Ribble bikes, what's your opinion?

[abrooks100]

Quick question, i am wanting to upgrade my entry level Specislized Allez road bike and have my eye on the Ribble Gran Fondo with Campag Canteur Group set. I really like the look of the bike and they seem excellent value for money. Alot of bike for a thousand pound! The Sportive also looks like a good bike.
What are peoples opinions of Ribble bikes? Does anyone own one?

 

[amnesia]

I would have bought a Ribble with this year's cycle2work scheme if I could have ordered one through Halfords...

Lovely looking bikes, but remember... the pictures tend to show a bike of higher than base spec. Eg, the deep section superleggera rims are another £369.


Nice bikes though.

 

[tigger]

I don't own and haven't ridden one ( so don't listen to me!).....


But I wouldn't hesitate, they get great reviews and as you say a lot of bike for your money. At the end of the day, they sell direct so thats a £500-£1000 margin not going to a shop on that sort of bike. That's why they're cheap, not because of build quality... I suspect.

If your looking at these type of bikes, have a look here too...

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/bikes

Not as pretty graphics as the Gran Fondo, but top specs for the dosh (but I'm biased as I've just ordered a Hi Mod Sram Nanolight!)

 

[e-rider]

Customer service at Ribble has always been 'a bit' dodgy to say the least. I guess the rock bottom prices don't include good service!

The frames always appear to have very relaxed seat tube angles! Something to investigate perhaps.

 

[TheDoctor]

I've ordered a few things - components, an alloy frame - over the years and never had a problem. Their frames always get good reviews.
I can vouch that the alloy winter training frame is up to touring and a little light off-road abuse.

 

[accountantpete]

What size do you want?

My link

 

[abrooks100]

Acountantpete the bike looks fantastic but unfortunately I want a 52cm frame. I am only 5'6" so would be too big for me. Great buy for someone though. I just love the look of the bike, looks fantastic. I like the fact you can modify the bike with Ribble as well therefore almost getting a unique bike to suit you, component wise.

 

[hondated]

OK I do write as a very disappointed cyclist but hey ho things happen.Looking at the Ribblecycle web site I saw the new Sportive Frameset for sale £509 so having cleared it with the wife I placed my order.
Well having been anxiously awaiting its delivery, like a kid waiting for Christmas, I received an Email from Ribble informing me that I needed to also specify what forks I required otherwise I could not have the frame.
Given I was already stretching my budget there is no way I could continue with the purchase so I have had to cancel my order.

I knew the price was too good to be true given the good reports I read on Ribble bikes.

Am I angry with Ribble. No not at all because ever since I placed my order they have kept me fully informed of its progress and I suppose it was my fault anyway in not fully understanding what Frameset means.

And so " Look out Ebay here I come".

 

[e-rider]

OK I do write as a very disappointed cyclist but hey ho things happen.Looking at the Ribblecycle web site I saw the new Sportive Frameset for sale £509 so having cleared it with the wife I placed my order.
Well having been anxiously awaiting its delivery, like a kid waiting for Christmas, I received an Email from Ribble informing me that I needed to also specify what forks I required otherwise I could not have the frame.
Given I was already stretching my budget there is no way I could continue with the purchase so I have had to cancel my order.

I knew the price was too good to be true given the good reports I read on Ribble bikes.

Am I angry with Ribble. No not at all because ever since I placed my order they have kept me fully informed of its progress and I suppose it was my fault anyway in not fully understanding what Frameset means.

And so " Look out Ebay here I come".

surely you would need to buy some forks at some point anyway - can't ride without them!

 

[Alembicbassman]

If you have a Decathlon nearby try their range of bikes. They're decent spec and come in well under the price of the big brands (Trek, Giant, Specialized etc...)

Just remember a Shimano 105 groupset is about £450 on its own. If you buy a frameset as well as the groupset you usually have to add forks, bars, stem, saddle, seatpost, wheels, tyres, tubes, bar tape, pedals and all the cables.

I've heard good reports on their customer care and servicing.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk

 

[addictfreak]

My mate has the gran fondo, not too sure what spec he has gone for. But it is lovely looking bike without doubt. I know he has had no issues with it whatsoever.

On a down side i have heard that their customer care leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[ttcycle]

I have a Ribble -it was a Ribelle which they don't do now. Great frame and excellent pricing.

Downsides are - it took a long while to arrive -they were pretty vague about when it was going to arrive and the customer side of things aren't too hot for the cheaper bike builds. They also called me as stuff I had ordered for the bike weren't in stock and they were exchanging it for another equivalent - wheels in my case- no khamsins so given fulcrums instead.

One thing I haven't adjusted to and this is not a reflection of Ribble bikes- is the noise of the Campag freewheel/hub.