Biker4riding. Thanks for that - some great pics on your site. It does look better than I thought 
. Interesting to hear how you find the ride too.
I did look at the Cayo but, along with the Boardman, I was put off by the majority of reviews describing it as "Race orientated" with a stiff harsh ride.
As for the Pink Planet X - even I ruled that one out pretty quickly
Your Still thinking about it then 
Looks like the Orbea is the one your are leaning towards - Its an ice lookng bike:
Hmm - in my order of beauty:
@snap blimey do you put that message up on every post about road bikes - Does it say anywhere that you must not post about road bikes on this forum - No I hear - Just swallow your annoyance and stop posting that tripe angain and again. A lot of posters on here, including myself have roadbikes even if they are primarily Off-Roaders.
@mtbmatt - err the above are all carbon so FBK is looking for a carbon frameset I think! So the Easton Frameset is out I think maybe.
You are aware that the Ribble in the image isn't what you'll get. Take away the carbon aero rims, bars, stem and groupset, add the most basic Campag wheels and groupset and that'll be nearer the £1000 bike.
As for the Orbea 105! not the wheels and chainset, they're Tiagra.
And both have skip worthy saddles and basic tyres.
But if looks are important then yes in pics they win, but not in the flesh.
Re check the Planet X. Ultegra 10 speed & Carbon chainset it's still a great deal.
Err well if the quality of the ride is similar on all frames oldgit then I would think looks come into it yes - would you buy a bike that you dislike the look of?
And obviously I was looking purely at the frame not at the groupset - obviously the basic Sportive does not come with deep carbon rim wheels like the picture! I think the Ribble looks best with std rims anyway!
Well it seems that the Planet X is ahead in the ride stakes from the reports I've read, and I've yet to see a Ribble Sportive or Onix at any races I've entered.
But what I'm saying is that the quality of the components is far far more important than how it looks.
Lets face it, Tiagra is liesure equipment and Ultegra is the first step into proper race componentry. So there's no way I would the looks get in the way of that very simple little fact.
However, and it's a big however if I really wasn't aiming to eek out every bit of performance from the bike I was buying then I'd buy the cheapest of those on offer. TBH even the £500 bikes seem to ride better than the custom bikes I raced decades ago.
@mtbmatt - err the above are all carbon so FBK is looking for a carbon frameset I think! So the Easton Frameset is out I think maybe.
No mention that it had to be a carbon frame by the OP. Just this:
I'm looking for something not too "head down Arse in the air" racey that would be comfortable enough to do the odd Sportive ride.
And I know the Kiron fits. Easton Alu is known for being very comfortable and the geometry is more sportive than race.
You are aware that the Ribble in the image isn't what you'll get. Take away the carbon aero rims, bars, stem and groupset, add the most basic Campag wheels and groupset and that'll be nearer the £1000 bike.
Blimey - more feedback
Oldgit - I'm aware of the compromises with the component spec of the Orbea/Ribble bikes. That's why the Planet-X was in the running with the special deal. Unfortunately the deal was so good it sold out pretty quick and the price has gone back to £1299 - still good value I'm sure but out of my price range (which for once I'm sticking to....ish!).
And as for you not seeing any Ribbles/Orbea at races, that actually appeals to me - its nice to be different .
I also agree the Ribble actually looks better without the flash wheels etc, as shown by cheers_drive - you need to cut that steerer though
mtbmatt - thanks for the suggestion but I had pretty much decided on a carbon frame. I'd rather spend more on the frame with lower spec (upgradable) components & the theory behind CF frames does make sense.
I wonder what's coming out in 2010...... 
I also agree the Ribble actually looks better without the flash wheels etc, as shown by cheers_drive - you need to cut that steerer though
).
Ive seen a few of the Ribble Sportive frames in the flesh, and they are a very good looking bike
cheers_drive that looks pretty slick, more business like than the version they advertise. Out of interest is the steerer on those carbon?
All of the debating aside, even after testing, checking and measuring the Planet X and me fit together better than I could ever have expected. For example I've never been able to ride all day in the drops on my other bikes like I can with the PX yet it all measures up the same as the others. Since then I've been on far better Bikes BMC, Colnago and Giant but none have been so right for me. If youre lucky the little tweeks that PX, Ribble and Orbea carry out might just make one of those the perfect bike for you.
Yes it's a carbon steerer on the Ribble.
fbk
Back again, I'll be having a ride on a Ribble either Wednesday or Thursday. This ones 105 and DT Swiss wheels. Seems light enough. The big difference to my PX is the high front end i.e my drops are paralel to the calipers, the Ribble is a good few inches higher. I really think that when people talk about ride comfort between these bikes they might mean ride position.
I'll have for about two hours, unless it pees down then I'm going off road.
Would you be able to purchase it immediately or a Demo and you'd have to wait another 4-5 weeks from Ribble like me - I hope the former
Oldgit - I'd be interested to hear what you think of it.
To be honest, that's the appeal of the more sportive orientated bikes, and the thing that's put me off PX/Focus/Boardman bikes. My back's not the best and I think the slightly raised front end should help on longer rides. I realise this may affect aerodynamics but one thing I'm never going to do is a time trail .
I'm looking at something that will make out-the-front-door road based rides a bit more enjoyable.
No it belongs to someone already, he has a few Ribbles already. My PX needs attention before I use it again.
When I saw it in the flesh, at first I thought it was a Ridley Noah.
No it belongs to someone already, he has a few Ribbles already. My PX needs attention before I use it again.
When I saw it in the flesh, at first I thought it was a Ridley Noah.
No it belongs to someone already, he has a few Ribbles already. My PX needs attention before I use it again.
When I saw it in the flesh, at first I thought it was a Ridley Noah.
I read a multi-bike shoot out in Cycling News and this one won hands down:
No offence to Planet-X. I'd rather have the Kiron and the Ribble would be a distant 3rd.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/scandium-09-32740
Hora - I read that review too. Did sound like a very nice bike and cracking value. Unfortunately Wiggle sold out of them a long time ago! Just like the Battaglin reviewed recently in Cycling Plus!
Kiddin. I was thinking of one of those as well. ****.
Any more joy on the Orbea FBK?
Nope - Epic don't seem to want to speak to me. To be fair I haven't managed to phone them yet but they're not replying to emails...
Ahh - Yeh I think emails are usually not on LBS's top priority lists like phone calls are
Not very easy to phone from work, don't get home 'till 8pm and they've been really prompt in previous replies. They've got a nice shiny up to date website too. I think someone must be on holiday.
Sorry just talking generally not meaning to diss Epic cycles specifically or say your useless for not phoning
If you missed out on last weeks 999 ultegra sl offer then just hang in there theres something coming thats probably an even better deal .
Theres a 999 ultegra 6700 bike coming , should be available to buy next week and well start building a week on monday .
Thats for a spec of a full , complete 6700 groupset , brakes , cassettes , bb , chainset in either 53-39 or 50-34.
Bugger. The decision just got more complicated again
So am I right the full Ultegra groupset on your pro carbon frame for £999?
a full ultegra PX for 999 is going to take some beating
I think the Ribble looks cheap myself, but each to his own.
Have not long bought a Giant Defy Advanced4 running Shimano 105 with FSA Gossamer chainset and Mavic Aksium Race wheels and love it. Did a 55mile ride yesterday with lots of climbing (Chester, up and around the Clwyds) and feel totally fresh today. IMO, its worth the extra for carbon as it totally eliminates that road buzz that gives you numb bum/hands.
Its fast, spins nicely at 23-25mph on the flat, descends really well is utterly stable when pushing 40mph downhill and is proper all day comfy.
Oh it cost 1500 pounds and weighs 19.85lbs with pump, computer, bottle cage and pedals on a large frame
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