Ribble Gravel Ti Long-Term Review

There’s a cycling adage that pops up from time to time, probably not so much for those under the age of 40 or so, but certainly for those over the big 4-0. It relates to a certain frame material other than aluminium, carbon or steel, with many enlightened enthusiasts opining that it’s only a matter of time before you’ll buy your first titanium-framed bike.

‘After that,’ they tend to agree, ‘there’s no going back’.

My cycling journey began with a dragster, then BMX, then steel road bikes, then alloy, and, of course, carbon over the past decade or so. But I’d never explored the titanium world, and despite several friends speaking of their Ti bikes with borderline religious fervour, I managed to get to the big 5-0 without riding one.

This changed, somewhat by chance, while on a trip to Europe. Meeting with the marketing manager of Ribble Cycles in the UK, the plan was to choose one of their many models to review during a London to Frankfurt bike-packing trip. The destination was Eurobike, the world’s biggest bicycle industry trade show, and what better way to get there than ride?

Arriving in Dieppe, France during a long-distance test ride from London to Frankfurt aboard the Ribble Gravel Ti.

I had my eye on one of their slick and shiny carbon offerings – the Gravel SL Pro in a stunning burnt orange finish. The lovely marketing manager had other ideas, ‘We’d really like you to ride the titanium version, the Gravel Ti’, she said over a tasty lunch in a nearby cafe. I couldn’t really argue, and back at the showroom, and looking closer at the shiny titanium steed, couldn’t help but start to get excited about my first ride – a 2000km bike-packing trip at that – aboard a titanium bike.

I’ll never forget that first ride of around 40km on that brand-new and unloaded bike. The route from Bluewater to Bromley in Kent included main roads, bike paths, parks, dirt trails and back streets. There was a tough climb, then a lovely long descent, and the buttery smooth feel of the frame shone through within the first few miles.

That night’s frantic mission was to prepare the bike with around 8kg of bike-packing gear, mount a GPS / computer, fit the lights, double-check all hex bolts and attachments, and be ready to roll by 0800 the next morning.

The fully laden Ribble during the trip from London to Newhaven.

The 100km journey from London to Newhaven was a dream ride, with smooth roads, blue skies, picturesque British landscapes, peaceful green lanes, quiet country roads, charming pubs, lots of ‘sorries’ and polite greetings from locals. It was all so very British.

Reaching the Newhaven ferry for the Channel crossing, I soon found myself in the warm afternoon sun, on the top deck, with a cold pint. Reflecting on an exceptional start to the trip, it was around a three-hour trip to France and we’d be there by 8pm.

A closer look at the titanium framed Ribble Gravel Ti.

The French border guard seemed impressed by the shiny titanium bike, fully loaded bike-packing bags, and my Australian passport. “Where to?” he asked in Frenglish. “Paris, then Frankfurt, and back to London,” I answered. He and his colleague looked like they might grab their own bikes to join the adventure, giving me a cheerful wave as I continued on.

Next morning it was coffee & croissants prior to getting onto the Avenue Verte – the official cycling route from London to Paris. The Ribble titanium frame hit its stride, cruising at a steady 25-30 km/h and gliding over every bump. The bike just wanted to keep going. 100+ kilometre days became routine and consisted of brisk starts, coffee stops, exploring quaint towns and museums and sampling local beers along the way.

Perfect summer skies just west Dieppe in France for the start of Day 3 of the ride from London to Frankfurt.

After a week of riding, not one element of the bike—its fittings, geometry, or setup—felt uncomfortable. In fact, by the time I reached Frankfurt, I realised I felt more comfortable on the Ribble Gravel Ti than off it.

What makes the Gravel Ti stand out from other titanium bikes? It’s all in the design: dropped seat stays, relaxed endurance geometry, a longer wheelbase, and Ribble’s carbon front fork. The company’s flared riser handlebars complete the geometry, offering all-day rider comfort while also having plenty of space for bar bags.

Into Germany and a side tour to historic Meisenheim was certainly one of the trip highlights.

This all-day comfort doesn’t mean sacrificing aerodynamics or style. During nearly 2000km of riding, the bike handled long, winding European descents beautifully. With the weight of the bags, dropping into the handlebars turned downhill stretches into absolute highlights, with the bike carving through gentle curves like a whisk through the cream.

On the 32mm Continental 5000 tyres, it was a smooth, quiet, and incredibly comfortable ride. A highly-rated long-distance tyre, there was one puncture late in the trip. For road use, these are an impressive tyre. That said, I’ve now switched to Schwalbe G-One in 35mm for their all-round efficiency and characteristics on both road and gravel.

Arrival at the destination is always the highlight of a trip, it’s almost as exciting as setting off on the next adventure.

With the dream trip drawing to an end, a major issue arose. I was developing a close bond with the bike, the more I rode it, the less I wanted to give it back.

Phoning Ribble, I explained the awkward predicament and, after some negotiations, had the review extended by a year! Looking back at that time with the Gravel Ti, we’ve had some incredible rides and adventures together, and she has been one of the most rewarding bikes I’ve ever ridden.

Having now travelled through the UK, France, Germany, Cambodia, Thailand and Australia, she has proven herself, time and again, as an incredibly versatile bike. From crazy peak hour rides across Bangkok to those leafy Kentish green lanes, the incredible new bike lanes in Germany, paths along the Seine in Paris, being lost in Phnom Penh airport, to all manner of adventures in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and the ACT … this bike has proven itself time and again, and one I’ve grown incredibly fond of.

The Ribble seemed to enjoy traversing regional Thailand and 5 other countries so far.

Ribble offer three Gravel Ti models, with the entry-level Sport model fitted with SRAM Apex 12 speed and priced at $4400.

The Enthusiast model features SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 1×12-Speed and the impressive Hope RX24 alloy wheels – this is currently listed at $7070. The top model, the GRAVEL TI – PRO, includes a Mavic Cosmic S 42 carbon wheelset and is priced at $8970.