Cube Attain GTC Race or Ribble R872 Ultegra

[partrir]

Hi,

First post here, but seems a nice community, so hello!

Anyway - about to push the button on my first carbon bike, and have narrowed my choice down to either a Cube Attain GTC Race (2016) or a Ribble R872 Special Edition Ultegra

The Cube I've seen, sat on and like. Obviously can't sit on a Ribble, but the fact that it's £300 cheaper is a compelling argument, although I've heard Cube referred to as Mercedes as compared to Ribble being a Rover!

The Ribble just seems to good to be true....

Any thoughts?

 

[vickster]

You can sit on a Ribble, but you may need to travel depending on where you are based

I think your analogy is a bit weak, the Ribble is cheaper probably because they spend less on sponsorship, branding and marketing than Cube, and likely make less margin on each bike. They may also be very canny in their purchasing of components due to volumes. Cube are also not really A listers. You're also paying full RRP for the current range Cube while the Ribble is a special edition. Look for an older Cube, could well get the price to the same point

You need to ride the Cube, not just sit on it, that won't tell you much about the bike. Also compare the geometries closely, they may be chalk and cheese

You could always go for the 105 Cube, almost no discernible difference and £300 cheaper

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p6696/CUBE-ATTAIN-GTC-2016

The Ribble is fugly to me but ymmv

 

[Jamieyorky]

First of all welcome cyclechat!

Ribble bikes are ok, I'm thinking of a Ribble audax as a commuter/ winter training bike, but my Cube Agree is in another league! I bought me Agree gtc sl last November just as the 2016 models came out, mine is a 2015 model but was reduced from £1799 from Tweeks Cycles

I'd go with the Cube, you get alot of bike and kit for your money, I've ridden just shy of 1500 miles on mine and have loved every mile.

 

[derrick]

Hi,

First post here, but seems a nice community, so hello!

Anyway - about to push the button on my first carbon bike, and have narrowed my choice down to either a Cube Attain GTC Race (2016) or a Ribble R872 Special Edition Ultegra

The Cube I've seen, sat on and like. Obviously can't sit on a Ribble, but the fact that it's £300 cheaper is a compelling argument, although I've heard Cube referred to as Mercedes as compared to Ribble being a Rover!

The Ribble just seems to good to be true....

Any thoughts?

I think you have it the wrong way round, the cube should be the Rover.

 

[Andrew_P]

Hi,

First post here, but seems a nice community, so hello!

Anyway - about to push the button on my first carbon bike, and have narrowed my choice down to either a Cube Attain GTC Race (2016) or a Ribble R872 Special Edition Ultegra

The Cube I've seen, sat on and like. Obviously can't sit on a Ribble, but the fact that it's £300 cheaper is a compelling argument, although I've heard Cube referred to as Mercedes as compared to Ribble being a Rover!

The Ribble just seems to good to be true....

Any thoughts?

Welcome,

I would say two different styles of bikes, the Ribble is a race geometry and the Cube is more relaxed sportive. The Cube equivalent would be lightening or maybe a Agree

 

[mark st1]

I believe Mr @RoubaixCube can give some Cube insight.

 

[partrir]

Thanks for the replies so far.

My style of riding tends to be endurance / long distance weekend rides. Hardly ever race - in fact did my first ever triathlon this year, and whilst we defo be doing more, it won't be an "every weekend" thing....so, comfort over speed is important to me.

 

[vickster]

Something like a Cannondale Synapse, Trek Domane, Giant Defy or Specialized Roubaix would suit the all day

Or a nice Genesis equilibrium in steel

Available for test rides at Evans say (or Giant retailer)

Or the Cube of the two...could also look at the Ribble Gran Fondo say

 

[RoubaixCube]

I have the cube you speak of. Brilliant bike! I payed about £300 less than the price in your link though which made it a lot more value for money for me. Geometry is very comfortable. I havent yet completed any super long rides on it yet but im working on it. Furthest distance ive gone so far was 30miles and i was bonked out for 15 of them lol.

::EDIT::

with that said though. The only annoying issue ive had which i'll put down as a 'manufacturing defect' is the use of screws/bolts that would be used to attach brake calipers to alloy/steel frames which allows the calipers to get pulled out of balance a lot. I experienced this a lot with my rear caliper

 

[Mangetout]

Hi,

First post here, but seems a nice community, so hello!

Anyway - about to push the button on my first carbon bike, and have narrowed my choice down to either a Cube Attain GTC Race (2016) or a Ribble R872 Special Edition Ultegra

The Cube I've seen, sat on and like. Obviously can't sit on a Ribble, but the fact that it's £300 cheaper is a compelling argument, although I've heard Cube referred to as Mercedes as compared to Ribble being a Rover!

The Ribble just seems to good to be true....

Any thoughts?

I bought an R872 this summer and was a bit wary due the it being an online purchase compared to my previous bike (Cube Agree GTC Race) which i got from a LBS. My experience has been mixed to be honest. In summary the R872 is a fantastic bike and outstanding value for money. I put Ulegra Di2 on it plus Cosmic Pro wheels, dada stem and bars and a fisik seat post and upgraded the cassette to a 32T as i was off to the french alps. It came in at £2,480 which is outstanding for that spec. I have ridden a lot of different bikes over the last fee years but the R872 is superb. The frame is excellent and it is the most responsive bike ive ever been on. Admittedly the Cosmics will make a big difference over most entry level wheels but its the frame thats the undoubted star here. I did Alpe DHuez, Galibier, Glandon and all 3 ascents of Ventoux on the R872 and it proved to be very good on the climbs and superbly stable, fast and responsive on the descents. Downside was the quality assurance from Ribble as the initial build on the bike wasnt the best and it arrived with a few glitches that should have been spotted before it left the warehouse. Having said that their cuctomer service was good and i was provided with a replacement without argument. There can often be some snobbishness applied to Ribble but i would ignore that. If you take my bike by way of example the frame comes from a factory that probably supplies a host of other brands, mavic make the wheels and shimano make the groupsets. All Ribble really do is assemble the bits, spray their name on the side and market it. Most other brands are the same its just that Ribbles business model enables them to deliver quality bikes at a lower price point. If the name on the frame is important to buyers then by all means they can pay the extra £1,500+ for the same spec but other than the name im convinced they arent getting anything else that Ribble dont provide. I can only speak for myself but the initial build quality issues aside, once corrected the R872 is superb value for money.