon race bike, the HF83, plus revisions to existing models.
The HF83 is a completely new bike and will be available early next year. It's an all-carbon frame and fork developed by Dedacciai of Italy and and it's intended to be their go-to bike for racers.
It has a short head tube - shorter than the previously top-end R872 - features internal cable routing and is fully electronic-ready; it's shown with a Campagnolo Athena EPS groupset. Complete bikes will start from £1269.95.
The stunning looking R872 is the evolution of the Stealth that we saw a couple of years ago, and has been updated for 2013. It now has internal cable routing and is fully compatible with electronic groupsets.
High modulus T800 Toray carbon is used in its construction and there's substantial reinforcing around the head tube and 30mm bottom bracket to stiffen it up. Chainstays are a massive 40mm deep to resist flexing yet the skinny seat stays should provide some buzz damping. Prices start from £945.95, and this Shimano Ultegra Di2 specced bike weighs in at £3,600.
With the summer we've just had we can see bikes like the Sportive 365 being the perfect choice. A carbon frame and fork with mudguards fitted combines all the benefits of carbon while keeping your bum dry.
There's space for 28mm tyres and they use Tektro long reach brake callipers. We can really see a bike like this being not just resigned to winter training, but all year round from commuting to long distance rides… hmm that'll be why they called it 365 then. Prices start from £879.95 for a complete bike - the build on the show bike would set you back about £1200.
The Pro Evo Carbon builds start at just £800. It's a carbon monocoque frame with a naked carbon finish, a clear coat over the 3K carbon top layer.
Ribble's Sportive Bianco is a fast sportive bike that could also be chucked into the heat of a road race. It shares the same geometry as the other carbon frames in the range but has a slightly taller head tube and the profiling has been tweaked to deliver a bit more comfort.
If you're looking for a bike to ride sportives on but don't want to spend too much, then the 7005 Sportive is cracking value at just under £600 for a complete bike. The frame, as the name suggests, is made from 7005 aluminium and has a carbon fibre fork fitted.
This is the Reynolds 525 steel frame and builds start from £679 on this one; we reckon it's a good looking option if you're looking for a winter all-rounder.
You get rack mounts and mudguard clearance for commuting and wet weather duties.
The Ultra TT bike,
Buy a Ribble and you can build it to any specification you desire. They offer a base build on each frame comprising a Shimano Sora groupset and Rodi wheels, but it's easy to upgrade to any number of upgrades including all Shimano and Campagnolo groupsets. Finishing kit can be upgrade too including Mavic and Zipp wheels, Deda, Easton or Ritchey bars and stems, Fizik, Prologo and Selle Italia saddles and a wide choice of tyres. There really is a large choice of options making it easy to build a Ribble to any price, and we've only mentioned a few of the options. Check out their website for the full details.
David has worked on the road.cc tech team since July 2012. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds.