Difference between Ribble Sportive Racing and Gran Fondo?

willharris10

These bikes cost the same, look alike (apart from the paint job) but weigh different amounts.

Ribble Sportive Racing 0.975Kg
Ribble Gran Fondo 1.200Kg

So what's the difference. I've e-mailed Ribble to ask them and also to ask why there is no narrative at all on their website, into the differences between frames. No word back just yet, but that was only a few hours ago.

They're both sold out till May, but I want to get one for May/June so keen to get my order in, even if I have to wait. But naturally, can't do that without knowing what the hell I'm ordering!

Anyone with any experience with both these frames, ideally, please pitch in.

fungus_the_muffin_man

The frames are completely different

willharris10

Fungus, not a terribly useful post, come on mate! ;-)

Ok, so they're different. HOW are they different? Which is good for what? Why does one weigh 225g more than the other?

Just saying they're different doesn't help much. Though, perhaps considering I've said they look alike, you may just be telling me they're not. I'll admit, I had an inklying they may be different ;-) They're totally different MODELS! So how? Why? What's different? That's the point of this post :-)

Limburger

Not only are the frames different weights but the fork of the gran fondo weighs in at more than double that of the sportive racing.

The differences between them are:

Weight
Geometry
Tube thickness
Fork
Design
Paint job

They are different frames.
One is heavier than the other. Why? Because they are different (Why is a landrover heavier than a ferrari!)
They will feel different to ride. One has an all carbon fork, the other not.

The similarities:

They are both bikes, pedalling will usually result in forward motion.
They are both made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic.
They both say Ribble on the side.
The cost the same

sturmey

Good luck waiting for a reply from Ribble. I'll be surprised if you get one. And that's not putting them down unnecessarily but just their style. You have to remember they are churning these bikes out week after week and they won't want a dialogue with you about how many strands of carbon fibre each bike is made of or whether one is more suited to your particular style of riding -that's for you to decide. Ribble are not really a bike shop any more in the true sense. They are a warehouse churning stuff out in bulk at competetive prices.

I have a Sportive. It's light and stiff and goes where you point it. I would imagine the Gran Fondo is pretty much the same story.You can't go wrong with either I would say.

The Gran Fondo has the same geometry as their old Ribelle frame.
It's not much different from the Sportive- both have fairly tall head tubes if that's what you want.

Other than that what else do you need to know?

Just study the geometries and decide on that.

willharris10

Ok, what does having a tall head tube mean? Does that mean the handlebar height is higher than on other makes? Should I be bothered by that?

I've been measured by my LBS and have my geometry measurements, but the geometry pages on Ribble's site, don't really show you how the frames differ. Your explanation above was more helpful.

Look, you and others say "you have to choose". Well how are you supposed to choose when nothing whatsoever is provided by Ribble to assist you in telling their frames apart? They don't have any comparrison pages. No lengthy descriptions of the product. Honestly, if they think they're selling by the website only, then wouldn't a description of the bike, what it's for, it's strengths and weeknesses and the differences between the different frames they offer be at least a starting point?

YOU may know they're different, but how on earth am I meant to find this out?

Avanti Roman

As I understand it (and I'm happy for anyone from Ribble to correct me if I'm wrong) the Sportive is a Pedal Force RS2 frame:
http://pedalforce.com/online/product_in ... 18babfcf2c

Whereas the Gran Fondo is last seasons (i.e. non integrated seatpost) Dedacciai Ribelle frame. You can see plenty of other brands using the same frame by searching on google

The frame - and fork on the Sportive are certainly lighter. I was impressed by both when I went to see them but decided on the Gran Fondo. Although it's heavier I'm no lightweight myself and not trying to build a weight weenie. The Gran Fondo frame profiles certainly seem geared towards rigidity and strength - plus I think they look gorgeous. I'm just waiting for Ribble to complete the build of mine now..

Andrewa123

I'd suggest picking up the phone and talking to one of their representatives. I bought a bike from them some five years ago and found that a quick 10 min phone call to them answered all of the questions I had. I found them very helpful and the quality of their build and product was fantastic.

willharris10

Yes I tried to call them this morning, but the phone went to an automated answering system. Having read about them on here, that didn't entirely surprise me. So I got in touch with them via e-mail, but no reply so far. You would think they'd describe the differences between their frames on their website, wouldn't you?

Avanti Roman

I know they recently received delivery from Campagnolo so they are probably focusing on building up bikes for existing orders that have been waiting for parts. It may take a day or so to get through.

If you can it's worth visiting the premises to see for yourself. I think the Gran Fondo comes with a cheaper fork as standard for the same price because I expect a Dedacciai frame will be more expensive for Ribble to buy in than a Pedalforce.

sturmey

No offence but you are making heavy weather of this.
I am guessing you don't know a lot about bikes as you are asking questions such as what is a tall headtube and why would I want one?
Well I think you should do a little research first and decide what you want a bike for and what your stanfard of fitness is. YOU should know if you want a tall head-tube or not based on your anatomical foibles and your intended use for the bike.
It's no good saying 'I want a carbon fibre bike' and expecting someone else to advise you which one is best for you. There are full on race frames out there and more relaxed models for more comfort-you need to decide which of these is your prefernce first of all.
If you know your ideal geometry-and you should have a fairly accurate idea after being measured- then this narrows down the field.
I am a little bemused by some of your questions though.
You asked:

Well how are you supposed to choose when nothing whatsoever is provided by Ribble to assist you in telling their frames apart

Yet you've already been told how they differ- they are different weights and their geometries differ-oh and they are different colours. They are both capable frames.End of story.
You also ask:

YOU may know they're different, but how on earth am I meant to find this out?

No I don't KNOW they are different any more than YOU- I have not ridden the Gran Fondo but based on the geometries and weight and the same frame material I would say they will ride pretty much the same-it's common sense.
You also ask:

They don't have any comparison pages. No lengthy descriptions of the product. Honestly, if they think they're selling by the website only, then wouldn't a description of the bike, what it's for, it's strengths and weeknesses and the differences between the different frames they offer be at least a starting point

What do you want these comparison pages to show? The different geometries and weights? You've already got that.Or perhaps some ineffable description of the ethos of both bikes. And why on earth would you expect the retailer to highlight 'weaknesses' in their bikes?They are trying to sell the damn things.
Seriously, don't take it to heart but you are asking the type of questions only a newbie would ask and which can't readily be answered by ANYONE because you don't even know what you want yourself yet.

Just browse the threads on here. Take your time. You will get more of an idea that way..

acidstrato

i agree with the above, your making a bigger deal out of this than necessary


for a start i can read and understand ribbles descriptions perfectly...
you can use either bike for any purpose of a road bike. you could ride a 100mile sportive or a 1hr+1lap crit. or spec it right and ride it to work every day. the weights are different because they are completely different frames. although I would not take them figures as gospel! theres very little in it and they are fairly specific numbers to be accurate

you wont get a reply from ribble's email, keep ringing or visit the warehouse.

both very good bikes though, you could commute on either and race them in the evening.

willharris10

You're right, I am a novice. I bought a Specialized Allez Elite in 2001 and loved it until it was stolen three weeks ago. I changed the stem to achieve a little more reach and basically had it set up just right for me. But I'd never been measured and had simply been lucky when buying it, that it happened to fit me.

I'm now looking to replace it and yes, I am coming from a position of knowing nothing at all about road bikes, how they're built, the differences between different frames etc. I DO expect websites that sell bikes to explain what they're selling and guide the purchaser through the buying process with photos, diagrams, explanations and comparison tables. I don't think that's too much to expect.

To me, it's like the Economist magazine. You can read any article in the Economist without needing any prior knowledge and whilst they get into a lot of detail, they write in a way that anyone can understand. I have very little respect for companies that expect prior knowledge because I know just how many people are effectively turned away, who otherwise might have become customers. To me, that's lazy on the part of the website designer and retailer.

Now, I am trying to do my research. But the point of putting a thread up here asking for an explanation of the differences between two frames that carry almost identical wording on Ribble's site, is because I want help, if there's any out there. I don't want smart arse answers saying that if you don't know, you must be a novice, and "don't you know what sort of rider you are". No. I don't know. I ride my bike. I like to do things like Lands End / John O'Groats and don't want a touring bike. I like to also ride my bike around Richmond Park at the weekends and want something fast, light and that fits me. I tend to ride in the drops. I'm not looking for a sit-up-and-beg bike. So I need some help.

Anyone visiting Ribble's site could be left wondering where the links are to the brochure? I'd have thought that at the least they'd have prepared a PDF on each model extolling their virtues and relative merits. I'd have thought they'd also post links to any on-line reviews that have been writen. They're not selling through retailers, so they need to provide electronically, the bits that a retailer might do in person.

This is not too much to expect. But if it's not there, then I'm asking you all. That should not result in me being accused of making heavy weather out of this, or leaving people bemused as to what I want. I want to know the difference between the two frames. What each are good for, so I can decide which would be most appropriate for me. That's all.

Thanks for the constructive points so far. Sorry to sound frustrated. I am new to this, so it IS frustrating for me too!

Brommers76

Perfectly reasonable point and set of questions if you ask me. I have thought the same myself - what is the difference?

Not unreasonable to expect a forum user to either have ridden both or gone through the decision process - all part of the research process. I am sorry to say I can't help you other than give a little moral support.

Stevo_666

Agree - their website is unhelpful to say the least. Wonder how may sales thay have lost because of this? That said, I don't hear many complaints about the products....

As said above, best try calling them.

willharris10

Thanks guys!

I will have another go at giving them a call tomorrow.

Must say, I love the look of the Planet X. Only reason I can't buy one is they don't do any triples. None at all. Such a shame as I only want to buy a triple. Had to walk up a few hills in Scotland last year on a compact double. Never again. Ribble do the Ultegra Triple, which is the one I'm really keen on getting. Last a lifetime hopefully.

rokkala

willharris10 wrote:

Thanks guys!

I will have another go at giving them a call tomorrow.

Must say, I love the look of the Planet X. Only reason I can't buy one is they don't do any triples. None at all. Such a shame as I only want to buy a triple. Had to walk up a few hills in Scotland last year on a compact double. Never again. Ribble do the Ultegra Triple, which is the one I'm really keen on getting. Last a lifetime hopefully.

What size cassette did you have on your compact double?

willharris10

11-28

Still had to get off and walk. Only on a couple of seriously mad steep hills, but it would have been nice on countless other occasions to have had a few more options and to have got the cadence up a little bit.

ceeque

very well said willharris. I believe Ribble could double their turnover quite easily with some easily presented online business ideas... It makes a huge difference to people and ALL eventualities need to be covered (well as many as is practicable anyway). Their online info package is not great, they play a very safe card business wise yet I am surprised they have not taken notice (maybe they have though ..) of their recently updated website which I firmly believe has led to a great increase in business for them. This must by now have surely given them the confidence to do even more. But, business is business and I would believe they have a good plan ....
Their current plan is obviously working for them at this time, it will not always be that way and that is what they need to be wary of, they are fortunate that if the name Ribble comes up to someone looking for a "serious" bike, they presume that the "someone" will know something about the game!
Keep heart, keep looking! You won`t go far wrong on these threads and you`ll get plenty info to go off and chase ..... I know I have!!!! :-)

ajb72

As far as I can tell, the difference in fork weight comes down to the steerer tube material - carbon in the sportive and alluminium in the Gran Fondo.

I own a sportive and a mate has the gran fondo. Side by side they are remarkably similar, although the sportive has a very slightly taller head tube which suits my back.

Trying to be impartial, I actually prefer the paintjob of the GF, but dislike the box section joining the chainstays to the bottom bracket - the sportive has a monocoque shell and is easier on the eye, IMO. Kitted up, they are both good looking bikes and great value - the frame quality is incredible at this price.

If your aim is long rides for fun, sportives or even some amature race stuff, either one will do the job just fine. Unless you are bothered by weight differences, it will probably come down to which pain job you prefer, as all other differences are so minor.

willharris10

It sounds like the Sportive is the one for me. I prefer the paint job of the Gran Fondo, by miles, but would take the lighter frame and lack of boxxy section joins around the bottom bracket. I wouldn't normally choose a tall head tube, but I can always run it with the stem in the lowest setting if that suits me best.

In all honesty, for cost benefit I'd buy the Planet X is the would only make a Triple available in any of the high end groupsets. But they only run to a compact double and I really really want a triple. Ribble do an Ultegra Triple which is exactly what I'm after, so it's a bit more money, but it's looking that way now.

So, just to choose wheels, peddles, saddle, handlebars and stem! Not at all tricky!

ajb72

It's all relative, the headtube is actually shorter than the same size framed Cervelo RS but it does mean a tidier finish if you can run minimal spacers under the stem.

I have just fitted a white Ritchey stem & bars to mine and it looks fantastic.

acidstrato

ajb72 wrote:

Trying to be impartial, I actually prefer the paintjob of the GF, but dislike the box section joining the chainstays to the bottom bracket - the sportive has a monocoque shell and is easier on the eye, IMO.

?

copied from ribble website description of the GF and Ribelle also says it on the deda site too

12K carbon monocoque frame

deda site also states frame weight being 1030g which i assume is without forks. in which case i'm doubting the sportive is under 1kg with its forks..who knows i doubt we ever will

i agree the box section is not to everyones liking, doesn't bother me in the slightest, hardly notice it infact but i can understand

sportive is a good choice, i nearly went for one

sturmey

willharris10.

You won't go wrong with the Sportive.
It made shortlist for bike of year with Bikeradar.

Can I offer some advice tho'?

Get a compact chainset and a 12-27 cassette.

Forget the triple. It just looks wrong, IS wrong on this kind of bike.
My opinion of course.
If you get the bug and are putting in the miles you will soon laugh at people with triples. Tourists and audaxers excepted.

ajb72

acidstrato wrote:

ajb72 wrote:

Trying to be impartial, I actually prefer the paintjob of the GF, but dislike the box section joining the chainstays to the bottom bracket - the sportive has a monocoque shell and is easier on the eye, IMO.

?

copied from ribble website description of the GF and Ribelle also says it on the deda site too

12K carbon monocoque frame

deda site also states frame weight being 1030g which i assume is without forks. in which case i'm doubting the sportive is under 1kg with its forks..who knows i doubt we ever will

i agree the box section is not to everyones liking, doesn't bother me in the slightest, hardly notice it infact but i can understand

sportive is a good choice, i nearly went for one

I didn't mean to suggest the GF is not a monocoque frame, just that the box section from chainstays to BB looks like an additional section rather than one peice. As I mentioned though, just a personal preference and if the sportive had the same paint job as the GF it would have been the best of both worlds for me!

At the time I ordered mine the GF was not available so I didn't have this headache to consider, but happy with my choice. I'm sure that if the GF had been the only option at that time I would have been just as satisfied, both great looking and really well made frames.

Totally agree with Sturmey on the chainset / cassette option, 27 cog with a compact chainset should be ample - I am lugging my unfit bulk around with this setup at the mo and a triple would have been overkill.

mike ives

I think some of you might have been a bit hard on Ribble. I sent them an email on 12.02.10 and received a reply on 16.12.10. Bearing in mind they are probably very busy trying to turn over large volume sales in order to keep prices low, I don't think they were excessively slow in answering my request at all.

I have been happy with their service whenever I have had a need to call on it, either for sales or information. I suggest sending another email and being patient.

Stevo_666

willharris10 wrote:

In all honesty, for cost benefit I'd buy the Planet X is the would only make a Triple available in any of the high end groupsets. But they only run to a compact double and I really really want a triple. Ribble do an Ultegra Triple which is exactly what I'm after, so it's a bit more money, but it's looking that way now.

Have you tried calling Planet X to see if they can do a triple? Or else the SL Pro Comp (Ultegra equipped version) can be had with 50/34 chainrings and an 11-28 cassette as standard options on the website 'bike builder'.

willharris10

Yes I did ring them and they said they had no triples at all. And they said I'd baulk at the price if they tried to source one. That said, they were awesome to talk to.

I had the 50-34 and 11-28 combination before and it doesn't go low enough for me. I actually am a cripple and want a 30-39-52 combo to go with an 11-28 cassette. Sorry, but I know what I need for the hills. I'm not as fit as some of you true cyclists and I don't want to get off and walk. It isn't as pretty as a compact, but I know what real hills are like to climb and I know I need a triple to get up them on a bike ladden with front and rear panniers. LEJOG in June.

fungus_the_muffin_man

willharris10 wrote:

Fungus, not a terribly useful post, come on mate! ;-)

Ok, so they're different. HOW are they different? Which is good for what? Why does one weigh 225g more than the other?

Just saying they're different doesn't help much. Though, perhaps considering I've said they look alike, you may just be telling me they're not. I'll admit, I had an inklying they may be different ;-) They're totally different MODELS! So how? Why? What's different? That's the point of this post :-)

Sorry dude had to do a quick post as my battery was running out.

I've not got either but got to have a good look at them when I went to the ribble warehouse. The gran fondo wasn't out then but its the same frame as the ribbelle. I would've bought the ribbelle at the time but it was hampered by the crapest graphics you've ever seen. I think the frame is lovely. It may not be the lightest but I was after a bike that looked good as well and that frame did. With the new graphics I think its a stunning looking bike. As your a newbie I think when your new it doesn't have to be the quickest, lightest, most hi tec machine in the world. It has to be something that you enjoy and keeps you wanting to get out on it. I think the gran fondo has that factor about it. If they'd had it available when I was looking for my first carbon bike i'd have bought it straight away.

pud77

Any kind GF owners out there fancy posting a pic or two of the box section that is being referred to ? Have heard this talked about before but never actually seen it. Cheers

Down/Up

willharris10 wrote:

Yes I did ring them and they said they had no triples at all. And they said I'd baulk at the price if they tried to source one. That said, they were awesome to talk to.

I had the 50-34 and 11-28 combination before and it doesn't go low enough for me. I actually am a cripple and want a 30-39-52 combo to go with an 11-28 cassette. Sorry, but I know what I need for the hills. I'm not as fit as some of you true cyclists and I don't want to get off and walk. It isn't as pretty as a compact, but I know what real hills are like to climb and I know I need a triple to get up them on a bike ladden with front and rear panniers. LEJOG in June.

Don't mean to rain on your parade but I don't think either one of these frames is particularly well suited for use as a fully laden touring bike. Neither one has any mounting points for front or rear panniers, so you will be relying on D clip set-ups. You might get away with a light weight pannier setup on the rear, but can't see you having much luck with fronts as well. If you really are looking for a bike to run full panniers you should look at a more audax or touring style frame. The unloaded ride quality can still be very good and the loaded ride will be a lot better than a carbon race frame with panniers stuck all over it.