Typically when testing bikes from Ribble we find ourselves marvelling at the sheer value for money they offer. The Sportive Bianco is no different: its package of full SRAM Red, Mavic ksyrium equipes – in matching white! – and full carbon finishing kit from ITM is streets ahead of similarly priced carbon sportive bikes. It’s astonishing value.
At 7.83kg it’s also one of the lightest complete carbon sportive bikes available; with so much pro level kit that’s to be expected, though the smartly finished Bianco frame is no heavyweight itself. Covering a bike with expensive kit, even at a great price, is all well and good, but to make it a true bargain the frame and fork have to perform. Happily, we can report that the Ribble’s do.
The Bianco’s geometry is essentially the same as Ribble’s Nero race frame, the only difference being extra height in the head-tube (200mm on our size 58cm). This creates a comfortable position without compromising the handling too much. We enjoyed pushing the Bianco fast into corners and throwing ourselves into descents. The combination of a smooth rear end and a well-shaped and padded saddle damp out plenty of vibration, but the front end is a little unrefined. It’s tight and stable, but over coarse surfaces the fork has a fair amount of chatter, and over our 105-mile test loop we did experience numb hands and tingly fingers.
You could argue that light wheels and super-smooth shifting Red gearing will flatter any frame, but the Ribble’s doesn’t need much. It climbs brilliantly and is stiff through the down-tube, bottom bracket and chainstays, making it unfaltering under power and responsive to changes of tempo on out-of-the-saddle climbs and occasional sprints. The Ribble might not feel as refined or smooth, nor as cosseting as some of its peers, it’s still a great bike, with a well-judged frame, a brilliant riding position and an incredible equipment selection.
Product Specifications
Product
| Name | Sportive Bianco (11) |
| Brand | Ribble |
| Available Sizes | M L XL L M S S S S S S M L XL XL XS XS XS XS XS XS S M L XL XS S M L XL |
| Saddle | Ritchey Comp, steel rails |
| Top Tube (cm) | 59 |
| Standover Height (cm) | 82 |
| Seat Tube (cm) | 51.5 |
| Chainstays (cm) | 41 |
| Bottom Bracket Height (cm) | 26.5 |
| Weight (lb) | 17.3 |
| Weight (kg) | 7.83 |
| Stem | ITM Triango carbon/alloy, 11cm, 11/8in, os clamp |
| Shifters | SRAM Red Double Tap 10-speed |
| Seatpost | ITM Triango carbon/alloy, 31.6x350mm |
| Seat Angle | 72 |
| Rims | Mavic ksyrium equipe alloy aero |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM Red external alloy cups, sealed cartridges |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM Red short cage |
| Headset Type | Fully integrated aheadset, sealed 11/8in cartridges |
| Head Angle | 72.5 |
| Handlebar | ITM Triango carbon/alloy, shallow anatomic, oversized |
| Front Derailleur | SRAM Red |
| Frame Material | Full carbon monocoque with capped carbon dropouts. |
| Fork | All-carbon, alloy capped dropouts |
| Cranks | SRAM Red carbon compact, 50/34 alloy rings, 172.5mm arms |
| Chain | SRAM PC1081R |
| Cassette | SRAM OG 1090 10-speed, 11-26 |
| Brakes | SRAM Red |
| Wheelbase (cm) | 101.5 |
