Draft:Ribble Cycles
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bicycles / Sporting goods |
| Founded | 1897 |
| Headquarters | Preston, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Road bikes, gravel bikes, e-bikes, hybrid bikes, accessories |
| Website | www |
Ribble Cycles is a British bicycle manufacturer and retailer founded in 1897 and headquartered in Preston, Lancashire. Over more than a century of operation, the company has evolved from bespoke steel-frame fabrication into a digitally-led, direct-to-consumer (DTC) bicycle brand offering a wide range of road, gravel, hybrid and electric bikes.
History
[edit]The company traces its origins to a small frame-building workshop established in 1897 on Water Lane (later “Watery Lane”) in Preston, near the bank of the River Ribble in Lancashire. [1] During the late 19th and early 20th centuries the business built steel bicycle frames during the era of the “safety bicycle”. [2] Under the ownership of Hughie “The Cycle King” Sandiford, the firm expanded in the mid-20th century with a strong regional reputation. [1] In 1985 the business shifted from purely hand-built manufacturing toward broader production and mail-order / direct sales. [1] In November 2015 the business was acquired by the investment firm True Capital Limited, which invests in niche retail brands. [3] In 2022 the company celebrated its 125-year anniversary, launching limited-edition designs and campaigns. [4]
Business model and operations
[edit]Ribble Cycles operates primarily on a direct-to-consumer basis, selling via its website and a limited number of showrooms rather than through a widespread dealer network. [5] The company emphasises in-house design, custom build options and UK-based assembly (though some components and systems may be sourced globally). [6] According to financial filings, the company reported a turnover of approximately £22.8 million and total assets of £11.14 million at a recent measurement. [7]
Products and innovation
[edit]Ribble's current product portfolio spans road bikes, gravel/adventure bikes, electric bikes (e-bikes), and commuter/hybrid models. [8] The company has been among the first British brands to commit significant range development into e-bikes and deploy advanced systems. [9] In 2021 the company opened a new flagship showroom in Clitheroe that blended digital and physical retail experience. [10]
Branding and heritage
[edit]The name “Ribble” derives from the nearby River Ribble, reflecting the company's geographic roots. [7] Branding work in the 2010s sought to refresh Ribble's identity as a premium performance brand rather than a discount component reseller. [11]
Sponsorship and competitive involvement
[edit]The company has historically been involved in racing support and frame-building for competitive cyclists: for example, in 2001 it sponsored the cycle team Ribble Pro Vision during the Premier Calendar series. [1]
Recognition and impact
[edit]Regional business coverage in 2021 described Ribble Cycles as a “Lancastrian bike brand leading the peloton” and emphasised its blend of manufacturing heritage and modern retailing. [7] Industry profiles cite Ribble as one of the UK's largest online bicycle dealers and a brand with global reach. [6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "The Ribble Cycles Story". Ribble Cycles. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "125 years of bike-building – The past, present & future of Ribble Cycles". Bicycling Australia. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "True Talks: Rich Anson meets… Andy Smallwood". True Global. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Interview: Andy Smallwood, CEO, Ribble Cycles". TRB News. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Andy Smallwood, CEO of Ribble Cycles, on building a digital-first cycling brand". Ecommerce Age. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Interview: Andy Smallwood, CEO of Ribble Cycles". The Retail Bulletin. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ribble Cycles: The 124-year-old Lancastrian bike brand leading the peloton and taking the world by storm". Lancashire Evening Post. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Ribble Cycles". Ribble Cycles. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Bike News: Ribble Cycles Alloy Bikes". VELOUK. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Ribble opens 'possibly the best bike shop in the world'". Cycling Weekly. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Interview: Andy Smallwood, CEO, Ribble Cycles". The Retail Bulletin. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
External links
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