Ribble frame range

markhewitt1978

I recently bought a Trek 2.1 which is alu frame and 105, which is nice, but I recently hired a carbon Trek on my holidays and wished I'd bought one of those instead.

So I'm thinking -- at some point -- I might like to upgrade my bike to a carbon frame, of course the cheapest being to just buy the frame and fork rather than a full new bike.

Ribble seem to be some of the cheapest around that are willing to sell their frames separately. But I don't know how the frames and types of carbon compare. e.g. I can get the "Ribble New Sportive Carbon Road Frame" http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... ibbfrar907 but does anyone know how that would compare to an equivalent Trek frame? as I'm familiar with their range.

rolf_f

Download Trek geometry, download Ribble geometry - compare the numbers. If stuck, ask again!

That said, if you buy Ribble you get better value buying a complete bike. It's worth looking at how much you can sell your old bike for before assuming that a frame swap will be the most economical approach.

markhewitt1978

Rolf F wrote:

Download Trek geometry, download Ribble geometry - compare the numbers. If stuck, ask again!

Sure, I'm not too worried about that (yet) just wondering if I get that Ribble frame would it be equivalent of buying e.g. a Trek 3-series, 4-series, not as good as either - or what, I have no idea really

rolf_f

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Rolf F wrote:

Download Trek geometry, download Ribble geometry - compare the numbers. If stuck, ask again!

Sure, I'm not too worried about that (yet) just wondering if I get that Ribble frame would it be equivalent of buying e.g. a Trek 3-series, 4-series, not as good as either - or what, I have no idea really

I have a Ribble Gran Fondo - it is heavier and not as nicely finished as my Look 585 but that was 2k for the frame alone; I like both bikes. Ribble frames are nice - pick the one that most suits the geometry that works for you and which you like the look of most, check the reviews to confirm it ticks the right boxes and you'll be fine!

dodgerdog

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Rolf F wrote:

Download Trek geometry, download Ribble geometry - compare the numbers. If stuck, ask again!

Sure, I'm not too worried about that (yet) just wondering if I get that Ribble frame would it be equivalent of buying e.g. a Trek 3-series, 4-series, not as good as either - or what, I have no idea really

Depends as every on what you are wanting the bike for, leisure, sportive, racing crits etc.

I too am an owner of a Ribble GF and yes it is heavier than some other bikes but that is partly down to the fact that the pre-2012 model had an Alu steerer which made for heavy forks (circa 600g IIRC). If you read far and wide you will find that all of the Ribble bikes get rave reviews and there is a considerable body on here who will testify to the bikes.

As Rolf has indicated, the special edition bikes offer excellent value which may well prove more cost effective unless you are yearning to tinker. You would need to factor in the compatibility of parts from your old bike to the new frame (BB et al) before plumming for the new frame option.

markhewitt1978

Dodgerdog wrote:

Depends as every on what you are wanting the bike for, leisure, sportive, racing crits etc.

Mostly cycling on my own for fitness / leisure which involve 30-40 mile rides on a weekend, and a couple of 15 mile riders through the week, at not a very fast pace but always on hilly terrain. But once every 6 weeks or so (more during the summer) I do a sportive / charity ride / ride out with friends, I'd like to be up to speed to do club runs with the local club too.

As Rolf has indicated, the special edition bikes offer excellent value which may well prove more cost effective unless you are yearning to tinker. You would need to factor in the compatibility of parts from your old bike to the new frame (BB et al) before plumming for the new frame option.

It's more that a new frame can be justified easier than an entirely new bike