Buying a ribble

mikef22

I'm looking at buying myself a decent quallity bike, will prob be something that will be bought towards the end of year.

I'm seriously thinking of getting a ribble bike, possibly with a carbon frame - the nero corsa from the review on here.

What I'd like to know is, that for the money - the spec I've gone for is around £1200, I know there's a reasonable range to choose from other brands. Is a ribble a good choice of bike?

Next is do I go for double (campagnolo) or triple (shimano 105) groupset?

The riding I do is mixed, with a decent number of hills minutes from where I live, so want a bike that's good for that.

thanks

Monty Dog

Value-wise, you're unlikely to find anything better than the likes of Ribble or perhaps Planet-X. Sometimes bargain pricing means that you may not get the service and support you pay a premium for elsewhere. Whether you go for a triple is really down to your fitness and the type of riding you do.

Campagnolo or Shimano? - Why don't you start with an easier question, like does god exist?

Mettan

mikef22 wrote:

I'm looking at buying myself a decent quallity bike, will prob be something that will be bought towards the end of year.

I'm seriously thinking of getting a ribble bike, possibly with a carbon frame - the nero corsa from the review on here.

What I'd like to know is, that for the money - the spec I've gone for is around £1200, I know there's a reasonable range to choose from other brands. Is a ribble a good choice of bike?

Next is do I go for double (campagnolo) or triple (shimano 105) groupset?

The riding I do is mixed, with a decent number of hills minutes from where I live, so want a bike that's good for that.

thanks

If you're a new rider in a hilly area, get a Compact or Triple chainset - to view the pros and cons of both, search for ''Compact v Triple'' - there are 100's of threads on this - and Ribble, Planet X both provide excellent value (I've got a Ribble).

mikef22

thanks for the replies. I live in the north west, and ride every day to work, and at weekends, riding around 200 miles a week.

In tems of fitness, I think I'm in reasonably good shape. My 14 mile commute takes around 45 mins, and I can run a 10k in about the same time.

Rides I go on take me round the hills in Burnley, Bolton amongst others so it's not all flat.

I read the letter in this months Cycling + about double / triple groupsets, the response to which was a bit vague.

Cheers.

mikef22

thanks for the replies. I live in the north west, and ride every day to work, and at weekends, riding around 200 miles a week.

In tems of fitness, I think I'm in reasonably good shape. My 14 mile commute takes around 45 mins, and I can run a 10k in about the same time.

Rides I go on take me round the hills in Burnley, Bolton amongst others so it's not all flat.

I read the letter in this months Cycling + about double / triple groupsets, the response to which was a bit vague.

Cheers.

keef66

If you live in the Northwest, then it would make sense to opt for Ribble. You can go in and look at the things in the flesh, and make sure you're getting the right size.

I'd choose a triple for riding in your part of the world, but I'm the wrong side of 50 and my knees are knackered so I prefer to spin the pedals in a lower gear. If you're young and fit, a compact double with a 27 tooth sprocket will give you almost as big a range of gears with one less chainring to worry about.

Campag or Shimano; I couldn't possibly comment. Just shop based on looks and the feel of the hoods / levers

hammerite

Do you aready have a road bike Mike? If so I'd go with whatever make of groupset you have now, makes it easier to share parts and things like wheels between bikes.

passout

Hi

I cycle in the NW - largely in the Trough of Bowland and find a double chainset fine. If you were riding Lakeland passes or go out of your way to hilly stuff then a compact would be better. In some ways a compact offers more flexibility (wider range of gears) and seem very popular at the moment. You sound fit enough to ride either to be honest. I should say that I never liked spinning up hills anyway & rarely used my lowest gears when I rode a compact. I wouldn't bother with a triple though - over kill.

I also rode a Ribble Nero Corsa and found it to be a good bike & great value. Would definately pop into the Ribble shop to have a look around. The head tube on the Nero Corsa is quite high & this doesn't suit everyone - but I found it very comfy. My Nero Corsa broke (car accident when on roof rack) & I was all set to get another one. But then I spotted an ex display Look 565 in Bowland Cycling - near Garstang - for 1.5k. Great bike. You do find some real 'last years models' or 'outgoing models' bargains around. I'd look carefully at the sales first. Merlin Cycles also do road bikes now & are worth a look. If buying at full price or using cyclescheme then Ribble or Planet x are hard to beat.

Cheers

Mettan

mikef22 wrote:

thanks for the replies. I live in the north west, and ride every day to work, and at weekends, riding around 200 miles a week.

In tems of fitness, I think I'm in reasonably good shape. My 14 mile commute takes around 45 mins, and I can run a 10k in about the same time.

Rides I go on take me round the hills in Burnley, Bolton amongst others so it's not all flat.

I read the letter in this months Cycling + about double / triple groupsets, the response to which was a bit vague.

Cheers.

Given your fitness (above), a standard Double or 50/34 Compact chainset might be most suitable - if youre planing on doing a season of Sportives in the near future? then a 50/34 Compact might be suitable (100 milers with a variety of 15-25 % grads) - if however, you're mainly going to be riding/training on the flat (with possibly some beginners circuit races in the next year?) then a standard Double might be adequate. Take you time with the decision - many new riders buy Doubles, then after an 8 % grad after 50 miles think ''wish I'd got a compact'' - and then have to pay out to get it all changed over.

mikef22

Thanks for the replies - there's a few interesting points in there:

1 - My employer isn't on the cycle to work scheme, I've asked, but to be honest not heard much back and don't expect to, so I'll be footing the bill for the full amount.

2 - I'm not in a team, but have been considering a few competitive races, as a beginner, to racing at least.

3 - Take you time with the decision - many new riders buy Doubles, then after an 8 % grad after 50 miles think ''wish I'd got a compact'' - and then have to pay out to get it all changed over.

That's what I'd want to avoid - I want to get a bike that's fit for purpose, given the amount I'd be paying for one.

4 - Yes, I've already got a road bike - it's by no means a great one, but, for getting into road biking and commuting, it does the job. I replaced the tyres for continental gatorskins and have had some good outings on it. Gear wise, it's Shimano Sora.

Thanks for the advice.

passout

The carbon Boardman looks good too by the way.

bazbadger

This has just come out at Planet X

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... pag-athena

About time.

Didn't know there was a cycling shop near Garstang - will have to take a look next time I'm up.

hammerite

mikef22 wrote:

4 - Yes, I've already got a road bike - it's by no means a great one, but, for getting into road biking and commuting, it does the job. I replaced the tyres for continental gatorskins and have had some good outings on it. Gear wise, it's Shimano Sora.

Thanks for the advice.

Even if your road bike isn't a great one it might be worth getting a new bike that's Shimano. I had a Trek Pilot originally (Shimano), great bike for starting out, but nothing special. I then got a Wilier (Campag), bit of a love at first sight impulse buy, fantastic bike .

The Trek gets used for commuting and winter rides, the Wilier for TTs, spring/summer rides and now the odd race. I had a spoke go on a rear wheel on the Trek, and needed to use it urgently. First thought was, no problem just swap the wheels - but then it dawned on me not compatible wheels.

Just little things like this help.