Canyon or Ribble Help

nibby
nibby Posts: 246
edited June 2014 in Road buying advice
Hi guys,
looking at buying first carbon bike and have narrowed it down to two.

Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7.0 with 105 groupset coming in at £1400

http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3239#tab-reiter2

and the Ribble R872 with Ultegra 6800 and upgraded wheels to Shimano RS81 C24 24mm Carbon Laminate Clincher which is coming in at £1635

I've been recommended the Canyon by a couple of people but cant help thinking the Ribble might be better value with the Ultegra and Shimano wheels.

Anyone have any experience with both?

The Ribble would be at the very top of my budget but could stretch if it was worth doing.

Cheers

Comments

  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    I would probably go for the Canyon (better frame) and use the money saved to put towards a nicer set of hand built wheels for summer use and use the stock ones for winter.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    That canyon is 10 speed so it's now out of date. Get this one with 11 speed and better wheels. http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bik ... ab-reiter2
  • nibby
    nibby Posts: 246
    drlodge wrote:
    I would probably go for the Canyon (better frame) and use the money saved to put towards a nicer set of hand built wheels for summer use and use the stock ones for winter.

    Just what I was thinking :)
  • nibby
    nibby Posts: 246
    styxd wrote:
    That canyon is 10 speed so it's now out of date. Get this one with 11 speed and better wheels. http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bik ... ab-reiter2

    For some reason I really want a carbon bike (never had one and everyone I know who has them tells me to just get one!!) so want to see what the fuss is about and well probably just want a carbon bike :) I will still be s*** but....

    If I go for the Canyon I will probably upgrade the groupset and wheels next year.

    Seems like Canyon is the way to go then....
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    The Canyon Ultimate CF SL frame is excellent. If the CF SL 9.0 is above your budget I'd probably drop to 105 before switching frames. The current 10 speed 105 is on the way out and will be replaced with 11 speed shortly but that doesn't mean you wouldn't be perfectly happy with it.
    Alternatively I'd consider the Canyon Ultimate AL as drlodge suggested. Great spec and superb frames by all accounts - the fact it's not carbon wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Carbon's not magic. A good alloy frame (and this is reputedly one of the best) will trump a mediocre carbon one.
    Between the 3 bikes I don't think any are a bad choice providing you like them and the geometry will suit you.

    P.S. Just saw your last post about just wanting carbon - fair enough. In that case I'd go for the CF SL 7.0..... I got a CF SL 9.0 last month and I'm delighted with it! It'll be great in the 7.0 spec too
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Ai_1 wrote:
    Alternatively I'd consider the Canyon Ultimate AL as drlodge suggested.

    Er did I? :roll:

    Charlie Potatoes has both the AL and CF (SLX?) versions I believe, and he's very happy with the AL indeed.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • nibby
    nibby Posts: 246
    Crap!! I had it in my head that I really wanted a Carbon and now this AL has me at 50/50!! :)
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    nibby wrote:
    Crap!! I had it in my head that I really wanted a Carbon and now this AL has me at 50/50!! :)

    I'm confused - you linked to the Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7.0 which is a carbon framed bike, not the AL.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    Get the Al frame, better wheels and a much better groupset. The Al frame has been chosen over the carbon by a number of pros, so it must be up to scratch.
  • Sprool
    Sprool Posts: 1,022
    I had the same dilemma in Feb, narrowed down to Ribble, PlanetX, Rose and Canyon. In the end I went for the Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7.0 due to reports of frame quality, ride comfort, spec and price. Very happy with the Canyon, now 1800 miles in, great for climbing and long sportives.
  • supermurph09
    supermurph09 Posts: 2,471
    SL 9.0 owner with 6800, fantastic bike.
    Trainer Road Blog: https://hitthesweetspot.home.blog/

    Cycling blog: https://harderfasterlonger.wordpress.com/

    Blog: https://supermurphtt2015.wordpress.com/

    TCTP: https://supermurph.wordpress.com/
  • Camcycle1974
    Camcycle1974 Posts: 1,356
    drlodge wrote:
    I would probably go for the Canyon (better frame) and use the money saved to put towards a nicer set of hand built wheels for summer use and use the stock ones for winter.
    Dr L, with respect, how do you know the Canyon has a better frame? My LBS had a customer with a 3k Canyon whose frame flexed noticeably around the BB whenever force was applied to it. What make Canyon inherently better than Ribble? Same sort of business model.
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Just my opinion based on what I've heard, so pay very little attention to it. Its just an opinion which is what you tend to get on Internet forums

    All the people I know who have Canyons (CF and AL) are more than pleased with them.

    Personally I have a steel frame :roll:
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    drlodge wrote:
    Ai_1 wrote:
    Alternatively I'd consider the Canyon Ultimate AL as drlodge suggested.

    Er did I? :roll:

    Charlie Potatoes has both the AL and CF (SLX?) versions I believe, and he's very happy with the AL indeed.
    Oops, no you didn't. My mistake, it was Styxd.
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    Also Nairo won the Giro on a CF SLX so they must be the best! ;)
  • Camcycle1974
    Camcycle1974 Posts: 1,356
    drlodge wrote:
    Just my opinion based on what I've heard, so pay very little attention to it. Its just an opinion which is what you tend to get on Internet forums

    All the people I know who have Canyons (CF and AL) are more than pleased with them.

    Personally I have a steel frame :roll:

    Horses for courses. I am a fan of Canyon (my mate has a CF SL) but as I have a Ribble 872 I can vouch for it's quality. I also have an alloy and a steel bike :D The steel is lovely in an old school way (Columbus tubing, Campag etc with hand built Mavics) but nowhere near as fast or efficient as the Ribble.
  • junglist_matty
    junglist_matty Posts: 1,731
    I'm a huge fan of my Canyon Ultimate AL... bought in the days before AL SLX model, I assume my frame is much the same as the SLX though.

    If you do get one, you won't be disappointed.
  • nibby
    nibby Posts: 246
    Thanks everyone for all replies. Something to think about.

    Thinking that I'm going to stick to budget and also wanting a carbon so looks like the CF SL 7 with the 105 is favourite, then when funds are available get some decent wheels made from Pete Matthews and keep the stock ones for spare/training etc.

    Good to hear positives about Canyon in general, would never have thought of them until a friend mentioned them.

    Thanks again.
  • rickeverett
    rickeverett Posts: 988
    Definitely the canyon. Ribbles aren't quite as refined.

    Before you look at Canyon, Rose are also definitely worth a look. Lighter, better customisation options, quick service and are supposed to have excellent customer service.
  • adamfo
    adamfo Posts: 763
    This one for rough UK roads

    http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3501
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    adamfo wrote:
    This one for rough UK roads

    http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3501
    I'd choose between the Ultimate and Endurace based on geometry not road surfaces. The comfort element of the Endurace is more upright geometry for longer rides rather than any major compliance features for uneven surfaces. The VCLS 2.0 seatpost will help but you can get it on either bike. The Ultimate is pretty good on rough roads too in my opinion.

    P.S. Don't go for the VCLS 2.0 if you weigh much over 80kg. It doesn't clamp reliably and tends to slip.
  • cal_stewart
    cal_stewart Posts: 1,840
    Love my Canyon, however in this case I'd go with the ribble. It gets great reviews and is better specc'd
    eating parmos since 1981

    Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
    Cervelo P5 EPS
    www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13038799
  • rickeverett
    rickeverett Posts: 988
    For similar price of Canyon:
    http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-xe ... aid:674696
    http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-xe ... ged=669790

    For similar price of Ribble:
    http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-xe ... aid:674118
  • Sprool
    Sprool Posts: 1,022
    i read some reviews of the rose bikes full of praise about quality, service, value but they said the ride was quite an aggressive position and a bit twitchy compared to canyon reviews extolling the comfort for longer rides, maybe a bit less sporty (which suited me better) so stuck with canyon

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