Any shame in riding a RIBBLE frameset guys ?

Sunderland Supporter

The thread title is kind of contradictory to what I wish to find out about, lets establish this from the start. I was doing a bit of homework behind possibly making a purchase from Ribble for a frame & forks. From what I have read, I think the products look just great and the pricing is very competitive. I kept reading on various web fora time and time again , comments from corksniffing idiots pouring derision on the brand because they arent hand made italian.................blah de blah and all that. We all know , it only takes 2 mins to go to Alibaba and see just how many "Big Names" are purchasing their unpainted carbon framesets from the far east, Ribble are doing it too and I think so what :roll: and let self inflated egotistical ar$ehole$ wallow in their own self glory and let the rest of us get on with it

I really like the look of the 7046 Curved Frame Sportive and the Gran Fondo, ill be damned if I can make headway online and ascertain true geometries and weights for both that are accurate. I think the weight of my current frame and forks would come in at around 1450g which is a bit on the weighty side and of course id like to go lighter.My Selle San Marco Rolls with steel rails saddle doesnt help either, why do they have to be so super comfy !! thats why Ive my eyes peeled for a titanium rails version My shortar$e 5 ft 9 dimensions required a toptube length around 537mm - 542mm and Ive no clue as to Ribble sizing and what would be suitable for me :roll: Would I be safe in assuming a 7046 curved sportive frameset or gran fondo frameset would come in comfortably under 1450g ? Cant for the blessed life of me figure out why somebody would be ashamed to ride a bike with RIBBLE on it, but is there a degree of shame synonymous with the brand :?:

Rigged

What bike are you riding at the moment? 1450g actually sounds fairly light for frame and fork. It's not ultralight but with the right pairing of groupset and wheelset I'd have thought you'd comfortably come in around the 8kg mark.

As a comparison I'm riding a Wilier Lavaredo which is an aluminium frame with carbon forks/alu steerer that together weigh in at 2kg and the overall stock bike weight inclusive of pedals is 9.5kg. Now with a simple swap of wheels around the £300 point i could shave off 5-600g and almost a further 200g changing tyres to some Continental GP4000s. A couple of hundred spent on upgraded crankset and perhaps with some changes to the alu bars, stem, and seat post I could be looking at an 8kg bike even with a comparatively heavy frame.

Of course, if it's a new bike you want then certainly Ribble are great value for money and there shouldn't be a stigma attached to the name, but if it's just weight savings you're looking to make perhaps you could reach similar levels with slightly more selective upgrades, and you could save a few hundred pounds in the process - of course this all depends on what spec Ribble you're eyeing up and what spec your current bike is

crescent

I've just completed building my Gran Fondo and, on the contrary, I feel very proud to be riding something I spent considerable time on, from mulling over and selecting the components to fitting them and setting it all up. Although all the parts are readily available stock items it is still, by definition, a custom built bike for me and I like the idea of that. It looks absolutely fantastic as well and has received only very positive comments from the few people who have seen it close up.
As for sizing, I tried to compare the geometry with my Allez which is a good fit and arrived at a medium frame (I am around 5'10" with average build). I was between sizes and Ribble recommended that I opt for the medium - I'm glad I did and, assuming you are of average build at 5'9", I would say a medium would probably be best for you.
In terms of weight, I've not actually weighed it yet, only because I don't have an accurate enough set of scales to do so. It is light though, the postman actually asked me if I had ordered an empty box when he delivered it . I believe the fork is not generally considered to be light at 600g (due to the aluminium steerer) but it could hardly be considered heavy either (I've lopped about 4" off it anyway). I think a total frame and fork weight of 1500 - 1600g is probably about right and, as per the above post, careful choice of components would easily cancel out the extra 200g or so that the fork contributes.
I have nothing but praise for Ribble in terms of their service and their prices are amongst the lowest around.
Cheers

Sunderland Supporter

Good positive vibes from both of you, its the cork sniffer attitude, and there are plenty of those with it that really get on my nerves. That Fondo sounds great and I think the frameset is a real looker.

rickwiggans

Well Sunderland Supporter, I'm a Liverpool supporter, and I'd MUCH rather ride a Ribble than admit that, the way this season's going! Actually,my wife rides a Ribble as do many people around here.

themekon

Nothing wrong with Ribble. I had one of their early Reynolds 653 steel framed bikes. After 10 years a fellow club member who is about 8 inches taller than me had it for a time trial frame and did some very quick times. 51 minutes for a 25 mile TT.

rolf_f

I have a Gran Fondo. I like it. It is a short frame compared to most so if you are of normal proportions will give you a more upright ride than most bikes.

It isn't massively light and it isn't just the alloy steerer - if you look at the pics, you'll see the frame tubes are pretty chunky things compared to eg the Sportive Bianco. I have a rather lighter (more expensive) bike anyway so that didn't bother me much and I'm barely conscious of the difference when I'm riding it. I chose the Gran Fondo purely because I knew it would fit best (I can't understand why people choose poorer fitting bikes on the basis of looks!) and I've covered a good 5000 miles on it.

Whilst I do enjoy the exclusivity of my Look, I can't say I ever feel inferior riding the Ribble. And I've not noticed anyone else being sniffy about it! Go for it!!

t5nel

+1 got a Gran Fondo as well. (5'9" average all over and fit well on a medium)

For a carbon frame it is not super light but it does feel stiff and (I would imagine) is tougher with the extra material.

Every time I clean it and stand back I still think it looks pretty nice - 2500 miles in no regrets.

If you are looking to spend 1000 - 1300 then I think a carbon Ribble is excellent value.

acidstrato

the only shame you should have is for asking that question..

ride what ever you like

Sunderland Supporter

t5nel wrote:

+1 got a Gran Fondo as well. (5'9" average all over and fit well on a medium)

For a carbon frame it is not super light but it does feel stiff and (I would imagine) is tougher with the extra material.

Every time I clean it and stand back I still think it looks pretty nice - 2500 miles in no regrets.

If you are looking to spend 1000 - 1300 then I think a carbon Ribble is excellent value.

is there anywhere you can find out actual top tube lengths for the various ribble models, the ribble site doesnt give much away

rolf_f

Sunderland Supporter wrote:

is there anywhere you can find out actual top tube lengths for the various ribble models, the ribble site doesnt give much away

It's all there - you only have to look. Seek and ye shall find

crescent

There is a link on the Gran Fondo page - here is the info you need.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/assets/images/GranFondo_Geometry.jpg

centimani

I think (only think, not saying i'm right) most Ribbles ive seen (99% of them winter trainers) are very plain, not very inspiring, perhaps thats where the bad rep relates to.
Their carbon frames are a different matter, i think they really look the part....so much so i brough a New Sportive Racing.
Getting the right size ? it is difficult when the bike you're comparing it to isn't even a sportive, they're different animals.
The Via Nirones for instance, they make it known its a distance/sportive bike, comfortable riding position, but the headtube on the Sportive Racing is significantly higher than the Nirone, which already boasts a tall headtube..
Measure measure measure everything, then compare, but you wont find it right in every tube.

My sportive size was chosen that way, it seems perfect.

neeb

I don't know the weight of the ribble but I'd echo the comments that 1450g real weight for frame and forks is pretty light (painted frame with all the fittings, not a bare carbon frame in the smallest size without BB shell, bolts, paint, derailleur hanger, etc etc...). A Pinarello Dogma will be quite a bit more than that.. I'd rather have an extra 1 or 200g on the frame weight and save weight with components than have an ultralight noodle. In this price bracket you are not going to be getting ultra-high modulus carbon that allows a frame to be under 900g and still be properly stiff.

And nothing wrong with Ribble - just take it abroad on holiday and it becomes an exotic foreign brand...

Kingy911

I hope not, mines due in two weeks ;-)

Sunderland Supporter

Crescent wrote:

There is a link on the Gran Fondo page - here is the info you need.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/assets/images/GranFondo_Geometry.jpg

Thanks for that mate

The medium seems exactly what Im looking for , 535mm top tube and 147mm head tube.........almost made for me . Now gotta see how much it costs to buy the frame and forks only.

crescent

I bought mine in January and it was just a shade under £500 for frame and fork. I think you have to buy both together so I don't know why they price them individually.
I'm sure you won't be disappointed, it is a thing of beauty. Only ridden it a few miles since I built it, just to check the set-up really. Tied up with work for the next week or so but looking forward to some longer rides after that and then using it for the Etape Caledonia next month.

Cheers

ddraver

I ve got one of the Alu Winter/Audax and I ve used it for everything save off road riding! With various tyre widths and stem heights/lengths, I ve used it for commuting, sportives, touring, club rides, bit of racing (it's my fault i'm crap at that though) and basically totally abused it. It's covered in scratches and scrapes and none of the components match colours or brands and it's been great!!

Like I say to anyone that comments on how bikes look - When I ride, I look where I'm going! (hopefully before dropping them like a sack of spuds, but that does nt always happen :oops: - but again, that's my fault not the bike's)

knownothingbozo

I love mine, paired with 105 parts, and RS80 wheels, it weighs about 7.8kg. I love just looking it!
Rides well, though to be honest I have nothing to reference against other than previous aluminium framed Pinnacle.
On a bike ride today with about 1000 entrants, I saw 3 ribbles including mine. In amongst what seemed to be 100's of specialised, trek and giant. (and one penny farthing). So if you want to be a bit different, on a budget, they are worth considering.

Pross

Been riding one for 20 years (now my winter / commuter bike). That said it hasn't had Ribble stickers since I got it re-sprayed when it was 3 years old. They are Deda frames these days I think and I doubt anyone would make the same comments if they had the Deda decals on them. The only problem with Ribble is they can be victims of their own success and not deliver to the timescale you are expecting due to demand.

Sunderland Supporter

knownothingbozo wrote:

I love mine, paired with 105 parts, and RS80 wheels, it weighs about 7.8kg. I love just looking it!
Rides well, though to be honest I have nothing to reference against other than previous aluminium framed Pinnacle.
On a bike ride today with about 1000 entrants, I saw 3 ribbles including mine. In amongst what seemed to be 100's of specialised, trek and giant. (and one penny farthing). So if you want to be a bit different, on a budget, they are worth considering.

7.8 KG :shock: Wow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

which type of ribble frameset are you using

CRAIGO5000

I've just put my Planet X wheels on my Stealth and I think it looks pretty tidy now. I'm made up with the bike, Sram Force GS, lighter and cheaper than Ultegra and the frame is so stiff and comfy over the usual crappy UK tarmac - it's hugely noticeable compared to my aluminium Allez.

The cheapest decent 'branded' bike I could find at the likes of Evans with Ultegra was £1350 and it was an alu Trek Madone. I paid £70 more and feel I have a lot more bike for my money.

The De Rosa 'branded' version of my bike is a few thousand and the paint job is nice to be fair. I'm not sure I;d want to pay 100% more for the paint and 'heritage' though. I go out to ride, not to pose with my nose pointed up in the air...