Ribble Winter Bike Spec Adivice

[BSA]

I have been looking for ages for a 2nd hand Winter trainer/Commuter bike. When I eventually found a suitable bike it was selling for silly money.

So I decided to price up a new one and decided on the Ribble Winter Trainer (I had been looking for a 2nd hand one).

I dont know that much about new bike equipment so I dont really know how to spec it. This is where you guys come in! I need your opinion. The standard Winter trainer comes in at £575 but if I downgrade components I can get a new winter trainer for £438.65 quite a saving.

I have been commuting for 8 months on a 6 speed 70's heavy steel road bike. So even the cheaper spec Ribble will be a massive improvement for me.

Below are the 2 different specs including where I save the money. Let me know your opinions on if its worth trying downgrading to save a bit of money or will i regret it in the long run.

Standard - £575.00
Ribble Audax/Winter 7005 FrameCSN BlackStorm Mudguard eyes Winter Forks
Campagnolo Xenon 10spd Double Groupset
Campagnolo 10 Spd Mirage Cassette
Campagnolo Xenon 10 Spd Chainset
Campagnolo Xenon 10 Spd Rear Gear
Mavic Pair Wheels Aksium Black Clincher
Deda Big Piega Oversize Handlebars
Deda Quattro 31 (Oversize) Handlebar Stem
Selle Italia XO Alloy Transam SaddleDeda Metal Stick Seatpillar
Vittoria Zaffiro Rigid TyreDeda Cork Ribbon Handlebar Tape

Cheapest - £438.65
Ribble Audax/Winter 7005 FrameAlpina Carbon/Alu Mudguard Eyes Forks Winter (save £13)
Shimano Sora 9spd Double Groupset
Shimano 9 Spd HG50 (Sora/Tiagra) Cassette (save £30.95 on set)
Shimano Sora Double 3400 9 Chainset
Shimano Sora 9 Spd Rear Gear
CSN Shimano Sora 8/9 SSDB/Mavic CXP22 Black Wheels (save £56)
Cinelli 66 (26.0) Handlebars Road (save £9)
Cinelli Sesamo 1" Handlebar Stem Ahead
Selle Italia XO Alloy Transam SaddleKalloy Uno Seatpillar (save £7)
Vittoria Zaffiro Rigid TyreDeda Cork Ribbon Handlebar Tape

 

[Will1985]

Is there still a difference between blue and black frames in terms of clearance between the seat stays?

 

[BSA]

Is there still a difference between blue and black frames in terms of clearance between the seat stays?

No idea, because I am ordering the 60cm frame it onlys comes in 1 colour! Luckily i quite like the blue.

 

[Sittingduck]

BSA

I have the black (sloping TT) winter / audax frame. I have Xenon/Mirage/Veloce mixed groupset and can say that I think it's just grand. Note: there are no fixings for a rack on the seatstays though. (I have the matt black version).

When I was deciding which groupset to order I went and took a look at both Sora and Campag Xenon shifters. Also did some research online. For me the Xenon's are cheaper to replace and can be serviced plus they look nicer and you can shift up from the drops... making it a no-brainer (others will disagree).

I originally ran some Zaffiro tyres but didn't like them and soon put folding Gatorskins on (much better now)!

Cheers,
SD

 

[accountantpete]

Sorry - but isn't the concept of a "winter" bike something that has sprung up from bike shops trying to shift unwanted summer metal and ditto people who have bought a heavy monster of a frame?

I just change my tyres and perhaps wheels -the rest of the gear will stand all but the worst of weather.

 

[MajorMantra]

You're probably going to want better tyres than those Zaffiros so don't forget to budget for those. It's probably not worth changing the stock tyres when you order though as it'll probably be cheaper just to buy them separately.

Have you considered building your own? You could start with a Ribble frame and then shop around for a 2008 SRAM Rival group or something. You might end up with a nicer spec for the same money, though you'd have to shop around.

Matthew