B-Twin Ultra 720 AF vs Ribble Sportive Racing

Pegboy61

Pretty novice rider, looking to get their first decent bike and would appreciate any help. After weeks of trawling, I narrowed it down to:

Ribble Sportive Racing with 105 groupset and Mavic Aksium Ones - £999
(pros: Carbon frame and seemingly a better reputation brand)
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/ribble-sportive-racing?part=BB15RIBSPRACING&sub=conf_BB_ALL&bike=1

or

B'twin Ultra 720 AF with Ultegra and Mavic Cosmic Elites - £1050
http://www.btwin.com/en/road-bikes/racing-road-bikes/18810-ultra-720-af-road-bike-black-blue.html
(Pros: Better groupset and wheels)

I'm leaning towards the B'Twin, but would appreciate any help.

t4tomo

This one
http://www.btwin.com/en/road-bikes/racing-road-bikes/18543-mach-720-11-speed-road-bike-carbon-black.html

Pegboy61

Thanks for the reply.

The frame's certainly better, but I'd be trading for worse groupset and (I think?) wheels. And though it's carbon, it'd still be slightly heavier than the AF720 (8.3 vs 8.2kg). Not sure what the benefit would be?

timothyw

I agree with t4tomo. The drop from Ultegra to 105 groupset in the current generation is very small, and I wouldn't read too much into the quoted weights - these are often out, especially here where we're only talking about 100g.

Also, the Ultra has unconventional rear-brake placement that will get them dirtier and make fettling harder. Plus, look at it this way, the Mach has more upgrade potential...

Anyway, the thing to do (if you're leaning towards the Ultra anyway) is get down to Decathlon and test ride both of them, you should know soon enough once you see them in the flesh.