Ribble launches range-topping Ultimate SL

Ribble Cycles has unveiled its new top-of-the-range Ultimate SL, a carbon-fibre frame built to a ‘racing’ geometry and weighing a claimed 840g. That makes it Ribble’s lightest frame. 

“The bike is ideal for riders looking for a superlight machine for the road,” says Ribble. “The Ultimate SL excels in racing and epic challenge rides in the hills and big mountains.”

The Ultimate is designed with what Ribble calls a ‘racing’ geometry. The large sized model, for example, has a 530mm seat tube, a 561.7mm effective top tube and a 180.1mm head tube. The stack (the vertical distance from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube) is 578mm and the reach (the horizontal distance between those points) is 385mm.

Those figures don’t suggest a riding position that’s as aggressive as that of Ribble’s R872, for instance. With 405mm chainstays, the wheelbase is short at 990.3mm.

The frame features tube profiles that are designed to be aerodynamically efficient. An oversized bottom bracket and tapered head tube are intended to add efficiency, and Ribble says that the narrow seatstays and 27.2mm seatpost provide comfort.

The 840g claimed weight refers to a medium sized frame, painted and with decals.

The Ultimate SL is available as a complete bike from £1,599 although Ribble’s recommended build – with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 11-speed groupset, Mavic Ksyrium Elite Wheel and Deda Zero finishing kit – is £2,999.

As ever, you can use Ribble’s online Bike Builder system to select the groupset, wheels and other components according to your taste and budget. It’s really simple to add your choices and have the frame built up exactly the way you want it. 

Like other Ribble bikes, the Ultimate SL comes with a six year warranty and a 30-day no-questions-asked returns policy.

Go to www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-ultimate-sl for more information.