Ribble Hybrid AL e - Blue

Fully Loaded Edition

Firstly, let's get over a big gripe - Ribble's logistics are awful. I ordered and paid for the bike in mid-June and was given a delivery date of mid-September. Eight promised delivery dates later, the bike finally arrived just before Christmas. The customer services staff were prompt and courteous but the information they provided did not reflect reality - each time I spoke to them they simply said that delivery was sure to take place in two weeks time. But it didn't, and none of them could give a satisfactory explanation why. When you have paid a lot of money up front, this makes you worry that your cash has entered a bottomless pit.

I've owned an e-bike for over eight years: a high-spec 35kg monster that has served me well as a commuter cycle but looks and feels like a really heavyweight machine. It is certainly no pleasure on longer trips and a real pig to get up even slight inclines once the battery begins to fade. So the Ribble Hybrid is a complete delight in comparison - easy to lift, far better looking, and a nimble ride on the local cycle tracks and gravel paths. Hugely more pleasurable.

Our nearby cycle paths have numerous ridges from roots and not-a-few minor potholes, so I have added a Redshift suspension saddle post and a softer saddle which suit me far better and greatly improve comfort at the expense of a little bit extra weight. December's weather has been miserable but I have been out for four 20km+ rides and am delighted by the cycle's e-performance. Despite lowish temperatures I have seen only about 1% battery drop per km and there is more than enough assist to get me up the steep hill on which I live. The motor is quiet, effective and unobtrusive. So far, no problems using the e-motion App, which pairs easily, and provides comprehensive information and navigation. I look forward to being able to explore further afield once the weather get drier and warmer.

I have had high expectations about this bike. When I rode it for the first time today, I was amazed how well it worked also without using the battery: of the 52 kilometer ride I only used the battery power for about 10 kilometers on the lowest level (25% capacity of the engine); for approx. 500 meters I used full power in very steep hills. To be able for long trips I also invested in an extra battery ("Range Extender"): it is expensive, but will get longer life with the built in battery as it hasn't to be charged so often; after today's ride there is much power left in the batteries, perhaps as much as it can take me another 100 kilometers before charging if I use just a little bit of extra power when really needed. Today I rode from Portimao to Armação de Pêra in Algarve (114 meters uphill both ways). Am I satisfied with the new bike? Yes, yes, yes!