I need a tough, fast commuter...(Ribble or Cannondale?)
danhowes
Posts: 10
Hi,
I've been commuting 32 miles a day on a Spesh Secteur triple for the last 12 months, it has been a good enough bike but having now done around 6, 500 miles its asking for retirement!
I have looked at a great many bikes and have around £800 to spend, so far I'm considering the following...
- Cannondale Synapse 105 (£745)
- Ribble 7005 Audax with SRAM Rival groupset (£800)
I have looked at various Cube's but they stand out a bit and given the recent muggings on the Bath - Bristol cycle path looking for something a little more 'low key'.
I've seen a Synapse 'in the flesh' and really liked the look of the frame, but thinking that for £55 more I could get a full Rival groupset (whereas the Synapse only uses a mix of Shimano 105 / FSA / Tektro components)
The Ribble has full a SRAM Rival groupset which seems to be better.
My main concern is the Ribble 7005 frame. Many reviews have said this lets it down, is very heavy, is not a comfortable ride. Ribble do other frames such as their 7005SL or 7005 Ultralite, but these put me over my budget.
Does anyone have experience with either bike?
I've been commuting 32 miles a day on a Spesh Secteur triple for the last 12 months, it has been a good enough bike but having now done around 6, 500 miles its asking for retirement!
I have looked at a great many bikes and have around £800 to spend, so far I'm considering the following...
- Cannondale Synapse 105 (£745)
- Ribble 7005 Audax with SRAM Rival groupset (£800)
I have looked at various Cube's but they stand out a bit and given the recent muggings on the Bath - Bristol cycle path looking for something a little more 'low key'.
I've seen a Synapse 'in the flesh' and really liked the look of the frame, but thinking that for £55 more I could get a full Rival groupset (whereas the Synapse only uses a mix of Shimano 105 / FSA / Tektro components)
The Ribble has full a SRAM Rival groupset which seems to be better.
My main concern is the Ribble 7005 frame. Many reviews have said this lets it down, is very heavy, is not a comfortable ride. Ribble do other frames such as their 7005SL or 7005 Ultralite, but these put me over my budget.
Does anyone have experience with either bike?
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Comments
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Why does you're bike need to be retired after 6500 miles? A bit of of a fettle and maybe some new parts should be all it needs ???
PS - I'm looking for a Synapse 105 where have you seen 1 for £745 ?0 -
The Synapse would be most similar to the Secteur? From what i've read whilst looking for my first road bike the Ribble 7005 is a racier geometry so regardless of the frame quality it will still ride differently to the Secteur or the Synapse which are both more comfort orientated rides.
So it really depends on which geometry you want?0 -
i feel i want to defend the Ribble here. yes it is only a £90 frame with £50 forks but i ride one for training all year round alongside two other carbon bikes in better weather. Can honestly say the comfort factor is not an issue, it is at least as good comfort-wise as the other bikes and average speeds on training rides are hardly any different,certainly haven't noticed a consistent slower average speed on the Ribble let's say that. Eg I did a 40 mile ride on it today at an average of 18.8mph in winter gear.Think my best average speed on a training ride in the summer on best bike was only 19.5 over a similar route.Put some lightish wheels on it and it will be a fast enough bike for most mortals most of the time for leisure,training or commuting. ok you won't feel like Pantani up the hills,but who does anyway?
my 3p worth about the groupset would be that Tiagra or Apex is adequate but that Rival might be a bit extravagant on this frame.
Ok Ribble, can I have some free vouchers now please?0 -
I have used a ribble audax to commute 36 miles a day for 3 years. It's a good honest frame,no complaints. The tubes are thick walled low grade aluminium and the paint is prone to chipping and scratches.
However I upgraded to a Kinesis Racelight TK2 this year - it's a joy to ride. The quality of the ride is so much better and enjoyable. Seems to fly uphill. But as your previous responder says it only improves your average speed by a mile or 2 per hour.
That said I love my kinesis bike! If you do your homework this could come in at around your budget.0 -
I do 30 miles/day on a Ribble, and its great. No complaints at all.0
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warrerj wrote:Why does you're bike need to be retired after 6500 miles? A bit of of a fettle and maybe some new parts should be all it needs ???
+1 - I'd be getting a new bike every 8-10 months if I used that mileage as an excuse for replacement. 6500 miles is just nicely run in!Faster than a tent.......0 -
Thanks for all the replies guys, think I'm sold on the Ribble!
Just trying to decide between the Winter Trainer and the Ultralite...so far the only difference (asides colour) is around 200g of weight, which for a 'racey commuter' I'm not too bothered about. The geometry on both seem to be similar.
I spose the question now is to either go with:
- Winter Trainer with ITM Aero 2.4 Wheels upgrade and Shimano 105 - £773
or
- Ultralite with the ITM Aero 2.4 Wheels upgrade with Sram Apex - £8080 -
Uktralite frame- mudguard eyes NO= fair weather commuting only.
Basic winter training frame- mudguard eyes YES=better option for commuting.0
