Ribble endurance SL R disc: From £3,699
Best: For customisation
Rating: 9/10
If there are still people out there who think of Ribble as a budget bike brand, the endurance SL R disc should convince them otherwise. From the sleek integrated cockpit to the custom colour options, everything about this bike’s appearance screams premium, and after putting it through its paces on Struggle Dales, Yorkshire’s hardest sportive, it’s clear there is more going on here than just good looks.
Balancing nimble handling, stiffness and speed with comfort and reliability, the endurance SL R really does challenge ideas of what an endurance bike can be. It looks and feels racy, but even after 108 miles and 10,000ft of Yorkshire’s toughest climbs we still found it comfortable. Perhaps this is why it’s the bike of choice for the Ribble Weldtite pro team, who are no strangers to pushing bikes to their limits.
Another feature we’re big fans of is Ribble’s “Bikebuilder” service, which allows you to mix and match hardware and componentry for a bike that’s perfectly suited to your requirements. Everything from the wheels to the stem can be changed, and you’ll also be given the option of a custom paint job, where you can choose from a matte, gloss or sparkle finish and no less than 15 different colour options for the frame. You can even opt for a gradient finish, pick the colour of the decals and choose to have your cockpit painted to match the frame.