Price: from £999, recommended build £1,362
Frame: carbon
Gears: Shimano 105
Brakes: hydraulic disc
Wheels: Mavic
ribblecycles.co.uk
Gran Fondo sounds like an Italian hard cheese, but in fact it refers to any long-distance cycling race. It means “big ride”. Anyone considering a day in the saddle is looking for two things, performance and comfort, and Ribble, the Preston-based bike builder, knows a thing or two about endurance – it’s been in business since 1897. This bike has been created specifically to offer more comfort for longer. Its geometry is unusual: a larger headtube makes for a less aggressive riding position, while increasing the wheel base gives greater stability for a more relaxed ride. Discs take the worry out of braking and the ever-reliable Shimano 105 won’t miss a gear change. An epic day in the saddle will no longer leave you with a sore back and aching shoulders. Just don’t forget the energy bars…
And if you’ve splashed out on a decent new bike, you might be interested in going matchy matchy with Ribble’s new Nuovo clothing collection. The kit is aimed at both male and female cyclists and will initially consist of cycling jerseys and shorts, with more items to be released in the coming months. All of it has been expertly designed in UK sizing, to offer the perfect balance of comfort, performance and functionality in ready-to-ride styles.
When putting together the Nuovo range, Ribble sourced the finest contemporary lightweight sports fabrics. The short-sleeved jersey is £55. The fabric design is breathable which allows for moisture to be wicked away quickly, with the arm cuffs made from an elasticated, breathable and seamless material for added comfort. The jerseys also have three reinforced rear pockets that are traced with reflective piping. The women’s collection comes in coral and peppermint, while the men’s range consists of red or charcoal grey.
The bib-shorts, which are £65, have been designed to wear alongside the jerseys. The highly breathable fabric keeps the body dry and the two-way stretch straps combined with silicone grippers in the legs allow for grip to ensure comfort on any ride. The back of the bib-shorts are made from a breathable mesh panel, which is laser cut with fine detail and the pad is made from comfortable 12mm seamless and breathable foam which is perforated to increase breathability. For more information, go to ribblecycles.co.uk
Email Martin at martin.love@observer.co.uk or follow him on Twitter @MartinLove166
