Prototype Ribble Allroad SLe pairs 3D-printed handlebar and limited-edition design for 125th anniversary

By Simon von Bromley

Published: Thursday, 03 November 2022 at 12:00 am

Ribble has teased the Allroad SLe – a new electric all-road bike with an aerodynamic frameset and a new, 3D-printed version of the innovative integrated handlebar from the Ribble Ultra SL R (the British brand’s dedicated aero road bike).

The bike is joined by two other models from Ribble’s range (an Ultra SL R and Gravel Ti) to showcase a new “125 anniversary edition” paintjob.

As the name suggests, this design celebrates the British brand’s 125th anniversary of being in business (Ribble cycles was founded in late 1897, not long after the invention of the Rover safety bicycle in 1885).

Ribble Allroad SLe concept bike

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A Mahle button on the top tube confirms this is definitely an electric road bike.
Ribble Cycles

Official details are limited as things stand, but pictures provided by Ribble reveal a bike that builds upon the Ribble Endurance SLe electric road bike platform, with a design that seemingly aims to balance aerodynamic efficiency, low weight and comfort.

Reading between the lines on the provided spec sheet, the Ribble Allroad SLe appears to use the same Mahle ebikemotion X20 electric bike motor as the Endurance SLe.

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A Mahle ebikemotion X20 electric bike motor is integrated into the rear wheel.
Ribble Cycles

This system sees a rear-hub motor connected to a compact internal battery, typically housed in the down tube.

The build is completed with a top-of-the-range Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 groupset, with Mavic carbon wheels and Continental GP5000 S TR tyres. On that note, the ‘Allroad’ name suggests this is a bike designed to stray away from tarmac, even if the build pictured looks very road-focused in its intention (there’s no word on tyre clearance, either).

As for the rest of the spec, there’s something even more special at the front end.

3D-printed Ultra 2 prototype handlebar

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The spec sheet for the Ribble Allroad SLe 125 lists a 3D-printed Ultra 2 prototype handlebar.
Ribble Cycles

The Allroad SLe uses a new 3D-printed version of Ribble’s Ultra handlebar, dubbed simply the “3D-printed Ultra 2 prototype”.

The Ultra handlebar is an integrated handlebar with bulbous (as opposed to streamlined) tops, designed to manipulate the airflow upstream of the rider, for a net reduction in rider plus bike aerodynamic drag.

At the launch of the Ultra SL R, Ribble claimed this handlebar alone could offer a potential time saving of 20.5 seconds over 40km (measured at 35kph / 22mph), compared to a standard integrated aero handlebar.

The Hope HB.T, the radical track bike used by Team Great Britain at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, uses a similar concept with its wide-stance fork legs.

Beyond its 3D-printed construction, it’s largely unclear how the Ultra 2 prototype handlebar differs from the original Ultra bar, though.

We do know it uses a non-integrated, two-piece design, with a separate handlebar and stem. The tops also appear to be shorter in length, although it’s hard to be certain from the images provided.

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This image reveals the Ultra 2 prototype handlebar uses a two-piece, non-integrated design.
Ribble Cycles

Given the Allroad SLe appears to have a less race-focused design compared to the Ultra SL R, it may be fair to assume the Ultra 2 prototype handlebar also uses a less extreme design, perhaps with a wider bar than the narrow 33, 36 or 38cm options available on the original Ultra handlebar.

Ribble told us the 3D-printed version of this handlebar is a “rapid prototype” created specifically for this concept bike, and that its final design parameters are still yet to be decided.

Because it’s completely painted in the same manner as the frameset, it’s impossible to tell from the pictures exactly what material is used for this.

Considering its prototype nature, it may be some form of composite or plastic material that is not intended to be ridden.

After all, if it’s titanium, like that used to make the 3D-printed aero handlebars for Filippo Ganna’s Pinarello Bolide F HR 3D Hour Record bike, then this is likely to push the construction cost of the bike up considerably (a Mythos Elix 3D-printed stem costs £500 alone, for example).

Production handlebars may therefore use a more traditional carbon fibre construction, to cut costs, once an ultimate design is settled upon.

When will the Ribble Allroad SLe be available?

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The Ribble Allroad SLe 125 prototype has a sculpted head tube, likely intended to improve its aerodynamic efficiency.
Ribble Cycles

Though Ribble hasn’t provided many details, it looks practically production-ready at a glance.

When pressed, Ribble said the Allroad SLe is “a concept prototype and still very much in development, with no exact confirmed release date as of yet”.

Considering the time and expense involved in producing moulds for carbon bikes such as this, though, we might hope this one is not too far off release.

Likewise, given Ribble’s current electric road bike (the previously mentioned Endurance SLe) is built around a very similar platform to the non-electric Ribble Endurance SL, could a non-electric Allroad SL also be in the works?

When we put this to Ribble, it simply replied “No comment”. Make of that what you will.

Ribble 125 anniversary edition paintjob, build specifications and pricing

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Even the headset top caps are customised.
Ribble Cycles

The 125 anniversary edition paintjob featured on the Allroad SLe, Ultra SL R and Gravel Ti uses a marble finish in three different colours (red, blue or green).

The design also extends to key components, such as the seatpost, saddle and handlebars.

Ribble says it features 24-carat gold leaf frameset detailing, a golden 125 anniversary head badge, wheel detailing and a golden top cap.

This limited-edition design is available across all Ribble bikes throughout the next year, via Ribble’s online CustomColour programme, at a cost of £1,299.

While the Allroad SLe is a concept bike, Ribble has provided specs and pricing for the Ultra SL R 125 and Gravel Ti 125, which will be available to buy.

Ribble Allroad SLe

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Ribble Allroad SLe 125 prototype.
Ribble Cycles
  • Price: Not available (concept bike only)
  • Frameset: Prototype Ribble Allroad SLe, ruby red marble with gold leaf detailing
  • Seatpost: Prototype Allroad SLe, ruby red marble with gold leaf detailing
  • Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9270 with gold KMC E12 TI-N E-Bike Chain
  • Wheelset: Mavic SL45 prototype X20
  • Brake rotors: Hope
  • Tyres: Continental GP5000 S TR, 700 x 32c
  • Handlebar: 3D-printed Ultra 2 prototype
  • Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Tekno SuperFlow (full carbon), ruby red marble with gold leaf detailing
  • Motor: Mahle ebikemotion X20
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Would you sacrifice padding on your saddle for a paintjob like this?
Ribble Cycles

Ribble Ultra SL R 125

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Ribble Ultra SL R 125.
Ribble Cycles
  • Price: £9,608
  • Frameset: Ribble Ultra SL R, sapphire blue marble with gold leaf detailing
  • Seatpost: Ribble Ultra SL R, sapphire blue marble with gold leaf detailing
  • Drivetrain: SRAM Red eTap AXS
  • Wheelset: Level Tri Spoke
  • Tyres: Vittoria Corsa G2.0 700 x 28c
  • Handlebar: Ribble Ultra, 340/380x140mm, sapphire blue marble with gold leaf detailing
  • Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Tekno SuperFlow (full carbon), sapphire blue marble with gold leaf detailing
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The sapphire blue marble with gold leaf detailing makes for a very bling finish.
Ribble Cycles

Ribble Gravel Ti 125

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Ribble Gravel Ti 125.
Ribble Cycles
  • Price: £8,999
  • Frameset: Ribble Gravel Ti, emerald green marble with gold leaf detailing
  • Seatpost: Level 3 inline, emerald green marble with gold leaf detailing
  • Drivetrain: Campagnolo Ekar
  • Wheelset: Mavic Ultimate T Disc with custom laser-etched 125 logos
  • Tyres: WTB Raddler, 700 x 45c
  • Handlebar: ENVE Carbon gravel
  • Stem: ENVE carbon road stem
  • Saddle: Fizik Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive
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This green and gold combination is particularly attractive, in our opinion.
Ribble Cycles