Forum menu
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
It's cut now; That photo was taken immediately after the build was finished and I thought I'd better ride it a few times before committing to cutting the steerer (the brake blocks weren't adjusted to the rims either before anyone spots that 😉 ).
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 🙂
The [url= 
]Mortirolo[/url] is bang on budget for me with Ultegra, or I could drop a group set (or 2) and go for the Vuelta with Tiagra.
Is it worth downgrading group set to 'gain' a carbon frame? (Subjective I know)
Or throw another ton at it and get the 105...
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
Just been out on a Ribble, though only for an hour that included a climb of Ivinghoe Beacon on the Ridgeway.
On the flat going out it felt as fast as any bike I've ridden (doing between 17 & 21 MPH average)You do notice the higher front because going into the drops didn't seem to make much difference to my speed. It does mean all the bar positions are comfortable I would imagine for any rider.
Climbing the beacon which is about two miles the bike starts to feel longer than a full on race bike, it's very stable but it felt like I was dragging the rear wheel up. I personally like the rear wheel tucked right up under me.
On the return and undulating sections it still felt good and pretty fast, though it wasn't egging me on like some bikes. The steepest decent, Toms Hill it was superb as it was on the narow and rough back lanes.
If you rode both types of bike you'd notice the difference. I raced a sportive type bike last year and did a few 100's as well, and the difference I've found is that a sportive geometry lacks punchy acceleration and a low tucked aero position. So I guess as I race that's why I have a race geometry bike and in the few years I wasn't racing I had an upgraded SCR Limited.
Size small, 42cm bars, all old 105, DT Swiss wheels, rubbish Conti cheap Grand Prix tyres also the block was more widely spaced in the mid range than I prefer. All the parts were from his previous Ribble, and he has been racing and riding Ribbles since the early eighties and still has my ols Crimson and silver 653 Ribble with Power forks and Shimano 600?
Lovely bike,The new carbon one is, not the 653!
Oldgit-Thanks for the feedback. It's interesting to hear from someone who's ridden both. Still obviously 2nd hand info but great to hear a comparative view.
The bizarre thing is the geometries for both bike are very similar on paper. I guess the main difference is a higher front end- surely this could be partially simulated by spacers under or flipping the stem? Might look stupid but still flexible.
The up coming deal from planet x does sound great and I've yet to find any real negative feedback on the carbon sl.
Hmm. 🙂
Problem with my opinion is that I'd go for a full on race bike everytime becuase I've always raced!