Ribble Sportive Racing Bike

garetjax

I'm interested in buying a Ribble Sportive Racing Bike.

From their Frame Size guide it looks like I need a medium ; however, the equivalent top tube lengths look a bit longer as compared to other bikes. I'm wondering if I will be stretched out a bit too much.

Anyone got one? How does it ride? How'd you find that top tube?

P.S Can anyone figure out the difference between Gran Fondo and Racing?
It doesn't sound like Ribble can!

majormantra

I'm 5'8.5" and I have a 52cm (medium) Sportive with a 100mm stem. After around 1300 miles I now wonder if I should have gone for the next size down - I seem to need the saddle quite far forward to get myself in the right place relative to the BB. Perhaps I have short femurs or something... It's possible also that a 90mm stem would make things feel more natural but I don't actually feel overly stretched. Take this data point with a pinch of salt by the way as I've never been fitted properly.

The GF and Sportive are slightly different frames, simple as. I doubt there's many who've ridden both. To be honest I'd go for whichever you like the look of more.

Matthew

hopper1

Surely if the top tube is only a little longer than normal to you, you could get a slightly shorter stem.

Chip \'oyler

garetjax wrote:

I'm interested in buying a Ribble Sportive Racing Bike.

From their Frame Size guide it looks like I need a medium ; however, the equivalent top tube lengths look a bit longer as compared to other bikes. I'm wondering if I will be stretched out a bit too much.

Anyone got one? How does it ride? How'd you find that top tube?

P.S Can anyone figure out the difference between Gran Fondo and Racing?
It doesn't sound like Ribble can!

Is there such a thing?

ajb72

I have the Sportive in a 55cm (large) frame size. I am 6'1" with a 32" inside leg if that helps. I think this fit is about perfect for me, I have 6" of seatpost showing and still have loads of headtube left to adjust the height of the stem. If you call Ribble they are pretty helpful in recommending the right fit.

As for the frame, I have been really really pleased with it, comfy ride for long rides (which is the idea of a sportive specific bike of course!) but stiff enough for the climbs etc. The quaity of the finish is also unbelievable for a frame this cheap and it scored well in a cycle mag review earlier this year (sorry, cannot remember if it was cycling weekly or cycling plus). It is also very light.

As far as I can tell, the Gran Fondo is the 2010 replacement for the 2009 Sportive, as I think the Sportive is discointinued?). Stock on the website would indicate this anyway.

If you can get one I prefer the look of the Sportive. My mate has just bought a Gran Fondo with an Athena groupset and it look nice - stylish paint job etc. However, whilst the Sportive has a one peice carbon frame, the Gran Fondo has a join just like a box-section behind the bottom bracket which looks unsightly to me. It's a minor detail and it wouldn't stop me getting the GF if there are no more Sportive's left, just personal preference.

Not sure which 'racing frame' you are referring to, but in general the sportive frame will have a taller head tube than a pure racers frame to allow for a more comfortable upright riding position.

JohnnyAllez

The guy in the Ribble shop told me 3 weeks ago that they are continuing with BOTH the bikes. GF is sold out `til next year in popular sizes. I must say, not having ridden either of them by the way, that the new GF frame looks the absolute dogs danglies Very nicely sculpted round the seat stays etc. I`d defo buy that one over the Sportive, but that`s just off the look of it It might ride like a wheel-barrow :oops:

ajb72

When you see them side by side, they are actually very similar - I think the paint job of the Gran Fondo makes the head tube look shorter but in fact they are virtually identical. The materials and geometry are very similar too, although the sizing of the frames has been changed slightly for the GF.

If it was simply down to to a choice of paint jobs I might pick the GF instead of the Sportive, it does look nice in the flesh. Once you've seen the join from the bottom bracket to the chain stays you might agree it is less than pretty! Interesting that they are keeping them both going though, obviously a growth market!

If I had one gripe since buying one, it would be the less than subtle Ribble graphics on the frame - there is barely a spare inch of carbon without the Ribble logo on it!!

acidstrato

the GF is the ribelle frame which has been out for a fair while

ajb72

No, only launched a few weeks ago. My mate had a Sportive on order the the cycle to work scheme when they released the GF, and allowed him to switch.

acidstrato

are you saying I'm wrong?

I'll say again...the GF is the ribelle frame which has been out for a fair while


i have a GF hanging on my garage wall in bits



edited because it sounded bad

ajb72

Sorry, but i think you seem to be getting confused between the Ribble Gran Fondo the OP was referring to and a previous model perhaps?

The Ribble Gran Fondo was released a few weeks ago and is even listed as the 2010 model sportive bike!

If you have this model and it is more than a few weeks old, I take it back and stand corrected!

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... IBBFRAR895

ajb72

Searching the web - do you have a Deda Ribelle, rather than a Ribble GF? Both made by Dedaccaia but not what was referred to in this post?

Pross

Chip \'oyler wrote:

garetjax wrote:

I'm interested in buying a Ribble Sportive Racing Bike.

From their Frame Size guide it looks like I need a medium ; however, the equivalent top tube lengths look a bit longer as compared to other bikes. I'm wondering if I will be stretched out a bit too much.

Anyone got one? How does it ride? How'd you find that top tube?

P.S Can anyone figure out the difference between Gran Fondo and Racing?
It doesn't sound like Ribble can!

Is there such a thing?

Yes, its the full name of the Ribble Sportive http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialedition.asp?action=GenerateConstructor&part=SERIBBLESPORTIVESHIM&sub=conf_SERC&bike=1

Chip \'oyler

Pross wrote:

Chip \'oyler wrote:

garetjax wrote:

I'm interested in buying a Ribble Sportive Racing Bike.

From their Frame Size guide it looks like I need a medium ; however, the equivalent top tube lengths look a bit longer as compared to other bikes. I'm wondering if I will be stretched out a bit too much.

Anyone got one? How does it ride? How'd you find that top tube?

P.S Can anyone figure out the difference between Gran Fondo and Racing?
It doesn't sound like Ribble can!

Is there such a thing?

Yes, its the full name of the Ribble Sportive http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialedition.asp?action=GenerateConstructor&part=SERIBBLESPORTIVESHIM&sub=conf_SERC&bike=1

"A carbon monocoque frameset equally suitable for sportives or amateur road racing."

Mmmmmmm sounds like a Jack of all trades - master of none

rake

why. there isnt any great distinction between a sportive and an ameteur race.

Chip \'oyler

rake wrote:

why. there isnt any great distinction between a sportive and an ameteur race.

I know most people think Sportive's are races, but from my experience there is a big difference.

Sure you could get round a RR or crit with a 'Sportive' bike, but a pure race bike is going to work a lot better on a tight circuit with plenty of jumping out of corners, sprinting etc

acidstrato

ajb72 wrote:

Sorry, but i think you seem to be getting confused between the Ribble Gran Fondo the OP was referring to and a previous model perhaps?

The Ribble Gran Fondo was released a few weeks ago and is even listed as the 2010 model sportive bike!

If you have this model and it is more than a few weeks old, I take it back and stand corrected!

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... IBBFRAR895

think its you who is confused mate...I have that bike! i have one, as in i researched, ordered and recieved this bike and took it apart and hung it on my wall for the duration of the winter

the Gran fondo i.e deda framed ribble badged carbon fibre bike that is being referred to here is the exact same frame as the ribble ribelle with a paint job instead of bare carbon fibre which has been available (as the ribelle) since long before October when the gran fondo was first advertised which I can see is what your trying to point out

but beside a fresh lick of paint, that frame is tried and tested on the market long before the gran fondo



pic taken mid Nov

JohnnyAllez

Acidstrat, not doubting you mate, you`ve got the bike after all........ why do Ribble charge a lot more money for a Ribelle frame than they do for the new Gran Fondo?? Are they the same frame painted differently or is one made from different type of carbon or something else to make the difference? Usually the new kid on the block would be more expensive than the older model?

acidstrato

they are the same frame, i did hear a rumour about strenghtened tubes on the GF but dont really believe it. its literally is just a painted frame in my mind no other difference. but I could be mistaken

JohnnyAllez

To Acidstart again........ can you tell me what diameter seatpost you use on the GF? Can`t find anything about it on the Ribble site bikebuilder or elsewhere, the one in their pics is listed in 2 sizes (27.2 and 31.6 Deda Zero), and I want to know if I`ll need to buy a seatpost or use one of the ones I`ve already got in my garage (your seatpost in the foto above looks to be quite a large diameter so i`m guessing its 31.6 ?)

Just reserved a frame and fork for February delivery (hopefully) Great prices at the mo. with Xmas 20% off

acidstrato

i believe so yes, its certainly larger than that on my Giant scr but i'll measure to be sure

i was going to order the deda zero post but bit taken back spending that on an alloy one. albeit still like 50g or so lighter than the cf one which came with it. but i really am tight 8)

JohnnyAllez

Found it in another post - 31.6 for the Sportive so I reckon the GF will be the same.

Doc_79

I am looking to buy a Fondo but have read on this thread that 'the Gran Fondo has a join just like a box-section behind the bottom bracket which looks unsightly to me'. Before I go ahead I was wondering if it is possible for someone who owns one to take a picture to actually see what this looks like please. Cheers Ben

acidstrato

if you go here, http://www.dedacciai.net/eng-frame-cycl ... ibelle.php

click on rendering 3d and you can move it around to see how it looks

i cant take a photo as its hangin up on the wall with no wheels and the drivetrain hides it.

its my opinion the its barely noticable, and doesnt look unslightly. people have different opinions but personally cant see why anyone would think it does?

rake

nothing wrong with that. i bet its a stiff design.

Anonymous

Was going to order one but decided to get a bike from my LBS instead, good service and fitting available, just to decide wether to get an Orbea, specialized or giant

pianoman

I told the owner of the bike shop that I had ordered a Ribble Sportive and he laughed and said "oh well you get what you pay for, see you in 6 months for a replacement, you will need it."

Maybe because the LBS owner can give better after sales than when you order off the internet?

Anonymous

PianoMan wrote:

I told the owner of the bike shop that I had ordered a Ribble Sportive and he laughed and said "oh well you get what you pay for, see you in 6 months for a replacement, you will need it."

Maybe because the LBS owner can give better after sales than when you order off the internet?

Don't think they could offer better after sales tbh, they are very shoddy but new so I am giving them the benefit of doubt. They were implying that the quality of the Ribble frames are below par rather.

rokkala

thunderflash55 wrote:

I told the owner of the bike shop that I had ordered a Ribble Sportive and he laughed and said "oh well you get what you pay for, see you in 6 months for a replacement, you will need it."

Just bitterness and some lovely roadie snobbery. A lot of people with the Sportives, and yet to hear of one that has 'needed replacing'.

skinson

Well I've had mine 6 months and 1500 miles and it still looks as good as the day i picked it from ribble. Sounds like sour grapes on the part of your LBS!!
Dave

majormantra

Rokkala wrote:

thunderflash55 wrote:

I told the owner of the bike shop that I had ordered a Ribble Sportive and he laughed and said "oh well you get what you pay for, see you in 6 months for a replacement, you will need it."

Just bitterness and some lovely roadie snobbery.

Yep. I was told in one respected LBS that a £1k carbon bike with Centaur must have a crap frame because you couldn't build a good one for the money. They are just bitter that you didn't spend twice that on a big brand bike from their shop.

Matthew