Ribble R872 vs Gran Fondo

[nikoo]

hello everybody,
I would like to buy a road bike, but I really hesitate between two models: R872 ribble and Gran Fondo. please does anyone just tell me the differences between the two models in terms of cycling,comfort.
thank you very much!!!!

 

[Kestevan]

If this is your first road bike (or you're not familiar with differences in frame geometry/sizing) I'd hesitate to recommend buying a bike from a mail order only place. Whilst the likes of Ribble/Rose/Planet X etc offer a cracking bargain, if you're not sure on sizing/fit/type even a bargain may turn out to be a costly mistake.

If you are a beginner, please do yourself a favour and get to a proper bike shop (not Halfords) and get some proper sizing advice.
At the very least swing a leg over a few frames to find out what fits you best.

 

[zak3737]

^^^
Wot he said........
I made a mistake buying 2nd hand before I really knew what suited me, and altho it didnt 'cost' me anything, as I resold the bike easily for a profit, it was time wasted.

 

[nikoo]

thank you Kestevan for the advice, but I already have a racing bike with a sloping toptube frame, so I hesitate to take the R872 which has a compact frame that interested me a lot or take the gran fondo which has the same geometry than my current bike.

 

[vickster]

If you live near the Ribble shop, you could always go there in the way suggested!

 

[nikoo]

That's what i did! But they do not allow us to try the bikes, you can just see them.

 

[Colnago Master]

Does the R872 have a more race geometry i.e. a shorter head tube. The Gran Fondo is probably more of sportive bike. Similar to the differences between a Roubaix and a Tarmac from Specialized. I'm sure there are other differences with wheelbase etc. Personally I prefer lower bars and a more aero position even though I don't race and find 100 mile+ rides fine. Unless you're buying an expensive bike you do most of the bike fit yourself and don't get to specify components at your LBS anyway.

 

[vickster]

That's what i did! But they do not allow us to try the bikes, you can just see them.

You can't even sit of them on a turbo?! Frankly that's crap!

 

[SteCenturion]

I looked into an R872 when I was buying my 2nd bike after starting back cycling on a 2nd hand Giant Defy that didn't fit quite right.

The R872 has a shorter head tube & more race geometry + higher grade carbon in the frame & fork, the fork is also full carbon, whereas the GF has a carbon/alu fork.

Also the R872 has internal cable routing but the GF is external.

After several unsatisfactory phone calls (mostly unanswered & one with garbage advice) & some reading up on Ribble themselves, I decided not to bother.

 

[nikoo]

Does the R872 have a more race geometry i.e. a shorter head tube. The Gran Fondo is probably more of sportive bike. Similar to the differences between a Roubaix and a Tarmac from Specialized. I'm sure there are other differences with wheelbase etc. Personally I prefer lower bars and a more aero position even though I don't race and find 100 mile+ rides fine. Unless you're buying an expensive bike you do most of the bike fit yourself and don't get to specify components at your LBS anyway.

I looked into an R872 when I was buying my 2nd bike after starting back cycling on a 2nd Giant Defy that didn't fit quite right.

The R872 has a shorter head tube & more race geometry + higher grade carbon in the frame & fork, the fork is also full carbon, whereas the GF has a carbon/alu fork.

Also the R872 has internal cable routing but tue GF is external.

After several unsatisfactory phone calls (mostly unanswered & one with garbage advice) & some reading up on Ribble themselves, I decided not to bother.

thank you for the advices, i think i will go for the r872 it seems better quality frame, because the GF for me looks more like a poor pinarello imitation and i don't really like the thine tube frame on it.

 

[wam68]

That's what i did! But they do not allow us to try the bikes, you can just see them.

Well I never. Thats a new one on me.

 

[Kestevan]

Personally, although the bikes are OK I wouldn't go near Ribbles customer "service" with a barge pole...

 

[Colnago Master]

I have two Ribbles and they're both great. You hear a lot from people who don't like Ribbles but few have actually had one. You can find a bad story for any manufacturer. Personally, I only ever tell of my experiences not someone else's.
I would happily buy another.

 

[jack smith]

Ribble have been answering my emails within hours for the past few days maybe someone finally kicked them up the backside

 

[Butty1972]

The Gran Fondo is one of the most beautiful bikes around in my opinion, and everyone knows, pretty bikes go faster....
Having said that, I bough a Ribble Sportive Racing in Jan and love it.