Going the distance
Ribble Endurance SL Ultegra Disc PRICE £2709 UPGRADES SADDLE MILES RIDDEN 426
I can’t see that there’ll be much that I’ll be able to throw at the Ribble that will cause it any dramas
The last few months haven’t involved as much riding on my Ribble Endurance SL as I would have liked due a slight medical emergency – a detached retina. However, I’m now cured, able to ride again and can claim a small victory – I managed to carry out an incredibly simple bike maintenance task without breaking anything.
I swapped one saddle for another and the world kept turning. Pathetic, I know, but in the past two years I’ve managed to dethread a set of seat tube bolts during another saddle replacement job, split an aluminium stem in two and, the best one, crush a carbon steerer tube.
To be fair to the Fizik Arione R5 that the Ribble shipped with, there was nothing in particular about it that was bothering me. However, it is a flat-profiled seat which, in Fizik’s range hierarchy, is aimed at flexible riders who like to slam stems and get into improbable racy positions. That isn’t me. Instead, I’ve gone for the Fabric Scoop Shallow Race (£69.99). It’s a little curvier and more cushioned than the Arione and the profile on Fabric’s website shows a rider sitting on the hoods. My backside felt completely at home.
I’ve been less impressed with my Cycliq Fly6 rear light and camera combo. I’ve found it pretty unreliable, but I’m going to try a new firmware update and give it one last chance.
The Endurance itself is doing sterling work as my daily commuter; comfortable and plenty quick enough. And that description works when it comes to using it as a training rig too.
I can’t see that there’ll be much that I’ll be able to throw at the Ribble that will cause it any dramas. I can’t say the same for my eyes.