Ribble Sportive Bianco review

Ribble Sportive Bianco 2011
Cycling Weekly Verdict

We're not putting the Ribble's good performance down to the fact that it's made from carbon, because there are as many bad carbon frames as there are good ones. It's tempting to go crazy with the oversizing and the stiffness, resulting in a dead frame with rigor mortis set in. Instead the Ribble is just nicely judged so that you really could spend all day on it and cover a lot of miles in the process.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Good frame - carbon

  • +

    Great ride quality

  • +

    Lightest on test

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Not much

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Preston's Ribble Cycles has come up with astounding deals for as long as anyone can remember. Many cyclists got their first ‘proper' bike from Ribble. The bulk of the company's business is mail order, and Ribble bikes are not sold in other shops, but there is a showroom in Preston.

Even before you've straddled it, the Sportive Bianco is miles above the other bikes here in terms of value, even though this build misses the £1k mark by £73. You get a full carbon monocoque frame and full Shimano 105 groupset and it's the lightest by over a pound.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.