oldgit – how rude. Are you accusing me of allowing a bargain to sway my judgement? 😉

To be fair, my initial reservations re the harsh, racey orientation of the Planet X have been very much eased by all the positive reviews/forum posts I've seen. The general consensus seems to be in give a very nice ride. My one remaining concern is purely cosmetic but I'm getting used to it.

And the idea of a bargain setup certainly helps 🙂

How's about a search of the forum – some very big threads on this topic recently???

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. 🙂

Eeek!! I was half toying with the idea of a rear to go with my red front hub.

HOW MUCH!!!???

LeisureLakes in Wolverhampton have been very good to me this year – promptly sorted out some Whyte warranty issues when I didn't buy the bike from them. They have had a fair bit of business from me since but that's the way it goes – If I get good service I'm much more likely to go back 🙂

You are allowed to use some of the money for clothing, helmets, lights etc to use with the bike but I think you'd be pushing a bit just getting accessories and no bike 🙂

Bugger – just spoke to TFTuned – very helpfull they were too 🙂 .

Unfortunately they've never seen this happening to an Air sprung U-turn fork!!

Anyone else had this problem??? Looks like it might be a warranty claim 🙁

Bugger. The decision just got more complicated again 😉

As Yoshimi said – it's a great early warning system for walkers. And yep, if it clicks too much, get some grease in there.. 🙂

edit – 'tiz very weird going back to silent running though 🙂

Your glass is half empty then? 😉

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.

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…

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!

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.

Hmm, Ok, cheers. Sounds a bit odd – I still don't understand why it's suddenly started doing it after a quick clean & lube!

I guess I'll try and speak to TFTuned/email Sram, see if they can shed some light.

Blimey – does no-one have any suggestions? Not even semi-sensible ones?

You can explain how a jet airliner works but not why my forks are doing weird things??? 🙂

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…… 😈

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 🙂

Ok, if you girls have finished, I'd just like to say..

What a fantastic bit of racing – XC in exciting and well filmed race shocker. Looked a great course to spectate but hard work to race. It's about time there were some good descents back in XC – I remember when people were complaining that Fort William XC course was too technical – that's why we ride MTBs, not Road/cyclocross bikes!

It's too easy to do well in XC racing with good fitness/strength and no bike handling skills.

………and breath 🙂

What amazes me is the variation of shop willingness to let you try bikes. I've recently been in a large LBS to check out a bike they had in stock- once they'd actually found it in the stock room it was handed to me with no pedals and no adjustments. They clearly didn't want me to ride it and when I asked about sizing, they just said "yeah, you're not too stretched out, that's about right"!
I'm always keen to support local shops but surely in these days of Internet competition it should all about adding perceived value to your products. Otherwise what's the point-if you can't try the thing for size you might as well just go with pot luck and the cheapest.

they're the Alfa Romeo of the bike world

ooh eck. You mean they look gorgeous, drive fast but are horrendously unreliable 😉

Oldgit – I can't find a huge amount of info on the orbea – it's the onix vuelta I've been looking at which seems to be the old (2008, pre frame redesign) onix tdf frame. Only a few places sell it and there's not much info around on weights etc for this year.
I aggree about the ribble-it's almost like it's trying too hard to look good and the paint finish isn't in the same leaque as the orbea. Still a nice looking bike though 🙂

vortexracing- cheers for that. BtW scheme here too 🙂 . I was hoping to have a ride on the ribble but, just like the boardman, nothing in stock at the mo. I'll have a look at the Jamis when I get chance.

Cheers guys

TaylorPlayer interesting point – I'd be looking at a large frame so not a problem but the Planet x is looking unlikely now- see below

mudshark – I see what you mean!

This is not a spoon – nice imagery mate 😉

biker4riding – that'd be great, although the price on the website has gone back to £1299 for the ultegra. I guess that's done me a favour – back to 2 then… Must make decision!

Don't post roadbike threads on an MTB forum

Why not? Having received and given plenty of advice on MTBs on here through the years I wanted the thoughts of other MTBers, many of whom would have been in a similar situation, returning to the road after an absence of nearly 20 years.
Just another way of enjoying 2 wheels.

On second thoughts, you're absolutely right. How could I?

😈

Taylorplayer – interesting to hear from someone who's seen all 3. The Ribble is indeed a lovely looking bike, although I wasn't as blown away with it in the flesh as I thought I would be – shame Ribble didn't have one to test ride this week when I popped in.

I think the Planet X has to look better than the pics on their website 🙂

I'm guessing you're happy with your Onix? 🙂 I'm also pretty certain I'd be happy with any of them. I'm just tempted by the evils of vanity and bargains!

Thanks for all the comments –

That was two weeks ago – if you'd stopped dithering it'd nearly be with you by now!

Good point well made – you may have gathered I have been known to be a little indecisive 🙂 . And thanks for the offer – unfortunately that would mean around a 300mile round trip…

oldgit & CC – I know you're right. I do feel a bit of a novice when it comes to road bikes which is a little disconcerting – I actually turned round before walking into a shop in Preston the other day (I was working up there, popped in to Ribble and thought I'd have a look at Paul Hewitt cycles – scary place!!!)

Cheers guys

Thanks for the helpful comment Jimbo.

As I stated in my OP, I know a demo ride is the best way to assess each bike. Unfortunately Ribble currently don't have any in stock and I'm not sure where it's possible to test a Planet X. I can hopefully sort a test ride on the Orbea but the shop in question use the terms "fitting" and "before you buy" which makes me a little apprehensive until I know exactly what I'm looking for.

All I'm looking for is a few comments from the STW population on how the bikes ride and whether they are the sort of bike I'm looking for.

Ta 🙂

Yep, I'd agree with most of the above really.

Definately go with a "life long" policy – it's very frustrating to start a new, effective but expensive course of treatment, only for the renewal date to come along and insurance company stop paying!

Definately don't touch E&L.

As for Darrell's comment, yep, the choice is yours. You don't have to get insurance and you can just put money aside etc etc. Hopefully you'll never need insurance but, if the worst happens, there's nothing I dread more than the conversation with an owner trying to decide if they can afford the treatment available!

Yep – as foxyrider said – the measuring tool doesn't cost much and enables you to do the job in a few seconds with the chain on the bike. How often does the average person take their chain off the bike, never mind measure it's length.

It's hardly an essential tool but it I never bothered checking chain wear until I got one.

fejling – Member
Submitted my first ever forum post…went for ride…checks for replies on return…yikes!

lol – Welcome to the STW happy family 🙂

It's been ages since we had a SSC bashing thread – I always used to think they were entirely unjustified but it would appear this one has some merit!

I still like their pads but………

The electronic compass is a waste of time (varies hugely unless absolutely level). I guess the barometric altimeter is more accurate than simple GPS if that's important to you. The Vista has more built in memory but with an SD card slot that isn't so important these days either.

Both very good units though and the high sensitivity GPS sensor is great at hanging on to a signal.

I've got a Vista but I think the Legend would be plenty good enough.

Definitely 2nd the worn cassette theory.

The smaller rings tend to wear quicker as fewer teeth mean they're under greater force per tooth. I'd be cautious about just replacing the 11tooth sprocket too (if you can find one) as the others will most likely be worn to a lesser degree, shortening the life of your new chain.

TB? Anywhere?

😉

Blimey – as others here, I've used pads from them without any problems at all but this stinks.

I guess that'll be a fair chunk of business lost – I certainly won't be using SSC again!!!

To be honest, I'm always shocked at how much our water bill is (2 people, detached house, can't remember what the last bill was off the top of my head though). I thought it would be cheaper with a meter but I think that's just a myth to get people on to meters 😉

Gutted for you mate.

I work and ride round there a bit (On an E-120..it wasn't me though!) – I'll keep 'em peeled for you.

Sorry, couldn't resist. That's Karma for ya 😉

Good point though – must service my forks!!

Yep 2nd the antihistamines effect – can be a problematic side effect of taking them but also beneficial in the right case 😉

Teehee 😉 😈

Aye, that fbk coming on here with his years of study and practical experience in the field in question against me with my hours of heresay, conjecture and thirdhand-information

When you put it that way I feel a fool now 🙁 . I'll try not to let facts get in the way of a good discussion in future 😉