Giant Defy 1 vs Ribble Gran Fondo.

[manickode]

Hi all. Just looking for some perspective, advice and input as I've been out of the loop regarding bikes for a few years.

I'm looking to purchase a new bike and have narrowed down my list from the following;

Trek Modano 3.1 (2013 for £1500)
Giant Defy Composite 1 (2012 reduced to £1500),
Specialized Roubaix Compact ( 2012 reduced to £1150)
Planet X Gran Fondo (2013 for £1250 for stock components with 175mm chainset)
Specialized Roubaix Sport (2013 for £1500)


To the final two,

Giant Defy 1 (2013 for £1000) L/55,5
Ribble Gran Fondo (2013 for £1200) Following spec, I emailed Ribble and apparently the 2013 model fork has a carbon steerer.

Gran Fondo Carbon Road Frame XL (56cm C to Top)
Ribble 2012 Gran Fondo Carbon Road Forks 1 1/8-1 1/2 ITS
ITM Headset 1 1/8- 1 1/2 Hidden 45x45 46mm
Shimano 105 (5700) Silver 10 Spd Double Groupset
Shimano 105 5700 BB Cups (105 10 Double/Triple) Eng
Shimano 105 Silver 5700 Brakes
Shimano 10 Spd 105 5700 Cassette 12-25
Shimano 10 Spd 5701 105 Chain
Shimano 105 Silver Dbl 5750 10 Chainset Compact 175 34/50
Shimano 105 Silver (5700) 10 Dbl Fr Gear Braze-on
Shimano 105 Silver (5700) 10 Spd Rear Gear Short (SS)
Shimano STI Levers 105 Silver 5700 with cables Double
ITM Pr Whls Aero 2.4 8/9/10 Shim
Deda RHM 01 Bars Black 44cm
Deda Zero 1 Stem White 120mm
CSN Superleggera K6 Saddle Black
Deda RS 01 Seatpillar White 31.6 350mm
Vittoria Rubino 3 Rigid Tyre Black/Black 700x23mm
Yaw Butyl Inner Tube 700x18/25 SV42mm
Deda Cork Ribbon Handlebar Tape White
No Pedals currently selected.

Did also consider the Planet X RT-57 (2013 for £1000) Stock components but on paper don't think it would fit me aswell as the previous two. 6'2'' and inseam of 35'' (189cm/89cm) with poor flexibilty which I'm working on.

Assuming they both have simmilar set ups, taller head tubes and shorter top tubes, I'm not sure what to go for?

The Defy has great reviews and by all acounts a good ride and does generally tick all the boxes if a little boring. Lacks the 105 crankset, brakes and chain cassette. Arguably the wheels are weaker aswell?
The Gran Fondo however looks the shizzle, full 105 and is a carbon frame, A CARBON FRAME! I know i know, I've heard all the stuff about high end alloy frames being better than low end carbon ones. My head is saying be safe and sensible and get the slightly cheaper Giant but my heart is saying take the risk and get the Ribble.

My old bike is a 5 year old aluminum/tiagra bike so I'm sure both will be more enjoyable.

Just looking for some perspective, advice and input really.

Regarding after sales service, just in case, I'd buy the Giant from a LBS Giant dealer or chain store Edinburgh Bike Co-op, verging on the co-op. I've heard of poor after sales service about Ribble, I only live only an hours drive from ribble so If something did go wrong I could always go up there right... right?

 

[Cyclist33]

The defy aluminium is lighter than the ribble gran fondo, I think, as I hand weighed those two bikes at my office the other week!

 

[mark st1]

I can offer no advice except that Ribble is smokin hot ive been looking at them last few weeks and dreaming (and checking my lottery numbers).
That bike builder thing on there website is addictive for dreamers lol

 

[manickode]

The defy aluminium is lighter than the ribble gran fondo, I think, as I hand weighed those two bikes at my office the other week!

I'd heard the New Sportive is lighter, thought it could partly be due to the old alloy steerer?

I can offer no advice except that Ribble is smokin hot ive been looking at them last few weeks and dreaming (and checking my lottery numbers).
That bike builder thing on there website is addictive for dreamers lol

Yeah I'm worried I've been 'wooed' by style over substance. I've had that bike in my basket and nearly pressed the complete order button at least a dozen times now

 

[Dave7]

I looked at both makes and went for the Ribble Sportive. Like you I live 1 hour away so was able to sit on the Ribble. For me (just 5' 6") the Sportive was more comfy than the Fondo so I went for that and am very pleased with it (the ride, looks and general comfort).
So long as the bike suits you one of the great things (to me) was being able to upgrade the wheels/saddle.....even the bars and stem etc. This made it MY bike which gives me an extra buzz.

 

[Kestevan]

The Ribble is a very nice bike.
Shame it's sold by a company who's idea of after sales service is to switch off the phones and never answer emails.....might have bought one last week if I hadn't already experienced the utterly mind-blowing levels of contempt they have for their customers.....

Still if you live within shouting distance, might be worth a punt.

 

[Dave7]

The Ribble is a very nice bike.
Shame it's sold by a company who's idea of after sales service is to switch off the phones and never answer emails.....might have bought one last week if I hadn't already experienced the utterly mind-blowing levels of contempt they have for their customers.....
.

I found the exact oppposite in my dealings with them.......very quick and helpful responses to email or telephone questions.
Mind you.....I've not had any problems with the bike so can't vouch for the after sales service!

 

[manickode]

I had decided to go for the Defy but can't find one for love nor money till February. Not sure I can be bikeless for that long.

I guess that leaves the Gran Fondo, or maybe the New Sportive Racing. I can't just get rid of a niggling feeling about Ribble and the frames? I think I'm going to borrow a car and go for a drive up there on Saturday to look at them both, seeing as I've got the car I think I'll drive over to Rotheram to have a look at the PX's aswell.

 

[accountantpete]

I have a Ribble Gran Fondo - very nice bike.

It is a tad heavy by design - there are no flimsy bits of carbon in the less stressful areas which some carbon bikes have. It is also very comfortable - which has opened up a lot of roads to regular use which I had been avoiding with aluminium bikes. And it is reasonably quick.

The carbon steerer will be a plus that I haven't got.

I wouldn't go back to aluminium bikes after riding this and all my sceptical pre-conceived ideas about Ribble have been completely overturned.

 

[Rob3rt]

I found the exact oppposite in my dealings with them.......very quick and helpful responses to email or telephone questions.
Mind you.....I've not had any problems with the bike so can't vouch for the after sales service!

Good pre-sale, bad post-sale -> The way it usually works!