RIBBLE HYBRID AL E FULLY LOADED
£2099 Sharp-looking, well equipped commuter
Ribble’s Hybrid AL e is a greatlooking bike with its metallic copper finish (1) (it also comes in petrol blue). Add in ebikemotion’s subtly integrated motor system and internal battery, and you have a stealthy ebike that cuts a sharp image on the road.
Ebikemotion’s system is based around a 250w rear hub – rather than bottom bracket – motor combined with a slim integrated 250w battery in the down tube. This system provides just enough assistance when you need it: more of a gentle push in the back than a surge of torqueladen power. The Ribble, much like the Boardman, is more of a cyclist’s choice of power assistance than the leisure rider’s options from the Bosch-equipped bikes on test.
Control of the motor system is incredibly simple. Press the top tube button (called iWoc) to turn it on and the LED light shines white; press and hold and it turns green (low assistance), orange (medium), red (full). This is also the battery level indicator; white is 75-100 per cent, green 75-50 per cent, orange 50-25 per cent, red 25 per cent; flashing red indicates less than 10 per cent battery charge remaining. The ebikemotion system is also Bluetoothcompatible and the controller flashes blue as it connects to your phone via the free ebikemotion app. The app offers a wealth of information with accurate battery level, distance travelled, altitude, average speed, cadence, gradient and current speed. You can pair the app with both the bike and a heart-rate monitor and set heartrate-based assistance. It also uses GPS mapping and has functional navigation, and will upload any recorded activities to Strava.
The Ribble and the Boardman both have a much enhanced experience when combined with their apps, so both would benefit from a phone mount to give you full information at a glance (see page 48 for six of the best phone mounts available).
The Ribble’s ride position is undeniably sporty but the head angle (2) is nice and relaxed, which adds a stable feel to the handling
WE SAY... This bike comes with all the extras and an easy to use system making it a wise commuting choice
For cyclists who want to buy a commuter that rides like their Sunday-best bike with extra assistance
especially when you ride on rougher surfaces. Ribble has cleverly made the stem length on the one-piece bar/stem short, which speeds up the steering and makes this bike an agile beast for cutting through traffic – an essential asset if you’re looking for a good commuter.
It feels nimble, thanks to the relatively light Mavic wheels (the best wheelset of any of the bikes on test here) and the tough, but fastrolling Schwalbe Marathon (ebike rated) tyres. The SRAM 1x drivetrain offers all the gear range you could want and when combined with the motor system it makes for a fun ride.
The power assist feels natural through all of its levels and in all weather conditions, such as riding with a forceful tailwind. The maximum setting will see you ascend the steepest of inclines when combined with your own efforts (you don’t get away scot free!). My only niggle with the system is the placement of the iWoc control button on the top tube. Its position means that you have to take your hand off the bars when you want to change modes, which can feel a little cumbersome.
Ribble should be applauded for this Fully Loaded edition because it includes good-quality full SKS mudguards (3) complete with a sprayreducing mudflap on the front, as well as a matching rack, chainring chainguard, lights and even Knog’s good-looking Oi bell.
The Ribble’s range (again, much like the Boardman) is far more about you as a cyclist riding cleverly with assistance. A reasonably fit cyclist will get plenty of range out of the smaller capacity (than Bosch) 250w battery. At its best I managed 94.27km (58.58 miles) with 1120.77m (3677ft) of elevation. It’s pretty impressive and much beyond most people’s daily commute.
The handling is both stable at speed and nimble enough to navigate traffic. Combined with a specification that’s a serious step above its rivals (plus Fully Loaded extras and great looks), it’s the perfect choice for cyclists who want to buy a commuter that rides like their Sunday-best bike but gives you that additional bit of assistance so that you arrive at work ready for the day ahead and looking forward to the ride home at the end of your shift.