After never ending deliberation, just ordered...

[gbb]

A Ribble New Sportive , clad with Veloce thank Christ i've finally took the plunge, it was doing my head in.

Even then, having decided 'stop messing about and get on with it'...you then face trying to match geometry to what you know..
I'm 5'10, which in simple terms equates to a medium, but then that doesnt equate on some levels to my Bianchi...the headtube is quite a bit longer on the Ribble, reach is shorter on the Ribble etc etc, so ive gone half way, erring on a frame that doesnt squash me up.
Going by seat tube length..i should have gone for a small, but then all other measurements would have been wrong.
Anyway...ordered with basic wheels, they'll come straight off and my Fulcrum 5s will go on.

Also, special edition bikes... While you're building your spec up in Special Edition...it looks REALLY good value.... BUT, why do they not quote VAT on the special edition page, while its already quoted on the bike builder page ? seems rather pointless, it all comes out at about the same price. You just feel slightly deflated when it dawns on you.

On the plus side...my claim from stagecoach (see commuting) has paid for over half of it

My first carbon frame...

 

[Dave7]

Nice one.................some questions for you as I am in exactly the situation you 'WERE' in.

• What other bikes were you seriously comparing it to ?
• Why didn't you get them to put better wheels on and save the cost of the basic ones ?
• Is everything PLUS VAT or just the alterations ?

I am trying to compare the sportive Bianci (Ribble tell me this is more relaxed than the new Sportive)??? to a Cube Agree (£1260) & Spec' Roubaix Elite (£2000) and what is swaying me is that I can test ride them but not the Ribble........what swayed you?
Would appreciate your thought/comments.

 

[gbb]

Nice one.................some questions for you as I am in exactly the situation you 'WERE' in.

• What other bikes were you seriously comparing it to ?
• Why didn't you get them to put better wheels on and save the cost of the basic ones ?
• Is everything PLUS VAT or just the alterations ?

I am trying to compare the sportive Bianci (Ribble tell me this is more relaxed than the new Sportive)??? to a Cube Agree (£1260) & Spec' Roubaix Elite (£2000) and what is swaying me is that I can test ride them but not the Ribble........what swayed you?

Would appreciate your thought/comments.

Hiya Dave...
1. I was struck on the Bianchi Impulso, fabulous looking (IMO) but the newer wheels i read (albeit just the once) were't as good as the WS32s on my Via Nirone. Also the Impulso comes with FSA MegaExo chainset which TBH doesnt last well. The BB is fairly cheap and the cranks scuff up leaving your bike looking slightly scruffy within a year.
I did consider the Ribble 7046 Sportive with curved TT, but just couldnt find any decent pictures of one, let alone see one in the flesh. That made me reluctant even though its almost certainly a good frame.

2. I have a nearly new set of Fulcrum 5s. The Rodis will go onto the Bianchi, which will go for sale at some stage.

3. I probably didnt explain it very well.
In Bikebuilder, you see the price rise as you spec the bike up. It appears to me that those prices already include VAT
But, in Special Edition Bikes, the prices appear a lot cheaper. There's a lot less components to choose from, but enough for my needs. You think this is the business but, when you go to checkout, VAT is added and all of a sudden, you feel a little deflated. I looked everywhere within Special Edition pricing, but i didnt see anywhere that said prices 'exclude' VAT.

Why they do that (VAT included one side, not the other) i cant figure out.

What swayed me ?
Its all six and two threes...
I don't like the idea i can't see one before buying it (the ribble). But, most test rides ive been on are 15 minutes perhaps ? I don't think you can really learn anything from that, its not enough time.
I do like the idea i'm getting a full groupset (on the ribble) instead of part Veloce, part FSA.
The overall package (financially) on the Ribble is better.
Even if i'd had roughly comparable wheels on the Ribble to the Bianchi, the Ribble would cost roughly the same, but i'm getting a carbon frame instead of alloy AND a full groupset, not a compromise.

 

[Dave7]

Thanks for that-very helpful.
The problem (mental) I have is that I hear/read that the frame is so important.......but how does Joe Bloggs know if the frame on e.g. Ribble is any good without riding it & comparing it
Can I also ask why you went for Veloce (I'm trying to decide which is best for me).
Thanks again

 

[gbb]

Thanks for that-very helpful.
The problem (mental) I have is that I hear/read that the frame is so important.......but how does Joe Bloggs know if the frame on e.g. Ribble is any good without riding it & comparing it
Can I also ask why you went for Veloce (I'm trying to decide which is best for me).
Thanks again

You're right re the frame, i've had the same problem settling it in my head...it's a huge leap of faith not having seen one, let alone ridden it. But, they are consistently well reviewed by major publishers, so working on the principle they know infinately more than i do...i'll go with their reviews.

Veloce...i'm used to Xenon, i like Campag and wanted to upgrade. I so nearly switched to 105, i love the look of 105 cranks and the shifters are nice looking as well (hate Tiagras visually).
Not that ive ever needed to but Campag ergos are repairable, just another little plus. I also find Campag ergos more comfortable on the hoods as well.

Just for your interest, ive always found Campag slightly 'clunk' into gear, not in a bad way, but very positive. Shimano tend to just almost slide silently into gear, very smooth. Neithers worse than the other, just different. I just like that 'clunk'.

 

[Ashy]

After reading this threat I am now on the bike buidler at Ribble - do you work for them gbb! If not you should very good sales pitch.

 

[Bluenite]

After reading this threat I am now on the bike buidler at Ribble - do you work for them gbb! If not you should very good sales pitch.

Tell a mod, they can't make you buy

 

[gbb]

Well for anyone thats interested or currently waiting for a bike from Ribble, i just got an email notifying despatch..on the 9th working day after the order was placed. Right on schedule i think.

 

[Dave7]

Well for anyone thats interested or currently waiting for a bike from Ribble, i just got an email notifying despatch..on the 9th working day after the order was placed. Right on schedule i think.

Nice one........I collect mine next Wednesday-10 working days from date of order as promised.

BTW.......What colour bars/tape/stem did you order............I changed from red to black on them all.

 

[Steampig]

2. I have a nearly new set of Fulcrum 5s. The Rodis will go onto the Bianchi, which will go for sale at some stage.

When the stage "arrives" how much do you think you will be wanting for it?