Ribble Winter / Audax Frame Size Help

ba68

Any one here have one and can give some advice on size / geometry, I have used their size guide which works out at 58.65, they recommend going for the closest / smaller so that would put me on a 58. So checking the geometry of the 58 Ribble to my current bike the effective top tube is similar (Ribble is 7mm shorter) but the head tube is 15mm shorter, I know I can add spacers but that will bring the bars closer so will then need a longer stem. Any advice from riders of 58 and 60cm Winter Frame owners? My other bike is a Planet X and I consider it more of a race frame than the Ribble Winter bike so am surprised the Ribble has a shorter head tube? I guess I need to compare the stack height but Ribble don't quote it.
By the way I am exactly 6' tall, 1.83m

mpd62

fantastic value frames, Yes they come up a size down as they measure center to top and its quite big tubing, so basically in traditional sizing C to C , 60 cm is more like a 58 cm.

Zendog1

+ 1 on what mpd said.

I'm 6' 1" and my dry weather bike (Specialized) is a 58. For my Ribble (same frame as you are looking at) I went down a size to 56 and it fits perfect.

ba68

Thanks guys, I am leaning towards the 58 frame, I think a 56 will be just a bit too agressive for what I am going to use it for I.e. Wet/winter club runs and sportives and winter training. Have measured myself again and been comparing the geometry with my P/X and think the 58 will give me the frame I want.

sturmey

The latest 60 cm winter/audax is what used to be the 56cm. I have queried this with Ribble several times with a view to buying another and they have confirmed this.top tube on the 60cm is 57 cm,head tube is 17.5cm.Think the website confirms these measurements. If you ar 6' tall (as I am) I would say you want the 60cm too. Certainly not too big for me.A 58cm would be equivalent to the old 54cm. You sure that's big enough for you?? It's a winter bike don't forget, not a racer, so a headtube 15mm shorter than you are used to may be the wrong choice.

Guglielmo

I've had a Ribble Winter frame but sold it after riding a Planet-X Kaffenback. Better value, waaaaaaaaaaay nicer ride (springy steel as opposed to thudding aluminium), better made and proper sizing as well.

Choice is yours of course but I personally found the Ribble's ride very average and quite uncomfortable whereas the Kaffy feels springy, lively, comfy and really light (even though it isn't light at all, it just rides as if it's light!).

Good luck! And enjoy winter, looks like it's started....

ba68

Sturmy, thanks, I am undecided between the 60 and 58, it's the short head tube that puts me off the 58 but am worried about the stand over height of the 60 as my hack/hybrid is a 60 and I think it's on the limit for me, any chance you could measure the stand over height on your 60 for me?

A kaffenback would be lovely but I am on a budget and this is supposed to be my winter frame that I don't get too precious over!

sturmey

I'll measure it for you tomorrow no probs.

ba68

Cheers, either ground to top of the top tube or middle of crank/BB to top of top tube.
Much appreciated.
Regards, Al.

bianchiblue

I second the notion of a kaffenback instead of a harsh alloy ribble. In fact I'm going to be selling my kaffenback due to lack of use... just don't get out in winter what with football, gym and mtb. I'm sure we could make it less £££ than a ribble too. Size is XL, 58cm. I'm 6 ft 1.

Interested? Could sell frame and forks or complete bike with centaur and sks mudguards depending on budget. It's all almost new! Only 100 miles.

ba68

I am only looking to buy a frame and forks as I have a lot of parts in the garage I want to make use of. What brakes does the kaffenback take, I thought it was canti's? Can you pm me a pic.

bianchiblue

Yep cantis which give plenty of room for wide winter rubber with mudguards as well as the cyclocross option. Happy to include the brakes I have on there. I'll sort a pic this arvo.

ba68

Thanks, would be interested to see a pic but having taken a quick look at the Geometry I think it may be on the large size for me, PX sizing is normally pretty accurate and they suggest the XL for 6'1" +

bianchiblue

ba68 wrote:

Thanks, would be interested to see a pic but having taken a quick look at the Geometry I think it may be on the large size for me, PX sizing is normally pretty accurate and they suggest the XL for 6'1" +

Hmm depends on what you are used to, but I ride the Kaffy as pictured below (a fair bit of seatpost out). I also ride a 56cm (large) Specialized Roubaix and the overal fit is pretty similar actually.

Have a gander:

sturmey

I have measured the standover height of my 60cm frame. It is 82.5cm from the ground vertically to the top edge of the top tube.

ba68

sturmey, many thanks for that. Using Ribble method of measuring inside leg I come in at 85 or 86 at a push, that is in bare feet though but they say your feet should be 20cm apart, so a stand over height of 82.5 doesn't sound like it will give a lot of clearance to the crown jewels even adding the couple of cm shoes and cleats will add. Have done some calculations of what the stack height will be on the 58 and 60 ribbles, and I think the 58 head tube will be about 10mm lower than my Planet x, I only have 20mm of spacers on that so can live with running 30mm of spacers on a 58 ribble I think. so I think I have decided on the 58.

sturmey

Ok.Good luck with the build/order. For comparison I have a Kinesis Gran Fondo as well as the Ribble.The Kinesis is a smoother ride and a bit livelier but the Ribble is great value for money-the frame is cheaper than a decent chainset.Can't argue with that.

ba68

Thanks Sturmey, one last check of measurements before I place the order. Will let you know how I get on once I get the frame and get it built up. You are right about the price, the frame set is about the same price as the chain set on my good bike. I'm going to build up the ribble with 10 speed Tiagra shifters and various bits I've accumulated over the years so total outlay today will be 300 quid or so, so I will hopefully be able to keep riding over the winter and not be too precious about the bike

Guglielmo

Nice Kaff' though it looks maybe a bit small for you if anything...?

bianchiblue wrote:

Hmm depends on what you are used to, but I ride the Kaffy as pictured below (a fair bit of seatpost out). I also ride a 56cm (large) Specialized Roubaix and the overal fit is pretty similar actually.

Have a gander:

ba68

Thanks Sturmey, as one last check I measured the stand over height on my hybrid which I always thought was on the upper limit of size for me and the stand over is about 1cm lower than what you have quoted on your 60cm Ribble, so I do think the 58cm Ribble will be about right, I guess I have shorter legs! I will post an update when I get the frame, which I ordered today, and get it built up. I'm not sure what typical delivery time is from Ribble for frame, forks and headset but am guessing a couple of weeks. Luckily it looks like summer has returned, at least until the weekend!

ba68

So a quick update on my original post; I ordered a 58cm frame in the end along with the blackstorm forks and on a separate order the other bits I needed to complete the build. The parts arrived about a week later, they sent the wrong size bars which I had to get swapped but that was fairly painless. The frame, forks and headset took exactly 3 weeks to arrive which is in line with what they quoted although does seem rather a long time. Anyway, built the bike up at the weekend and the fits seems pretty good, haven't ridden any distance yet as it's been dry so have been using my 'best' bike but will give it a good work out this weekend. Overall my experience with Ribble has been ok, they seem to be a bit hit and miss when replying to queries but I suspect they get a lot of email/questions. The frame quality looks pretty good for the price; very good paint finish, nice even welds, threads/bottom bracket etc all nice and true and clean. A couple of questions I did ask Ribble before I got an answer which may help others are:
1. Seat clamp is included
2. Front mech is braze on
3. Gear barrel adjusters are included on frame
4. If you order a frame, headset and forks they will fits the crown race and bearings
5. Bolts for mudguards are fitted to frame

If I get round to it I will post something on the your bikes section.