RIBBLE HT TRAIL AL 29

Shaking free from the shackles of its roadie roots, Ribble Cycles’s first stab at a mountain bike in many years was bold – progressive angles and a purist-approved choice of either titanium or steel frame tubing gave the brand credibility from the get-go. To bolster the lineup there’s now also an alloy hardtail model that shares the same hardcore attitude and walletfriendly price. It’s built from 6061 aluminium, runs 29in wheels, and is designed to work with a 130mm-travel fork up front. The three frame sizes are all furnished with modern geometry, including a 64° head angle, while the reach goes from 445mm on the medium to 483mm on the large. Complete builds – running a SRAM SX drivetrain/rockshox Recon fork – start at £1,399 while the top-end Pro model gets GX Eagle and a Rockshox Revelation fork for £1,999. Currently there’s availability in all sizes, and the brand’s website displays accurate stock levels. ribblecycles.com