Can anyone recommend Ribble Cycles to build a bike?

roastbeef78
roastbeef78 Posts: 10
edited October 2009 in Road buying advice
Hi there,

I posted an ad in the wanted section yesterday for a titanium/carbon bike, I was just wondering if anyone would recommend Ribble Cycles as they do build your own bike and for the money I have to spend (up to £1500) looks like I can get something pretty decent.

Any advice?

Regards,

John
«1

Comments

  • skinson
    skinson Posts: 362
    Ribble take a bit of a knocking on here for customer service. Personally I have found them to be ok, I recently bought a carbon sportive with ultegra gruppo off them and are more than happy with the bike. It's light, stiff, and IMO a good looking bike. But like everything, you pays your money and takes your chance.
    Dave
  • More than happy with my sportive too. I got the centaur model and everything was set up perfect and has not needed any adjustment yet.
  • Well I hope that you have more sucess than I did.
    I ordered a Sportive Racing at the end of August and was given a build date of the 3rd week of September when the order was confirmed. When I didn't hear anything by the end of September I e-mailed asking for an updated date of delivery but my e-mails were never answered and two were even deleted without being read!
    I tried telephoning but the phone is constantly engaged.
    I think they've got problems.
  • so have you recieved your bike yet?

    i'm quite tempted by the ribelle
    Crafted in Italy apparantly
  • sturmey
    sturmey Posts: 964
    I ordered a Sportive Racing at the end of August and was given a build date of the 3rd week of September when the order was confirmed. When I didn't hear anything by the end of September I e-mailed asking for an updated date of delivery but my e-mails were never answered and two were even deleted without being read!
    I tried telephoning but the phone is constantly engaged.
    I think they've got problems.

    You WILL get it. Eventually. Think they keep running out of the frames.
  • richara3
    richara3 Posts: 153
    Give me a few weeks and I should be able chip in. Ive just ordered the Ribelle centaur.I hope its not going to be too much of a waiting game.. Ive always managed to get them on the phone and they have always answered my emails and the people Ive talked too were very helpful.

    I do think a wait of up to 4 weeks is a bit excessive though.

    Andy
  • From their website:

    Due to the exceptionally high demand for our bikes delivery times throughout September and October will be 21-28 days.

    It seems like demand has got higher. I've tried Ribble on the phone several times over the last few days but can never get through to them. Given that you can't call into the shop at the moment, I would hesitate to order a bike, given that you would have difficulty getting through to them if your order was late.
  • top_bhoy
    top_bhoy Posts: 1,424
    edited October 2009
    If a LBS doesn't have the bike in the size/colour of choice, it could well take several weeks to obtain. Sourcing imported stock isn't exclusively a Ribble problem. I guess the big difference is that the LBS can be harangued face-to-face albeit Ribble appear to be often offer better value. You pays your money and take your choice......
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    People who are usually put off by ribble lead times \ reputation - consider planet x - almost as cheap and don't seem blighted by these delays.
  • Ginjafro
    Ginjafro Posts: 572
    Planet X in my experience are good value and reliable. If you get stuck you can contact them via email or phone, they will respond quickly. If there is a problem with stock, supply or delivery they will keep you informed. Plus £999 for top quality Ultegra SL Pro Carbon, what more can I say?
    Giant XTC Pro-Carbon
    Cove Hustler
    Planet X Pro-Carbon
  • daveclow
    daveclow Posts: 164
    my mates came about 2 weeks ago, its an awesome piece of kit, and took 5 weeks to arrive. there were a couple of items out of stock which they phoned to let him know about, and suggested a suitable replacement.

    5 weeks for a custom build is very reasonable, my allez took 2 weeks from evans!

    i cant understand why they are brilliant for some and so different for others.
  • skinson
    skinson Posts: 362
    And as I keep pointing out!!1 They still have a very decent display of bikes in their warehouse
    SHOP!!
  • Takis61
    Takis61 Posts: 239
    +1 on Ribble Sportive, they have a problem with supply & demand but my bike is excellent & they even amended my spec mid-build
    My knees hurt !
  • Coach H
    Coach H Posts: 1,092
    My Sportive took 10 working days to build from confirming my C2W voucher to being available to collect (last Wednesday)

    Due to their lack of stock of Campag Khamsins I had to get different wheels which caused some strife when I couldn't ring them (always engaged) and was away from e-mail. When I picked up they appologised and said they were short staffed at the moment thus the lack of a phone service which is a bit poor.

    The set up was generally good, just a couple of very minor niggles and even the tire logos were ligned up with the valves.

    Overall the service, while not spectacular, was good enough when you consider the value of the product.
    Coach H. (Dont ask me for training advice - 'It's not about the bike')
  • Update:

    I still haven't received my bike nor managed to contact them.

    If you phone before 09.00 or after 17.15 you get the answer machine & if you phone in between those times you get the engaged tone. I'm sure that they just unplug the phone when they get there on a morning & plug it in again when they leave.
    The question is: if they haven't got any frames to bulid bikes with, why aren't the bike builders answering the phones or replying to e-mails?

    This is very frustrating - not the waiting but the uncertainty about what is happening.

    I'm tempted to get a Bianchi Infinito Athena despite the substantial difference in price.
  • zedders
    zedders Posts: 509
    galaxyboy wrote:
    More than happy with my sportive too. I got the centaur model and everything was set up perfect and has not needed any adjustment yet.

    At end of May 09, I got the Sportive frame build with a centaur carbon groupset. I too have had no problems whatsoever, and have been riding it regularly since.

    EDIT: It did take nearly 6 weeks to turn up!

    As stated people do tend to moan on here about the service! But in a way that's sort of a good thing! They must be busy, and rushing around 'building bikes and sending out orders?' If you can wait for it to be built to your requirements then it will be worth it. (Although I did have to upgrade my saddle at no extra cost because they didn't have in stock my original choice :) ). I have also ordered a couple of bit and bobs over the net as well, and never had a prob.

    Best way to badger them once you have ordered a build is to email them regularly. :twisted:
    "I spend my petrol money on Bikes, Beer, Pizza, and Donuts "

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/38256268@N04/3517156549/
  • ian_s
    ian_s Posts: 183
    I called in at the warehouse shop in August. They have some lovely looking machines in there - unfortunately that made the winter/audax machine i was looking at look very ordinary :(
    They came over as being a decent bunch of people and did say that there build times had gone up due to huge demand particularly for the Sportive model (and having looked at in in the flesh, I can see why).
  • sturmey
    sturmey Posts: 964
    It's a shame. I own two bikes from them and can't complain about the products .

    They must have reached their peak though in terms of how many bike orders they can cope with. I would guess the 'army' of mechanics building their bikes are just 2 or 3 people who are getting paid no more incentives , no matter how hard they work.

    If you've ordered a bike and still want the bike you will get it eventually. Just don't expect too much communication from them in the meantime.
  • I went to the factory to have a look at the bikes a few months ago. The guys are having to build 8 bikes a day each to keep up with demand. They are obviously extremely busy It's no wonder they are having delays. Having looked at the bikes in the flesh they were all bar 1 stunning pieces of kit. The only let down was the ribelle which IMO whilst haviong alovely frame is very let down by dull unimaginative graphics. Apparently the ribelle is getting new graphics next year and I was told it will be the best looking bike they have. Which is saying something IMO.
    Bianchi. There are no alternatives only compromises!
    I RIDE A KONA CADABRA -would you like to come and have a play with my magic link?
  • G U Y
    G U Y Posts: 6
    FYI guys I asked them about a quote for a C2W voucher via email and got a response a couple of days later to say that they're out of stock of frames for the sportive (except 58cm) and the next shipment is due mid November.
  • Please see my comments in my post : "Ribble and Cycling Weekly - do they care about us ?" I'd never spend money at Ribble.
  • Tollers
    Tollers Posts: 32
    I ordered a nero rc build from ribble on 16th sept. I received the dispatch email today.

    Service has been slow but fair. I'd been told that delivery should have been last week, but can't complain too much. I'll update if there is any problems to come, but i'm thinking postively
  • I ordered my carbon sportive over the web from start to finish.Even changing the spec befor building started.When i recieved it,it was worth the wait{4 weeks}.Uther than ribble running out of stock they give a good service.The bike is a superb machine.
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    They are fine and id a good job building my Nero Corsa. However they do get busy.

    Merlin cycles or leisure Lakes would probably do it. I tend to use Merlin.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • 5 weeks for a custom build is very reasonable

    Alternatively, go 5 miles down the road to Kirkham and get a custom specced Flandria instead - 1 week delivery, similar VFM as Ribble and nowhere near as common as all the bl00dy blue 7005s I see around here (like flies around the proverbial). Adam there was very helpful.

    As for Ribble's customer service - I was looking at the Sportive Racing or the Flandria FCS 1 and opted for the Flandria after speaking to Adam at Flandria and looking at some of the feedback on various forums about Ribble's bike building service. That said, the shop service isn't too bad, if it was open...
    50th Anniversary 3 Peaks Cyclocross 2012 survivor
  • skinson
    skinson Posts: 362
    Please see my comments in my post : "Ribble and Cycling Weekly - do they care about us ?" I'd never spend money at Ribble.

    We have and they smack of sour grapes. Look at all the very contented ribble customers on this thread alone! and it makes you look a little out of place...
    Dave
  • chugger
    chugger Posts: 11
    Interesting comments about Ribble, Never had a problem with them, Sometimes it's hard to get through on the phone and then the next time it's answered on the first ring.
    You will find this kind of problem seems to occur with companies that started out only as shops.Wiggle for instance is a huge set up, tailored purely for the online market so it always works well.
    Ribble have a loyal local following with cyclists dropping in at the shop all the time. I don't think they were prepared for the success of their bikes and accessories which are superb value. If you are one of those who expect everything in life to happen by yesterday - instant service, then forget Ribble. I kinda like them in a sort of old fashioned way, they are still in many ways just kike an old LBS, and there,s nothing wrong with that IMO.
  • davetrave wrote:
    5 weeks for a custom build is very reasonable

    Alternatively, go 5 miles down the road to Kirkham and get a custom specced Flandria instead - 1 week delivery, similar VFM as Ribble and nowhere near as common as all the bl00dy blue 7005s I see around here (like flies around the proverbial). Adam there was very helpful.

    As for Ribble's customer service - I was looking at the Sportive Racing or the Flandria FCS 1 and opted for the Flandria after speaking to Adam at Flandria and looking at some of the feedback on various forums about Ribble's bike building service. That said, the shop service isn't too bad, if it was open...

    I know what you mean, the bike rack at work is littered with them. I've got to check each time to make sure I pick the right one. Saying that though the value for money is superb and in my experience Ribble having never been anything but helpful and friendly. Im planning a trip there in the new year to get fitted for a Ribble Sportive.
  • JAGGY
    JAGGY Posts: 167
    Good evening

    Had two bikes from Ribble now with no problems. This year when i bought the Sportive they kept me infomed of the supply situation and when it was build time they emailed and rang me to ask how many spacers etc i wanted on the headset. I had good service.

    This year i've spent alot of money@ ribble. Bought Bike, Wheels , Components, Helmet , Jerseys and lots more. All delivered spot on and orders right everytime.

    I have had good service but i know a few people on here haven't.

    I will continue to use them.
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    I haven't bought a bike from Ribble, but I have spent quite a bit of cash on clothing, etc...
    Their Assos prices are really good :oops:
    A very speedy delivery on every item I've bought.
    I'd certainly recommend them and use them again myself. :wink:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!