£1200 to spend... Ribble ok?

Ginger81
Ginger81 Posts: 13
edited May 2013 in Road buying advice
Guys,

I'm new to this forum. I have the above cash and I'm looking at two makes of bikes. Trek & Ribble.

Can anyone give a complete novice any buying guide? Ie is it worth spending extra on shimano 105 or the wheels etc?

Are ribble sizing guides pretty good for a general fit?

Thanks in advance

Comments

  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    IF you are a first time buyer and a complete newbie to road cycling, I wouldn't go for Ribble as unless you can get to the factory or borrow one to sit on, you will not be able to guess what size frame you need, or what you are requiring for comfort or position. Get to a bike shop and sit on a few bikes and get a professional opinion. Not necessarily a bike fit but make sure you get a bike that is right for you. Without knowing this and buying a bike online you could get it very wrong and end up with a bike thats not right for you.
  • letap73
    letap73 Posts: 1,608
    IF you are a first time buyer and a complete newbie to road cycling, I wouldn't go for Ribble as unless you can get to the factory or borrow one to sit on, you will not be able to guess what size frame you need, or what you are requiring for comfort or position. Get to a bike shop and sit on a few bikes and get a professional opinion. Not necessarily a bike fit but make sure you get a bike that is right for you. Without knowing this and buying a bike online you could get it very wrong and end up with a bike thats not right for you.

    +1
  • evs78
    evs78 Posts: 133
    I had a similar decision a couple of years ago and eventually plumped for the ribble gran fondo. Had tried 3 or 4 bikes and found them all pretty similar in terms of feel and sizing but went for the ribble as it had the best kit and allowed me to spec it as I wanted (it seems like most £1-1.5k bikes have shimano but I wanted campag).

    I did make the trip up to their "showroom" to have a look and try and get a bit of a feel for sizing and geometry but being honest it didn't help a great deal. I still love the gf though and its value and looks are what really stand out; however, having recently hired a trek on an Italian cycling holiday, can say that I had no issues with that either and it was a good ride.

    Sure you will enjoy whatever you go for.
    All the gear and no idea...
  • fsman
    fsman Posts: 112
    Ribble - No question. Great value for money. I have a gran fondo - superb.
    Follow their guide about taking your measurements and give them a call. They are very knowledgeable and will help you to select the right components and sizing based on your measurements.

    I've heard some people say that they have had problems with customer service but that hasn't been my experience. they have been extremely helpful
  • frazered
    frazered Posts: 333
    Ribble are good. But as a first time bike I felt far happier and I know what want from my next road bike after starting with a £299 btwin triban 3 first.

    At the very least get to a shop and ride for at least 30 mins a few bikes. Any Shop worth it's salt will let you do this.
  • fsman
    fsman Posts: 112
    I use(ed) the GF for the weekend. Triban 3 for daily commute. T3 is excelent value for money, but getting a £1k bike you can tell the difference.

    If you go for the ribble, use the special edition bike builder - great vfm

    you can get all of this for £1100


    Frame
    Ribble Gran Fondo Carb Road Frame L (55cm C-Top)
    Groupset
    Campagnolo 2013 Veloce Silver 10 Spd Double Groupset
    Show Groupset Data
    Wheels
    Campagnolo Khamsin Black/Red Clincher Wheels Pair 9/10/11 Camp
    Handlebars
    ITM Alutech 6061 (31.8) Bars Black 42 c to c
    Handlebar Stem
    ITM Alutech 6061 (31.8) Stem Black 100mm
    Headset Spacers
    Trivio Headset Spacers Alloy 1 1/8" Black 10mm
    Saddle
    Selle Italia SL Saddle Black
    Seatpillar
    CSN Superleggera Alloy Seatpillar Black 31.6 400mm
    Tyres
    Continental Ultra Sport Rigid Tyre 700x23mm Black/Black
    Handlebar Tape
    ITM Cork Embossed Handlebar Tape Black
    Price excluding Pedals: £1,076.
  • Bookwyse
    Bookwyse Posts: 245
    I have a Ribble R872 and love it. As for those saying that the customer service is bad and lead times are weeks, I had mine within a week of oredering it and this was the week before christmas when they were really busy. As with everything service depends if you are willing to call them and ask if it can be delivered sooner than the four weeks. In many cases they can and will.

    go for it.
  • Ginger81
    Ginger81 Posts: 13
    From what research I've done it appears that ribble are excellent and even some of their frames are branded asother manufactures. True?

    This will be 2nd road bike and having a bit more knowledge now I would like to spec my own one.love the look of all their frames too. Look gorgeous.

    Just weather it's carbon or alloy to go for...
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    From what I have seen of Ribble and riding with several guys in our club who own them they all like them.

    For the money they represent good value and seem to be pretty well made.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • edhornby
    edhornby Posts: 1,780
    Ribble bikes are mostly deda frames, this is no bad thing

    a well made alloy is often just as good as a bottom of the range carbon - have a look at PlanetX they had an advert for an alloy frame SAB I think and if you can get to 1200 you may be able to afford an RX57 or RX58
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Ribble, Planet X, Canyon - all good options at the 1200 mark or thereabouts. Makes sure that you get the right size though - maybe speak to someone on the phone & mention your height & inside leg. Some frames are compact & measured differently, so a 52cm can be a S or M...sort of. Also check on this forum for sizing advice before committing to buy.

    I had a Ribble & it was good. I also like Planet X bikes - I've had one of those too. People on here rave about Canyon though. Vitus may be worth a look.

    I'd also look very closely at Sensa bikes from Merlin Cycles - great value & nice looking. Would be my choice & may even give you some change.http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/b ... -2013.html

    Think about if you want full mudguard fittings on your frame or not before deciding.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • dodgerdog
    dodgerdog Posts: 292
    I was in the same position 2 years ago. I had a frame fit from a local bike shop (Mud Dock in Bristol) using their jig and had a good look at what bikes they could offer. I then matched the suggested geometry from their print out to the Ribble published geometries and went for a Gran Fondo with Rival. I think for the money I definitely did better using Ribble as the other options offered were a Trek 2.1 and a Scott CR1 both of which were Tiagra mixes and stock wheels. the Trek seemed too long and laid back, the Scott was a nice ride but the offer of Rival and decent wheels instead was the deal breaker.

    I have now done many 1000s of miles and still love the bike. Bottom line, know your measurements and check the matching geometry. Ribble have been excellent and I would happily recommend the Gran Fondo should the angles match your needs.
    Allez Triple (hairy with mudguards) - FCN 4
    Ribble Gran Fondo