I think i'm down to a choice between these two - finally after 24 pages.......

[Accy cyclist]

Like i said previously, there's still time to change my mind. I saw this http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribbl...ce=AffiliateWindow&utm_medium=Sub+Networks&ut on another thread. What do you reckon? 200 quid more than the Cube but better wheels maybe? and 105 instead of Tiagra. Will the gears be ok for hill climbing or will i struggle with them? I'm off work tomorrow so if someone reckons it's better than the Cube Agree i might take the short journey and have a look at it. I think it was the same price before but with Shimano Sora.

 

[ColinJ]

What was the bottom gear on the bike that you were riding on Saturday?

I like really low gears for the steep hills we have round here so I would prefer something like a 50/34 with a 12-32 cassette if I couldn't have a triple chainset.

 

[Accy cyclist]

What was the bottom gear on the bike that you were riding on Saturday?

I like really low gears for the steep hills we have round here so I would prefer something like a 50/34 with a 12-32 cassette if I couldn't have a triple chainset.

The bike i was on has a triple chainset. That Ribble (12/25 cassette) looks like i might struggle?

 

[Ste pt1]

I might have mentioned this once or twice but I've ordered a 2016 cube attain sl £999
http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/road-race/attain/cube-attain-sl-blacknflashred-2016/
should be collecting it in the next week

 

[vickster]

The bike i was on has a triple chainset. That Ribble (12/25 cassette) looks like i might struggle?

Why couldn't you change the cassette? I'd go to Ribble on your day off and have a chat. At least you can sit on the bike etc

 

[ColinJ]

The bike i was on has a triple chainset. That Ribble (12/25 cassette) looks like i might struggle?

I think you might. See if Ribble will do the same deal with a 12-32 cassette and a medium cage derailleur on the bike instead.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I think you might. See if Ribble will do the same deal with a 12-32 cassette and a medium cage derailleur on the bike instead.

I've just e-mailed them asking if the bike is available with a more suitable cassette. I'll post their reply ASAP.

 

[RoubaixCube]

I might have mentioned this once or twice but I've ordered a 2016 cube attain sl £999
http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/road-race/attain/cube-attain-sl-blacknflashred-2016/
should be collecting it in the next week

Race me bro

 

[potsy]

The bike i was on has a triple chainset. That Ribble (12/25 cassette) looks like i might struggle?

You need to play around with a gear calculator, see just how much difference there would be.
Depending on the cassette you have on your triple there may not be that much difference.

I sense procrastination

 

[vickster]

I've just e-mailed them asking if the bike is available with a more suitable cassette. I'll post there reply ASAP.

Phone them. Much easier to discuss and negotiate. Forget email for such transactions!

 

[ColinJ]

You need to play around with a gear calculator, see just how much difference there would be.
Depending on the cassette you have on your triple there may not be that much difference.

I sense procrastination

I'd be very surprised if the lowest gear on Accy's triple is not lower than the Ribble's 34/25. Accy had to hop off his bike on the steepest part of the Trough of Bowland climb on Sunday, so I think it would be wise not to lose the low gears that he has on his current bike. I know some people are fine climbing steep hills on 34/25 but I wouldn't be and I reckon Accy (or you!) wouldn't be either ...

 

[potsy]

I'd be very surprised if the lowest gear on Accy's triple is not lower than the Ribble's 34/25. Accy had to hop off his bike on the steepest part of the Trough of Bowland climb on Sunday, so I think it would be wise not to lose the low gears that he has on his current bike. I know some people are fine climbing steep hills on 34/25 but I wouldn't be and I reckon Accy (or you!) wouldn't be either ...

Yes agreed Colin, wasn't so much suggesting it would be lower but trying to get him to work out how big a cassette range he would need to get similar (or even lower) on the Ribble.

Ps I did make it up the Trough without walking I'll have you know

 

[ColinJ]

I have just fed some numbers into Sheldon Brown's gear calculator ...

The 34/25 ratio gives a 35.7 inch bottom gear which is almost identical to the lowest gear I used to have on my CAAD5 with its 39 inner ring. 39/29 = 35.3 inches. I sometimes managed to get up the Trough climb on that gear but sometimes I had to get off and walk.

I have now switched to a 28/29 bottom gear (25.4 inches) and that feels ideal for the climb. The suggested 34/32 gear for the Ribble is similar, at 27.9 inches.

 

[ColinJ]

Yes agreed Colin, wasn't so much suggesting it would be lower but trying to get him to work out how big a cassette range he would need to get similar (or even lower) on the Ribble.

I was busy crunching the numbers while you posted!

Ps I did make it up the Trough without walking I'll have you know

Not recently ... Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough!***




*** No potsy was hurt in the making of this post. We have ridden together a lot in the past and he started off struggling on steep climbs, but gradually got fitter and fitter until he was dropping me on them. A current hiatus in his climbing prowess will come to an end soon, I am sure!

 

[Accy cyclist]

Phone them. Much easier to discuss and negotiate. Forget email for such transactions!

I tried but after a 6 minute "Our experts are busy" repeated message, i gave up. They didn't reply to my e -mail, maybe they will today.