Ribble Endurance SLR or something else

Considering getting a ribble endurance SL or SL R – ultegra di2 spec. Currently on a 2016 cube attain which I like. Anyone got the ribble?

I’d like to think I don’t need an endurance bike and should be on an aero race bike, but realistically for the bumbling around the country lanes of west berks I actually do it’s probably appropriate. Before having kids I used to like to try and get the odd KOM so I hypothetically I’d like something that would let me do that (probably anything really!).

Don’t want to spend much more than 4-4.5k.

Ive been looking at Ribble too. Was quite torn between the SLR endurance bike or their gravel bike. I think they look great and good value but dont know anything about the brand.

I’ve just purchased a Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2, the older 2023 model without internal cable routing (through the headtube is ridiculous).

Personally I think this is way better than a ribble I owned prior to that. I also thought the local Giant store were excellent and provided a brilliant service.

Boardman road bike are generally a good middle ground between race and endurance geometry. And good value.

SLR 9.6 Disc (boardmanbikes.com)

I’d really struggle to put my hand in my pocket for anything at RRP currently though.

I have a Ribble Endurance SLR with Ultegra Di2 and the Zipp wheels.

I came from a 2013 Focus Izalco with mechanical Dura Ace and rim brakes.

The Ribble was tempting as cost considerably less than the big brands for the same spec.

There are a few little finish bits where you can see why it’s cheaper.  Ports on the frame for cables that aren’t used, a bit of paint around the bolt facing.  Nothing show stopping but you can see why it’s not £8k like the SL7 Expert was.

I fitted a 34t cassette (Focus was 36/28 – a bit tall for 20+% gradients where I often ride – Peaks, Dales, Lakes), went from 140 to 160 rotors (I want the best brakes possible) and set it up tubeless.

In terms of speed, it’s no faster, in fact feels a little slower.  However I can ride it much further as it’s more comfortable for me.  My usual distance is 25-30 but I cracked out a few 45-50 milers straight away, no worries.

The gears are so crisp and the brakes so much better and confidence inspiring.

The name is misleading, it’s called Endurance but geometry very similar to other brands race bikes, so while it’s much comfier it’s still a grand tour capable setup (just what I need for a lunch time ride round the Dales or Peak District!).

I had one issue where the firmware wasn’t updated which the PDI check should have done, but they helped me resolve it.

Overall very happy with it.

Orro Gold endurance builds are pretty competitively priced. Mine does really well in the Sussex lanes, and climbing in the alps. V comfortable for the inflexible older fatter man i have become

I’ve just had an email from Planet-x offering Campag Chorus hydro on their Pro Carbon frame for 999.99

Plenty of space to swap groupset and get Ultegra or similar for well under that budget if you don’t want Campag

I bought a s/h Ribble Endurance rim brake bike just before Christmas – 4 y/o and utterly unused plus very good spec.

First road bike and bought as I wanted something with higher gearing than my gravel (Freeranger) for lanes & roads (and to scratch an itch).  I have tried the Freeranger with slicks, and rides nice.

TBH If this is endurance geometry I’m glad I didn’t look at aero/race bikes…

It might be that another Freeranger, but with 2x gearing is actually the solution I need.

In true ‘Recommend what you have…’

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/BMC/Teammachine-SLR-TWO-Disc-Road-Bike/Z895

The Ribble endurance bikes have the same geometry as their gravel bikes.

Similar but gravel has higher stack, longer chainstays, longer front centre, and shorter seat tube.

Ribble was great value before they knocked a grand off – but if you can find your size I would say it’s hard to look past the Specialized SL7 AXS.  Still a few in stock for about £3k, whack some fast wheels on there and it’s a great deal.

I thought the CGR SL and Gravel SL had exactly the same geometry? At least it does on geometry geeks.

I was looking at the Endurance SLR, which confusingly is called Endurance but has race bike geometry.

Ribble Endurance geo isn’t very endurance geo TBF. Seem some good prices for Ribble bikes recently. I have a 105 Endurance Al.

If you are in West Berks I’d be having a look in Banjo Cycles and the Spesh store to look at things on sale, they have some great deals at the moment.

I was in Banjo – they didn’t seem to have much on sale. Also their sale prices I think were somewhat worse if you were using cycle scheme. Didn’t look in the spesh store. Spesh screwed me on a warranty once and i’m still bitter!

Ribble was great value before they knocked a grand off – but if you can find your size I would say it’s hard to look past the Specialized SL7 AXS. Still a few in stock for about £3k, whack some fast wheels on there and it’s a great deal.

Doesn’t that mean that the ribble is even better value? Or am i missing something!

The BMC is interesting, but doesn’t look like the wheels are great and i’m a bit worried it’s too racey?

Doesn’t that mean that the ribble is even better value? Or am i missing something!

No, it’s just my wording! I mean it was already great value, then they knocked a grand off and it was indeed even better value.

£5k for that spec frame with fully integrated cockpit, Ultegra Di2 and Zipps was really good at the time, compared to more like 7 for the big brands with the same spec at the time.

When they reduced it to £4k it went from good value to great value, relatively.

That is until the SL7 deals popped up.  Only a 3rd tier group and average wheels but a lot of bike for £3k.  My Mrs picked one up and loves it.

I had already chosen my Ribble, pre NY sale, but had put enough miles on it to not be too grumpy at missing out on the sale price.  Including a few big days in the Lakes where it was lovely up and down the big passes.

If the TeamMachine is too racey, look at the RoadMachine

https://www.sigmasports.com/search?query=roadmachine

The Ribble endurance bikes have the same geometry as their gravel bikes.

Glad I never bought a Ribble gravel bike then.

Complete tosh

The Ribble endurance bikes have the same geometry as their gravel bikes.
Glad I never bought a Ribble gravel bike then.

Just shows you shouldn’t believe everything you read here.

Endurance xl 1012 wb with 73.3 ha

Gravel xl 1075, 72

Cgr 1053, 72

Numbers all just from their website for the Ti models