Fair weather cyclists - Are you one?
Have you ever heard of this expression? You see, some of us commute to work everyday whether it is raining, snowing or blowing a gale. The saner amongst us will only break out the bike when conditions are a little more friendly. It is, shall we say.... less eccentric cyclists that we refer to tongue in cheek as fair weather cyclists. But rarely is it ever said in spite, rather it is stated with a certain affection. You see we would all like to be fair weather cyclists would we not?
Why Cycling?
What is it about cycling that draws us in, what makes us cyclists so passionate about this sport of ours and this hobby that we love so much? Is there anything better than looking out of the window and seeing the sun hovering there just waiting to be enjoyed? Or, checking your weather app and seeing the weather is set fair, in the knowledge that your calendar is free for a few glorious hours?
It is that freedom of being able to hop on the bike and escape from it all, if only just for a few hours. That feeling of being at one with nature, breathing in the fresh air, feeling the wind rushing past as you plummet down that exhilarating descent, that familiar hum of the tyres floating over the road surface. All of these and more are why we love cycling.
Cycling unlike most sports is very diverse for there are many disciplines and this is what makes it unique. In the guide below we highlight a handful of these disciplines and one bike from our range that exemplifies each. Bikes that improve your ride experience and enjoy the sunshine. What makes them unique to their discipline and why? Let's find out shall we?
Road
A ‘pure’ road bike is a specialist bike for riding on tarmac surfaces only. Today's road bikes are fast, super-stiff and responsive. Everything about the road bike geometry is designed to maximise their on-road performance. With key factors being the position of the rider, aerodynamics and tyre clearance to name but a few. Let’s take the latest iteration of the all-new R872 for instance.
Constructed from lightweight carbon fibre the R872 frame is lightweight for better acceleration and stiff for better power transfer. The ‘sportive’ geometry ensures that you have a bike as comfortable for a quick spin as it is for long distance riding and racing. This geometry provides the rider with a more relaxed riding position. This in turn helps to reduce fatigue and in so doing helps you to ride further and for longer.
Being a road bike that is designed to be as fast as it is responsive and comfortable the tyre clearance is restricted to 28mm with mudguards and 25mm without guards. Fatter tyres may be more comfortable but they also have a negative impact on speed and drag resistance. Like all the road bikes in our range the R872 includes discreet mudguard fittings within the frame.
Available with disc brakes or rim brakes the R872 is a great value option for anyone looking for a carbon road bike.
View the R872 range of bikes here.
Gravel
The gravel market has exploded in the last few years and for good reason. The gravel bike is extremely versatile and crucially must be as capable off-road as it is on-road. In this the CGR AL is certainly no exception. What gives the CGR AL its huge versatility is the ability to fit road AND MTB wheels. Thanks to this feature a whole host of tyre options are made available. In fact the tyre clearance on the CGR AL is as much as 47mm which allows you to tailor the tyre choice to suit specific surface conditions.
"Excellent value and huge versatility from a well mannered drop bar machine"
off road.cc 4.5 out of 5
For ultimate off-road capability 650b wheels with large volume tyres provide the additional shock absorption and comfort that you need as well as better traction and grip. Conversely when fitted with 700c wheels and road tyres the CGR is as fast as most specialist road machines.
Whether on road or off it the CGR range are fast, comfortable and incredibly versatile.
Fancy a do it all bike with mammoth tyre clearance? View the range here
MTB
Should your idea of summer fun be loading up your rig and shredding some local trails we have the first of our new range of MTB's the HT Ti. The HT Ti is the all-new Titanium Hardtail MTB. A stunning combination of elegant design and blistering performance, it's sgile, light and steadfast, rockets up climbs and is ridiculously fun on descents.
The HT Ti boasts a progressive long and low geometry with a 64° head angle combined with a short stem and 150mm of travel up front for a super capable platform when the trails get steep, fast and technical.
The HT Ti is a hardcore hardtail for serious trail slayers
View the HT Ti here.
Adventure Touring
Adventure bikes and touring bikes have a lot in common but the biggest difference is in what terrain they can accommodate. An adventure bike is better suited to mixed terrains particularly trails, fire roads and tow paths.
If you're planning to embark on your dream bike trekking epic then you should look no further than the Adventure 725. This sleek, classic looking and rugged frame is constructed from triple butted Reynolds 725 Steel. Steel is very compliant and is exceptionally efficient at soaking up the punishment from rough surfaces.
To ensure that you leave none of those essentials behind the 725 is equipped with multiple luggage mounting points. Not only is the 725 compatible with the usual front and rear pannier racks but it can also be fitted with 'carryall' fork mounts for such essentials as sleeping bags, ground mats etc. The mammoth tyre clearance of 2.8" ensures that regardless of the terrain the Adventure 725 keeps on rolling over almost any obstacle.
25-27.03.19. Three National Parks in three days. Ribble Bikes. PIC © Andy Lloyd www.andylloyd.photography
Discover your next adventure here
Electric Bike
The popularity of electric bikes continues to grow and our range of electric bikes are pound for pound some of the best you will find anywhere worldwide. All 3 bikes in the range use the lightweight ebikemotion X35 pedal assist system.
The Hybrid ALe is the all-terrain leisure option in the range. The term hybrid here is twofold in it's meaning. First, much like a car it uses 2 forms of propulsion to drive it along. In this case a combination of rider and electric assistance. Hybrid also refers to the design of the bike which is a mix of road bike and MTB. Better than a road bike off-road and better than a mountain bike when riding on tarmac.
Like the Endurance SLe and CGR ALe it features the same smooth and reliable 3 levels of power assistance. What sets apart the Hybrid ALe and its siblings apart from most other ebikes in their class is the weight. The entire propulsion system including battery weighs in at a featherweight 3.5kg for a total bike weight of approx 13.5kg.
The effect this has on the ride is remarkable for even with the assist deactivated the Hybrid ALe can be pedalled along like any normal hybrid bike. This would be difficult with most ebikes around the 20kilo mark but not with the Hybrid ALe. The Hybrid ALe is the perfect blend of elegant styling comfort and efficiency. And the features do not stop there. Connect the bike to the ebikemotion app on your smartphone and you can turn your phone into a smart bike computer. You can read about the app here.
Riders of all ages and experience can gain from an ebike.
Electrify your ride experience today here
What do ebikes offer? Find out here
Best Gravel Bikes 2026
What actually makes ‘the best’ gravel bike in 2026? A clear guide to choosing the best bike for how you actually ride.
What is a Gravel Bike?
Gravel bikes are changing how people ride. Sitting right in the middle of road and off-road, they're fast on tarmac and stable on loose ground. Comfortable over long distances and ready for whatever the ride throws at you.
Gravel Bikes - Which frame material is right for you?
More cyclists than ever are seizing the opportunity to take their rides off-piste in search of freedom and adventure. But to do so, you need the right tool for the job - a gravel bike. The Ribble gravel range consists of four frame materials. Each of these offers something a little different in terms of ride quality, longevity and performance characteristics. So how do you decide which frame material is right for you?
Tyre Choice and Pressures for UK Gravel
Tyres can make or break your gravel ride. This blog cuts through the guesswork on width, tread and pressure, showing you what actually works for UK conditions.
Getting the right set up is half the battle
Getting your gravel bike set up right is the difference between enjoying the ride and counting down the miles. This blog breaks down the key adjustments that actually matter, from saddle height to bar position and tyre pressure, without drowning you in jargon.
Why Gravel Riding Works In February
February gravel isn’t about hero rides. It’s about quiet trails, mixed surfaces and riding for the sake of it. This blog dives into why Ribble staff and the Outliers keep choosing gravel when winter drags on, from traffic-free routes to bikes built to handle proper UK conditions.
Post Ride Checks That Keep Your Gravel Bike Running
Winter wrecks bikes. This blog shows you how to fight back in five minutes flat. No tools, no faff. Just the simple checks that stop small issues turning into expensive problems. From wiping down grit to spotting tyre cuts and keeping your chain alive, it’s the bare minimum that makes a massive difference. Ride more. Fix less. Your future self will thank you.
Winter Gravel Clothing Guide
Winter gravel isn’t about suffering. It’s about turning up and staying comfortable. This guide shares no-nonsense kit advice from Ribble staff and the Outliers on what actually works in a UK February.
Best Road Bikes for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Getting Started
New to road cycling and drowning in jargon? This guide cuts through the noise. We break down what actually matters on your first road bike, from comfort to gearing, and show you which options suit real UK riding. No hard sell. No tech waffle. Just straight-talking advice to help you choose a bike you will actually enjoy riding.
When To Service Your Bike? A Practical Guide for Every Rider
Looking after your bike doesn’t start and end with a clean after riding. Regular servicing keeps it working at its best, no matter how often you ride. The tricky part is knowing when a service is needed. Too early feels unnecessary. Too late and the problems have already crept in. This guide breaks it down simply so you can ride more and worry less.
Staying Motivated: Winter Wisdom From The Ribble Family
When winter kills your motivation, even the pros feel it. The difference is they’ve built strategies that keep them riding when willpower runs out. Here’s how they stay consistent, break through the slump, and keep the pedals turning through the toughest months.
10 weeks down and far from decided: here’s why to join now
Ten weeks in and building momentum. Join the Ribble Winter Racing Series now - your best 10 results count. Race hard, miss weeks, progress.