RIBBLE CGR SL 105
£1799 › A full-carbon frame that mixes value and versatility
Ribble’s new CGR SL is surprisingly good value on paper. For £1800 you get a fullcarbon frameset with huge tyre clearances, a complete Shimano 105 groupset with hydraulic disc brakes, Mavic wheels and a Prologo saddle.
The frameset bears a lot of features found on fashionably modern bikes, from its dropped seatstays and drive-side chainstay, to the internal cable routing and truncated aerofoil tube shapes. That dropped drive-side chainstay at the bottom of the frame permits the use of either 700c or 650B wheels and tyres up to 47mm wide (on the latter wheel size). But either way, the Ribble’s tyre clearance is huge – even with mudguards fitted and 40mm tyres on 700c wheels there’s still ample room for the double 50/34 chainset.
The dropped seatstays towards the top of the frame, permit the seatpost to flex a little more and although their angular kinks are quite visually extreme, they also serve as the mounting location for a rear rack, adding both versatility and convenience to this bike.
The Mavic Aksium rims are 17mm internally and 24mm externally, which actually reduces the 40mm Schwalbe G-One AllRound tyres’ width to 39mm. The AllRound tyres have circular tread blocks that are wider spaced and slightly taller than those on Schwalbe’s G-One Speed tyres, which are specced on the Whyte Wessex.
Whether due to the plump tyres, effective frame design or both, the Ribble delivers a great ride. We were immediately impressed with how smooth it felt, despite Wiltshire’s roads trying their best to assault us with new potholes and freshly broken tarmac. The confidence the frame’s slack 71.5° head angle, 1025mm wheelbase and those big, grippy tyres inspire when you’re
Ribble’s budget-defying CGR SL promises much and delivers in spades
The Ribble delivers a great ride. We were immediately impressed with how smooth it felt
cornering on lanes covered in wet, slimy leaves was very welcome.
On the road it has a willingness to make progress that doesn’t seem to make sense given its wide and inner-tubed tyres and almost 10kg weight. Yes, you feel that weight on lengthy climbs, which require you to spin up them with some patience, but stomping up short hills on the big ring is perfectly possible. Acceleration isn’t racebike rapid, but it always feels keen to pick up speed.
Flatland pace is consistently good, even over truly awful tarmac that would see you bunny hopping and switching lines constantly on a bike shod with 25mm tyres. The 50/34 x 11-32 gearing combination works well for all but the fastest rides and the carbon seatpost makes use of its exposed length and Prologo saddle to produce seated comfort that’s perfectly adequate.