Ribble Gravel SL long term review: a solid all-around bike for a good price

Ribble has emerged as a direct-to-consumer option with a reputation for being innovative. There is a range of products on offer covering everything from hyper-lightweight electric bikes, and ultra-aerodynamic road bikes to capable gravel bikes and more.

In the US, very few people know the Ribble brand and the brand identity is totally different. There’s no baggage associated with the pre-2018 years and there’s no national pride in the latest designs. In this part of the world, it’s an unknown brand but it’s also a brand that consumers are getting curious about. For some, it’s the radical design of the Ribble Ultra SL that captured attention but for many, it’s the pricing that’s hard to ignore. Ribble pricing frequently undercuts better-known brands and a lot of people want to know if there’s a catch. 

With all that in mind, I asked Ribble if I might be able to spend some time with the Ribble Gravel SL. We’ve got the Gravel SL listed in our best gravel bikes buyers guide as both a value option and an all-around option but for me, it was simpler than that. What drew me to the Gravel SL was that it is the Ribble gravel race option but it’s got the ability to fit mudguards/fenders. In my experience, a bike like that lends itself to faster winter riding on the road while also fulfilling its primary role as a fast off-road bike. Now that I’ve spent almost a year with the Ribble Gravel SL it’s time to sum up what I’ve learned about it. If you are looking for a bike that can do almost everything, keep reading to see if this is the right one for you. 

Design and aesthetics