New Allroad is designed to balance aero performance of Ultra S LR with endurance-optimised ride <\/p>

Ribble has revealed the Allroad Ti, a new titanium endurance bike made with 3D-printed parts said to be \u201cthe future of titanium bikes\u201d.<\/p>

The Allroad Ti\u2019s design resulted from three years of development, aiming to blend the wind-cheating performance of its aero road bike<\/a>, the Ultra SL R<\/a>, with an endurance-optimised ride.<\/p>

According to Ribble, the frame combines aerodynamically optimised, 3D-printed head tube and seat tube clusters with traditional titanium tubing for \u201ca modern sleek form\u201d.<\/p>

This is paired with a carbon fibre fork and D-shaped carbon seatpost, and the airflow-disrupting Ultra Bar 2 handlebar from its recently launched carbon Allroad SL R<\/a>.<\/p>

Like the Allroad SL R, the Allroad Ti features fully internal cable routing for reduced drag and improved aesthetics. It also has clearance for up to 35mm-wide tyres.<\/p>

3D printing meets traditional construction<\/h2>
The seat cluster is 3D printed and has the same internal clamp system and D-shaped carbon post as the carbon Allroad. – Warren Rossiter \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
Ribble\u2019s head of product, Jamie Burrow, says: “Ribble is the UK\u2019s largest titanium bike manufacturer, so it was always in our plan to have a titanium Allroad.\u201d<\/p>
\u201cThat wouldn\u2019t have been possible a few years ago, but the advancement in 3D additive printing has allowed us to replicate the Allroad design while retaining the qualities of titanium.\u201d<\/p>
As such, the Allroad Ti frame mirrors the geometry of the carbon Allroad SL R but with design changes due to the 3AL-2.5V titanium (an alloy of titanium with 3 per cent aluminium and 2.5 per cent vadium, designed for easy welding and greater strength) used to build it.<\/p>
$\"Ribble$
The 3D-printed head tube joins the custom-shaped top tube smoothly. – Warren Rossiter \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
The 3D-printed head tube, for example, is subtly hourglass-shaped and uses a truncated aerofoil design, but forgoes integration with the fork crown.\u00a0<\/p>
Likewise, the down tube is slimmer and doesn\u2019t flare out to shield a bottle cage from the wind, while the seat tube and dropped seatstays are also less aerodynamically optimised than on its carbon sibling.<\/p>
The use of a non-integrated fork means the Allroad Ti doesn\u2019t require steering stops to protect the head tube in the event of a crash, though.<\/p>
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Ribble even offers matching titanium bottle cages. – Warren Rossiter \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
3D printing\u00a0also enabled Ribble to shape the internal structure for optimal internal hose and cable routing \u2013 something it says wouldn\u2019t have been possible with standard titanium manufacturing.<\/p>
The Allroad Ti is matched with Ribble\u2019s UB-2 (Ultra Bar second generation) handlebar. This takes inspiration from the bulbous shape of Ribble\u2019s original Ultra handlebar and its patented wake-generator tops and sculpted drops, along with direct-mounting brake levers.<\/p>
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The UB-2 handlebar has direct-mount points for shift levers. – Warren Rossiter \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
As well as being smaller in form, the UB-2 handlebar is separate from the stem, giving riders a much wider choice of fit options.<\/p>
Due to a grippy finish on the drops, the Ultra and UB-2 handlebars can be used without bar tape, although Ribble will provide Allroad Ti bikes with bar tape as standard.<\/p>
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The oversized T47 bottom bracket brings crucial stiffness to the drivetrain. – Warren Rossiter \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
The frame uses the threaded T47 bottom bracket standard<\/a>, which Ribble claims increases stiffness compared to a standard BSA bottom bracket due to its oversized design.<\/p>
As on the Allroad SL R, the junction of seat tube and top tube houses a hidden seatpost clamp, accessible from beneath the top tube.<\/p>
To improve aerodynamic performance and comfort, the Allroad Ti is specced with the same D-shaped carbon seatpost as the Allroad SL R.<\/p>
$\"Ribble$
The debossed head badge looks brilliant against the hand-polished finish. – Warren Rossiter \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
Ribble says each of the 3D-printed pieces is hand polished, with the head tube having a debossed Ribble logo.<\/p>
The frame tube shapes integrate smoothly with the 3D-printed junctions and the frame comes with a full complement of mudguard\/fender bosses.<\/p>