Ribble Deda EM2 Race - Review?

Molloy

I'm researching new road bikes for around 1K, and current preference is this one from Ribble http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialedition.asp?action=GenerateConstructor&part=SERIBBEM2RACECAMP&sub=conf_SERC&bike=1.

Frame and components all look great and good price, but I can't find any reviews on this particular Ribble bike on the web - lots of stuff about the carbon ones and the winter trainer, but nothing on their alu road bikes.

Anyone got one, or know where I can find a review?

Cheers All

Chapeau!

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Monty Dog

EM2 is an extremely lightweight aluminium alloy - they have been overtaken by carbon frames in recent years, one of the reasons being their relative fragility / lack of durability. Yes they are very light, but at the expensive of longevity - many are only recommended to have a 'life' of 3 years and typically have a weight-limit too.

FransJacques

Agreed. Stuff like V107, U2, EM2, Easton Scandium etc. should be chosen carefully since they have been eclipsed by carbon (albeit not for the same price) and they were the bleeding edge of Alu 10 years ago before cheap and good carbon got established.

I'm surprised Ribble still does them to tell the truth.

Why not get a Stealth, that frame is a steal and you'll have something that's bleeding edge 2011, not 2001. The DeRosa Merak (V107) was a brilliant bike in it's day but it'd be a noodle compared to many carbo frames I could list.

If you want something to trash get a 3 year old £350 used Focus Cayo or Izalco or...

greeny12

Monty Dog wrote:

EM2 is an extremely lightweight aluminium alloy - they have been overtaken by carbon frames in recent years, one of the reasons being their relative fragility / lack of durability. Yes they are very light, but at the expensive of longevity - many are only recommended to have a 'life' of 3 years and typically have a weight-limit too.

EM2s are not *that* fragile!

I've done 9 races on mine so far, one of which included a big spill, plus it survived a beating on a flight from Majorca with only a small dent and no loss of structural rigidity.

I also found it puts the power down better than my carbon Colnago, although it is a stiffer ride (that's no issue for racing, mind).

Just my tuppence worth as an actual owner of one of these bikes...

rolf_f

greeny12 wrote:

EM2s are not *that* fragile!

I've done 9 races on mine so far, one of which included a big spill, plus it survived a beating on a flight from Majorca with only a small dent and no loss of structural rigidity....

I don't think the ability to survive 9 races and an accident is exactly proof of a lack of fragility!

greeny12

Rolf F wrote:

greeny12 wrote:

EM2s are not *that* fragile!

I've done 9 races on mine so far, one of which included a big spill, plus it survived a beating on a flight from Majorca with only a small dent and no loss of structural rigidity....

I don't think the ability to survive 9 races and an accident is exactly proof of a lack of fragility!

I dunno - a carbon frame would have been firked by the Majorca baggage handlers' carelessness I can assure you! Carbon don't bend last I checked...

Monty Dog

The fact that the frame has been dented at all is enough. I'm not saying it's a bad bike, but to try and explain why lightweight, heat-treated alloys have fallen out of favour. They are good value but just expect it to last forever.

Billy Dunlop

Monty Dog wrote:

The fact that the frame has been dented at all is enough. I'm not saying it's a bad bike, but to try and explain why lightweight, heat-treated alloys have fallen out of favour. They are good value but just expect it to last forever.

Make your mind up? Do they last or don't they?

SNACK-HEAD

I have the em2 frame , sloping with deda carbon rear stays from ribble. It is not as light as they say, although they may quote raw frame weight , whatever that means , my 52 cm weighed in at about 1200g. quite a bit more than the 950g.
I expected it to be a bit heavier, and also bought it in a great sale at about £240 frame only, so no complaints . After 6 months hard training miles and 6 races the allen bolt joint from frame to carbon stay squeaked loose and remains a bit noisy.
By the time you add in decent carbon forks and wheels its a good race bike for the money, and a change from the black carbon bikes which seem eveywhere.
Cheaper to crash than my carbon frame(black) which was on the floor after 1 race.

greeny12

Monty Dog wrote:

The fact that the frame has been dented at all is enough. I'm not saying it's a bad bike, but to try and explain why lightweight, heat-treated alloys have fallen out of favour. They are good value but just expect it to last forever.

When I saw the state of the bike box finding only a small dent on the frame seemed a minor miracle!

Anyway, enough of this, the OP was looking for opinions of actual owners and he has two now...

racingcondor

The EM2 is a good, stiff, light Alu race frame. The problem with very light Alu frames is that the tubes are very thin so can dent easily. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if I was looking for a replacement race frame.

That said, I probably would hesitate if I was looking for a frame that I wanted to keep for 5+ years and only had one bike. The 7005 would probably do that job well though.

I have to admit I've got a bias towards good Alu over cheap carbon. There are some very good Alu bikes out there in the 700-1500 bracket. If you go carbon you've got to sort through a lot more duds before you know you're buying something worth the money.

angelic upstart

Had one of these bikes forRibble about 5 years ago. After 3 months bottom bracket fell out, due mainly to frame b/b thread being egg shaped. Guess what Ribble didnt want to know. Got it sorted by local bike shop. Now im not saying i clean my bike evey week, but after having this bike for just over 18 months, a small hole appeared in the down tube about the size of a penny, guess what Ribble didnt want to know. DONT BUY OFF THESE TOSSERS, and dont buy a lightweight ally frame, get carbon ot ti.