Ribble Cycles adds two new UK-style HT AL hardtails to take on any terrain at any budget, from the versatile Trail 29 to the more hardcore 27.5. Both start with similarly capable modern geometry alloy frames with big tire clearance, and add on the choice of low-cost builds, frame-only options, full build kit configuration, and even custom painting…
Ribble HT Trail AL 29er & 27.5″ affordable alloy hardtail mountain bikes
Ribble has already gone down the Hardcore Hardtail road with their reasonably-priced steel HT 725 & titanium HT Ti. But now two more HT AL alumin(i)um versions reach out to a broader mountain biker audience. While both new HT AL alloy frames share similar construction details, trail-ready geometry, build kits options & even the same pricing, they get very different personalities – with either 29″ wheels paired to 130mm forks or 27.5″ wheels mated to 150mm forks.
Ribble HT Trail AL 29 all-rounder hardtail mountain bike
Targeted as a singletrack all-rounder, the HT Trail AL 29 is meant to be light but tough, responsive yet a capable descender.
Geometry is modern long, low & slack with a 65° head angle & stable 455mm chainstays – available in 3 sizes (M-XL).
The HT Trail AL hardtail gets a smooth weld, shaped & heat-treated 6061-T6 alloy frame with 44mm head tube for 1.5″ tapered steerers, post mount brakes, threaded BSA BB, Boost 148 spacing, and internal cable routing including for stealth 30.9mm dropper posts.
The 29er frame has clearance for 2.5″ tires, and is paired with 130mm travel forks.
Ribble HT AL 27.5 enduro hardtail mountain bike
Designed as more of an aggressive hardtail, ranging from all-mountain to enduro, the HT AL hardtail opts for smaller diameter wheels, but a longer travel fork setup.
Geometry is similarly modern all-mountain, with even longer reach (not shown here, but evidenced by long wheelbases & shorter rear ends) and a bit slacker 64° head angle to make it more stable in rough and technical terrain, but also more maneuverable with shorter 440mm chainstays – also available in 3 sizes (M-XL).
The HT AL hardtail gets the same smooth weld, heat-treated 6061-T6 alloy frame construction, with a reinforced 44mm head tube for 1.5″ tapered steerers, post mount brakes, threaded BSA BB, Boost 148 spacing, and internal cable routing including for stealth 30.9mm dropper posts.
The 27.5″ wheel frame has clearance for 2.6″ tires, and is paired with 150mm travel forks.
Full custom Trail bike customization, pricing & availability
Either the grey HT Trail AL 29 destined for a 130mm fork or the smaller 27.5-wheeled olive HT AL for a 150mm fork, both framesets sell on their own for £599 / 577€ for riders looking to build up their own complete trail hardtail.
Complete bike builds of either frame also start out at £1399 for Sport builds with SRAM SX Eagle & RockShox Recon Silver RL forks, £1699 for Enthusiast builds with NX Eagle & RS 35 Gold RL forks, or £1999 for Pro builds with GX Eagle & Revelation RC forks.
But the possibilities for customization are much deeper than three stock builds, with Ribble’s online Bike Builder customizer tool letting you upgrade individual components, add useful add-ons like pedals or bottle cages, pick a color-coordinated ano color pack, or even order a fully custom headset cap.
Plus, the Ribble Custom Colour program also gives buyers the quite unique chance at this price point, to make an otherwise standard affordable bike truly custom. Starting at £299 / 288€, Ribble will custom paint your new alloy hardtail by hand in the UK in any combination of 16 base colors, decal colors & gradient color options, plus the choice of gloss metallic, matte & sparkly glitter topcoat finishes.
No matter what you are looking for, like everything else in the bike industry, Ribble says they are “currently experiencing high demand” for the new trail hardtails, and quoting bike shipments for those ordered today around the end of July 2021. Regular bike build customization doesn’t appear to delay those projected dates, but custom paint will likely add on another 4 weeks.
