Ribble Bikes

valerider

What's the general opinion on Ribble Bikes? I'm looking at possibly buying one but not sure how they compare to Boardman, Specialized, Giant etc. I'm only looking at the £500-£800 price bracket, either new or second hand.
Cheers

ADIHEAD

They're made by Dedacacci, who know a thing or two about making bikes Whether it's good for you depends on geometry and the way you spec it.

wasi1984

I was in Ribble bikes yesterday, the old man has a budget of a grand and they will spec it to whatever you want.

Superb products aswell, but they have a 5 week waiting list at the moment!!

i think they are aimed at a little higher than your general £500 market though.

Headhuunter

I got my 7005 horizontal with Tiagra delivered in 4 weeks, arrived a week or so ago, looks very fancy decked out in blue with simple graphics and the aero Pro Lite wheels. I looked at Specialized Allez Sport 27 (that was my 2nd choice) and a few others, but the Ribble seemed the best specc'ed bike for the price and every other commuter on the streets of London rides a Specialized, Giant or Trek, it's good to have something different. However according to their website, they're about to put their prices up, so get in there quick. Also, if you're doing it through Cyclescheme, remember they charge a £65 admin charge on top...

rapid_uphill

The carbon frames are made by Dedacacci, the alloy frames are made by Sarecen.

ADIHEAD wrote:

They're made by Dedacacci, who know a thing or two about making bikes Whether it's good for you depends on geometry and the way you spec it.

EBM Biker

I went to Ribble a week ago and was measured up for a Gran Fondo. Was told it would be a 3 week build due to the back log of orders. I'm new to road bikes but the guys where helpful and the frames have a good reputation. Ordered mine with campag centaur which looks top notch groupset for the money.

Headhuunter

The only thing I would say is that they're a bit unresponsive by phone and email. I initially tried phoning but I think I got an answer once in about 20-30 calls! They also barely ever reply to emails to their sales email address. I suppose that's a result of their popularity. So you need someone their, to guide you through everything and talk about pros an cons of this and that, go to the LBS.

kinesin

wasi1984 wrote:

Superb products aswell, but they have a 5 week waiting list at the moment!!

That's the build time for frames in stock. The Sportive & Gran Fondo frameset are 5 additional weeks awaiting for the supplier to get them to Ribble.

It's going to be long wait from my C2W gran fondo..

EBM Biker

The guy who measured me up and took my order in the shop told me my frame size was in stock [XL] and the first batch of other sizes on back order had arrived, hence the 3 week lead time. Sometimes it helps being a lanky 6 footer!

Headhuunter

EBM Biker wrote:

The guy who measured me up and took my order in the shop told me my frame size was in stock [XL] and the first batch of other sizes on back order had arrived, hence the 3 week lead time. Sometimes it helps being a lanky 6 footer!

Yeah I'm 6'3" and my size was 58cm (horizontal frame) but I can see that they have no 56cm frames and have no delivery date.... 56cm is obviously the most popular size

Headhuunter

The 7005 horizontal special edition with full Tiagra group is a steal at £569 when compared with other brands like Specialized, Trek etc. On those brands at that price you're lucky to get Sora and not even the full group!

EBM Biker

Headhuunter wrote:

The only thing I would say is that they're a bit unresponsive by phone and email. I initially tried phoning but I think I got an answer once in about 20-30 calls! They also barely ever reply to emails to their sales email address. I suppose that's a result of their popularity. So you need someone their, to guide you through everything and talk about pros an cons of this and that, go to the LBS.

I tried to call them today about returning some clothing that was the wrong size [my fault not theirs] and I got a message saying that they wouldn't be answering the 'phone this week and only answering urgent emails. Must have some folks off sick or on holiday.

rowlers

kinesin wrote:

wasi1984 wrote:

Superb products aswell, but they have a 5 week waiting list at the moment!!

That's the build time for frames in stock. The Sportive & Gran Fondo frameset are 5 additional weeks awaiting for the supplier to get them to Ribble.

It's going to be long wait from my C2W gran fondo..

Thats a bit of a p|sser, I ordered a Gran Fondo on saturday, certainly not expecting a 10 week wait! Summer will be over, guess I'll have to buy something else, if it is going to be 10 week :roll:

Headhuunter

EBM Biker wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

The only thing I would say is that they're a bit unresponsive by phone and email. I initially tried phoning but I think I got an answer once in about 20-30 calls! They also barely ever reply to emails to their sales email address. I suppose that's a result of their popularity. So you need someone their, to guide you through everything and talk about pros an cons of this and that, go to the LBS.

I tried to call them today about returning some clothing that was the wrong size [my fault not theirs] and I got a message saying that they wouldn't be answering the 'phone this week and only answering urgent emails. Must have some folks off sick or on holiday.

I phoned and email at the start of my order process, so late April/early May and they weren't responding then either, but then I knew that their customer service was a bit lacking from previous threads here and I ordered with that in mind....

rowlers

For anyone who is interested got a reply back from ribble this morning confirming a 4-5 week build time on bikes. Danny was the guy who mailed of. Definitely not 10 weeks!

Headhuunter

rowlers wrote:

For anyone who is interested got a reply back from ribble this morning confirming a 4-5 week build time on bikes. Danny was the guy who mailed of. Definitely not 10 weeks!

Yeah I got a couple of emails from Danny.... Is Ribble bikes a 1 man band?!

kinesin

rowlers wrote:

For anyone who is interested got a reply back from ribble this morning confirming a 4-5 week build time on bikes. Danny was the guy who mailed of. Definitely not 10 weeks!

When I ordered my medium sized Gran Frondo in store at the weekend I was told (by James) that build time is 4-5 weeks for frames in stock, (i.e the Nero RC) just there won't be any new sportive or Gran Frondo frames for 5-6 weeks to even start the builds. I confirmed with that basically mean the end of August for delivery of my bike. I very nearly went for the Nero (to shorted delivery time) but decided the paint scheme wasn't for me. Would have walked out and got a Cannondale Synapse, it they were available in the UK.

It seems they have at least 200 Gran Fondos waiting to be build once the new frames arrive.

EBM Biker

Ah, I best be sending an email myself to check the build time of mine.

rowlers

Well they know that I have ordered a Gran Fondo, so to say that it is 4-5 weeks would be out and out lies, which I can't see them doing :roll:
There webby doesn't say the have low stock of the GF, just the sportive..

I've to phone next week for a more precise delivery time.

Fingers crossed

EBM Biker

I sent an email earlier to find out the score direct from the horses mouth, so to speak.

rowlers

I've emailed them again too. I want a bit of honesty, so I've specifically asked if the have stocks of the GF frame in medium. If not then I'll cancel the order and get a boardman or a planet x.

carrock

EBM Biker wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

The only thing I would say is that they're a bit unresponsive by phone and email. I initially tried phoning but I think I got an answer once in about 20-30 calls! They also barely ever reply to emails to their sales email address. I suppose that's a result of their popularity. So you need someone their, to guide you through everything and talk about pros an cons of this and that, go to the LBS.

I tried to call them today about returning some clothing that was the wrong size [my fault not theirs] and I got a message saying that they wouldn't be answering the 'phone this week and only answering urgent emails. Must have some folks off sick or on holiday.

I had the same problem- sent 3 e-mails and finally got a response 3 days later

Try sending an email to Daniel Brierley [DanielBrierley@ribblecycles.co.uk] he was the guy who finally answered my mail

dbailey

I too am having to wait for GF with Centaur. Ordered it 4 weeks ago now but in no hurry as worth the wait. I called them a couple of weeks ago (I didn't want them trying to deliver when I was on holiday) and they said they have a current build time of 5 weeks.

I have ordered 'off the peg' bikes through local shops in the past. They have never had my my frame size in stock and have had to order them in from the manufacturer. In each case I had to wait 4 to 5 weeks, so Ribble's times aren't that poor.

I read lots of postings or Ribble this and Ribble that, delays, cant get through on the phone etc. There has to be some truth I suppose. All I will say is that whenever I have phoned with questions or order queries, the phone has been answered and they have been courteous and helpful in response.

What I would say to Ribble is this. Improve the information on your website relating to order status and be transparent with purchasers as to your lead in times so that they know/understand how long an order will take (without having to phone/email and ask), so as you can avoid complaints. It is all about 'managing expectation'.

EBM Biker

I had to wait 4 weeks for my Cannondale Badboy which was ordered from my LBS so a 4 week wait for a bike that is being built that takes my measurements into account ain't to bad. But I was told 3 weeks when I ordered it.

rowlers

Had confirmation from Ribble (Daniel) that a frame (Medium GF) has been allocated to my order and they are sticking to the build time of 4-5 weeks.

Good news for me anyway.

gb155

ValeRider wrote:

What's the general opinion on Ribble Bikes? I'm looking at possibly buying one but not sure how they compare to Boardman, Specialized, Giant etc. I'm only looking at the £500-£800 price bracket, either new or second hand.
Cheers

I have one....I LOVE IT....I also have a Surosa too, pretty much the same bike...LOVE IT

EBM Biker

Had an email reply from Ribble and it is a 5 week build time. So looks like I've got another 3 weeks to wait.

kinesin

Just been informed that my Gran Fondo Centaur order now has no ETA as the delivery of Centaur Carbon 10 speed chainset ordered has been cancelled by Campag with no obtainable shipping date from them. [Campag]

Now got choose to change to alloy; wait months as "Carbon could literally be months away" or cancel?

redddraggon

Centaur Alloy would probably be stiffer but slightly heavier. TBH I thought my Carbon Centaur cset was pants anyway.

Go for the Alloy one.

EBM Biker

I emailed Daniel at Ribble today to find out when I can expect my Gran Fondo that was ordered 5th June. He replied within 2 hours to tell me that it will be built the end of this week and I will get it for middle of next week. No mention that the carbon Centaur chainset wasn't available so maybe I've had one of the last in stock.

EBM Biker

I forgot to mention i've specified the compact carbon Centaur chainset.