Ribble Carbon Frame VS Trek Domane 4.3 2013

[paulb55]

Hi All,

I am stuck as to what to buy for next year - the new 2013 Trek Domane 4.3 carbon frame at £1800 or to go for the Ribble Sportive Bianco Carbon Frame at around £1300 with Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels but only Shimano Tiagra 4603 10 speed Groupset so i can get a triple set up like the Trek Domane​

There is quite a price difference so dont know if its worth going for "THE BRAND" or going with Ribble, anybody out there ride a similar machine as i am going to be doing a lot of long distance riding next year, Sportives and London 2 Paris
Any advice appreciated

 

[Kestevan]

Personally I wouldn't touch Ribble with a bargepole - based entirely on experience of dealing with their customer "service".

I'd have a look at Planet X. I recently got a RT-57 from them and couldn't be happier with the bike and service I received. Inside your budget is the Nanolight or (might be my choice) a titanium Van Nicholas Euros, both with SRAM Force groupset.

 

[paulb55]

Thanks Kestevan,
The only problem with Planet X when i go on the website and try to customize my bike they only have compact chain rings, i need triple

 

[accountantpete]

The Trek will fetch a bit more at any subsequent re-sale but personally I'd plump for the Ribble and spend the extra on some Ksyriums.

I ride a Gran Fondo - and trust me, they are every bit as good as the reviews say they are.

 

[Rob3rt]

A lad in the club rides a Ribble Stealth and it looks very nice! Their CS is pretty poor, he also commented on this, but the bike is very nice! Shame about the CS being slow and awkward.

 

[Robwiz]

The problem with online groups is that problems get magnified disproportionately. All the customers who ordered a bike and were happy with it being delivered on time don't seem to put the same energy into posting about their experience as those who feel let down.

Ribble offer decent value. Most of the components they use are generic and reliable. The only concern I'd have would be a manufacturing defect in the frame – there's not much evidence that suggests that's a big problem – otherwise there's little to worry about.

 

[mark st1]

The problem with online groups is that problems get magnified disproportionately. All the customers who ordered a bike and were happy with it being delivered on time don't seem to put the same energy into posting about their experience as those who feel let down.

Ribble offer decent value. Most of the components they use are generic and reliable. The only concern I'd have would be a manufacturing defect in the frame – there's not much evidence that suggests that's a big problem – otherwise there's little to worry about.

+1

 

[mark st1]

The Trek will fetch a bit more at any subsequent re-sale but personally I'd plump for the Ribble and spend the extra on some Ksyriums.

I ride a Gran Fondo - and trust me, they are every bit as good as the reviews say they are.

acp sir may we see some pics of your Gran Fondo that is up there with the Tarmac as one of my dream bikes

 

[Kestevan]

Thanks Kestevan,
The only problem with Planet X when i go on the website and try to customize my bike they only have compact chain rings, i need triple

Give them a call. They are pretty flexible about customising any of the bikes. And from my experience they will actually answer the phone and let you speak to an actual human (unlike Ribble, who seem to turn of the phone at the drop of a hat)