Ribble Gran Fondo

[Liamblink182]

I currently own a 2013 Cube Cross Race but have been looking at getting something more light and quick for the triathlon and sportive season. At the moment I have the slateman triathlon in May, a 120 mile sportive in June, an Olympic triathlon and half ironman in august.

Ideally I want full carbon, 105 or above groupset and decent wheels (wheels are not my main concern as would upgrade next year for a full ironman!)
I'd like something light, quick and comfortable and have been looking at a few bikes but the one that seems most suited to me at the minute is the Ribble Gran Fondo. It's on Ribble website for £999.99 with Shimano 105.

Anyone have any experience of Ribble and the Gran Fondo and do people think this would be a good choice?

I've also looked at Canyon, Giant, Rose, Cube and Planet X but the Ribble seems very well suited at 999.99 with full 105.

The only other option is stick with the Cube Cyclocross but would this be suitable for the triathlons etc?

Thanks

Liam

 

[HLaB]

I currently own a 2013 Cube Cross Race but have been looking at getting something more light and quick for the triathlon and sportive season. At the moment I have the slateman triathlon in May, a 120 mile sportive in June, an Olympic triathlon and half ironman in august.

Ideally I want full carbon, 105 or above groupset and decent wheels (wheels are not my main concern as would upgrade next year for a full ironman!)
I'd like something light, quick and comfortable and have been looking at a few bikes but the one that seems most suited to me at the minute is the Ribble Gran Fondo. It's on Ribble website for £999.99 with Shimano 105.

Anyone have any experience of Ribble and the Gran Fondo and do people think this would be a good choice?

I've also looked at Canyon, Giant, Rose, Cube and Planet X but the Ribble seems very well suited at 999.99 with full 105.

The only other option is stick with the Cube Cyclocross but would this be suitable for the triathlons etc?

Thanks

Liam

Put narrower lighter wheels and tyres on the cube it'll be fine if you are not wanting to spend; my brother done that for his TREK and I used it for las years Cairngorm, whilst its a little undergeared on the flat compared to a full on road bike, it spins well and wasn't much of a dissadvantage and was probably a benefit on the final climb.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/328548087

 

[L14M]

Why not a TT bike?

Liam

 

[LimeBurn]

Love the ribble gran fondo but if its down to spec surely the planetx with ultegra at the same price must be a favourite.

 

[Roadrider48]

Love the ribble gran fondo but if its down to spec surely the planetx with ultegra at the same price must be a favourite.

The Planet X is well specced for the price, you're dead right.

 

[SteCenturion]

Ribble Gran Fondo looks a great bike & just suggested it as an option elsewhere on CC.

If I were going to Ribble I would avoid the bargain basement wheels that come as standard - you would get next to nothing re-selling them even in unused condition, they are poor & very heavy.

Buy the frame & forks & your own group set & cockpit elsewhere then have a pro build it maybe ?

Might then come in £200 over but be a far better finished machine.

Mavic Aksium S wheels & tyres (wheel system) @ circa £200 + 105 @ circa £400 if you shop around.

Planet X Pro Carbon @ £999 with full Ultegra (might lean to racier geometry than Gran Fondo).

2013 Cube Agree GTC Pro carbon @ CRC for £979 (size 56 only) don't know if that would fit the bill.

 

[vickster]

The ribble sportive azzuro looks lush too

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/r...ipped?part=SE14RIBSPORTAZZUR105&sub=conf_SERC

 

[Liamblink182]

I have looked at the Planet X but not sure it's what I want.

Another I've looked at is the Giant Tcr Composite 2 but it's £200 more.

The wheels do put me off a bit with the gran fondo, although I would look to upgrade these next year if I went with the gran fondo

 

[Ste pt1]

I looked at the sporting azzurro when it first came out it does look stunning the trouble is at £999 the wheels are shocking and there's a £65 admin fee if going through the cycle to work scheme ( might be just me but I'm not going to spend £1000 on a bike and then start spending more money on it ,hence I've chosen a cube Peloton pro race

 

[Liamblink182]

Why not a TT bike?

Liam

Don't really fancy a TT bike as it would be pretty much restricted to races, where I'd like to use the bike for long rides on nice days too.

 

[Liamblink182]

Been into my LBS today and placed an order for a Giant TCR Composite 2. Got a great deal, got the bike for £1170 including them upgrading the chainring to a 53 - 34 and the cassette to a 12 - 28.