How “good” are those offers from Ribble/Merlin/ etc that would get a winter bike with Tiagra for around £700, versus buying a sale frame and parts and building one up my self?

Forget the price point/value issue for a minute, I’m wondering how good those frames really are?

Please don’t buy carbon if its that much, heavy flexy and naff, for sub 1k much better off with an alloy trek or a specialized allez.

I think an allez at any equivalent price would be better.

Very good. On about my 5th Ribble alloy winter frames – they were so cheap I went through a phase of buying a new one each winter – just for the sake of a new frame. Self build would be my choice maybe a little more expensive but less compromise with having particular stuff you don’t want on a complete build.

Ive fuji Roubaix 3 that was about that price its been a great winter bike for three years now

zangolin – Member

Very good. On about my 5th Ribble alloy winter frames – they were so cheap I went through a phase of buying a new one each winter – just for the sake of a new frame. Self build would be my choice maybe a little more expensive but less compromise with having particular stuff you don’t want on a complete build.

I got a Ragley Cragvale – which looks exactly like a rebadged Ribble alloy winter frame.
Superb winter/training bike.
Full 105 and rs10 wheels with proper mudguards .. weighs in at a proper training weight of 22.5lb
Super and comfy too.