Sportive's are an extremely popular form of mass participation rides. The beauty of these events is that they can be as competitive or as laid back as you wish them to be. Most events will have timing chips which allow you to track how fast you completed the ride. This comes in especially handy if you are taking part with a group of friends and things get a little competitive! So, to help you conquer these rides we have put together a list of our pick of the best Award Winning Sportive Bikes.
What is a sportive bike?
In short, it is the geometry. A sportive bike is also referred to as an endurance road bike. A standard road racing bike has a short head tube so the position is quite low at the front. The Endurance geometry bike has a taller head tube and slightly more relaxed head angle. This results in the rider being sat in a more relaxed position which is more beneficial for longer rides.
The downside to having a bike that is very tall at the front end is that you lose much of the agility that you would get with a race bike. This is why Ribble sportive bikes are at the slightly sportier end of the endurance geometry range. This means that you are sat higher at the front than you would be on a race bike. But, crucially they still offer you plenty of agility and responsivity and crucially are fun to ride.
Here at Ribble, we have long been regarded as offering some of the best value packages on the market. The beauty of buying from Ribble is that you are not buying a set specification (off the peg) bike. You can simply add a bike to the basket without changing anything and complete the purchase. Or, if you know exactly what you need or, perhaps have the advice of an experienced cyclist you can customise the parts in the Bike Builder application. The Bike Builder offers a broad choice of customisation options so you can build the bike that you want and make it truly yours.
Endurance AL Disc - Shimano Tiagra 10 Speed
The Endurance AL is a great choice for a fast commuter, winter trainer and fast leisure bike.
Our Endurance range of bikes all share the same geometry. Therefore the geometry of the Endurance AL is identical to the flagship model Endurance SL R Series.
The Endurance AL offers 'all day in the saddle' comfort but retains the handling and performance of a high end road bike. The frame itself incorporates all of the latest features that you could reasonably expect from a premium Aluminium frame. A small selection of these are;
- Dropped Seatstay design - This results in a smaller rear triangle and also extends the distance between the seat stays and saddle. The benefit of this design is twofold. It provides better compliance to smooth out rough road surfaces and also improves power transfer. Better power transfer equates to a more efficient ride and less fatigue, allowing you to ride for longer and faster.
- Internal cable routing - Provide cleaner lines and also protect the cables from the elements.
- Thru axles - Thru axles improve the performance of the disc brakes, especially when cornering. They allow less wheel flex than traditional quick release axles and improve steering control.
- Mudguard and tyre compatibility - Each of our frames now have discreet mudguard mounts incorporated into the frames design. There is also a tyre clearance of up to 28mm without mudguards for added comfort or 25mm with mudguards fitted.
Shimano's Tiagra 10 speed groupset offers serious entry level performance. Featuring technology that has cascaded down from the top-tier series, it offers faultless shifts time after time. It is the perfect partner for the Endurance AL and offers a bike with great durability, reliability and faultless performance.
View the Endurance AL here
R872 Disc or Caliper - with Shimano Tiagra 10 speed
The R872 offers amazing value, a full carbon frame and fork with Shimnao 10 speed groupset for under £1000
Or, if you would like a carbon bike but do not wish to break the bank to own one, the R872 is a great value option. A full carbon frame and fork combine with the durable and reliable Shimano Tiagra groupset to produce a cycle to work scheme friendly, sub £1000 bike.
This latest iteration of the multi-award winning R872, similarly to its predecessor has an endurance geometry for additional 'all day in the saddle' comfort. However, it is at the slightly sportier end of the scale and so offers a performance race bike feel. The lightweight full carbon frame and forks provide compliance for better vibration absorption over rough road surfaces.
- Dropped Seatstay design - This results in a smaller rear triangle and also extends the distance between the seat stays and saddle. The benefit of this design is twofold. It provides better compliance to smooth out rough road surfaces and also improves power transfer. Better power transfer equates to a more efficient ride and less fatigue, allowing you to ride for longer and faster.
- Internal cable routing - Provide cleaner lines and also protect the cables from the elements.
- Thru axles - Thru axles improve the performance of the disc brakes, especially when cornering. They allow less wheel flex than traditional quick release axles and improve steering control.
- Mudguard and tyre compatibility - Each of our frames now have discreet mudguard mounts incorporated into the frames design. There is also a tyre clearance of up to 28mm without mudguards for added comfort or 25mm with mudguards fitted.
Shimano's Tiagra 10 speed groupset is a no nonsense option, it offers reliable, smooth shifting time after time even in the worst of conditions. The R872 is also available with caliper or disc brakes for fans of both braking systems. Disc brakes are particularly effective when the weather is inclement.
View the R872 bikes here
Endurance SL Disc or Caliper with Shimano 105
The SL offers a lightweight blend of long distance comfort and a racing pedigree, after all the Ribble Pro Cycling team ride upon it's slightly lighter sibling the SL R Series.
The Endurance SL is a superlight, performance carbon road bike for serious road riders. The SL and SL R series sit atop the Ribble sportive bikes range. If you want to ride fast, in comfort and on one of the lightest bikes that we produce then the SL is the perfect choice. Constructed from high grade Toray T800 and T1000 carbon it is strong, lightweight and very durable.
Like the bikes above the Endurance SL shares the same design features albeit with slightly more advanced construction techniques.
- EPS Construction - The frame is constructed around a polystyrene / latex mould which leaves the inside of the frame as smooth as the outside. Only the most advanced of frames are constructed using this technique.
- Dropped Seatstay design - This results in a smaller rear triangle and also extends the distance between the seat stays and saddle. The benefit of this design is twofold. It provides better compliance to smooth out rough road surfaces and also improves power transfer. Better power transfer equates to a more efficient ride and less fatigue, allowing you to ride for longer and faster.
- Internal cable routing - Provide cleaner lines and also protect the cables from the elements.
- Thru axles - Thru axles improve the performance of the disc brakes, especially when cornering. They allow less wheel flex than traditional quick release axles and improve steering control.
- Mudguard and tyre compatibility - Each of our frames now have discreet mudguard mounts incorporated into the frames design. There is also a tyre clearance of up to 28mm without mudguards for added comfort or 25mm with mudguards fitted.
The Shimano 105 groupset allows a greater number of riders to experience the performance of the very top-tier groupsets. The same smooth, precision shifts and advanced technical features. Again like the R872 the SL is available with disc or rim brakes with the Disc version coming in at an extra £200 (£1799 total).
View the Endurance SL here
Booked in to ride a sportive? Our tips on how to prepare should ensure both you and your bike are ready to smash the ride. Read the blog here.
Dan Bigham and Gruff Lewis of Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling take us through their National Championship winning bikes here.