Which Ribble?

wobblejaw

Hi, I'm on the brink of buying my first road bike after my hybrid got stolen last week. I've done quite a lot of research and think I'm going to mail order from Ribble. They seem to offer the best value and I'm prepared to chance my arm with their patchy customer service. I just wanted some advice on what frame type to go for? I will mainly be using the bike for my daily 16 mile commute into London but also plan to start doing some distance riding with pals and possibly a London to Paris in the summer. Carbon seems to be more race orientated so I'm not sure it's worth spending the extra money and I'm also worried about the durability of the material on a bike used every day. An aluminium frame seems to be a fairly sensible option for an all round bike so I was going to buy one of their 7005 models, however I then saw their Reynolds 525 steel framed bike and my head was turned by the fact that mud guards are included, which is great for commuting and I could add panniers on a tour, just concerned it might be a bit heavy. I probably need more than 1 bike but I don't have huge amounts of storage so I need to try and cover as many bases as I can with this purchase. Any help with this decision from some experienced heads would be much appreciated?

lc1981

Is there any indication of the weight on Ribble's website? I have a steel Genesis Equilibrium and it's pretty light (sub 10 kg). Obviously it's not as light as a carbon race bike, but I've never had cause to think it heavy.

wobblejaw

It doesn't have the weight on the site unfortunately. I don't want to end up with a heavy bike

rolf_f

FWIW, there is no presumption of 'race orientation' in carbon frames and there certainly are no issues about durability. I've covered many thousands of miles on a Ribble Gran Fondo in all weather son my daily commute and at weekends and it has been fine.

However, it doesn't fit traditional mudguards (only Crud Road Racers which some people don't get on with though they are fine for me) and I tend to use an old steel tourer in the dark months of winter, not for reasons of durability but simply because it's componentry is vastly cheaper than the Ribble and I reckon a good 90% of the wear and tear occurs around this time of year.

Personally, I'd spend a bit more than the Ribble steel frame and get a Bob Jackson frame. The standard ones cost a bit over £400 and are handmade in Leeds. They'll be lighter than the Ribble too. Main downside is that the wait tends to be a bit longer but you have far more choice over spec details.

wobblejaw

Thanks Rolf that's good to know. I imagine by the time I get the bike it'll be early March and the weather will hopefully be getting better anyway. I could probably get a good 6 months out of a nice carbon/aluminium frame bike and then buy something more durable once the cold sets in? I'm not set on steel I was more interested to know the durability and practicality of the different materials. I think you're right though, I bought my hybrid in August and it wasn't until the weather turned grim that I started noticing signs of wear and tear. The perfect solution would have been to keep the hybrid for winter and spend some money on a nice road bike for spring/summer, however thanks to my local bike thief I don't have this option. Listening to you comments I'm more inclined to just go and buy a light and fast bike and then once the cold sets in again I'll review my options.

wobblejaw

BTW Rolf, what wheels did you go for on your Gran Fondo?

BigLights

Hello - nice dilemma to have! I've got a Ribble Gran Fondo (RS30s) which is a fantastic ride...carbon frame, but relaxed geometry, very comfortable adn fast at the same time.

I'm also just mulling over which commuter to go for, to replace my current hybrid. Everyone who has the 7005 raves about it totally. Speaking to the Ribble guys, they say the 525 Reynolds is 'very nice', whatever that means. it's a tough call.

They also have the Sportive 365 whcih is a carbon bike, with mudguards, and looks tasty. Thing is, I don't want to go for that because it'll get nicked from outside my office in a flash.

wobblejaw

Thank you, it's good to know that the carbon frames are quite robust, it makes me more inclined to spend the extra money and get something I can really enjoy riding during the dry months. Otherwise I fear I'll settle for all year practicality and be kicking myself once we get some sunshine. I'll probably then look to invest in another cheap (possibly 2nd hand) hybrid for the winter months.

BigLights - do you commute on your Gran Fondo? What wheels did you plump for?

MoMatt

Hi All

Did anyone on this thread buy the Ribble Reynolds 525 Steel bike?