Ribble cycle to work scheme bike

[mynydd]

Hi,
I currently have two bikes, both bought on the cycle to work scheme. A specialized Tricross and a cube peloton.
I commute every day, on the Tricross. And go out on longer club runs most Sunday's, on the cube. I've bee hankering after a carbon bike for a couple of years, but have been sensible.....
I have just seen that ribble are offering deals on their bikes via the cycle to work scheme, and I'm quite tempted.
I've been looking at the spotive racing type.
Anyone have any experience of them? Is it worth me going for it, or am I not going to notice any difference between it and my cube? Or are there better options to look at. Any suggestions appreciated.
Also any idea on ribble sizing? I'm 6ft1 and the Tricross is a 56, the cube a 58.
Many thanks

 

[Drago]

You're a fairly big lad - what sort of weight are you, and what model you after?

 

[mynydd]

About 15stone at the moment, after a month of drinking beer on the sofa watching Wales in the euros
It was the Sportive racing type, but I've only had a quick scan as I hadn't been given the OK from the wife until half an hour ago. I'm open to suggestions. If I went ahead, it would be used for fairly hilly rides around snowdonia, up to about 100 miles. Though of course I'd us it to commute on sunny days too

 

[Drago]

Ok, I'm a bit heavier than you, But not hugely so. I tested my friends new Sportive in 2014 and found the bottom bracket flexed visibly when I hammed the power. Wasn't the stiffest, most efficient of frames. I don't know what, if anything, they've done to the frame design since then.

 

[mynydd]

Right, thanks, that's useful to know

 

[mynydd]

Any other recommendations in the ribble range, anyone? Thanks

 

[alecstilleyedye]

ribble bikes are, in my experience, great value for money. just a word of warning, they ask for a 10% deposit which the cycle to work voucher doesn't cover.

you might be able to find a local shop that can buy from ribble at trade prices who will let you use the voucher for the whole bike…

 

[bonsaibilly]

Ok, I'm a bit heavier than you, But not hugely so. I tested my friends new Sportive in 2014 and found the bottom bracket flexed visibly when I hammed the power. Wasn't the stiffest, most efficient of frames. I don't know what, if anything, they've done to the frame design since then.

What on Earth were you doing visually checking the bottom bracket for visible flex while hammering the power? And how did you confirm this visually while, presumably, the bike was in motion and you were also, against an ever-changing background? It must take a real eye for measurement..!

Maybe it was the wheels flexing...

BB

 

[mynydd]

so, having had a lovely time on the ribble bike building site, i realised that cyclescheme will only stretch to £1000

I'm now contemplating buying the sportive racing model with the tiagra groupset (as that comes in just under 1000, with a couple of other bits and pieces) and swapping over the ultegra / 105 groupset and from my Cube onto it. making the cube my winter bike, worth the effort?

thanks

 

[Drago]

What on Earth were you doing visually checking the bottom bracket for visible flex while hammering the power? And how did you confirm this visually while, presumably, the bike was in motion and you were also, against an ever-changing background? It must take a real eye for measurement..!

Maybe it was the wheels flexing...

BB

It wasn't my bike, belonged to a work colleague and he agreed to lend it me for a morning to try. Strange machine, unknown to me, being careful with it. For the first little while I kep[t glancing down at the chanrings when shifting - and sometimes when not - the check I wasn't about to unship the chain and potentially damage the new paint. It caught my eye that the frame was flexing slightly, probably along the seat tube and down tube, manifesting itself as a little bit of side ways movement of the bottom bracket shell when pedalling hard. Once I'd spotted it I tried it a few times, banging on big grunt in high gears, and sure enough I wasn't imagining it. If you ever become a 265lb amateur power lifter (as I was then, I've quit lifting and I'm down nearer 245) then you'll be doing the same on the occasional frame. Woos weight with girlie power won't do it, takes some grunt that only real men can manage

The wheels may have been flexing too, but that's another story because I was watching the frame, not the wheels.

I also tried the Defy and the Felt F in the same frame size, neither suffered any visible deflection like that. I loved the feel of the Felt (I rather liked the Defy too, great machine) so went with that.

 

[vickster]

Gran Fondo is £750 at the mo http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-gran-fondo-bike-of-the-week

Phone them to discuss sizing

 

[mynydd]

Thanks, I'm gradually coming to the conclusion though, having being been to a couple of bike shops that I'm not going to find a noticeable difference between my alloy cube and lower end carbon.
Am thinking the best upgrade via the scheme would be to buy a better set of wheels.
And one day, if I am able to, spend a bit more on a carbon bike.
Am happy to,be contradicted though if anyone thinks otherwise

 

[vickster]

Better tyres too

 

[Nibor]

Buy the 525 Steel is real lol

 

[Drago]

There is a certain something about a well constructed steel frame.