A couple of bike choice Q's for the more experienced

nigeve

Following a recent thread of mine entitled ‘Looks good value’ I had a couple of Q’s that might be answered on this forum…

1) Viner and Enigma… Are there any other bikes that don’t use Taiwanese frames..?

2) Is there a batter value bike than this out there..? If there is I just can’t see it…
(I appreciate the taste is subjective…)

Ribble Road Carbon Carbon Sportive Racing 105 Black 10 Double
Price inc VAT: £1,056.99

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sbike/ima ... 1_Zoom.jpg

cjcp

1. It's a nice looking bike, but I've wondered what the quality of the carbon is like? (I've no idea myself, but have wondered when I've seen the ads in C+.)

2. Have you checked out Planet X?

3. If you search on the forum, you'll find mixed views about Ribble's after-purchase customer care. I always think this is something to factor in when buying a new bike.

gabriel959

That Ribble is made in Taiwan.

Roastie

1. What is wrong with Taiwanese frames? Sure, they may not have the cachet of frames with "Made in Italy", "Made in the USA", etc. - but I greatly doubt they lack anything in performance. I think you'll find the majority of the frames in the pro peleton come from Taiwan.

2. That Ribble does look like good value. Generally I haven't had issues with Ribble and get on well with them. The similarly priced Boardman, Focus Cayo and Planet-X also seem mega value. Planet X have a special on at the moment, SL Pro Carbon with (new) Ultegra 6700 for £999. Probably where my money would be if I was after a carbon bike.

supersonic

Ther is nothing wrong at all with the majority of Taiwanese frames - they have some of the best facilities on the planet.

DonDaddyD

Jesus, how do Planet X do it?

I'm not sure you can get better value than that.

Good prices/value:
Dolan
Planet X
Focus
Boardman
Ribble Sportive racing

Interestingly 4 of those bikes are made in England, frames sourced elsewhere. The Ribble Sportive Racing is the Pedal Force RS2 frame not sure where it is made.

Having the frame made in Taiwan, shouldn't be an issue. If the frame isn't made in Taiwan then (apprently) the carbon fibre used to make the frame is sourced from somewhere out East, quite besides which some Taiwan frames are amongst the best in the World, I think.

If where the bike is made is an issue then make sure you buy a british manufacturer, but you may have to accept that the materials are imported, likely to be outside of Europe.

Make sure you go for Campag gears (groupset) as well, Shimano is from an Asian country as well.

gabriel959

Or SRAM, made in the US and better than those 2!!!

bigmat

Balham Halfords has a Viner Gladius like mine (see link in my sig) in their showroom, size XL. Not sure what its going for but RRP was £1000 when they were generally available last year, the one they have in stock is the one I took back as it was a bit big. I reckon you could haggle them down to around £800 which would be a steal. Frame is from Taiwan though....