Ribble Sportive Racing or Gran Fondo road bike???

[jason.wilmslow]

I am about to bite the bullet after looking at 2012-13 Pinarello's on Ebay and going to buy a Ribble, basically because i can spec it as my dream bike.
I've spent the past 5 years on a Cannondale Bad-boy Ultra and decided upon a decent road bike, so going to get either the Sportive Racing or the Gran Fondo model for solo rides out and club rides will be the Sportive or the Gran Fondo?

Am i making the right decision? Any help would be great, budget is £2500 for the follow specs on each, although i may nudge up on the wheels to Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 C30 Clincher Wheelset.....

I've emailed them today and going to pop down next week, the only concern other than choosing is that they don't allow test rides and don't perform professional bike fittings, both odd when people are spending hard earnt cash on these machines???

The equipment list for either

• Shimano Di2 Ultegra 6870 11 Spd Double Groupset
• Ribble Road Press Fit BB Cups BB30 68x46
• Shimano Ultegra 11 Spd 6800 Brake Set
• Shimano 11 Spd Ultegra 6800 Cassette 11-32
• Shimano 11 Spd HG700 (6800 Ultegra) Chain
• Shimano Ultegra Double 6800 11 Spd Chainset 172.5 39/53
• Shimano Ultegra Di2 6870 11Spd Front Gear Braze-on
• Shimano Ultegra Di2 6870 11Spd Rear Gear GS (Medium)
• Shimano STI Levers Ultegra Di2 6870 11Spd ex cables
• Shimano Di2 Road Brake Cableset Black
• Shimano Di2 Internal Fit Battery 7.4V
• Shimano Di2 Battery Charger USB Connection (SM-BCR2)
• Shimano Di2 Junction-A SM-EW90-A 3 Port
• Shimano Di2 EWSD-50 Electric Wires (pair) 350mm
• Shimano Di2 Cableset Internal for internal batt
• CSN Di2 Internal Seatpin Battery Mount (pair)
• Shimano Pr Whls RS81 C35 Carb Clincher 10/11 Shim
• ITM Pathom 2 Full Carbon (31.8) Bars Black 40cm
• ITM Aries Full Carbon (31.8) Stem Black 80mm
• ITM Headset Spacer Carbon 1 1/8" 10mm
• Selle Italia Flite Kit Carbonio Flow Saddle Black
• ITM Pathom Carbon Monocoque Seatpillar Black 31.6 350m
• Continental GP4000S II Folding Tyre Black/Black 700x25mm
• Continental Race Supersonic 28 Inner Tube 700x18/25 LV60mm
• Selle Italia Smootape Gran Fondo Gel Red

Thanks
Jason

 

[Chris1972]

Both look great bikes enjoy your riding

 

[Cyclist33]

Why not give merlin cycles a ring, they have their own branded bikes which can be built up to spec, or a number of Sensa road bikes some of which are at your budget or they might be able to play some tunes with the eg wheelset specs on them.

They are slightly nearer than ribble and allow test rides if you ask nicely.

 

[jason.wilmslow]

Many thanks Cyclist33, will take a look and see whats on offer.

 

[vickster]

Try Dolan as well. Lots of reports of good service in store

I don't know if it's been updated but the gran fondo frame has been around a few years. If not, for your budget I'd want something that's been updated more recently. Looks way better than the other tho imo

 

[Cyclist33]

Sliiightly further away from wilmslow mind you!

 

[vickster]

Dunno it's all up north innit

 

[jason.wilmslow]

I agree the Gran Fondo has been around for a while and thats why i am kind of leaning towards to recently released Sportive Racing, plus i think looks a little better in the black. Although i just love that frame style though of the Gran Fondo, to much dam choice these days thats the problem....!

 

[IanG1]

I took delivery of a Sportive Racing last week, not quite your spec though using mech ultegra and mavic one rims. First couple rides have really impressed me its a great bike to ride. Finish is top notch and it looks stunning. Only gripe was I had to tweak the front mech set up as chain rub was awful out the box but rest of build was done nicely. Happy to answer any questions you may have about the bike if I can?