Overview
I’ve been riding a Ribble CGR Ti since 2020, and in those 3 years I’ve racked up over 30,000 kilometres on it. It’s been with me on short trips to the local shops as well as on multi-day bikepacking adventures through Scotland in various weather conditions. In that time I have been astounded at simply how versatile this bike is. Equally at home on very rugged terrain as well as on more speedy road miles, this really has been everything I was looking for in terms of a “one-bike-to-rule-them-all” option. If you’re looking to buy a bike, and unsure whether to go road or gravel, I can highly recommend the Ribble CGR Ti – with gravel tyres it feels like a burly rock crusher, but with road tyres it feels like a classy and comfortable all-road machine.
I’ve had such a good experience with this bike, that I even spoke directly with the team at Ribble about it – in a blog post which you can find here. This bike has genuinely unlocked whole new types of experiences for me, and if (like me) you are coming from a road cycling background but looking to explore gravel riding – I really couldn’t recommend it more. Read the rest of my review below for more of a breakdown of the details behind this bike – including a couple of things I think could be improved, in spite of my otherwise overwhelmingly positive thoughts.
Tech Specs
With Ribble’s bike builder you have many options to choose from when it comes to how to spec the bike, so the specs below are simply those that I chose.
- Frame: Seamless 3AL/2.5V Ti (titanium)
- Fork: Full carbon, tapered steerer
- Groupset: GRX 1x RX810
- Wheelset: Mavic Aksium (base model), with options to upgrade.
- Tires: Schwalbe G-One 40mm
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes for precise and powerful stopping.
- Weight: Approximate weight stands around 9.5 kg for a medium-sized build, although this can vary based on component choices.
Ride Feel
One of the most noticeable aspects when riding the CGR Ti is its comfort. The titanium frame does an exceptional job of absorbing road vibrations, ensuring a smooth ride even on rough terrains. This makes it an excellent choice for extended rides and adventures where comfort is paramount. Moreover the tyre clearance of 45mm (though I suspect this would be pushing it) allows for a really quite wide tyre suitable to most gravel surfaces you’re likely to encounter (certainly here in the UK at least). I could sometimes do with wider tyres, but those times are few and far between – and I more often than not feel comfortable and in control on everything but the most technical trails.
The CGR Ti was my first foray into hydraulic disc brakes, and I’ve been impressed in the immediate stopping power they offer, which instills a sense of confidence, especially when descending or navigating through unpredictable terrains. The bike’s versatility is evident in its ride feel – it handles well on tarmac, giving a performance akin to a dedicated road bike, yet shows its adventurous side when taken off-road, with commendable grip and stability.
It’s worth noting that I have in the last year or so replaced the stock stem that the bike came with for RedShift’s ShockStock Suspension Stem. While the bike was fine before this, since adding this suspension stem the confidence I feel the bike has in handling on rough stuff, particularly gnarly descents, is like night and day. Regardless, the handling on rough descents was fine with the standard stem, but this cheeky upgrade has opened my eyes to the levels of additional comfort that can be gleaned from such adjustments.
Geometry Breakdown
The Ribble CGR Ti boasts a geometry that is a blend between a road bike and a more relaxed adventure bike:
- Head Angle: Slightly relaxed, enhancing stability.
- Seat Angle: Positioned to ensure efficient power transfer and comfort over long distances.
- Chainstay Length: Extended chainstays, allowing room for wider tires and ensuring better traction on gravel or muddy trails.
- Bottom Bracket: Slightly lowered, ensuring a lower center of gravity which aids in stability.
- Stack and Reach: Balanced to offer a slightly aggressive posture, optimal for both speed and endurance.
This geometry ensures that the bike remains agile on road sections, yet stable and comfortable on gravel or trails. It’s a perfect blend that appeals to riders who don’t want to be confined to a single style of riding.
Is the CGR Ti good value for money?
The Ribble CGR Ti’s price range varies significantly depending on the chosen build and components. The base model, equipped with Shimano Tiagra, comes in at a very competitive price point, especially considering the titanium frame. As you move up the range, opting for higher-end groupsets and wheelsets, the price increases, but so does the performance and the weight drops. I ended up paying just over £3k for the spec I went with, and all told – especially given the titanium frame, I felt this was super competitive in the market compared to other mid-range Ti frame gravel bikes.
When assessing its price, one must consider the versatility it offers. It’s essentially multiple bikes rolled into one. If you were to invest separately in a road bike, a gravel bike, and a cyclocross bike, the combined cost would likely exceed that of the CGR Ti. Therefore, for riders looking for an all-in-one solution without compromising on quality, the CGR Ti offers excellent value for money. Buy yourself an extra set of road wheels, and you’ve genuinely got two bikes for the price of one here.
Areas for Improvement
As the style of riding I enjoy has started to veer more emphatically towards the off-road, I do feel that increasing the tyre clearance to 50mm would help make the CGR Ti more open to a wider variety of use-cases. I have only very rarely felt under-biked with the 42mm Specialized Pathfinder Pros I fitted to the bike a couple of years ago, but the option to increase the tyre clearance to up to 50mm would have been welcome.
I also have come to really dislike internal cable routing, which is featured on this bike – it makes home mechanic duties infinitely more fiddly that traditionally external cable routing. With a 1x setup I only have the one cable to deal with, but even so it has proven a pain in the past. This is worth bearing in mind if you like doing your repairs/adjustments at home yourself. I am tempted to upgrade the groupset to electronic partially due to the fiddly nature of internal cables, but it’s only got on my nerves on a couple of occasions in the last 3 or so years, so by no means has this ruined the experience of the bike for me.
My only other minor gripe is to do with the gear ratio on the 1x GRX groupset this came with. With a top gear of 40×42, on bikepacking trips with a laden down bike I have found myself grinding up steep climbs in this top gear with some discomfort/difficulty. This is more of a gripe with Shimano’s own gear ratios than the bike itself – but it bears mentioning! Luckily with the incoming new GRX 12-speed groupset it looks like this issue will resolve itself for those also seeking out some wider ratios for their riding. For 90% of rides I’ve been thrilled with the groupset, but have found myself undergeared on a few occasions.
Conclusion
The Ribble CGR Ti is a masterclass in versatility. Whether you’re cruising on roads, exploring gravel paths, or tackling cyclocross challenges, this bike stands up to the task with grace and performance. The titanium frame is both a nod to timeless bike craftsmanship and a step towards modern, lightweight, and durable bike design. With a range of builds available, it caters to both budding enthusiasts and seasoned cyclists. While the price might seem steep as you move up the range, the value proposition remains strong, given the bike’s multifaceted capabilities. In the Ribble CGR Ti, you’re not just investing in a bike; you’re investing in countless adventures waiting to be had.
Ribble CGR Ti FAQs
- Is the Ribble CGR Ti a good gravel bike?
If you tend to ride smooth-medium roughness gravel, I’d say the CGR Ti is an exceptional gravel bike. With 45mm tyre clearance it can handle most off-road tracks but has its limitations on more MTB-style territory.
- What is the CGR Ti's tyre clearance?
The CGR Ti has clearance for 45mm tyres in 700c. I have 42mm tyres on mine, and would suggest there’s not much room for more than that out the back – but up front there’s oodles more room should you desire it. There is also the option of 650b wheels, which would expand your available clearance to 47mm.
- Is titanium good for a gravel frame?
Titanium makes for a good gravel frame for a few core reasons: it doesn’t rust, it’s very robust and also flexible for an improved ride feel. Titanium does come at a cost premium compared to aliuminium or even carbon frames, but if you’re looking for comfort, reliability and longevity then titanium is hard to compete with.
- Is this bike good value for money?
There are certainly cheaper bikes in existence, there’s no denying that buying a titanium frame means you are automatically within the “premium” end of the bike spectrum. That said, when you consider how well this bike works as a gravel bike, but also as a road bike when it’s equipped with road tyres/wheels, I think the CGR Ti provides superb value. When compared with other titanium options out there, it’s also clear that the CGR Ti is priced competitively.
- What are some alternatives to the CGR Ti?
Assuming you are still wanting a titanium frame gravel bike, the below are potential alternatives to the CGR Ti:
- Planet X’s Tempest: https://www.planetx.co.uk/products/planet-x-tempest-shimano-grx-rx810-titanium-gravel-bike
- Reilly’s Gradient: https://www.reillycycleworks.com/products/gradient-complete
- Enigma’s Escape: https://www.enigmabikes.com/products/escape-mk2-frame
- Ribble’s Gravel Ti: https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-gravel-ti/