Ribble Sportive 365 - views/alternatives

ScottP_

Hi all, after spending many years using my ageing mtb to commute to work and pootle round friends I've decided it's time to take a step up and get a decent road bike that I can use all year round. Use will be commuting and long leisure rides for fitness. It needs to stand up to crap weather as will be used in all conditions and kept outside (but undercover) at work.
Was looking at the Sportive 365 from Ribble. Like the idea of carbon (but probably don't need it) for comfort more than weight. Can't find many reviews if any on the 365 version but the standard Sportive Bianco seems pretty good. I'm nowhere near their showroom so getting a test ride won't be easy but is on the cards if I can get myself up country.
So main question is has anyone got any views on the bike after trying or owning one?

What alternatives should I be considering. Happy with anything really as long as I can fit guards, it doesn't weight a ton and doesn't cost more than £1200 at absolute most.
LBS stocks Trek, Orbea, Cannondale and some others. Quite like the idea of the alloy Synapse with Tiagra or 105 which comes in way under budget, or perhaps one of the Trek's, maybe stretch to a 3.1 if it's really worth it.

Thoughts/opinions welcome.
Thanks

PAC1967

Hello,

Mines in the post, will let you know how I get on.
I looked at lots of alternatives for the same price range to inc carbon and 105 and couldn't find much to match the Ribble deal.
The Merlin MALT-CR ran it close but doesn't offer the all year round utility- I'm not likely to be able to have a second bike so hence the appeal of the 365.

PAC1967

Re Sportive 365 Its arrived and had its first outing and I can find no fault.
Just very pleased with it and have already hit several PBs over regular Strava segments.
Its my first road bike and likely to be the only one for a long while, cant see why I'd need to change it or more to the point have a second bike.

YIMan

PAC1967 wrote:

Re Sportive 365 Its arrived and had its first outing and I can find no fault.
Just very pleased with it and have already hit several PBs over regular Strava segments.
Its my first road bike and likely to be the only one for a long while, cant see why I'd need to change it or more to the point have a second bike.

It's your first road bike and on it you've hit several Strava PBs? Funny that......

infopete

I've had my Ribble 365 on the road for under a week so I've done less than 100 miles on it. I narrowed my choice down to the Ribble or the Dolan Dual.

I've built it up with a mixture of new parts and stuff I've hoarded and wheels that I use on my other bikes.

As a result, it's a mix of Chorus carbon chainset and levers, Centaur gears, KMC SL gold chain (23 quid from ebay and pure bling), Thomson Elite seatpost (40 quid from Planet X), full mudguards, Tubus Airy rack and Open Pro wheels.

I've done about 100 miles on it now and I love it.