Ribble x Craig Black - Acrylic Fusion Endurance SL R
Ribble has always had an idea - to explore the possibility of a collaboration with a leading UK artist. With the goal of conceptualising the artist's vision and unique skillset to create a one-of-a-kind frame design. So, when the opportunity presented itself to collaborate with an artist of such global renown, the stars very much aligned. Ribble, therefore, challenged Scottish artist Craig Black to create a bespoke, acrylic fusion colourway design for the flagship Endurance SL R carbon frameset. Read on for the full story of Craig Black's Acrylic Fusion masterpiece.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUoZ4u\_j38M

"I love the idea of the mystery unfolding."
Craig Black
Craig Black is a Scottish Visual Artist whose signature expression is ‘Acrylic Fusion’. He uses this mesmerising technique to bring art to life by creating beautiful patterns in unique and evocative ways. Craig’s incredibly versatile process involves hand pouring layers of acrylic paint to create exquisite one-of-a-kind colourways. Such is the nature of the technique, no one design can ever be replicated in quite the same way again. Specialising in bespoke artwork, murals, and installations, Craig believes in maintaining the originality of his work across every project that he undertakes.



"I love how my artwork is brought to life in front of people."
Craig picks his collaboration partners carefully and only ever seeks out projects that align with and complement his style and ethos. Thus, ensuring that no two partnerships or projects are ever the same. The versatility of acrylic fusion has enabled him to build up a formidable portfolio of collaborations with some of the world's leading brands. Partnerships that can be as diverse as matchday storytelling with UEFA to transforming cognac glasses with Remy Martin.
Anyone familiar with his work will attest to the vivid explosion of colour that Craig utilises within his bespoke visual creations. It’s a talent that has won him, innumerable admirers, from all around the world. Leading to his works being exhibited as far afield as New York to Sydney and from London to Dubai.
As a company that embraces the ethos of innovation, Ribble's partnership with Craig was very much a conjoining of creative minds. Both parties were intrigued to see how his creative skills could best be utilised to unlock the mystery of how Acrylic Fusion could be applied to a carbon frameset. Ribble, therefore, challenged Craig to create a bespoke acrylic fusion colourway on the flagship Endurance SL R. The final design had to be bold, exciting and engaging whilst being a truly one-of-a-kind piece.
Craig takes much of the inspiration for his creations from the colour palette of the natural world. His location on the banks of the Firth of Forth affords him access to a veritable array of colours to use within his works. Craig infused these colours into his Acrylic Fusion design. Taking inspiration from the verdant slopes of the surrounding hills and the brooding, turbulent, white-capped waters of the Firth of Clyde.
Craig is delighted with the result of his collaboration with Ribble and loved the opportunity to combine his passion for sport and art to bring this project to life. The contrast between the vibrant colours of the acrylic design and Black and White componentry are sensational to behold.

The process of 'Acrylic Fusion' begins with mixing the desired blend of paints.
Each paint is then hand poured over the frame to create a mesmerising bespoke pattern.
The colours come together to form a unique colourway that can never be replicated.
Craig applies the finishing touches to his image of perfection.
The results of Craig's labours is this jaw-dropping and one-of-a-kind Endurance SL R frame.
Craig displays his new pride and joy in his Greenock studio.
Craig loves the contrast between the frame colours and the black and white componentry.
Why not design your own CustomColour Endurance SL R?
You don't have to break out the paint pots to conjure up your own magical colour creation. CustomColour in BikeBuilder gives you access to over 600 million colour combinations. So be as bold, bright, or as stealthy as you like - you decide the design and we will take care of the rest!
Want to add a CustomColour to your dream bike build? Find out how to use the CustomColour tool within BikeBuilder here.
How do you go about choosing the correct size road bike? Read our guide for our top tips to find out what size is right for you.
Related Posts
Latest From Our Blog

The Ribble Rouleur Live Roundup
Widely regarded as the world’s best bike show, Rouleur Live is always an outstanding annual highlight on the cycling calendar. Discover what bikes we exhibited during a memorable four days in London with our Ribble Rouleur Live roundup.

Lifeplus-Wahoo at the Ford RideLondon Classique
The Ford RideLondon Classique offers British-based women's cycling team Lifeplus-Wahoo the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of UK cycling fans. Here we take a look at the team selected to ride the UK's biggest women's stage race of 2023 and what it means to the riders involved.

Ribble x Craig Black - Acrylic Fusion Endurance SL R
Ribble has always had an idea - to explore the possibility of a collaboration with a leading UK artist. With the goal of conceptualising the artist's vision and unique skillset to create a one-of-a-kind frame design. So, when the opportunity presented itself to collaborate with an artist of such global renown, the stars very much aligned. Ribble, therefore, challenged Scottish artist Craig Black to create a bespoke, acrylic fusion colourway design for the flagship Endurance SL R carbon frameset. Read on for the full story of Craig Black's Acrylic Fusion masterpiece.

UK National Road Championships Roundup
It was a hugely hectic and highly successful UK National Road Championships for the Drops-Le Col and Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling teams. Both teams raced their Endurance SL R and Ultra TT race bikes along the roads of Lincoln. Check out who came away with the medals after riding in our roundup of an electrifying extended weekends worth of racing.

Amateur to Pro with Ribble Weldtite's Charles Page
The journey from amateur to pro racer is one that seems impossible to many. With such fierce competition and so few roles available, selection by any team is often hard-fought. Furthermore, there's constant uncertainty surrounding teams and their funding. In the same vein, there's the perception within the UK that cycling can often be seen as a very closed sport. So, even knowing where to start out can be a challenge all of its own.

The Women's Tour, Drops - Le Col Race Roundup
The Women's Tour is Britain's most prestigious multi-stage and attracts the world's best riders to the shore of the UK. The Drops - Le Col racing team has been an ever-present at the Women's Tour since its inaugural edition back in 2016. A hugely impressive team performance led to Joss Lowden securing a superb top ten finish overall. Read our stage summary to see how they achieved this incredible result.

Women's Tour Race Profile & DROPS Lineup
The Women's Tour of Britain is the UK's most prestigious international women's race and is back with an Oxfordshire Grand Départ on Monday the 4th of October. Drops-Le Col sponsored by Tempur continental cycling team has been ever-present in the UK's longest-running women's stage race since its inception in 2014. The team will once more look to brighten up the peloton aboard their eye-catching Endurance SL R team bikes.

Teal is Real - Real.Bike.People.
Here at Ribble, we love to hear from the people who ride our bikes. To find out why they ride, where they ride, and what they love so much about this great sport that we all love so much. That's why we created 'Real.Bike.People.' A series dedicated to the people that matter the most, you! The latest instalment comes to you from the USA and is proof positive that teal is real.

Ribble Staff Rider Stories: Matt Lawson
Matt Lawson is Ribble's Mr Digital - and rides possibly one of the nicest bikes to have ever come out of Preston HQ - but in his own words, he's 'all the gear and no idea' - but we don't think that's the case.....honest. Here's the latest instalment of our Ribble Staff Rider series.





