Ribble Nero Corsa VS Planet X SL Carbon frame

roy_batty
roy_batty Posts: 74
edited May 2009 in Road buying advice
As I will soon have £400 burning a hole in my pocket, what frame?

1) Planet X SL Pro carbon frame and forks. £399
http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/aca ... _Road.html
black500.jpg

2) Ribble's branded Nero Corsa 12K Carbon frame - extra 15% off this Monday, making the frame £311!
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productde ... IBBFRAR910
RIBBFRAR910_1_Zoom.jpg


What do you reckon? If it was your money, which way would you jump?
I've got no strong feelings over either one, except the Planet X is pretty

Comments

  • mike ives
    mike ives Posts: 319
    Planet x absolutely. Looks heaps better.
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    You also need to buy some forks for the ribble.
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • roy_batty
    roy_batty Posts: 74
    Yeah but the forks are only £76 just now.
    So come Monday the Ribble will be £376 incl frame and forks!
    Can't decide!!!
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    If its only 20 quid in between them I would go for the one that looks the best - IMO the Planet X but you might think differently.
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Planet X looks better - but I have seen the ribble in the flesh and it looks much better than that picture. I think there are availilbity issues with Ribble - so I would ask each for stock details.
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    I have the Ribble and love it - it rides brilliantly. I find that my descending has improved since I've had the Nero Corsa. A very stable and comfortable bike but still lively/fun enough. It looks fine in the flesh too but I must agree the planet X is probably a better looking frame. The small Ribble frame can take two bottles while the small planet x can only take 1 by the way. They are both good options but the Ribble would be my choice (obviously).
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    Here's a pic of the Ribble Nero Corsa:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gallery/articl ... %2Farticle

    And a review:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... a-08-28023
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    The Nero Corsa isn't that good. The frame ain't as good as a CAAD9
    I like bikes...

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    RD, I think you need to qualify that statement for people on here that don't know where you are coming from...
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    redddraggon wrote:
    The Nero Corsa isn't that good. The frame ain't as good as a CAAD9

    If you'd have bought the right size ? :wink:
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Mettan wrote:
    redddraggon wrote:
    The Nero Corsa isn't that good. The frame ain't as good as a CAAD9

    If you'd have bought the right size ? :wink:

    The only issue size wise with my Nero Corsa is that I can't get the bars low enough. The TT length is fine. So you could say the geometry is screwed up rather than anything - 55cm TT with 17.5cm Headtube? Headtube is at least 3.5cm too long IMO - My ribble winter bike has a 55cm and 11cm headtube (slightly too short but a 1cm spacer sorts that).

    The frame also feels dull, and energy absorbing, but still seems to deliver a rather rough ride. TBH the frame feels like a bit of a noodle.

    Most people buy something and then convince themselves they bought the right thing by giving it a good review. But the Nero Corsa frame really isn't as good as the reviews seem to make out.
    I like bikes...

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  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    redddraggon wrote:
    The Nero Corsa isn't that good. The frame ain't as good as a CAAD9

    It is good and it is great value. I guess you own a CAAD9 then? Is that the aluminium one?
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    passout wrote:
    redddraggon wrote:
    The Nero Corsa isn't that good. The frame ain't as good as a CAAD9

    It is good and it is great value. I guess you own a CAAD9 then? Is that the aluminium one?

    No I own a Nero Corsa
    I like bikes...

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  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    I asked Ribble to put a shorter stem on mine (at no extra cost) - it's 100mm instead of 110mm. I run the stem at it's lowest and find it a really good position. Perhaps it isn't ideal for racing but for longer rides (80 miles plus) it is the most comfortable bike I've owned. I don't find it dull - rather neutral & stable, allowing you to push it with confidence. I certainly can't see what you mean by energy absorbing, quite the opposite I reckon. Nothing is perfect though - I don't like the seat clamp.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    I wouldn't waste my money on Nero Corsa again.

    It's just a cheap carbon frame, better quality Alloy frames can be had for the same or less as Nero Corsa, and that's where my money would go on a bike at around £1000.

    Having a tried a CAAD9 I could tell straight away it was a better frame.

    It's an ugly frame too :lol:
    I like bikes...

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  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Perhaps you just prefer the more rigid feeling of aluminium? Anyway, I'm off to ride up the Trough of Bowland on my much loved nero Corsa! Ta ta.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • NorthernManUK
    NorthernManUK Posts: 3
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12612712
    this chap was having issues with PLanet X, and there finish quality
    Don't know if he resolved it
    NorthernManUK
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    NorthernManUK wrote:
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12612712
    this chap was having issues with PLanet X, and there finish quality
    Don't know if he resolved it

    I think you've picked up on an extremely rare case. Nearly everyone I have spoken to has been nothing short of ecstatic with their Planet X, which I personally think is phenomenal value. He really should have spoken with Planet X if he wasn't satisfied. They are quite agreeable I have found. Yes their stuff represents good value for money but that doesn't mean they can't give good customer service as well. If they didn't, they would have a bad name by now. And they haven't.
  • roy_batty
    roy_batty Posts: 74
    Thanks everyone that commented.
    Looks like the Planet X is leading. Looks pretty darn good in white too!
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    You'll always find someone who has a complaint but generally most people are happy with these bikes. I'd certainly buy a Nero Corsa again and I've bought wheels from Planet X and found them good too. I reason I choose Ribble over Planet X or the Cayo is that I live in Preston and so popped into the shop to get measure up properly.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • t0ny
    t0ny Posts: 59
    I was looking at these two frames among some other bikes and went with the Planet X. Gets some fantastic comments in the latest C+ (although kitted out with some expensive wheelsl).

    I got mine recently and I am just waiting for my shifters to be delivered to finish the build. Obviously I can't comment on the ride, but I THINK the bike looks great and is soooo light!!

    I have to say that the service from Planet X was just fantastic. The guy on the phone talked me through everything including sizing with out any pressure . The bike was delivered very quickly and was packaged extremely well.

    I am so happy so far!

    Here is an image if you are interested:

    bike_small.jpg
    Planet X Pro Carbon SL
    Specialized Allez Sport
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Looks really good, nice wheels too.

    Going back to earlier posts - the headtube length looks very similar on both bikes to my eye. Both come with lots of headset spacers too I see. or do you have to request them with Planet X?
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    The Planet-X comes with about 35mm of headset spacers fitted, so there is plenty of adjustability. With them all in place below the stem I get a position very much like my Audax bike.
  • bazbadger
    bazbadger Posts: 553
    I got mine recently and I am just waiting for my shifters to be delivered to finish the build. Obviously I can't comment on the ride, but I THINK the bike looks great and is soooo light!!

    Would agree about it being light - like very light. Would have to spend a fair bit more elsewhere to get something that comes close I reckon.

    Here are my thought on my ProSL if you're interested:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15182389
    Mens agitat molem
  • lee337
    lee337 Posts: 17
    NorthernManUK wrote:
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12612712
    this chap was having issues with PLanet X, and there finish quality
    Don't know if he resolved it

    I was the originator of that thread & I had forgotten about it, possibly due to me & my winter bike being on the wrong end of a SMIDSY the following day. Yes I resolved it, but not with any help from planet x. It got so bad I just peeled off the remaining lacquer & applied some clear lacquer. Most people won't notice the damage, but I do and in this case, I'm the only one that counts.
    giant mancp wrote:
    I think you've picked up on an extremely rare case. Nearly everyone I have spoken to has been nothing short of ecstatic with their Planet X, which I personally think is phenomenal value. He really should have spoken with Planet X if he wasn't satisfied. They are quite agreeable I have found. Yes their stuff represents good value for money but that doesn't mean they can't give good customer service as well. If they didn't, they would have a bad name by now. And they haven't.

    It may indeed be an extremely rare case, but that doesn't help much when your pride and joy looks like a lump if sh?te, and the supplier say it's nothing to do with them. They may have a good name, but I won't be using them again & certainly wouldn't recommend them.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    I am a Planet-X owner and fan of their service, but I would have sued rather than do DIY (having gone "up the gears" first). When you get to the 7 day "notice prior to action" recorded delivery letter stage I have found companies invariably cave in, albeit grudgingly.
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    I would have sued them too. It is probably the price you need to pay for the lower end of the carbon frames from small manufacturers.

    I have certainly been put off buying either of them now so thanks very much :lol: 8)
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • fingerfun
    fingerfun Posts: 82
    I think that one-off example was just purely unlucky (and as in cars there is always one lemon) and I'm surprised Planet X weren't more helpful as I have found them to be fantastic in all areas. My Carbon Pro build is fanatastic - rides very well, looks good, is light plus no damage of any sort and I've had it for 2.5 years and thousands of miles. I also felt confident (after reading lots of other reviews prior to purchase) that if something did/does go wrong PX would be helpful... as it happens all is good so no need as yet.
    M. :D
    Question: Why do so many cyclists not stop at red lights? You would if you were in a car...
  • lee337
    lee337 Posts: 17
    Looks like I got a double whammy of unlucky.
    Badly finished bike & bad service from planet-x.

    Maybe I should have pushed them, but after having my winter bike destroyed in an accident I wanted to get a bike on the road.
    Wasting even more time going down the sueing route did not appeal.

    I still like the bike, just not as much as I did & won't deal with planet-X again.
    As I previously mentioned, I would not recommend the company.

    would you want a bike that looked like this?
    IMG0001-LO.JPG

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