56 | Cycling World
RAB Bike Review
Light Blue Robinson £ 1400
Did I appreciate a steel bike ! Maybe I wasn ’ t the fastest up the hills , but as the week went on I was enjoying comfort while others were complaining of lower back pain
Comfort is what you want with nine long days in the saddle and the Robinson offers just that . In various sizes , I rode a bike to fit me and the combination of Reynolds Steel 731 and sports geometry created the perfect mix of liveliness and long-haul body wellbeing . The geometry includes a sloping top tube design permitting more seat post and thus more comfort . Sprightliness is also designed in , the custom Bi-Oval down tube reduces lateral flex in the bottom bracket therefore allowing better power transmission . I really noticed this when riding in groups where everyone else was on carbon ; I kept my place and by the end of the week I was one of the stronger climbers with a more-nurtured lower back .
On the subject of group riding , I often found myself at the front , the best place to be when you are one of the few with mudguards . Although it didn ’ t rain , we often started on wet roads , and why people ride without mudguards during an event that is all about teamwork is a mystery to me . The Robinson offers ample clearance and multiple mudguard mount bosses to allow various fitting options . The frame also gives clearance for wider tyres . I happily used 28c , the right choice for a route that sometimes included bridleways , fire roads and gravel tracks , not to mention the neglected trunk roads of Scotland .
It was not only wider tyres that contributed to the reassuring feeling of stability , necessary when often riding completely exhausted . It ’ s the first time I ’ ve used disc brakes on a road bike ; certainly welcomed on gravely descents when riding in large groups . Lightweight butted Cr-Mo highly stable D section straight fork blades allow for disc brakes , which come as standard , though it can be built with caliper brakes .
Build options include a variety of Shimano and SRAM varieties ; I plumped for Shimano 105 . As my own bikes are a few years old , I find myself so impressed by the quality of the current Shimano 105 group set , it just gets better every year . My compact front and 11-28 rear served me well through the most challenging of climbs ; it made Cheddar Gorge a piece of cake ( sounds like a well-deserved high tea !) Interestingly , the switchable alloy dropouts allow geared or single speed set ups . Additionally , rear hub spacing also gives options ; 130 or 135mm and 142mm if Thru Axle is required .
The Robinson is attractive and well thought-out . Neatness is considered with bolt-in under top-tube cable guides and down-tube shifter bosses . The bike keeps up its fine appearance with corrosion resistant black ED coated base finish . When riding in such style , it ’ s got to sound good too : a reliable 1 1 / 8 ” threadless headset and creak free 68mm BSA threaded bottom bracket contribute to the symphony of silence .
The Robinson is the perfect partner for multiday riding , especially for the rider that likes to take care of him / herself . With threaded M5 rack mounts on seat stays , it ’ s also ideal for light touring .