planet x or ribble for cyclescheme

goldenbolux

I kow you will probably be sick of people asking the same stuff all the time but i honestly dont know what to get next.
i want to take advantage of the cyclescheme one last time before i come off my shift pattern and loose the tax benefits.
I currently have a merida ride lite 91 which I use to commute on a couple of times a week which is just under a 50 mile return trip and also use other days when off for rides of between 30 - 80 mile. I also have a cyclocross 3 which I use during the winter and on trails and cycle paths in the bad weather and a 29er for when we all go out on various types of bikes.

I am looking for something lighter and quicker but still about the cyclescheme price range. My LBS dont offer the sort of value planet x and ribble can offer.I am led to believe that my merida has fairly relaxed geometry so am looking to tighten this up but not to be wiggo in a day or anything. I have had a look but cant seem to find any reviews of the newer ribble sportive racing to see if this would fit what i am after. it seems quite good value, also help on campy v the 2 shimano offering would be good. I dont have very big hands so was vearing towards the campy but not sure if that is the correct way to go as things i have read say they need setting up all of the time. Is this the bike in the ribble range that would suit what i need best ?
As for the planet x which of the 2 models the pro carbon or rt-58 would suit me better. There seems to be some good deals currently on there ready to ride offerings.

As you can tell from my request i havent got much of a clue of where to go next and any advice will be gratefully received

thanks in advance

i also see there is a planet x code but think this will be a bit too risky to use on a cyclescheme. has anyone ever done this successfully

macleod113

regarding the cyclescheme for Ribble and Planet X, firstly check the small print as you may have to pay a premium (10% or so) on top of the cost of the bike so just check this before you get your heart broken :-s

are you near any of the shops so you can see them in the flesh?

good luck in choosing your new ride :-)

goldenbolux

yeah i know that there is a small cost involved which is payed directly

unfortunately i am miles away from the shop that is why i have tried to seek advice from others on here who have first hand experience of the models and who know a lot more than me

thanks

scottishgeek

I have an RT-58 and it is certainly a more relaxed geometry than the Pro Carbon. I believe the RT-57 sits somewhere in the middle.

When I was buying my 58 I was convinced from the data that I needed a medium frame but after making the trip across to their showroom I quickly found out I needed a large.

Best thing I would say, if it is too far to visit them, is give them a call and discuss what you want and the best fit for you. Don't rely on email as they are often not to great at responding.

goldenbolux

from what i can gather the 57 in next then the pro carbon is the sportier
anyone had any of the ribbles so i can compare
thanks

passout

Go for the code - why not? You can get cyclescheme on sale or discounted prices from any bike shop that allows it (its not a stipulation of cyclescheme itself that it has to be full rrp). I bought a sale bike from Planet X & Winstanleys in the past (although no code involved). Both these shops & Ribble charge around 50 quid or 10% for cyclescheme I think - its still worth doing though.

If you flip a stem on a roadbike you can get a more upright / relaxed position anyway - so I wouldn't worry too much about that. The shop can advise too. The main thing though is that it fits you more generally - read up on that. I think the planet x website has quite a bit of info on that. Ask on here too, once you have decided on which bike. All good value options by the way.

goldenbolux

was gonna give it a try but you can only purchase the customisable bikes with a cyclescheme online
i have emailed to ask about the ready to ride on the scheme but havent had a reply yet
thought i had a look and the pro carbon rival was 999 for ready and custom and rt-57 was 999 for ready and custom . After having a good look at them i had decided on the rt-57 with force. When i went back to the website after doing all my research the 57 force ready was 999 and the custom was 1299. So either i was just getting figure drunk off looking backwards and forwards or the price went up !! well back to the drawing board again

scottishgeek

From my post above:-

"Don't rely on email as they are often not too great at responding."

Give them a call and ask plus get the name of the person you talk to. I have no doubt they are very busy hence a lot of emails go unanswered.