new bike advice

philsalliss

hi I'm looking to buy myself a new road bike and think I've narrowed it down to these:
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/1620 ... -bike-2014

or ribble spec
Select the finance option at checkout Bikebuilder Summary
Frame
Ribble Gran Fondo Carbon Road Frame M (52cm C-Top)
Headset
Ribble Headset Branded Ribble 1 1/8 Hidden (ITS) 45 x 45
Groupset
Shimano Ultegra 6800 11 Spd Double Groupset
Show Groupset Data
Wheels
Fulcrum Racing 7 Pair Wheels 9/10/11 Shim
Handlebars
Deda RHM 02 Bars Black on Black 42cm
Handlebar Stem
Deda Zero 2 Stem Black on Black 90mm
Headset Spacers
ITM Headset Spacer Carbon 1 1/8" 10mm
Saddle
Selle Italia X1 Man Saddle Black
Seatpillar
CSN Superleggera Alloy Seatpillar Black 31.6 400mm
Tyres
Continental GP 4 Season Vectran Folding Tyre 700x23mm Black/Black
Inner Tubes
Continental Race Inner Tube Race 28 Inner Tube 700x18/25 SV42mm
Handlebar Tape
Deda Cork Ribbon Handlebar Tape Black
Price excluding Pedals: £1,410.90
Pedals: No Pedals currently selected.
Total Price inc Pedals: £1,410.90

do you think the extra for the cannondale for lesser spec is worth it

lawrences

That Cannondale is a 2014 model and it's full RRP. You're only gonna get annoyed when that price plummets as they bring the 2015 into stock in august/September.

philsalliss

I did think that but according to leisure lakes they had only just recently got it in so would be expecting discounts tilll next year. Pricing aside how dp the two compare

philsalliss

No one have any advice?

philsalliss

been down to ribble today and was quite impressed with how helpful they were. this is the bike I've specced up with them and will probably go for unless any one has any negative advice to give.
Bikebuilder Summary
Frame
Ribble Gran Fondo Carbon Road Frame M (52cm C-Top)
Headset
Ribble Headset Branded Ribble 1 1/8 Hidden (ITS) 45 x 45
Groupset
Shimano Ultegra 6800 11 Spd Double Groupset
Show Groupset Data
Wheels
Mavic Pr WTS Aksium S 23mm White M 9/10/11 Shim
Handlebars
Deda RHM 02 Bars Black 44cm
Handlebar Stem
Deda Zero 2 Stem Black 100mm
Headset Spacers
ITM Headset Spacer Carbon 1 1/8" 10mm
Saddle
Selle Italia X1 Man Saddle Black
Seatpillar
CSN Carbon S.E. Seatpillar 31.6 400mm
Tyres
No Tyres needed (WTS)
Inner Tubes
No Tubes needed (Tubulars/WT System)
Handlebar Tape
Deda Cork Ribbon Handlebar Tape Black
Price excluding Pedals: £1,391.90
Pedals: No Pedals currently selected.
Total Price inc Pedals: £1,391.90

TerryCTR

philsalliss wrote:

No one have any advice?

You need to be in the gang mate. They prefer to view and not help it seems

sloppyschleckonds

TerryCTR wrote:

philsalliss wrote:

No one have any advice?

You need to be in the gang mate. They prefer to view and not help it seems

Mode Edit: - Removed

philsalliss

I hope thats not the case. Ive asked questions before and had really good advice.

TerryCTR

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

TerryCTR wrote:

philsalliss wrote:

No one have any advice?

You need to be in the gang mate. They prefer to view and not help it seems

Mode Edit: - Removed

Are you?

JayKosta

About the Ribble Gran Fondo -

44 cm bars might be too wide, what size are you currently using?

Also, not familiar with the 'Mavic Pr WTS Aksium S' wheels & tirees - can regular 700c (622-xx) tires and inner tubes be used with them?

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

philsalliss

Havent got a clue with regards to the bars. I was measured up and thats what they suggested. With regards to wheels from quick google will take 23 and 25 700s

lawrences

Looks good. Wheels will be fine. Bars should be same width (I think) as your shoulders so if you're 44cm at the shoulders then it's all good.

Nice spec list for the money.

vortice

I've got that Cannondale and a Ribble, though a Bianco Sportive, not the Granfondo and for me it'd be the Cannondale every day of the week.

philsalliss

Vortice wrote:

I've got that Cannondale and a Ribble, though a Bianco Sportive, not the Granfondo and for me it'd be the Cannondale every day of the week.

thanks could you please explain why. i really like to cannondale but its obviously 500 more so it 500 better and would i noticed the difference over the ribble

quite like the campag athena as well. mate has campag and loves it

vortice

Hi,

You can tell that a lot more work has gone into the Synapse frame, I find its smoother over rough roads, more compliant, more fun and sure footed. I think that the Synapse is a frame which you could easily update the components on too. I'm not sure that I would bother putting better components on the Ribble, it would seem like a waste of money.

philsalliss

Ok thanks very much. Im getting really confused what to do now

vortice

philsalliss wrote:

Ok thanks very much. Im getting really confused what to do now

The fit between my Ribble and the Cannondale is different too. The cannondale is a little less stretched out and upright and that suits me, though I'm comparing to my Ribble Bianco, not the granfondo. The only real answer is to test ride them both. Failing that, go for the one that looks best!

Remember that Cannondale is a massive race bike company who will have spent a lot on R&D and the carbon 5 105 is the same frame (but with different layup) as their super bike synapse and is a brand new model. I'm not sure where the Ribble bike comes from and it's a few years old too.

Although less spec, I would suggest the cannondale has much better upgrade potential. Hope that helps. Don't stress too much though, they are both good bikes. Oh and remember, the cannondale won Cycling plus bike of the year out of 50 bikes in its price range.

philsalliss

Thanks for advice ive sat on both and sizing wise didnt feel too dissimalar. The cannondale looked marginaly nicer but with less spec for the money but im sure the frame and forks on the cannondale are better. The question is is it 500 better i guess. I can afford it but not sure but dont neccesarily want to if that makes sense.

I had seen the bike of the year award which os why i was considering it.

philsalliss

Im still very much torn which way to go and am now toying with idea of using the cycle sheme to but all the components from ribble and get a frame from else where and get some custom wheels maybe as well in cash as advice and comments ive had elsewhere are good components and price but frames not great and after care not best.

What do you think and can anyone suggest any good places to buy reasonably priced carbon frame.?

JayKosta

philsalliss wrote:

...
What do you think ...

==================================================
Building a bike via DIY can be an exercise in frustration trying to get all the parts to fit - e.g. BB and headset sizing and installation, internal cable routing?, seatpost, etc. Plus you'll need some special tools. If you are familiar with doing all the work, then sure, it can give exactly what you choose. But if there are problems, who do you go to ... probably a local shop.

I suggest finding a complete bike that fits and works properly.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

philsalliss

Wouldnt build it myself mainly because im useless. A friend whose a cycle mechanic and has is own business would build it for between 50-70 and would be able to advise on components. Its just an idea im debating.

lawrences

philsalliss wrote:

Wouldnt build it myself mainly because im useless. A friend whose a cycle mechanic and has is own business would build it for between 50-70 and would be able to advise on components. Its just an idea im debating.

If you know roughly what spec you want I'm sure for the price of a beer you can talk through compatibility with this friend.

philsalliss

Getting mega confused now. Tried the cannondale synapse 5 and had little ride and fitted nicely and seemed like with a bike fit would be a really good bike but it's 1899 I think it was.
But still like the value of the ribbles. Can spec up a really nice gran fondo or r872 with campag Athena black or ultegra with half decent wheels for around 1600 mark. Now is the cannondale 300 better
I'd imagine frame is better on the cannondale but it's not even full 105.

In many ways want to go for ribble but one of main factors of new bike is because my current cube gives me pain in my wrists so dont enjoy riding for more than hour as gets too painful and don't want to order a ribble off spec and find it's no better.

Camcycle1974

You aren't confused. Your dilemma is cash related. You know that the Cannondale is not worth £300 more than the Ribble which has better equipment. The problem is you are buying on spec with the Ribble. Compare the geometries for the same size. If it's the 872 I guarantee it will be more aggressive than the Synapse.

I have an 872 in 50cm and it has a 145mm head tube. The Synapse will be more like 170mm. If I were buying again I would go to the shop, sit on and ride loads of bikes and pick the one that fits the best. Saving £300 is not worth it in the long run if the bike is wrong for you. You will lose more than that having to sell it and buying what you should have bought in the first place (speaking from experience). I got lucky in that the 872 fits me. You might not have the same experience.

Incidentally, if your wrists hurt it is because you have too much weight on them. Move your saddle back on the rails to re-distribute your weight.

JayKosta

philsalliss wrote:

...
gives me pain in my wrists so dont enjoy riding for more than hour as gets too painful ...

===========================
For anyone having wrist pain, do this -
1) adjust the tilt and height of the bars so the top surface (from stem to hoods) is comfortable when your hands are on the outer round bends.
2) adjust the fore-aft position of the hoods for comfortable 'reach' and angle.
3) adjust the inward tilt of the hoods for comfortable grip with hands fully on the hoods.

Don't be concerned about how it looks - comfort is critical!

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

philsalliss

Really like the cube but have had a full bike fit from very experience bike mechanic and it's better but still get discomfort on wrists. I am a little arthritic due to damaged joints and ligements in past which doesn't help but the frame is one size to big I think. I thiught it was from the start but was advised would be fine and could change stem lengths ect which I have to a 90 but it's very twitchy and still pain
Have done moved bars as well.
I know what your saying about the r872 which is a lot of my confusion as is the buying off spec bit. I have been to ribble and been measured up and sat on bikes and that's the sizes they have said. I'm going to go down again tommorow as only lives 15 mins up the motorway to try and make a decision

JayKosta

Thoughts about 'bike fits' .....
Make sure the fitter is really thinking about YOU, and knows and considers your physical abilities, limitations, riding style, etc.
It is all to easy to be 'fit' into a position that 'should work' for a typical XX-year old, but which is wrong for you. If the position feels wrong, explain why - a good fitter should be able to understand and adapt the position to suit your needs.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

philsalliss

I hear you and I'm no expert at all but he did listen and from what I've read from others and his website he's very knowledgable and has worked with British cycling team in the past.

philsalliss

bble R872
Ribble R872 Carbon Road Frame 50cm C to top
Ribble R872 Carbon Road Forks 1 1/8"-1 1/2 ITS 45x45
Ribble R872 Headset 1 1/8 - 1 1/2 Hidden 45x45
Campagnolo Athena Black 11 Spd Double Groupset
Campagnolo Power Torque Outboard Cups (EPS Compatible) Eng
Campagnolo Athena Black D Skeleton Brakes
Campagnolo 11 Spd Chorus Cassette 12-29
Campagnolo 11 Spd Chorus Chain
Campagnolo Athena Black PT 11Spd C/set Compact 172.5 34/50
Campagnolo Athena Black 11Spd Dble Front Gear Braze-on
Campagnolo Athena Black 11 Speed Rear Derailleur
Campagnolo P/Shift Ergos Dble Athena Carbon 11Spd w/cbls Blk
Campagnolo Pr Whls Vento ASY G3 Clinchers Black 9/10/11 Camp
ITM R Triango Wing Carbon (31.8) Bars Black 42cm
ITM Triango Wing Carbon (31.8) Stem Black 90mm
ITM Headset Spacer Carbon 1 1/8" 10mm
Selle Italia SL Saddle (BIKE) Black
ITM Alutech 1 7075 Seatpillar Black 31.6 350mm
Vittoria Rubino 3 Rigid Tyre Black/Black 700x23mm
Yaw Butyl Inner Tube 700x18/25 LV52mm
ITM Cork Embossed Handlebar Tape Black
No Pedals currently selected.
1
£1591.40 £1591.40 £1591.40
After lot of faffing around re visited ribble and spent 90 mins with one for one of lads and good really good advice and very helpful

lawrences

The Itm stems and bars are a rip off for the weight that they are. Have a look at some of the Deda stuff on Ribble for half the price but sub 100g (stem) and Ritchey wcs 2 bars 233g for 60 quid.

philsalliss

With the options on the bike builder bit they were the best for the money and weight plus thought it suited the style of the bike with the carbon look