Ribble nero rc or grandfondo?

gonzalez gomez

I'am torn between the nero rc or the grand fondo. The grand fondo looks nice and has some good reviews however I wonder if the Deda manufactured nero rc is a better quality frame? I will spec either bike with campy centaur group. my usual rides are 2 - 3 hours around the undulating forest of dean and lower wye valley with 2 or 3 sportives added over the year I think either would probably suit my needs. This is my first foray into c/f frames. so any help/advice would be gratefully received.

rolf_f

The Gran Fondo is also Deda so don't worry about that. It even has 'Crafted in Italy' graphics on it which I am somewhat sceptical about

I have a Centaur Gran Fondo - I've only managed a couple of rides on it but it is a great bike and compares well with my rather more expensive Look (though I covet my Look in a way that I never will the Ribble!).

Check the frame geometry. The Gran Fondo is probably shorter and taller for a more upright position. Some people hate that but the differences are quite subtle - I doubt you'd tell the difference just sat on it. For longer rides upright might be more comfortable so maybe the GF edges ahead. I'm sure both would be fine though.

Bentyler

Just my personal view the Gran Fondo is superb performance for the money.
It is a wolf in sheeps clothing, lively and responsive. Mine has Campag Centaur with Fulcrum 3 wheels. Great finish and good looking. The bike was intended to be used on our rather quick clubruns /training rides. I finished it at the end of August just as the French racing season was coming to an end, next year it will be my number one steed for our local road races.
I ride GS cat races as I am 65 years young.

PS How do I upload photos to the forum?

rolf_f

Bentyler wrote:

PS How do I upload photos to the forum?

I put them on photobucket and then put the url of the image in the Img codes (second from the right above the post you are posting!)

eg (my Gran Fondo )

CarbonCopy

Nero is a much lighter frame if that means anything to you.I was at ribble last week.they are both very nice none the less.

rolf_f

CarbonCopy wrote:

Nero is a much lighter frame if that means anything to you.I was at ribble last week.they are both very nice none the less.

Only a couple of hundred grams in it. Not enough to be that noticeable perhaps.

gonzalez gomez

Thanks everyone for your info. I am leaning towards the granfondo as I think the more relaxed geometry will suit my riding style (20yrs of front row rugby does not make for a flexible back!). The GF also seems to get plenty of good reviews on various sites, as does the Nero. I will probably go for for the carbon centaur grouppo and maybe campy scirroco wheels. Interestingly spoketo ribble today they advised that the GF is not a full DEDA frame but has Deda rear end matched to some other front end I would assume of Italian manufacture, can't see the economy of shipping stuff from italy to taiwain or vice versa but you never know.

blackpoolkev

Scirocco wheels are not an option in the "special edition bikes" section on the Ribble website.If you use the "bikebuilder" section you get more choices but less value.

rolf_f

I believe some VIners use Deda rear ends matched to Viner fronts so not impossible but seems unlikely for the price. Still, it might actually justify the 'Crafted in Italy' text as the Deda bit certainly isn't Italian.

I do wish Ribble could spell Fibre though; the chain stay refers to Carbon Fiber. Ribble is a British company goddamit

blackpoolkev wrote:

Scirocco wheels are not an option in the "special edition bikes" section on the Ribble website.If you use the "bikebuilder" section you get more choices but less value.

+1 on this. Hence the Khamsins on my bike. It is probably better to go with those and keep an eye on the Ribble site (and elsewhere) for spare wheels at bargain prices. I got a pair of Vento Reactions for barely more than £100.

gonzalez gomez

would purchase scirroco's on their own although also considering the fsa rd 200 from c/r at £154 reduced from £279