Ribble R872 Athena

frenchfighter

My Ribble R872 finally arrived this weekend and I am very happy. First impressions are very good with the frame looking very well made and an attractive design however I would eventually put some colour on the frame. Component wise all seems fine other than the seatpost which, although nice looking, doesn`t attach so well to the seat clamp and the paint is already peeling where it rubbed.

Athena is excellent - visually superb and very smooth.

Have yet to take it for a proper ride yet as my legs are at 30% of form after not riding properly since Oct last year. Looking forward to regaining that form and going for some long rides to see how comfortable it is and how it performs on the climbs. Sprinting it seems very stiff and safe.

Only thing I am going to do to the bike soon is cut the steerer tube so it is flush.

When I was looking for reviews and photos of this bike I couldn`t find any apart from one bloke who did a great one so I have tried to include as many photos as possible in case someone else is considering one and wants a closer look at the frame.

imposter2.0

looks good - apart from the blue tyres

focuz

Nice looking bike mate i have planet x's rt58 frame which looks pretty much identical to yours, and agreed about those tyres - look better making the tyres all black to make it stealthy:)

frenchfighter

Thanks. I think the tyres look ok but actually wanted to buy the black ones but somehow selected the blue ones! I thought they made a mistake in the build but checked my invoice and saw that it was my mistake. Next ones will be all black.

Markjaspi

A friend of mine received his last week, specd as Shimano 105, looks much better in the flesh, nice looking bike. But I agree you need some black tyres.

Crankbrother

A Deda seatpin and a black Arione with white stripe would perhaps tie things together better (and the ottp/ocd in me wonders if getting the Fiz:k tape with the logo's would also help) ...

Oh, and white speedplays ... Even if only for taking the photos ...

And the lines of a tacx tao cage (in black) would look better with the tight frame as the bulk is centred ...

TMR

Beautiful Frenchie!

I agree with other comments, those tyres need to go. Get some Continental GP4000S. The seat post I'd swap for a 3T - something like this: http://www.3tcycling.com/seatposts/ionic-0?l=pro

Enjoy!

ara3791

Great looking frame. Thought about one for a while before deciding to stay Argon. The frame is reviewed highly.

Yes, defiantly black tyres and would also go black stealth on post, bars, seat and tape. Maybe I'm boring though.

Enjoy!!!

frenchfighter

ARA: I looked at Argon frames as I like the design and found a great deal on one which I nearly went for. What model do you have?

TMR: Yeah the 3T stuff is my favourite and will look out for some good deals on their components. I like Contis but the thing is I find them incredibly difficult to fit onto Campag wheels - may be a tough two pairs I had but I didnt want to risk it a third time.

bigmat

Nice bike Frenchie, didn't have you down as a Ribble sort of a chap for some reason. Very nice frame though, have raced against a couple and they look a lot more expensive than they actually are - would be tempted if I was in the market myself.

Thought the blue tyres were a bit random - nice to add a splash of colour though. I'm running Schwalbe Ultremo ZX in black on Campag Neutrons and no problems with fit.

Also, nice to see a slammed stem!

frenchfighter

Haha I may like pretty things but I am more concerned with value and this bike is superb value imo. I don`t feel comfortable paying the brand name premium unless it really is worth the additional. I was glad I could get the stem low like that without back pains...I may even try and get a stem with more angle as I feel I could go somewhat lower! I will take a look at those Schwalbes, thanks.

rajMAN

Bang for buck its a great purchase.

Long live Ribble. :shock:

ara3791

Hi FF,

I now have an Argon 18 Radon as my commuter / winter ride and a Gallium Pro as my best not tell the missus how much it cost ride!!!

I have Fulcrums on both bikes which I believe are Made by Campag. I've recently switched tyres from Schwalbe Ultermo's which were a dream to fit to Conti GP4000s which are a fair bit harder to fit but can still fit by hand without using leavers.

petemadoc

Great pictures. I've seen a few of these at races and they look fantastic in the flesh.

I would go for some Veloflex tan wall tyres, they look proper pro! I'd love to know what you wear when you go for a ride, I imagine everything matches, nice white socks, maybe something retro?

Is this your first post outside of Pro race?

keefsloan

Ahhh, the stealth. Lovely bike, really lovely. And I always think that the Campy cranks look a look a lot better than the corresponding Shimano stuff - like what "proper" cranks should look like! I'm glad that you got yours. I ordered a large frame bike build in early June, expecting the frames to be in the country during the middle of June (as Ribble had stated). But on calling them mid-June they told me that there was a mistake and the large frames wouldn't be shipped until mid-July. That was too long a wait (bike wouldn't be with me until August at that rate!) So I went with a Dolan Ares with a stealth paint job. Arrives Friday. I'm hoping that I've made the right decision because I did completely fall in love with the R872 (even the name is cool!)

TMR

frenchfighter wrote:

TMR: Yeah the 3T stuff is my favourite and will look out for some good deals on their components. I like Contis but the thing is I find them incredibly difficult to fit onto Campag wheels - may be a tough two pairs I had but I didnt want to risk it a third time.

The folding ones I can do with my fingers mate, don't even need levers.

Yellow Peril

I love the rear Zonda, it's like an old skool Rolf Vector. Panache-tastic!

frenchfighter

ara3791, the Galium is super looking : )

Yellow Peril wrote:

I love the rear Zonda, it's like an old skool Rolf Vector. Panache-tastic!

Haha. Yeah I really love that unique design Campagnolo have.

PeteMadoc wrote:

Great pictures. I've seen a few of these at races and they look fantastic in the flesh.

I would go for some Veloflex tan wall tyres, they look proper pro! I'd love to know what you wear when you go for a ride, I imagine everything matches, nice white socks, maybe something retro?

Is this your first post outside of Pro race?

Thanks, never heard of those tyres...will take a look. Ah, all sorts of kit Full Omega Pharma kit from last year, Terpstra`s Nat Champs kit from last year, and a few retro jersies. Don`t venture outside of ProRace often but I think I should more as it is going downhill and I am liking what I am seeing on other parts of the forum!

keefsloan wrote:

Ahhh, the stealth. Lovely bike, really lovely. And I always think that the Campy cranks look a look a lot better than the corresponding Shimano stuff - like what "proper" cranks should look like! I'm glad that you got yours. I ordered a large frame bike build in early June, expecting the frames to be in the country during the middle of June (as Ribble had stated). But on calling them mid-June they told me that there was a mistake and the large frames wouldn't be shipped until mid-July. That was too long a wait (bike wouldn't be with me until August at that rate!) So I went with a Dolan Ares with a stealth paint job. Arrives Friday. I'm hoping that I've made the right decision because I did completely fall in love with the R872 (even the name is cool!)

Shame you weren`t able to get the Ribble but the Dolan`s are nice. Make sure you post photos once you have got it and set it up! Yep, I do like the Campag cranks - simple but elegant.

Paul 8v

The blue tyres lack Panache ;-) Apart from that it looks great!