Ribble Gran Fondo Frame size help

hugo83
hugo83 Posts: 4
edited March 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi All,

I know there are few similar posts on this subject but I am looking for slightly taller riders that have a GF. I am 6ft 1 with a 33'' inside leg, the guys at Ribble are saying a L 55 frame is the one for me. However this does seem small and I would hate to be dissapointed on arrival.

Has anyone else got a GF who is around the 6ft-6ft2 mark?

Ribble also said that to get a XL 58 frame you would have to be 6ft2, so it seems quite a jump from 55-58 for the sake of an inch.

Thanks!! :P

Comments

  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    Ribble are the experts on Ribble bikes surely.

    The fact that there is a big gap for the sake of an inch only goes to prove that they are trying to put you on the right frame. There is obviously a range to work within and they are advising you that you are in the lower one.

    If the people who build and sell the damn things can not be trusted why should a random keyboard warrior be a better bet?
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • smidsy wrote:
    Ribble are the experts on Ribble bikes surely.

    The fact that there is a big gap for the sake of an inch only goes to prove that they are trying to put you on the right frame. There is obviously a range to work within and they are advising you that you are in the lower one.

    If the people who build and sell the damn things can not be trusted why should a random keyboard warrior be a better bet?


    But you could say this about Halfords and their staff, but it's generally accepted that the bike people at Halfords are rubbish and not a lot of people trust them. Just because they work there doesnt mean they are always right.

    Ribble are also well known for telling people their orders will only be a week and a month later they are still waiting for them, so i wouldnt just 'assume' their advice is 100%.
  • letap73
    letap73 Posts: 1,608
    GranFondo_Geometry.jpg

    The ribble advice does seem to contradict the geometry chart provided on the site - is there any way of trying one of these bikes for size. TBH - a 550mm top tube - would suit somebody circa 5ft10.
  • fsman
    fsman Posts: 112
    I'm 5'11" with a 32-33" inside leg
    I got the 2013 GF 55 Large with a 110mm stem - perfect.

    based on your inside leg, I would say the XL frame would be too much. You may find your seat post isn't very high vs. the large

    Do what I did. Call them with your measurements.
    They will advise on the right frame size. then the right Stem Length and also the Crank length (they may even ask for your foot size too).
  • fsman
    fsman Posts: 112
    letap73 wrote:
    GranFondo_Geometry.jpg

    The ribble advice does seem to contradict the geometry chart provided on the site - is there any way of trying one of these bikes for size. TBH - a 550mm top tube - would suit somebody circa 5ft10.

    Note: The 2013 frames are different sizes L is now 55cm.
  • hugo83 wrote:
    Hi All,

    I know there are few similar posts on this subject but I am looking for slightly taller riders that have a GF. I am 6ft 1 with a 33'' inside leg, the guys at Ribble are saying a L 55 frame is the one for me. However this does seem small and I would hate to be dissapointed on arrival.

    Has anyone else got a GF who is around the 6ft-6ft2 mark?

    Ribble also said that to get a XL 58 frame you would have to be 6ft2, so it seems quite a jump from 55-58 for the sake of an inch.

    Thanks!! :P
    Where are you located?, maybe someone in your area has one you can try.

    I am 5ft 11" and ride a 56 cannondale, my gran fondo is size 54 and is comparable.
  • tremayne
    tremayne Posts: 378
    So, what do we know;

    A 54 GF is roughly equivalent(ish) to a 'old money' 56 - Freezing77

    The 54 GF is no longer available and a slightly bigger 55 - fsman

    Someone just shorter than you - but with claimed same inside leg has a 55 and is happy is correct size - fsman

    There must be loads of Gran Fondos out there. More help needed please!!
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    fsman wrote:
    IDo what I did. Call them with your measurements. They will advise on the right frame size.

    Read the OP's post again!

    He has and they did.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    smidsy wrote:
    Ribble are the experts on Ribble bikes surely.


    But you could say this about Halfords and their staff, but it's generally accepted that the bike people at Halfords are rubbish and not a lot of people trust them. Just because they work there doesnt mean they are always right.

    Ribble are also well known for telling people their orders will only be a week and a month later they are still waiting for them, so i wouldnt just 'assume' their advice is 100%.

    FFS. Halfords sell all sorts of different makes and they are not even dedicated bike specialists.

    Ribble only sell bikes and releated items and it is their frame.

    It is hardly a relevant comparison is it.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • I had a long chat with them today and felt that the guy on the phone knew his stuff inside out.
    I am 6'3 with 35 inside leg and seem to be clearly an XL. I was told that Large is up to 6'2" I.e. you!?
    I was also told that the geometry on the website is now out of date as fsman says.
    Somewhere, hopefully on the Ribble site, I have read that if you are borderline between GF sizes you should go for the smaller one.
    When you say "it seems quite a jump from 55cm to 58 cm for the sake of an inch" I would point out that the 3 cm difference is only just more than an inch (may be irrelevant and also depends on whether the extra inch is in your legs or torso perhaps)
    This 'random keyboard warrior' (who has faith in the Ribble advisor today) reckons a Large sounds right for you but I empathize with your nervousness to commit without the option of a tryout.
    I'm going to pull the trigger on an XL and would be happy for you to have a look/try once it arrives if you are anywhere near Chester.
    Good luck and enjoy the bike building!
  • tremayne
    tremayne Posts: 378
    ianshotton wrote:
    I had a long chat with them today and felt that the guy on the phone knew his stuff inside out.
    I am 6'3 with 35 inside leg and seem to be clearly an XL. I was told that Large is up to 6'2" I.e. you!?
    I was also told that the geometry on the website is now out of date as fsman says.
    Somewhere, hopefully on the Ribble site, I have read that if you are borderline between GF sizes you should go for the smaller one.
    When you say "it seems quite a jump from 55cm to 58 cm for the sake of an inch" I would point out that the 3 cm difference is only just more than an inch (may be irrelevant and also depends on whether the extra inch is in your legs or torso perhaps)
    This 'random keyboard warrior' (who has faith in the Ribble advisor today) reckons a Large sounds right for you but I empathize with your nervousness to commit without the option of a tryout.
    I'm going to pull the trigger on an XL and would be happy for you to have a look/try once it arrives if you are anywhere near Chester.
    Good luck and enjoy the bike building!


    Yep - this would definitely seem to make sense. I'm thinking that Hugo is in the unfortunate situation of being at the upper end of the sizing. I guess you ideally want to sit bang in the middle (ie frame is for 6ft1 to 6ft3 and you measure 6ft2 - happy days) but can't always be that easy!

    I'd pretty much see the main fly in the ointment being the fact that these 'compact frames' have completely blown normal measuring out of the water! For example, a 56cm is no longer a 56cm! Shame really - and for me, I've only just moved on from quoting it in inches!
  • hugo83
    hugo83 Posts: 4
    Thanks all for your replies, I think I will have a ponder over the weekend and may consider other options. It really is a killer not being able to try out these 'mail order' bikes, but I guess that is the reason for keeping prices low.

    May get lucky and spot a Large GF rider on the way home :-)
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    hugo83 wrote:
    Thanks all for your replies, I think I will have a ponder over the weekend and may consider other options. It really is a killer not being able to try out these 'mail order' bikes, but I guess that is the reason for keeping prices low.

    May get lucky and spot a Large GF rider on the way home :-)

    I can picture it now....News at 6 "Man arrested for accosting a cyclist" :lol:
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    This may also be of interest

    viewtopic.php?f=40004&t=12792620#p17113648
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • Thats my frame :D

    One key thing to note is that the Gran Fondo 2013 frame is different from mine, the 2012 version. I saw the new 2013 model in the showroom it is not Deda branded, has different tube profiles & now has a carbon steering tube. So I would not expect the same paint cracking problems. The frame I have has the rear drop outs painted black like the 2013 model.

    Details of my bike from the 'Your Road Bikes' section.

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12736916

    Crack in drop out was just in the paint but Ribble swapped frame over without any issues.

    If it helps I am 5' 8'' and have the medium size frame- the frame is excellent done over 7000 miles & counting.