Ribble Rubble

gtvlusso
gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
edited August 2009 in Commuting chat
It's gtvlusso's indecisive corner time!

In the red corner, weighing in at bloody light, well specced and ridden by the coolest person I have never met (DDD) - Kuota Kharma frameset - Around £750 all in.

In the blue corner, weighing in at; slighly heavier, it is the Ribble Sportive Frameset, with a heritage of getting to the top 10 of the C+ road bike poll....and only costing £450 for the frame and fork.

Decision's decisions.....ultimately, I will migrate my ultegra gear onto a frame, but will have to buy a carbon seatpost as I don't have one spare that will fit either frame.

I want a top carbon bike, but don't want to pay for it.....!
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Comments

  • mountainroadie
    mountainroadie Posts: 244
    kuota for me .
  • mountainroadie
    mountainroadie Posts: 244
    edited June 2009
    then again as a fully built bike with chorus 11 and carbon clinchers for £2000
    how do they do that ?
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    The Ribble is Chorus 11 :)
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Sorry DDD it has to be the Ribble - Dooooo it!!!!!
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    @gtvlusso did you finish your TT build?
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Christophe3967
    Christophe3967 Posts: 1,200
    In July's Cycling+ the Ribble comes out very well, so looks like a tough call....
    Bike1
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/35118936@N07/3258551288/
    Bike 2
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/35118936@N ... otostream/
    New Bike
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/35118936@N07/3479300346/
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I have a vested interest in the Ribble i'm saying no more :roll:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • mountainroadie
    mountainroadie Posts: 244
    fossyant wrote:
    The Ribble is Chorus 11 :)

    is that not what i typed ?
  • mountainroadie
    mountainroadie Posts: 244
    Christophe3967 wrote:
    In July's Cycling+ the Ribble comes out very well, so looks like a tough call....

    four out of the six bikes got 8 out of ten the boardman got a nine ?
    looks wise its the wilier izoard
    nice spec on the ribble just the comedy name :lol:
    boardman edged it coz its the cheapest
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    edited June 2009
    OK, apologies if this ends up being a huge post but this is something I've questioned and questioned again and to be honest I didn't come to a decsion, I simply bought my Kharma because I didn't want a Ribble.

    OK firstly the Ribble Sportive Racing - to my knowledge is a lighter frame than the Kharma Kuota.

    Also word on the net is that the Ribble Sportive Racing is actually this frame: Pedalforce RS2, which looks very much like the Wilier Izoard but I'm almost 90% sure that the Izoard has a different kind of carbon weave (similar to the weave design on Jash's Prince but not the same high quality carbon). I think the Izoard is a very similar looking frame but ultimately different. Word on the net also claims that the Pedalforce RS2 is the frame behind this bike: Fondriest RP3

    Everywhere I look the Ribble has gotten great reviews, it looks nice, its light, rides great and you can't argue with the value for money. I myself once managed to spec the bike out with chorus 11, carbon seat, stem, bars and Mavic Askiums all for around £1600.

    So why didn't I buy it? Firstly I phoned Ribble and would have gotten a better service had I ran a cheese grater over my eyelids. Secondly they were out of stock, this told me that lots and lots of would be carbon whores would have one of these and if I bought one I would be one of the sheep, much like the 'hump' reflective rucksack cover, I didn't want to be one of those people... :roll:

    My other rationale was this:

    Anyone who knows me knows that I would make physical Man on bike love to a Wilier Izoard. The Ribble (and the Foundriest) look's too similar to the Izoard. If I had one then every time I rode it no matter how good it was I'd be constantly reminded that what I actually wanted was the Izoard and what I've got isn't. It would be, for me, a cheaper imitation (a little like how all/most Porsche Boxster drivers really wanted a 911). A little vain a lot flawed but this was my reasoning not to buy the Sportive Racing. I knew I could love the Kharma for being the Kharma, I would only love the Ribble because it was like a Izoard....

    I will say that when I asked to try the Foundriest RP3 Dudley in Luciano Cycles wasn't really enthusiastic about selling it over the Kharma. When I tried the Kharma and came back he made a "Mmmmmm" sound in a sort of "I love it too" kind of way.

    But really the Sportive Racing is a great bike, looks lovely and there is no real reason, excpet tarty ones, not to buy it. The Kharma is a great bike, 2007 Cycling Weekly bike of the year, great pedigree and has only tarty reasons not to buy it.

    Also read here for the Pedalforce RS2 review
    Pedalforce RS2 review
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • Roastie
    Roastie Posts: 1,968
    Ribble.

    Tho' I'd (personally) be more tempted by the (Ribble) Dedacciai Scuro RS (or HCR, depending on your pref) - that is a proper superbike frame.
    David
    Engineered Bicycles
  • Citizen Smith
    Citizen Smith Posts: 336
    Wibble Wibble! I would go for the Ribble (I have designs on it for later this year too!) :)
    "Come at the king, you best not miss." - Omar, The Wire

    FCN 4: Willier Izoard XP
    FCN 7: GT Legato 4.0

    *GAME* competitor
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    DDD is right the ribble is a generic frame and from what I can work out pedalforce have a bulk buy plan the more people sign up the cheaper the frameset, does anyone know the details?
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Stuey01
    Stuey01 Posts: 1,273
    Anyone know where I can buy the pedalforce rs2 in the UK?
    I spent all last night staring at the ribble in C+ and love the curves (and the price) but am not a fan of the graphics. the plain pedalforce would be spot on for the aesthetics I'm going for.
    Not climber, not sprinter, not rouleur
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    gtvlusso wrote:
    It's gtvlusso's indecisive corner time!

    In the red corner, weighing in at bloody light, well specced and ridden by the coolest person I have never met (DDD) - Kuota Kharma frameset - Around £750 all in.

    Oh and thank you!
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • Sea_Green_Incorruptible
    Sea_Green_Incorruptible Posts: 431
    Chorus 11 on the Ribble for that price? Astonishing value. Astonishing.

    That said, I'd go for the Kuota. You KNOW its all about the heart at this price point. Nobody looks twice at a Ribble (or frankly whether your groupset is Chorus or Ultergra - or at least Chorus or Mirage, and only then because of the lack of visible cables from the shifters). I'd swivle my head round for the Kuota though. Every single time. Ask Mike at Strada - he'll pursuade you!
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    GTV, you will be building your own bike, right?

    Get a decent frame. Its "only" £300 extra now and if you scrimp you'll be imagining all the parts which you will buy being installed on a nice carbon Kuota.

    I know you just want the decision you have made to be affirmed in order to make the argument with the wife more bearable.
  • Stuey01
    Stuey01 Posts: 1,273
    mountainroadie wrote:
    fossyant wrote:
    The Ribble is Chorus 11 :)

    is that not what i typed ?

    No, you typed Super Record 11 and then edited it later.
    Not climber, not sprinter, not rouleur
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    I try so so hard not to be a brand snob but "Ribble". I mean, come on. Such an ugly name, and everyone know it is northern for "cheap"*

    *yes I own a Focus, which is German for "cheap". But fewer people speak German :)
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    It'd be like meeting a gorgeous woman, asking her name and being told you're trying to seduce a Doreen Sprott.
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    biondino wrote:
    I try so so hard not to be a brand snob but "Ribble". I mean, come on. Such an ugly name, and everyone know it is northern for "cheap"*

    *yes I own a Focus, which is German for "cheap". But fewer people speak German :)

    I didn't get a Focus because you have one. It's not a slight on you but whether its a mobile phone, pair of trainers, car or bike etc I try to get one that others I know don't have. That way you avoid the whole "You've got the same one as me" comments or the endless comparisons boarderline which one is better discussions.... (I'm a competitve pathetic soul really :oops: )

    As for Ribble Sportive Racing - it doesn't really sing passion... nice bike, looks great and supposedly rides great. But then a Skoda Fabia drives and looks great(ish), still prefer a Seat Ibiza (which I own, same VW underpinnings) or a VW Polo (which I don't own as my friend has one :wink: )
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • Roastie
    Roastie Posts: 1,968
    Sea_Green_Incorruptible wrote:
    Chorus 11 on the Ribble for that price? Astonishing value. Astonishing.

    That said, I'd go for the Kuota. You KNOW its all about the heart at this price point. Nobody looks twice at a Ribble (or frankly whether your groupset is Chorus or Ultergra - or at least Chorus or Mirage, and only then because of the lack of visible cables from the shifters). I'd swivle my head round for the Kuota though. Every single time. Ask Mike at Strada - he'll pursuade you!

    It all depends if you buy a bike to ride, or to try to impress other people?
    David
    Engineered Bicycles
  • Roastie
    Roastie Posts: 1,968
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    Seat Ibiza (which I own...)
    Snap :shock: . You'll have to change it now. :p
    David
    Engineered Bicycles
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Roastiecp wrote:
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    Seat Ibiza (which I own...)
    Snap :shock: . You'll have to change it now. :p

    Snap - damn, roastie gets all the cards, wasn't quick enough...
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Roastiecp wrote:
    Sea_Green_Incorruptible wrote:
    Chorus 11 on the Ribble for that price? Astonishing value. Astonishing.

    That said, I'd go for the Kuota. You KNOW its all about the heart at this price point. Nobody looks twice at a Ribble (or frankly whether your groupset is Chorus or Ultergra - or at least Chorus or Mirage, and only then because of the lack of visible cables from the shifters). I'd swivle my head round for the Kuota though. Every single time. Ask Mike at Strada - he'll pursuade you!

    It all depends if you buy a bike to ride, or to try to impress other people?

    That assumes that the Kharma isn't for riding. I can assure it is, as is all the other bikes in the range (some ridden by pro teams...). The Kharma was Cycling Weeky's bike of 2007 and they've developed upon it for 2009. It was tested against Obea, Focus and other bikes...
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    biondino wrote:
    Roastiecp wrote:
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    Seat Ibiza (which I own...)
    Snap :shock: . You'll have to change it now. :p

    Snap - damn, roastie gets all the cards, wasn't quick enough...

    You both drive Ibiza's? What registration, reg, colour and spec?
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    All this talk of Ribble's is making me hungry :lol:

    Then again everything makes me hungry these days.
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Roastie
    Roastie Posts: 1,968
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    That assumes that the Kharma isn't for riding. I can assure it is, as is all the other bikes in the range (some ridden by pro teams...). The Kharma was Cycling Weeky's bike of 2007 and they've developed upon it for 2009. It was tested against Obea, Focus and other bikes...
    Don't get me wrong - nothing against the Kharma.

    But if I had £750ish burning in my pocket for a road bike (to go fast on), I'd take a Ribble over the Kuota anyday because £ for £, you get a "better" bike. And as I said earlier, I wouldn't bother with the "Sportive Racing", I'd head straight for the Deda Scuro RS. Similar money to the Kuota but a true top level frame (Cipo's choice...).
    David
    Engineered Bicycles
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    gtvlusso wrote:
    It's gtvlusso's indecisive corner time!

    In the red corner, weighing in at bloody light, well specced and ridden by the coolest person I have never met (DDD) - Kuota Kharma frameset - Around £750 all in.

    We the Kuota isn't really that light :D

    Sorry DDD :shock:
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    jashburnham wrote:
    gtvlusso wrote:
    It's gtvlusso's indecisive corner time!

    In the red corner, weighing in at bloody light, well specced and ridden by the coolest person I have never met (DDD) - Kuota Kharma frameset - Around £750 all in.

    We the Kuota isn't really that light :D

    Sorry DDD :shock:

    Same weight as my Trek 1.7 ouch :?

    Sorry DDD :P
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.

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