Ribble R872 Ultegra Di2 Special Edition
£2472
For 2017 Ribble has taken its 872 back to the drawing board, and even though it looks pretty much the same except for a new fork, work has been done beneath the surface to stiffen things up.
Ribble has built its reputation on offering levels of equipment few can match. This bike’s kit puts it right at the top of this highly competitive price bracket, including a full Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset, classy aluminium Deda Zero 100 parts and a quality Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset. It’s an even more impressive achievement when you take into account the 872’s sub-kilo frame.
The new R872 feels more robust than the previous model, even with a lighter frame. Accelerations are easy to snap into and it climbs with the best of them. With Di2’s superb shifts and ability to change under load without drama, it’s a bike on which you can really attack.
The long, low riding position won’t suit everyone, but as raceshaped bikes go this has a decent level of comfort. Its solidity doesn’t become wearing – it just lets you know that road buzz is part of riding in Britain. For a bike this short, and this low at the front, we expected faster handling. In reality it’s more suited to smooth moves rather than darting about changing lines.
This 872 is one hell of a package. We can’t fault the spec and the frameset is worthy of the components. Ribble has done a great job.