{"id":44658,"date":"2022-12-14T11:00:39","date_gmt":"2022-12-14T10:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=708057"},"modified":"2022-12-14T11:41:38","modified_gmt":"2022-12-14T10:41:38","slug":"bike-of-the-week-ribbles-ultra-sl-rewrites-the-aero-rulebook","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/bike-of-the-week-ribbles-ultra-sl-rewrites-the-aero-rulebook\/","title":{"rendered":"Bike of the Week | Ribble\u2019s Ultra SL rewrites the aero rulebook"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Oscar Huckle\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 14 December 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Our latest Bike of the Week is Ribble\u2019s Ultra SL, a striking aero road bike<\/a> with aggressively aero-optimised tubes.<\/p>\n

Launched in August 2021<\/a>, the bike attracted significant attention for its novel integrated handlebar<\/a>, dubbed the Ultra Bar, which uses \u201cwake generating\u201d bulges on the tops.<\/p>\n

We have the slightly more conventional (and more affordable) second-tier Ultra SL here, which forgoes the conversation-starting Ultra Bar, but retains the same frame silhouette.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve seen popular demand for a review of this bike and we finally have one here at BikeRadar HQ.<\/p>\n

Aero is everything<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Ultra SL certainly makes a statement.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Ribble says it set out to \u201cmake the most aerodynamically advanced frameset in the world\u201d and to do this, it invested three years of intensive CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), wind-tunnel testing and real-world development.<\/p>\n

The Ultra SL uses a Toray T800 \/ T1000 carbon frame, which is identical in shape to the Ultra SL R frame but sees less use of the more premium T1000 fibres to hit a lower price point. Ribble says this carbon layup \u201coffers a blend of low overall weight and high stiffness, while incorporating ride-dampening compliance\u201d. It quotes a 1,200g frame weight for a painted size medium.<\/p>\n

The aerofoil tubes are deep and truncated throughout, the down tube flaring out dramatically at the bottle cage<\/a> location. The narrow head tube is also designed to reduce the frontal area.<\/p>\n

\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
The down tube profile is particularly distinctive.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
Not only are the seatstays dropped, they bow out of the seat tube too. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
The word \u2018beefy\u2019 is an understatement when it comes to the bottom bracket area. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
Although they might not appreciate the integration, mechanics will breathe a sigh of relief at the threaded bottom bracket. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

The seatstays are particularly interesting in that they are dropped but offset slightly and give the bike a distinct aesthetic when viewed from behind.<\/p>\n

Ribble says the frame is aerodynamically optimised around 700c x 28mm road bike tyres<\/a>, but has clearance for tyres up to 32mm.<\/p>\n

Many will doubtless be pleased to hear the Ultra foregoes a press-fit bottom bracket<\/a> and is instead specced with a BSA threaded bottom bracket<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
The blades of the fork are 68mm in depth. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
The profiles of the fork and head tube complement each other. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
Ribble uses a foil for its graphics. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
The seatpost is proprietary and Ribble uses an integrated clamp. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

The fork is also striking, with a 68mm blade depth, found to be more aerodynamic overall than the 80mm blades the brand also tested in development. It\u2019s constructed from a mixture of Toray T700 and T800 carbon fibres.<\/p>\n

The aero seatpost is also proprietary, with its wide profile in keeping with the shape of the seat tube.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Ultra Bar doesn\u2019t make its way to this SL model, but the front end is still integrated.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Although the radical Ultra Bar doesn\u2019t find its way onto this model, Ribble specs its own Level 5 Carbon Integrated bar-stem, which hides any cables or hydraulic hoses neatly.<\/p>\n

Our size-large test bike is specced with a 42cm bar width<\/a> and 110mm stem length<\/a>, but this can be customised at the point of purchase via Ribble\u2019s online BikeBuilder tool.<\/p>\n

What is Bike of the Week?<\/h3>\n

Every fortnight, we\u2019ll bring you a detailed first look at one of the latest bikes (or framesets) to arrive at BikeRadar HQ \u2013 from road to commuting, gravel to enduro, and anything in between.<\/p>\n

This is our chance to introduce the bike and everything that makes it unique before hitting the road or trails.<\/p>\n

Head to our\u00a0Bike of the Week hub<\/a> for previous editions.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div> <\/section>

A 105 Di2 spec<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Ultra SL screams \u2018fast\u2019 even when standing still.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Our test bike is the Ultra SL Enthusiast, which retails for \u00a34,099 \/ $4,190.35 \/ \u20ac3,973.53. European prices exclude VAT and may be subject to import taxes.<\/p>\n

It sits in the middle of the SL range. There are more affordable models, with a Shimano Ultegra R8020<\/a> build for \u00a33,899 \/ $3,985.89 \/ \u20ac3,779.65, and a Shimano 105 R7020 <\/a>equipped bike for \u00a33,499 \/ $3,576.98 \/ \u20ac3,391.90.<\/p>\n

There are also more expensive builds in the range with SRAM Rival eTap AXS<\/a> and Shimano Ultegra Di2<\/a>, rising to \u00a34,599 \/ $4,701.49 \/ \u20ac4,458.23 and \u00a34,899 \/ $5,008.18 \/ \u20ac4,749.05 respectively.<\/p>\n

\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
105 Di2 offers the majority of Ultegra and Dura-Ace\u2019s performance at a lower price point. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
The 105 Di2 shifters have an identical appearance to Ultegra and Dura-Ace. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
The 11-34 cassette will get you up almost all climbs. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Ribble\"<\/picture><\/div>
Like its speedier siblings, Shimano has upped the pad clearance by 10 per cent. <\/span> <\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Our Ultra, in its sparkly \u2018Midnight Metallic Blue\u2019 candy paintjob, is specced with a Shimano 105 Di2<\/a> groupset.<\/p>\n

Other than the chain, which drops down a rung to Deore (slightly heavier than the SLX chain equivalent to 105), there are no deviations to the groupset. Our large test bike features a 172.5mm crank length<\/a>, 50\/34-tooth chainrings and an 11-34t cassette<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The wheels have a 56mm rim depth.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The bike comes equipped with a Level DB56 Sport Carbon wheelset, from Ribble\u2019s in-house component brand, Level.<\/p>\n

As the name suggests, the wheelset has 56mm-deep carbon rims front and rear, and is built around Level hubs. Ribble claims a total weight of 1,710g for the set.<\/p>\n

The wheels come set up with inner tubes out of the box, with Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Graphene 2.0 tyres in a 700c x 28mm width.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Selle Italia\u2019s Model X BB FEC has proved a popular saddle choice on many recent releases.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Outside of the Level finishing kit, Ribble specs a Selle Italia Model X BB FEC saddle.<\/p>\n

All-in, the bike weighs 9.06kg without pedals.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re currently testing the Ribble Ultra SL on the roads around Bristol, so you can expect a full review soon.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Oscar Huckle Published: Wednesday, 14 December 2022 at 12:00 am Our latest Bike of the Week is Ribble\u2019s Ultra SL, a striking aero road bike with aggressively aero-optimised tubes. Launched in August 2021, the bike attracted significant attention for its novel integrated handlebar, dubbed the Ultra Bar, which uses \u201cwake generating\u201d bulges on the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":44659,"template":"","categories":[1,36],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"7"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/12\/bike-of-the-week-ribbles-ultra-sl-rewrites-the-aero-rulebook.jpg",1860,1239,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/12\/bike-of-the-week-ribbles-ultra-sl-rewrites-the-aero-rulebook-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/12\/bike-of-the-week-ribbles-ultra-sl-rewrites-the-aero-rulebook-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/12\/bike-of-the-week-ribbles-ultra-sl-rewrites-the-aero-rulebook-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/12\/bike-of-the-week-ribbles-ultra-sl-rewrites-the-aero-rulebook-1024x682.jpg",800,533,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/12\/bike-of-the-week-ribbles-ultra-sl-rewrites-the-aero-rulebook-1536x1023.jpg",1536,1023,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/12\/bike-of-the-week-ribbles-ultra-sl-rewrites-the-aero-rulebook.jpg",1860,1239,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Oscar Huckle Published: Wednesday, 14 December 2022 at 12:00 am Our latest Bike of the Week is Ribble\u2019s Ultra SL, a striking aero road bike with aggressively aero-optimised tubes. Launched in August 2021, the bike attracted significant attention for its novel integrated handlebar, dubbed the Ultra Bar, which uses \u201cwake generating\u201d bulges on the…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/44658"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}