Ribble Gravel SL review: Is middle of the pack a bad thing?

At one point, not long ago, gravel bikes were all about utility. They were go anywhere, do anything, have an adventure type machines. Gravel races existed but they had as much to do with survival as anything else and gravel bikes were wildly experimental. These days, every time a new gravel bike hits the market, it seems to be inching closer to a road bike and gravel bike convergence. The utility is disappearing in favour of aggressive geometry and brands often sacrifice mounting points to the aero gods. 

If it sounds like I’m complaining, I am only doing it half-heartedly. I love fast gravel machines and I’m far from a retro grouch. In fact, it’s the bikes that make up our list of the best gravel race bikes that I’m drawn to. I like to ride hard, go fast, and sleep in a comfy bed and my preference is for gravel roads instead of singletrack. Still, I want more utility and that’s why I love the idea of a bike like the Ribble Gravel SL.

The Ribble Gravel SL is a fast bike that can be almost anything to anyone. In many ways, it sounds too good to be true and it comes from a brand that many Americans aren’t familiar with. With all this in mind, I’ve taken the bike on as a long-term review. If you are curious to know what a racy, do-it-all bike is like and if this is the right choice for your riding, keep reading to see my initial thoughts.