RIBBLE Gran Fondo

ddgracing

Hi!
I'm an Italian road cyclist since 2008 when I bought a Bianchi Nirone but I would love to buy a carbon frame from the historical Ribble because it seems good value for quality/price!
I am thinking about the Ribble Gran Fondo, what is your opinion about it?
How is the handling of it? Is it comfortable for long distances?
Is it true that the development of it is from Dedacciai?
Thanks for your replies,

Donatella

rolf_f

I have one from 3-4 years ago - the design has changed a bit but it is a great frame and still looks new after 1000s of miles. And it is a Dedacciai frame. As for comfort, I did 187 mile ride on it earlier this year and it was fine!

However, whilst it does say 'Handcrafted in Italy' on the seatstay, I don't think it has been anywhere near Italy in its life! (well, to be fair it has been to the French Alps so that's not so far from Italy but still nothing to do with being made there or not.....).

So, it is a nice frame at a great price but buying a frame with an Italian Flag on it produced by a British company using a Dedacciai frame made in Taiwan is probably not getting you the most Italian thing if that is what you want.

ddgracing

Thank you very much Rolf F for your useful and kind reply about it!
I'm glad to hear that it's a good and comfortable frame! 8)
Doesn't matter if it is from Taiwan like many other carbon frames, since the design is still Dedacciai and it brings the name of the historical brand Ribble and it's also nice!

northpole

A friend has a Gran Fondo which is now nearly three years old and he has had no problems whatsoever with it other than being a tight wad with the tyres! His came with Ultegra which may have helped the cause.

Peter

ddgracing

Thanks Peter!
Yes Ultegra is excellent but it's great to hear he had no problems and is a good bike!
I'm seriously tempted to buy this Gran Fondo frame! 8)

ddgracing

Which is the weight of the excellent Gran Fondo frame?
I have read various weights so I would like a confirmation.
Thanks again!

ddgracing

Is the frame weight around 1.2 Kg or less?

Camcycle1974

ddgracing wrote:

Is the frame weight around 1.2 Kg or less?

Just under 1kg according to Ribble, not that it matters.

rolf_f

ddgracing wrote:

Which is the weight of the excellent Gran Fondo frame?
I have read various weights so I would like a confirmation.
Thanks again!

The older ones, like mine, have alloy steerers and chunky frame tubes and are therefore not so light. New ones are slimmer and with carbon steerers. Makes for quite a weight saving. Not necessarily a better bike though!

ddgracing

Thanks for your replies!

itboffin

I have the carbon sportive from the same year and its been brilliant, it wasnt until I bought a Scott CR1 SL this year that I realised the Ribble is a bit more forgiving but still plenty stiff and unlike the GF it has a full carbon fork.

Very happy with it even now.

looks a bit different now

petehurdman

Hi,
I'd like to point out that the new Gran Fondo comes with a full carbon fork AND steerer when you buy the complete bike, i'm looking at one myself and that is one of the questions that i've asked Ribble, if you have any questions i've found the customer service more than willing to answer your questions, usually take a day or 2 to reply but they do get back to you.

ddgracing

Thanks again, I really like Ribble bikes so I'm glad to hear confirmations about the quality!