Which frame material should you choose?
When it comes to choosing a new bike, frame material is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. Carbon, titanium, aluminium, or steel - each brings its own feel, performance benefits, and character on the road or trail. Here’s how the options stack up and where you’ll find them across the Ribble range.
Carbon: Lightweight Speed & Performance
Carbon is the material of choice for riders chasing pure performance. It’s light, stiff under power, and can be shaped aerodynamically for maximum efficiency. Advanced layups, like those used in the ULTRA-RACE, ALLROAD SL R, and ULTRA-GRIT, balance low weight with tuned compliance for comfort over long distances.
Why choose carbon?
- Lightest option for climbing and accelerating.
- Aero shaping for race-level efficiency.
- Tuneable stiffness for speed and comfort.
Titanium: Built for Life
Titanium blends lightweight performance with incredible strength and natural shock absorption. It’s almost immune to corrosion, shrugs off knocks and scratches, and has a ride quality often described as “buttery smooth.” Perfect for endurance riders who want performance that lasts a lifetime.
You’ll find titanium across bikes like the ALLROAD Ti, CGR Ti-X and ALLGRIT Ti-X, combining timeless looks with modern performance.
Why choose titanium?
- Incredibly durable — a true bike-for-life.
- Smooth, fatigue-reducing ride feel.
- Timeless, premium finish.
Aluminium: Value Meets Versatility
Aluminium has come a long way - modern hydroformed tubes and seamless welds make it light, strong, and responsive, with the looks of Carbon bikes but without the price tag to match. Stiff under power but engineered with compliance, it’s a favourite for riders who want performance, versatility, and value in one package.
Our ALLROAD AL, CGR AL, and ALLGRIT AL show how alloy can deliver serious capability across road, gravel, and beyond.
Why choose aluminium?
- Lightweight and responsive.
- Durable with excellent value for money.
- Versatile across commuting, endurance, and adventure.
Steel: Classic Ride Feel, Modern Touch
Steel has been trusted for over a century, and for good reason. Strong, springy, and naturally compliant, it delivers a comfortable and confidence-inspiring ride. With modern tubing like Reynolds 725 and features like thru-axles and disc brakes, today’s steel bikes bring heritage together with performance.
The CGR 725 shows just how good “steel is real” still feels on the road and trail.
Why choose steel?
- Natural compliance = smooth ride quality.
- Strong, durable, and reliable.
- Classic looks with modern performance features.
What About E-Bikes?
The rise of e-bikes means frame material matters more than ever. At Ribble, every material we offer has an e-bike in the range - so whether you want cutting-edge carbon or versatile aluminium there’s an assisted option for you.
Carbon E-Bikes
Carbon makes perfect sense for lightweight e-performance. It keeps the bike agile and responsive, even with a motor and battery onboard. Bikes like the CGR E Carbon-X and ALLGRIT E Carbon-X combine natural-feeling assistance with carbon’s stiffness and compliance for fast, efficient riding on road or gravel.
Aluminium E-Bikes
Aluminium balances performance and practicality in the e-bike world. Robust enough to handle daily commutes, weekend rides, or gravel adventures, it offers excellent value while still delivering responsive handling. Our ALLROAD E AL, ALLGRIT E AL & CGR E AL, all showcase how alloy frames pair perfectly with the lightweight motor system.
So, Which Material Is Right for You?
In the end, the right frame material comes down to how and where you ride. Carbon delivers pure speed and performance, titanium offers lifelong strength and smoothness, aluminium balances value with versatility, and steel provides classic ride feel with modern reliability. And with e-bike options available in carbon and aluminium. Every rider can find the perfect balance of power, performance, and personality.