£1k, Wiggle or Ribble?

Adamskii

I have up to £1k to spend (bike to work scheme). I'm looking for a bike which will be good for dry commutes, club riding and possibly the odd time-trial.

After much reading over the Christmas break I've whittled it down to a couple of options both of which seem to have had good reviews (last years models). I now need your help on deciding which one.

The contenders are the Focus Cayo 2008 and the Ribble Dedacciai Nero Corsa. Both carbon and both of similar spec but which one? (see links for details)

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... ayo%202008

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/details.a ... BBXRIB1000

Cheers.

carlstone

Voted Ribble because I live 10 miles down the road and I would be supporting a British 'manufacturer' (yes I know all the bits are imported). However I'm sure most people would be happy with either.

Where's the Planet X tick box?????

giant_man

yes i wouldn't have either of those machines for a grand knowing you can get a Planet X for the same money.

redddraggon

I voted for ribble, I've got the Nero Corsa frame.

It's a good frame.

redddraggon

And I'd say the Nero Corsa frame is slightly better than the Planet X frame.

Shame the Nero Corsa from ribble for £999 has that Japanese stuff on it.

Adamskii

Planet-X was a consideration, I've done so much reading in the last couple of weeks I had acutally completely forgotten about it :shock:

Isn't the Planet X also a very similar in spec to the other two?

graham_g

Depends on who is administering the bike2work scheme - Planet X is only available through Halfords, Ribble are presumably on the cyclescheme list and the Focus through Wiggle's cycle to work scheme. Are you responsible for setting the scheme up?

I think planet x would be my choice based purely upon aesthetics and VFM as you can still spec different stems/bars etc. on their package deals.

graham_g

Just noticed you're in Preston - makes sense to go for Ribble just because it's not far to the shop for a proper fitting session.

Adamskii

It looks like I should be able to order from any of the options. I've dealt with Ribble in the passed with mixed fortune but they are handy for fitment. I've read other threads on this forum though suggesting that the fork on the Ribble isn't great.

If I had the money I'd build my own.

For example, why can't Shimano sort out their shifters? They look plain ugly. SRAM have managed it! :?

John.T

Shimano STIs may be ugly but they are extremley comfortable and offer more hand positions than the opposition. I don't think SRAM look any better and are not as comfortable for me. Campag look the best but IMO are not as versatile.

mattsv

Another vote for Planet X - this is my £1k Planet X that will actually cost me just over £500 interest free over three years through my firm's C2W scheme:-

Adamskii

That does look nice.

So three vote's each so far and the Planet X has been added to the list (with three votes)and I was hoping for a clear cut winner! :?

simmo3801

The Planet X gets my vote. Just waiting on mine!

heavymental

Go for whatever feels right (if you get a chance to test ride) or which just looks sexiest to you. There might be differences in value and spec but they'll probably be minor so go for the one that really floats your boat.

jimmythecuckoo

If I can get my company involved it will have to be the Planet X.

wildmoustache

jimmythecuckoo wrote:

If I can get my company involved it will have to be the Planet X.

can't you top up the £1k to get a better bike? I ask because the Scuro Corsa is on special and is a nicer bike than any of these three

Adamskii

I don't think so because your company buys the bike and you effectively rent it for a period of time until you've paid for it. Unless you got the bike shop to sell you something separately, like the groupset for example.

wildmoustache

Adamskii wrote:

I don't think so because your company buys the bike and you effectively rent it for a period of time until you've paid for it. Unless you got the bike shop to sell you something separately, like the groupset for example.

If it has to be a complete bike then it's a no go, but worth checking. the scuro corsa is a class above the other frames being discussed here.

top_bhoy

Whereabouts is the scuro corsa on special offer? Is it for frame, frame and forks or complete bike?


Cheers!!

redddraggon

Top_Bhoy wrote:

Whereabouts is the scuro corsa on special offer? Is it for frame, frame and forks or complete bike?


Cheers!!

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/details.a ... BBXRIB1300

JWSurrey

Having bought two Condors with Dedacciai framesets - both absolutely awesome - I'd vote for the Nero Corsa, however my chief considerations were:
a) Getting a road test
b) Getting it properly fitted in a store
c) After-sales

The Deda frames are Italian, which is just a bit different to having one fabricated in the Far East - though this is just really an aside.

Do a search under author "Bern." - That's Bern with a full stop, and check out his information on the differences between seemingly similar frames. (The thread was abou their website) It makes interesting reading with regard to frame design choices.

The difference in ride quality is quite noticable - We have a "Tri and Run" Taiwanese fabricated bike amongst our collection - Good for the money - It's noticably different to the Condors - Finishing kit, build quality, forks, geometry, paintwork, stays, wheels.
I don't point this out to knock-it, only that it's a very different machine to ride, and is good value.

Makes sense to go to Ribble if you can get to the shop - I understand it's not the same place they keep all their mail-order stock.

A shame you can't get down to Condor, as I was able to test out/contrast a few different bikes on the short strip of pave behind the store, which left me with no doubt over which bike I wanted.

On the other side of things:
I met a guy who'd had a Planet-X full-on TT bike, properly sized up through the LBS/distributor, and thought it was excellent.

redddraggon

JWSurrey wrote:

The Deda frames are Italian, which is just a bit different to having one fabricated in the Far East - though this is just really an aside.

I believe the Deda frames are made in the far east aswell....although I may be wrong.

aracer

JWSurrey wrote:

The Deda frames are Italian, which is just a bit different to having one fabricated in the Far East - though this is just really an aside.

I notice you suggest this is just an aside, but why do you feel the need to mention it in the first place? What exactly is the advantage of an Italian made frame over a Far East one (noting that some of the very top frames are made there, and they are arguably the world experts)?

JWSurrey

Interesting - Mine have "Made in Italy" stickers on them, and although I can't remember specifically asking, I'm led to believe mine are entirely Italian.

Perhaps Deda sell the tubesets to companies who choose to have them assembled elsewhere.
I know that they sell rear stays separate to their frames, in addition to forks.

I think that all sellers choose their own spray shops too.

A useful pointer as to why two similar spec'd machines can ride differently, though.

redddraggon

Which Dedacciai frame do you have, JWSurrey?

I've just got the Nero Corsa off CRC, weren't any stickers on it with place of manufacture.

JWSurrey

I have two. Both from Condor.
One is a SAT14.5 steel Fratello, and the other is a hybrid EM2 Hydroformed Aluminium/Carbon Squadra.
I tested the full carbon model for the same money (give or take 100 quid at today's prices), and preferred the Squadra for what I wanted.

JWSurrey

This photo just about shows the "Handmade in Italy/Handbuilt in UK" sticker.

redddraggon

JWSurrey wrote:

This photo just about shows the "Handmade in Italy/Handbuilt in UK" sticker.

Neither is a monocoque CFRP frame though, I think the CFRP frames are made in the far east.

Bern.

JWS, don't panic, both of your frames are 100% made in Italy. There is nothing wrong though with far east production and the majority of monocoque frames are made out there.

The difference is withwho makes them, the materials used and the design of the frame for it's intended target use/rider. Our team used the Scuro frame last season so we could see what it was like under extreme use. They liked it, but found it too flexy for some races so we have a new handmade carbon frame for them this year that is beefed up a lot. It is heavier, but gives the riders the feel they are after. So it is all about what you want to do with it. There were a couple left we were clearing, but not totally sure.(sorry, not trying to sell).

Look out for 2009 as I am developing a new carbon frame made in Italy like the Leggero, but more economical and better for sportives, so for the rider who wants performance, but not necessarily a race position. This is still a long way off, but I enjoy working with my passion for bikes.

JWSurrey

Cool - Thanks for the info. Bern - I knew my Condor frames were Italian - I didn't want to get in to an "Oh no it isn't Oh yes it is" argument!

Interesting though, that Reddragon points out the monocoque Deda. frames may be made by a third-party - Is that the case for the Deda. monocoque frames?

Do you know to what level they do this? i.e. Do Deda. buy the fibres, then send the third-party woven sheets, and if it is done by a third party, do most manufacturers specify weave/polymer characteristics, or just go with what the third-party provides?

To be honest, if Condor were selling frames made from Polish scaffolding tubes, I'd know you'd done your usual road/race testing and full analysis/design before selling them, and that they'd be more than satisfactory!
Hmm... Now to patent carbon fibre scaffolding.

Looking forward to 2009

passout

They are all good but I'd go local - Ribble.
FYI - Ribble use the Halfords scheme.

Having said all that the focus frame is made in Germany I think, not that it really matters in my opinion.