Ribble R872 £1,099

The winner of last year’s £1,000 bike test doesn’t strictly qualify in 2018 since it’s added almost 10 per cent onto its asking price with a minor spec change — but since we’ve been championing it as the best in its class we decided to see how it stacks up again. Is it 10 per cent better too?

Frame

We’ve often said we prefer a good aluminium frame to a cheap carbon one but that the Boardman Team Carbon is the exception to the rule. We’re making another exception for the Ribble R872.

The carbon used for the R872 frame, which the Preston firm describes as “our signature carbon road race bike” is actually superior to the C7 material used for the Boardman. The R872 is made from Toray T1000 and T800 high-modulus carbon compared to the T700-derived C7 carbon of the Boardman. Higher-modulus carbon means less material can be used for the same level of stiffness: the Ribble is the lightest bike in this test, with a claimed frame weight of 1,070g for the size small.

To bolster its stiffness the R872 has a muscular-looking head tube and positively pumped-up bottom bracket shell paired with slender, curved seatstays and a 27.2mm carbon seatpost designed to supply rear-end comfort.

The monochrome look is on trend and simultaneously timeless.

Specification

Last year, although we gave it a perfect 10, we criticised the R872’s Fulcrum Racing Sport wheels, saying that “for the Ribble to realise its full potential you would spec some lighter wheels but that would push it over the £1K threshold.” This year the R872 — like the Canyon Endurace — comes with Mavic Aksium wheels (Fulcrum no longer makes the Racing Sport), which are comparable in weight to the Fulcrums but better in most other ways. Aksiums are a bombproof all-rounder, stiff with their straight-pull spokes and relatively high spoke count, reliable and have plenty of feel.

The Ribble not only has wheels in common with the Canyon but both bikes also have the full Shimano 105 groupset. We marked the Boardman and the Specialized down for their mediocre OEM calipers. No such issues here.

Ride

The R872 has the fast, connected ride of a high-quality carbon bike. The stiff frame makes it efficient in the hills and a head tube angle that’s not too steep combined with a direct-feeling fork means you can take fast corners with confidence. As we said before, the ride is not as plush as some, especially on rough roads, but it’s still the best on test. The carbon seatpost compared to the Boardman’s alloy one helps out here.

Value

Even with £100 added to the 2017 price it’s hard to believe there’s a better bike in this category. It’s a pity it can’t come in at a cycle-to-work friendly £1,000 but considering you now get Mavic Aksiums it’s still a killer deal.

Frame Full carbon | Fork Full carbon | Size range S-XL | Weight 8.17kg | Groupset Shimano 105 | Gear ratios 52/36, 11-28 | Wheels Mavic Aksium | Brakes Shimano 105 | Tyres Continental Grand Prix SL | Bar Deda Zero | Stem Deda Zero | Seatpost Superleggera | Saddle Selle Italia X1 | Size tested L| Distributor www.ribblecycles.co.uk