Ribble R872 review: a staggeringly good carbon all-rounder
It may have an entry-level price tag but this lightweight racer is good enough to take on bikes that cost twice as much
![T3 Platinum Award](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/39zmucxig41699365177.png)
![Ribble R872 Enthusiast Disc Review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pa2dPgMbR3TTN5Uuct33xD-415-80.jpg)
With prices starting at just £1,499 for a full carbon frame, a Shimano 105 groupset and disc brakes, the R872 represents great value for money. But it’s not simply a machine that’s been cobbled together to make it as affordable as possible, because it’s fun to ride no matter your level of experience, it looks great and packs enough performance potential to ensure it can improve as the rider’s skill and confidence levels grow.
-
+
Great value for money
-
+
Light and fast enough
-
+
Comfortable for a carbon road bike
-
-
Wheelset is basic
-
-
Limited standard colour choices
-
-
Worth spending a bit more on the Pro model
Why you can trust T3
The Ribble R872 in a sentence: an awesomely affordable piece of kit that packs plenty of high end features but is never so pointy that it is off-putting, this is one of the best road bikes you can buy, and sure to put a smile on any road rider’s face.
Ribble’s current road bike line-up is dominated by its Endurance SL frame, which comes in all manner of lightweight combinations and packs the sort of geometry that is designed with serious racing in mind.
But not all of us want that and the R872, on the other hand, has long been an affordable carbon fibre model from the online-only brand that is a little easier on the back and behind. Its latest iteration is arguably the easiest to live with yet.
Because of this, it is often regarded as a stepping stone into the world of lightweight carbon road bikes and sometimes gets tarnished with the “entry level” brush, but this bike shouldn’t be overlooked if you have some experience in the saddle. It manages to defy its price point with an excellent frame that will suit all manner of riders, particularly those looking for a little extra comfort over a long course.
- Weather rubbish? Keep in shape with the best turbo trainers
- Or brave the cold with the best winter riding gloves
Ribble R872: price and availability
The Ribble R872 is on sale now. The model we tested is the Ribble R872 Enthusiast Disc at. £1,499 or $2,100 in US dollars – no Australian price is given. It is seen as a men's bike and is therefore better suited to male riders. It's also highly customisable and comes in five frame sizes.
Take a look at the Ribble R872 Enthusiast Disc range on Ribble's site
Ribble R872 Enthusiast Disc: the frame
As with many en vogue road bikes these days, the latest R872 is fashioned from carbon fibre, Toray T700 in this case, which isn’t as aggressive (nor as expensive) as some futuristic materials on the market, but it’s still stiff and light.
In fact, a complete R872 weights in at around 8.6kg, which is ridiculous when you think about it and can only really be bettered by super high performance machines that cost four or even five times the price.
This lightweight design doesn’t get in the way of aesthetics, because the tubes are still fat and oversized, the head is tapered and the slender rear seat stays neatly protrude around half way down from the seat tube, giving it a purposeful and sporty side profile.
It’s also practical, with enough tyre clearance for fitting 28-32mm of rubber, if you want a little extra shock absorption from the road, or like to fit a chunkier tyre fro improved grip on slippery surfaces.
Ribble also offers numerous sizing options, as well as the ability to add different stems and handlebars, so with a bit of measuring, maths and knowhow, it’s pretty easy to get a bike that fits like a favoured pair of slippers.
- On a budget? Check out our Ribble Endurance AL Disc review instead
Ribble R872 Enthusiast Disc: the kit
The R872 Disc comes in three different trim levels: Sport, Enthusiast and Pro. Much of the kit remains the same on the various models, bar the drivetrain. The cheapest Sport model comes with Shimano Tiagra, but it is worth shelling out an extra £300 for Shimano’s 105, which comes part of the Enthusiast package. If you can make the budget stretch that little further, £1,999 buys Shimano Ultegra, which is some of the best gearing money can buy.
Stopping power is taken care of by awesome Shimano 105 R7070 Flat Mount Hydraulic disc brakes in this Enthusiast model, although Ribble does offer a version of this with standard rim brakes if you really have an aversion to discs... and it's cheaper.
Alas, Ribble has to save money somewhere and it’s largely in the wheels, which are the most basic Mavic Aksium clincher models. They let the package down a little, but purchasing a decent set of lightweight performance wheels is easy and would transform this middling offering into something quite special.
Overall, it’s a clever collection of components that are bolted on to a good looking aero frame. It’s difficult to spot where savings have been made and that can only be a good thing.
Ribble R872 Enthusiast Disc: the ride
Where some carbon fibre models feel particularly stiff and unforgiving on our typically scarred road surfaces, the R872 feels more at home here. The frame geometry is also forgiving enough to ensure the rider isn’t in a ridiculously tucked position all the time and the whole package feels like a comfortable thing to pilot over longer distances.
More expensive bikes iron out some of those minor vibrations and “buzzing” from poor road surfaces with greater skill, but many won’t notice this and the fact that it’s easy to get comfy on the bike will be the deal breaker here. But despite being designed with longer rides in mind, it’s still a quick bike, both up and down hills. Okay, acceleration isn’t as sharp as those more performance focussed rivals, but it’s plenty stiff enough to transfer power.
There are some downsides, because despite Shimano's ageing 105 now seen as a fairly tried and tested groupset, there are much better systems on the market. Ride out with Ultegra or Di2 and you'll never want to go back.
On top of this, the wheels could be improved upon and Ultegra gearing is by far the smoothest shifting of the bunch, but even this middle level model proves utterly brilliant over most routes.
Ribble R872 Enthusiast Disc: the verdict
Only the most hardcore riders will be able to pick faults in the R872 and these will likely be found in those minuscule elements that make up the marginal gains approach only professional athletes take. As weekend fun rides go, they don’t get much better than this.
The biggest issue Ribble has is that it can’t make these bikes fast enough, and even though the R872 isn’t as popular as it’s racier SL models, there are still some hefty lead times when it comes to ordering.
It’s a problem that is facing all bike manufacturers at the moment but order bespoke paint jobs and/or finishing kit, and riding season could be well and truly over before you managed to throw a lego over your new Ribble.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Leon has been writing about automotive and consumer tech for longer than he cares to divulge. When he’s not testing the latest fitness wearable and action camera, he’s out in a shed fawning over his motorcycles or trying not to kill himself on a mountain bike/surfboard/other extreme thing. He's also a man who knows his tools, and he's provided much of T3's drills coverage over the years, all without injuring himself.
-
A personal trainer says ditch the sit-ups and do these three bodyweight exercises instead for a stronger core
Forget crunches and sit-ups, functional core strength is where it's at
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
Sony's rival to Vision Pro clears certification, prepare for a major XR headset announcement
Sony's headset looks mightily interesting
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Best beginner surfboard 2024: brilliant novice boards
The best beginner surfboard will help you go from kook to serious ripper
By Rich Owen Last updated
-
Best compost bin 2024 for making quality garden fertiliser
Make your own high-quality organic fertiliser with the best compost bins you can buy in 2023
By Derek Adams Last updated
-
Best secateurs 2024: prune, snip and cut like a horticultural pro
These are the best secateurs you can buy for all your gardening requirements
By Derek Adams Last updated
-
Abus Bordo 6500A SmartX review: Bluetooth bike lock and alarm
Abus Bordo 6500A SmartX is a key-free, Bluetooth-enabled lock and anti-theft alarm that’s super secure
By Aoife Glass Published
-
Best chainsaws 2024 for pruning thick branches and removing unwanted trees
These are the best cordless, petrol and electric chainsaws you can buy in 2023
By Derek Adams Last updated
-
Best hedge trimmer 2024: terrific topiary tools for trouble-free trimming
Show obstreperous bushes who's boss with one of the best hedge trimmers available in
By Derek Adams Last updated
-
Best outdoor solar lights 2024: let there be light!
Follow the shining path to garden illumination with the best outdoor solar lights of 2024
By Derek Adams Last updated
-
Yale Maximum Security U Lock With Cable review: double lock keeps your bike extra secure
Yale Maximum Security U lock with Cable is a good value bike lock with a 'Diamond' Sold Secure rating no less!
By Aoife Glass Last updated