Ribble has updated its disc-brake titanium gravel bike, the CGR Ti, adding a new 44mm head tube and – you guessed it – dropped seatstays.
The new model maintains the same geometry as the version we tested in 2019, as well as the same triple-butted 3al/2.5v titanium tubes with internal cable routing, a full carbon fork and clearance for up to 47mm gravel tyres on 650b rims or 45mm on 700c rims.
As mentioned, the most notable change is to the seatstays, which have dropped a few centimetres down the seat tube compared to the previous model.
Though admirers of traditional bike silhouettes may be saddened, it’s a design feature now almost ubiquitous on modern performance road and gravel bikes. The theory is that it allows more flex in the seat tube, increasing ride comfort.
Beyond that, the new head tube now has a 44mm diameter said to improve front-end stiffness, and thereby cornering and sprinting confidence.
Ribble is also offering a choice of anodised colour headsets under the Level brand (Ribble’s in-house component brand).
Ribble CGR Ti builds
The CGR Ti comes in five sizes, XS to XL (51 to 60cm) and is available to pre-order now (for delivery in late June 2020) as a frameset or with three different levels of Shimano drivetrain. You can also spec your own build through Ribble's online bike builder.
Curiously, Shimano’s GRX gravel-specific drivetrains don’t feature in any of the builds, meaning gearing is distinctly road-like by default.
The mid-range model in particular is even specced with a very much road-specific 11-28t cassette as standard, though this can be changed to an 11-32t option using Ribble’s online Bike Builder tool.
This leaves us wondering if Ribble perhaps sees this bike as more of a year-round mile muncher for road cyclists rather than a pure gravel bike.
Ribble CGR Ti frameset – £1,799
The frameset option includes the CGR Ti frame and matching full-carbon fork, along with the 44mm Level headset, a seatcollar, expanding fork bung and thru-axles.
Ribble CGR Ti - Sport – £2,299
- Drivetrain: Shimano 105 R7020, 34-50t and 11-32t
- Wheels: Mavic Aksium disc
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Allround 700 x 40c
- Finishing kit: Level 1 alloy stem and handlebar, Level 2 carbon seatpost
- Saddle: Prologo Kappa RS
- Weight (claimed): 10.65kg (medium)
Notably, this bottom of the range model comes fitted with Ribble’s own 46mm mudguards – something that will no doubt be appreciated by winter mile-munchers everywhere.
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Ribble CGR Ti - Enthusiast – £2,799
- Drivetrain: Shimano Ultegra R8020, 34-50t and 11-28t
- Wheels: Mavic Allroad disc
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Allroad 700 x 40c
- Finishing kit: Level 2 alloy stem and handlebar, Level 2 carbon seatpost
- Saddle: Fizik Antares R5
- Weight (claimed): 9.8kg (medium)
The main upgrades on this build are the Shimano Ultegra groupset and the gravel-specific Mavic Allroad disc wheels, which are tubeless ready and have a wide internal width of 23mm.
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Ribble CGR Ti - Pro – £3,999
- Drivetrain: Shimano Ultegra R8070 Di2, 34-50t and 11-32t
- Wheels: Level 40DB Sport carbon clincher
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Allroad 700 x 40c
- Finishing kit: Level 3 carbon stem, handlebar and seatpost
- Saddle: Brooks Cambium C15
- Weight (claimed): 9.45kg (medium)
The most expensive build in the range sees an electronic Di2 drivetrain as well as Level carbon wheels, which are tubeless ready with an internal width of 17.5mm.
- Buy now from Ribble
