Ribble 7005 for year-round commuting?

loobster
loobster Posts: 62
edited March 2011 in Road buying advice
Hey guys -

I am currently commuting 12 miles a day on a really rubbish old Specialized hybrid from god knows when, but have just been made permanent at work so I'm going to take advantage of the cycle to work scheme. My friend made me hip to Ribble bikes - he has a gorgeous carbon build that he got through them via the scheme that rides beautifully. I'm kinda wary of commuting on crap roads on an all carbon frame so I was looking at their alloy offerings.

I've been browsing their site and like the look of the 7005 audax/winter bike - seems sturdy and the base price is reasonable. It also gets great reviews and can be built up pretty much anyway you want. I've had a road bike before, a nice Trek 2 or 3 years ago but had to sell it for financial reasons. I don't really want to ride a dedicated commuter bike, nor a single speed or fixie. I like the speed and feel of a race bike for commuting. Anyway, my requirements are that it is tough and quick. I am a hair over 6ft and weigh about 90kg, and broad shouldered. I am willing to spend upto 800/900 so I specced it out with Campy Veloce double groupset, Mavic Cosmic Elite wheels and Vittoria Rubino tyres. Sound like a plan? Apologies for the n00b questions!

Ben

Comments

  • navrig
    navrig Posts: 1,352
    It will do that job.
  • loobster
    loobster Posts: 62
    Great.
  • Zendog1
    Zendog1 Posts: 816
    I've used this frame as my winter "hack" for four years now and it still cleans up like new!
    Recommended and there's lots on here ride them. The ability to fit full guards and a rack is rare and really useful for commuting.

    One thing to watch out for if buying on internet is the top tube length. It used to be abnormally long for the frame size. I usually ride a 58 but needed to drop to a Ribble 56 to get the fit right.
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    Zendog1 wrote:
    I've used this frame as my winter "hack" for four years now and it still cleans up like new!
    Recommended and there's lots on here ride them. The ability to fit full guards and a rack is rare and really useful for commuting.

    One thing to watch out for if buying on internet is the top tube length. It used to be abnormally long for the frame size. I usually ride a 58 but needed to drop to a Ribble 56 to get the fit right.
    I'd echo that, had mine for five years and it is the best VFM frame I've owned.
  • loobster
    loobster Posts: 62
    Yeah, my friends did feel a bit of a stretch at 58. Always better to go one size down?
  • loobster
    loobster Posts: 62
    What are the Pro Lite Como Clincher wheelset like? (the stock wheels without upgrading).

    Also is the Campag Veloce groupset adequate for commuting? Wondering how much I should spend on upgrades.

    Thx for all the help so far.
  • thespanishadam
    thespanishadam Posts: 341
    Loobster wrote:
    What are the Pro Lite Como Clincher wheelset like? (the stock wheels without upgrading).

    Also is the Campag Veloce groupset adequate for commuting? Wondering how much I should spend on upgrades.

    Thx for all the help so far.

    I'd be interested in about the question about Veloce being adequate for commuting. I've been using 2010 Centaur with not a single glitch.

    I can't imagine there being any obvious issues, as long as everything is regularly cleaned/lubed.
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    Loobster wrote:
    Yeah, my friends did feel a bit of a stretch at 58. Always better to go one size down?

    I should think so as well. Had a 52, but with hindsight a 50 would have been better. Buying another one soon.
  • andy162
    andy162 Posts: 634
    Re: Ribble sizing...I'd echo all of the above. I usually ride a 56 but with the Ribble I went down to a 54.

    They're proper tanks, I guess with a full Red groupset you could possibly get the weight below 15kg :wink:
  • super_davo
    super_davo Posts: 1,229
    I commute on a Ribble Winter with Veloce and Khamsin wheels - 11 miles each way. Great bike for the job. Both bike and groupset feel solid and like they'll go on forever, even after riding year round through two crappy winters.
    Would echo the comments about weight and sizing. I ride a 53cm Boardman as well and the sizing is fine, whereas my 52cm Ribble is slightly on the large side for me.
    Weighs a ton, especially with panniers, but then when I get on the Boardman I feel like I'm flying up hills.
    Also not a lot of room for panniers; have to fit them as far back as I can to stop my heels hitting them.

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