Ribble CGR AL, or… Help me find a bike!

Has anyone got any feedback, good or bad, about Ribble as a manufacturer, service and support, quality, etc?

I’ve been stuck in the paradox of choice, looking for an ‘adventure/gravel’ bike that fits the following criteria:

– Around the £1000-1200 mark budget

– Hydro brakes

– Good group set (pref 1x, so SRAM, but not anti-Shimano)

– Rack mounts

– Mainly for commuting

– Good for jaunts up into the South Downs

– Reliable, dependable build quality and support

Having created a pretty large list including Planet X, Full Monty Cannondale CAADX, Sonder Camino, Vitus Substance, etc, I’ve just come across Ribble’s CGR AL.

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-al/

Checks pretty much whole list, I just don’t know enough about Ribble. I don’t see many of them as I’m on the South Coast, but assume they’re wildly popular up Norf?

Got to say, it looks pretty good.  So any STW opinions, feedback, deals or declarations: hit me.

Bonus question: Anyone have a system of a single bike and swap 700c disc wheels with 650b, depending on task at hand? Or am I just trying to solve too many problems at once.

Hi. I ride an aluminium Ribble CGR. Has most of what you want; gruppo is Shimano 105 which works well. Brakes are cable discs but they too work well, will easily stop a bike loaded with paniers.

Well put together and decent finish on frame. I’ve done some 5,000 miles on it this year and it hasn’t missed a beat.

Only one gripe and that’s the supplied wheels. I opted for the Fulcrums. Bearings started going inside 300 miles. Admittedly I had done a lot of extremely muddy trail riding in that. Seals look like they’ve been pressed out of a Coca Cola can. They are classed as consumables so no warranty. I ditched them and put some Hunts on.

Would I buy one again? Yes. Excellent value for money. But be careful which wheels you choose.

There is someone on here, whose name I forget, who works in the Birmingham showroom and he might be along with more techy details.

I got the R872 (the carbon racy road bike) with all the fancy bits on it.

I love it, great frame looks cool transfers power brilliantly.

might be worth a trip to their Birmingham branch for a size up (thats what i did but it’s only an hour on the train from me)

i haven’t had to use any of the extra service but i like it so much i got the sportive bike for the girlfriend shortly afterwards

I like the CGR.  I’ve commuted on it since April and done a couple of sportives – including the Fred Whitton – on it.  Its a well built, comfortable ride.  I’ve not had any issue with the Fulcrums which are still running well

My lad works at Ribble HQ every Saturday. I’ve had a nosey and the new bikes look really good. They have a new designer (ex Boardman) who has really moved things on with the new range.

Not sure which ones are available yet (some were pre-order on the website). They had a few of the old model in the warehouse clearance sale last week (list on their Facebook page). I’d personally get the new one and also look at the aluminum cx as it might (?) have more clearance for fat 700c.

Birmingham has the proper showroom if you want fitting jig etc.

I’ve been looking at the carbon CGR-SL which looks really nice as well.

Anyone have one?

I might pop into Birmingham sometime to have a look.

Anyone know if these frames are ‘generic’ or designed exclusively by Ribble?

I’m not far from Ribble HQ, you do see a lot on the roads up here and I ride a Sportive 365 myself. Decent bike but a bit “no-frills”.

No knowledge of the CGR, but have you looked at the Boardman CX Team?

Seems to be £800 at the moment (another 10% off with BC membership) and appears to have everything you want with room in the budget to buy a nicer set of wheels.

We’ve had three ribble bikes, two road bikes and a tt bike. All have been very good and the service has been fine. We be bought loads f kit off them as well, I would certainly buy from them again. Surprise you don’t see many, see loads of their winter road bike on the commute into London.

Been in exactly the same quandary as you, apart from I want it too Be available on the C2w scheme too which ruled the Planet X out. Feels like I’ve been looking for an eternity and just can’t beat the Ribble. Intrigued if any of you guys suggest anything better

They have a new designer (ex Boardman) who has really moved things on with the new range.

That’s interesting. Always been aware of Ribble, but this new line seems to look radically different and definitely suggests someone had had a few ideas under their belt!

The new CGR is only on preorder, but looks like they’re generating a lot of interest.

@steadyeddy Glad it’s not just me. I feel your pain.

Just a bit of history…..Ribble Cycles started out many, many years ago. At least 1950s if not sooner. They had a big store in Preston. Lots of customers. A busy place. Run by a guy called Terry Dove.

Something like 15 years ago the shop shut almost overnight and operations were transferred to an industrial unit. They appear to be part of a larger concern, but they seem to have been clever and anticipated the internet way of shopping.

A long standing company who always had a good reputation locally. Definitely not some fly by night concern. Well worth considering even though their in house products are all built to a price point.

They are easily as good as any other bike company and better than some….better than a lot.

Interview about the new designs:-

Found this oldish thread and wondered if anyone has any more feedback on the Ribble CGR? Want to start commuting the long way home and do some serious miles so not doable on my mtb. Looking at the boggo CGR at £899.