CyclistRibble launches titanium Allroad with 3D printed elementsTitanium has a long history as a bike frame material, but Ribbles reimagining of its 2024 carbon Allroad frame in 3AL-2.5V titanium uses 3D printing to create smooth, overbuilt seat and head tube junctions. Due to this fabrication method, each frame will be subtly distinct.The Allroad line replaces Ribbles outgoing CGR (Cross, Gravel, Road) and Endurance ranges, with the Allroad Ti echoing the endurance-focussed geometry of the already released carbon and e-bike models.All round popularityFor Jamie Burrow, Ribbles head of product, it made sense to refashion the Allroad in titanium to take advantage of its characteristic strength, durability and resilience while supplementing the ranges existing carbon options.Week in, week out, our titanium bikes are bestsellers across the range, in every different model. Building the Allroad in titanium offers all-round robustness and a long lifespan. As of now, were one of the few high-volume brands to use 3D printed titanium en masse, outside of the niche, high-end frame builders. Related Posts Cyclist Magazine Podcast episode 110: Ribble Rebellions Matt Bostock + Tour de France mega chat New Ribble Allroad bikes are aero-optimised and offer up to 38mm tyre clearance Best titanium bikes: Ti road and gravel bikes reviewed Click and print: how 3D printing is changing bike design RibblePrinting in 3DDespite sharing the Allroads geometry, Ribble has redesigned the Tis tube shapes to include non-rounded, aerodynamically optimised profiles, following the lead of the Ribble Ultra range. The deepened head tube and triangular seat tube junction are possible because of the opportunities provided by additive manufacturing otherwise known as 3D printing.RibbleFirst off, we worked out the extremity of what we could do to the tube shapes and at the joints in order to make it as aero as possible, says Burrow. With that said, its still not a race bike as it uses an accessible geometry, but it does have those aero elements. For us it goes back to the story of the Allroad and everyone wanting to feel quick on any bike they ride.Unlike working with aluminium, steel or carbon, Burrow stresses how time-consuming finishing titanium frames can be, and how much more hands-on.For a start we hand polish the finish. The difference with an alloy frame is that you can use putty to fill any gaps pre-paint, to smooth any imperfections, whereas with titanium you know theres nothing you can add.RibbleIn addition to its separate tube profiles, the Allroad Ti uses a different carbon fork to the rest of the Allroad line, with a wider profile in a black glossy finish.The forks side profile is slightly different because the SL R has got the tapered integration into the head tube. The Tis fork is more similar to the fork on the SL, in that it is less integrated.The Allroad Ti has a slightly narrower 35mm tyre clearance than the carbon Allroad SL R (38mm), as well as a deep head tube, dropped seat stays and an overbuilt seat post clamp junction. Unlike the aerofoil downtube of the Allroad SL R, the Tis downtube is more rounded, but still formed with a fairly extreme cross-section relative to normal titanium tubing.RibbleRibble has also switched to a T47 bottom bracket with the aim of increasing core stiffness T47 allows for a big, and therefore stiff, bottom bracket shell and to also assist with internal cable routing as it provides plenty of space inside the frame.RibbleThe Ti Allroad bikes are built with a similar range of components to their carbon equivalents, including Ribbles own unique bar-tape-free UB-2 handlebars on more premium specifications. Builds run from the Allroad Ti Hero with Shimano Dura Ace Di2 for 7,999 through to the Allroad Ti Sport with Shimano 105 for 3,499Full build weights range from 8.5kg to 9.91kg, with a frameset weighing 1.7kg (all size medium). This is around a kilo heavier than the Allroad SL Rs lightest Hero build, 7.5kg.For more details check outribblecycles.co.uk.Ribble Allroad Ti RangeAllroad Ti Sport, rrp 3,499Frame: 3AL-2.5V brushed Titanium, 3D printed headtube and seat-clusterGroupset: Shimano 105 12 SpeedWheelset: Mavic Aksium 1 with Pirelli P7 Sport 32mm tyresWeight: 9.91kg (medium)Price 3,499Allroad Ti EnthusiastFrame: 3AL-2.5V brushed Titanium, 3D printed headtube and seat-clusterGroupset: Shimano 105 Di2 12 SpeedWheelset: Mavic Aksium 1 with Pirelli P7 Sport 32mm tyresWeight: 9.85kg (medium)Price 4,099Allroad Ti ProFrame: 3AL-2.5V brushed Titanium, 3D printed headtube and seat-clusterGroupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 12 SpeedWheelset: Mavic Cosmic S with Pirelli P Zero Road 32mm tyresWeight: 9.35kg (medium)Price 5,499Allroad Ti HeroFrame: 3AL-2.5V brushed Titanium, 3D printed headtube and seat-clusterGroupset: Shimano Dura Ace Di2 12 SpeedWheelset: Zipp 303 Firecrest with Pirelli P Zero Race 32mm tyresWeight: 8.7kg (medium)Price 7,999Allroad Ti HeroFrame: 3AL-2.5V brushed Titanium, 3D printed headtube and seat-clusterGroupset: Shimano Dura Ace Di2 12 SpeedWheelset: Zipp 353 NSW with Pirelli P Zero Race 32mm tyresWeight: 8.5kg (medium)Price 9,799 Related Posts Cyclist Magazine Podcast episode 110: Ribble Rebellions Matt Bostock + Tour de France mega chat New Ribble Allroad bikes are aero-optimised and offer up to 38mm tyre clearance Best titanium bikes: Ti road and gravel bikes reviewed Click and print: how 3D printing is changing bike design The post Ribble launches titanium Allroad with 3D printed elements appeared first on Cyclist.