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TECH NEWS

Ribble CX SL launched - new carbon race-ready cyclocross bike priced from £1,299

Want to go cyclocross racing this winter? Here's a cool new bike from Ribble Cycles

#crossiscoming will soon be trending on social media as fans of the winter sport will soon start gearing up for the new season, and right on time for those shopping for a new race bike is the Ribble Cycles CX SL, described as a “thoroughbred race machine.”

ribble cx sl1.png

Setting its stall as a race-focused bike is a frame and fork made from T1000 and T800 carbon fibre that will keep weight low and stiffness high, with a “race-proven” geometry to deliver the necessary quick handling for tackling tricky courses with lots of turns.

- 14 of the best cyclocross bikes — drop-bar dirt bikes for racing and playing in the mud

ribble cx sl2.png

The frame is oversized at the bottom bracket, chainstays, head tube for maximising power transfer. Mud clearance has been optimised around the frame and fork with plenty of space, with max clearance for up to 40mm tyres. That gives it some crossover appeal to gravel and commuting usage.

Ribble CX SL 14.jpg

One of the standout details is the threaded bottom bracket, which will surely get a round of applause from all the press-fit haters reading this. Another sensible detail that provides versatility is the inclusion of mudguard mounts.

Ribble CX SL 15.jpg

There are disc brakes with 12mm thru-axles and all cables and hoses are internally routed. There are two bottle cage mounts.

Ribble CX SL 8.jpg

Ribble’s signature dropped seat stays with a horizontal bridge to the seat tube, as seen on the recently tested Endurance SL R, provides a degree of compliance when pounding over bumpy ground.

- Review: Ribble Endurance SL R Series Disc SRAM Red eTAP AXS

Ribble CX SL 17.JPG

The CX SL can be specced with the same Level 5 one-piece carbon handlebar and stem as also featured on the Endurance SL R, for those CX racers that want to gain every marginal aerodynamic gain.

Ribble CX SL 4.jpg

Buying options include the frame only for £1,299 or complete bikes starting from £1,599 and topping out at £3,249, with just three models. Two builds use SRAM Apex and Rival 1x while the most expensive bike uses an Ultegra Di2 2x groupset.

Ribble CX SL 13.jpg

You can customise the bikes, speccing different saddles, seat posts, handlebars, bar tape and so on, and also choose from Challenge Grifo Comp wire bread, Grifo Plus folding and Baby Limus Plus folding tyres options. There are also numerous wheelset options from Mavic Aksiums up to full carbon fibre wheels in a choice of rim depths.

The bikes are available to pre-order now with delivery expected for 30th September, just in time for cyclocross season. Check out the bike at www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cx-sl/

Here's a video of the new bike in action.

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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3 comments

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Pmsap | 5 years ago
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You've tested that handlebars on the endurance slr. In this photo they seems rather thin. How confortable are they?

I currently use an Easton aero one which has ovalized tops and I find it very confortable (even without tape on it).

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Sriracha | 5 years ago
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"Ribble CX SL launched - new carbon race-ready cyclocross bike priced from £1,299"

Er, the frame, not the bike, costs £1,299.

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jollygoodvelo | 5 years ago
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That's a lovely looking bike.  Simple, clean, unfussy.  Whoever is designing their new range of bikes is doing a great job.

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