Ribble Hybrid AL e Fully Loaded Edition e-bike review – Move Electric
Comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and with up to 60 miles of electric assistance - but is it worth the £2000+ asking price?...
The Ribble Hybrid AL e is an electric hybrid bike, created for leisure, urban, or commuter riders. Its sleek design is complemented by the motor's single button operation, situated on the top tube. It works well on its own, but you can pair the bike to the Ebikemotion app which essentially makes the bike a 'smart' bike. On there, you can check battery levels, record trips, and adjust the levels of electrical assistance to suit your needs.
Assistance is delivered from a 250W Mahle Ebikemotion rear hub-mounted motor. A European based company, the Ebikemotion system is used by other popular brands such as Orbea, and other types of electric bikes. The entire electric-assist system weighs just 3.5kg, and the battery takes a mere 3.5 hours to charge, offering up to 60 miles of range. If that's not enough, you can buy a battery extender to effectively double the range.
The charge point is located at the base of the frame and is sealed by a rubber cover. The weather stayed dry for all of the test rides so there wasn't a chance to test the waterproof qualities of it, but Ribble advises it can be ridden in all weather conditions.
The bike is very well specced for the price, with an 11-speed SRAM NX groupset and a wide range of gears on the cassette. The Mavic wheels and Schwalbe hybrid tyres provide a comfortable ride over pothole laden roads, and Ribble has also used hydraulic disc brakes which work well in all conditions.
The fully loaded edition comes with a colour co-ordinated rear pannier rack. If luggage mounting isn't a necessity, however, the regular edition of the Hybrid AL e is £100 less.
What is it like?
The Ribble Hybrid AL e combines flair with the proven performance of a Ribble bike. At first glance, you'd be forgiven for believing it's an unassisted bicycle, such as the subtle nature of the motor and battery.
And at 12.5kg in weight, the ride is incredibly smooth; at times you forget you're riding an electric bicycle.
The motor engages quickly and quietly, but frequently enough to be a comforting reminder that it's on and working. The Hybrid AL e glides up hills. The real-world range of the battery is good; we got 50 miles on a charge with most of the rides on the highest assistance level without any issues. Even when the assistance is turned off the bike rides well, too.
The one-button e-motor operation is simple, using colours to guide you through the assistance levels. The one inconvenience with this system is the inability to select levels directly, rather than scaling through to reach the desired target.
The sleek design of the Ebikemotion battery does have one drawback – maintenance access. Due to its position within the downtube, any work done on the battery requires the removal of the crankset and bottom bracket. For most, this isn't a job that you'll want to tackle at home, so you’ll need to find a bike shop that can carry out this kind of specialist work.
You might wonder whether the sparkling paint and polished composition signify form over function on the Hybrid AL e – it doesn’t. While the paint job on these bikes is spectacular, Ribble has managed to create a well-rounded bike by focusing on its strengths and outsourcing the electric system to a specialist company.
The e-bike performed beautifully during test runs and is a perfect partner for the British roads and towpaths whether it’s for fun or for riding to work or the shops. You can even bring the kids along, as there's room for child seats, making your rides a family affair.
Ribble Hybrid AL e Fully Loaded Edition verdict - 4/5
The Ribble Hybrid AL e is perfect for leisure riders, commuters, or even longer distance riders who want a bit of assistance. The fully loaded edition enhances the bike's capabilities. The only concern is the potential difficulties in accessing the battery. At this price point, the bike is well specced and an excellent companion for most riders.
Where can I buy it?
You can buy the bike directly from Ribble either on their website or from one of their three showrooms across the country.
How does it arrive?
The bike arrives largely assembled; just the handlebars and seatpost need adjusting.
Ribble Hybrid AL e Fully Loaded Edition – specs
Cost £2299
Frame size tested S
Weight of bike 14.5kg (for medium)
Groupset SRAM NX Urban 1x11 speed, Tektro Hydraulic brakes, 11-42T cassette, 42T chainring
Wheels/tyres Mavic Ksyrium disc wheels - (12x100 front/12x142 rear), Schwalbe Marathon Rigid 700x35c tyres, Black/Reflex
Motor MAHLE Ebikemotion X35+ M1 250W, Rear hub-mounted
Battery Panasonic 36V/250Wh
Mileage range Up to 60 miles
Assistance levels 3 modes, up to 15mph
Charge time 3.5 hours
Included extras Top tube button for assist control; Pannier rack colour coded to the bike; Front/rear mudguards; Knog classic bell; Custom colour bike available.
Words and pictures by Rebecca Bland
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