Ribble R872 vs Gran Fondo

[goody]

The clue is in the user name.

 

[3narf]

So that's why it's been following me around!

 

[jowwy]

If you want better braking from the hoods, then switch to disc brakes.......not a fan of sram, i have it on my TT machine and the shifting is agricultary clunky, compared to the shimano 105 on the other 3 machines

 

[Kestevan]

If you want better braking from the hoods, then switch to disc brakes.......not a fan of sram, i have it on my TT machine and the shifting is agricultary clunky, compared to the shimano 105 on the other 3 machines

I think you mean... "reassuring & positive, with a firm mechanical feel".
I'm biased, I much prefer SRAM, but will admit that the shifting action on the higher-end SRAM Rival 22 kit is markedly better than the old Apex, and SRAM does seem more affected by poor cables and lack of maintenance.

 

[jowwy]

I think you mean... "reassuring & positive, with a firm mechanical feel".
I'm biased, I much prefer SRAM, but will admit that the shifting action on the higher-end SRAM Rival 22 kit is markedly better than the old Apex, and SRAM does seem more affected by poor cables and lack of maintenance.

No, i definatly mean agricultural and clunky

 

[vickster]

I think you mean... "reassuring & positive, with a firm mechanical feel".
I'm biased, I much prefer SRAM, but will admit that the shifting action on the higher-end SRAM Rival 22 kit is markedly better than the old Apex, and SRAM does seem more affected by poor cables and lack of maintenance.

Don't say things like that I was thinking of swapping from apex to rival on the carbon! I have no issue with the shifting but I do like to be able to squeeze the brakes enough to slow or stop the bike confidently which I can't do with shimano!

 

[Kestevan]

Don't say things like that I was thinking of swapping from apex to rival on the carbon! I have no issue with the shifting but I do like to be able to squeeze the brakes enough to slow or stop the bike confidently which I can't do with shimano!

Nah Apex is OK, but Rival/Force is much faster and smoother on the changes (not tried Red - but rumour is that Force is the best of the lot).
I have found that the SRAM stuff doesn't like the cheap cable outers much though - it still works but no-where near as smoothly. The cheapo stuff works fine on Shimano, but SRAM prefers the costlier Jagwire cables.

 

[Colnago Master]

Shimano hoods make my hands go numb.
I must be missing something, I buy a bike and never get the urge to upgrade. I think my bikes have frames and components that match so don't see the point.
My cheap Ribble winter trainer is still going strong after 8-9 years of abuse. Apart from usual replacements, only had headset and bottom bracket wear out, so can't use that as an excuse to upgrade. Most of my bikes have Campgnolo which is my preference.

 

[vickster]

Nah Apex is OK, but Rival/Force is much faster and smoother on the changes (not tried Red - but rumour is that Force is the best of the lot).
I have found that the SRAM stuff doesn't like the cheap cable outers much though - it still works but no-where near as smoothly. The cheapo stuff works fine on Shimano, but SRAM prefers the costlier Jagwire cables.

Yeah the genesis has 10 speed rival and jagwire. The carbon apex but dk what cable pearsons used

 

[SteCenturion]

Nah Apex is OK, but Rival/Force is much faster and smoother on the changes (not tried Red - but rumour is that Force is the best of the lot).
I have found that the SRAM stuff doesn't like the cheap cable outers much though - it still works but no-where near as smoothly. The cheapo stuff works fine on Shimano, but SRAM prefers the costlier Jagwire cables.

I have 2012 10 speed Force compact on my best bike & was wondering about switching to Jagwire's top end cabling, but I have other things to shell out on at the moment.

 

[Kestevan]

Shimano hoods make my hands go numb.
I must be missing something, I buy a bike and never get the urge to upgrade. I think my bikes have frames and components that match so don't see the point.
My cheap Ribble winter trainer is still going strong after 8-9 years of abuse. Apart from usual replacements, only had headset and bottom bracket wear out, so can't use that as an excuse to upgrade. Most of my bikes have Campgnolo which is my preference.

I haven't "upgraded" anything tbh, parts have been replaced when they've worn out, but that hasn't yet involved groupsets.
I have however built bikes up from scratch for both myself and Mrs Kes,
Starting with a bare frame/forks has allowed me to pick and choose the components we wanted (within budget of course). In general I've found it worth shelling out on decent components as they work better and last longer.

Never could get on with Campag stuff though - IMHO the shift button is in a bloody silly place on the hood. It is however in general much prettier than SRAM or Shimano and when I win the lottery I'll be buying a Bianchi, in Celeste with Campag electrickery super record

 

[Colnago Master]

I haven't "upgraded" anything tbh, parts have been replaced when they've worn out, but that hasn't yet involved groupsets.
I have however built bikes up from scratch for both myself and Mrs Kes,
Starting with a bare frame/forks has allowed me to pick and choose the components we wanted (within budget of course). In general I've found it worth shelling out on decent components as they work better and last longer.

Never could get on with Campag stuff though - IMHO the shift button is in a bloody silly place on the hood. It is however in general much prettier than SRAM or Shimano and when I win the lottery I'll be buying a Bianchi, in Celeste with Campag electrickery super record

I like the shift button, especially with my hands on the hoods. It's right where my thumb sits.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I have one of their 'Winter bikes' (blue, aluminium framed)
Whilst it's pretty good, & does what I want, I'm considering upgrading to the 'Sportive 365' later this year (when I judge that SWMBO won't spot a new bike has appeared)

If using the bike builder/configurator, avoid choosing the Rodi Airline wheels & pay the extra for something a bit better, Mavic Aksium S or Campagnolo Zonda's are good.

I made the error of buying mine with those, that said, I was trying to keep the price down, for the 'C2W' scheme

However, last December, I was in Planet X (Worsbrough) & saw some Vision Team 30 wheelsets for sale
They look good, with the bladed spokes, run beautifully, taken a battering on the roads round here (faultlessly)

Sadly, I can't bring a page up for you, as 'P X' has run out of stock, (I presume?) as they're not on the website
Evans, however, still have them, & the RRP surprises me!!

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/vision/team30-wheelset-ec060711


As I paid £149.00 at 'P X'

 

[vickster]

Nah Apex is OK, but Rival/Force is much faster and smoother on the changes (not tried Red - but rumour is that Force is the best of the lot).
I have found that the SRAM stuff doesn't like the cheap cable outers much though - it still works but no-where near as smoothly. The cheapo stuff works fine on Shimano, but SRAM prefers the costlier Jagwire cables.

Are the hoods the same shape on force as apex and rival? I'm thinking of an upgrade if an when my injury claim finally settles, and force is only £100 more or so than rival. Red is double the cost of force and I could never justify that even if I have the money!

 

[Kestevan]

Are the hoods the same shape on force as apex and rival? I'm thinking of an upgrade if an when my injury claim finally settles, and force is only £100 more or so than rival. Red is double the cost of force and I could never justify that even if I have the money!

Yes they are the same shape - In fact I think they are pretty much the same lever across the range.....

Don't quote me on any of this though, but I suspect the only difference) between rival & force is in the materials. Apex gets alloy levers, Rival and Force carbon, with Force getting a fancier/lighter shift paddle. I suspect the better performance from rival/force comes from the mechs, which are a slightly different design as well as using more carbon & other lightweight stuff

The new hydro levers have a different appearance but look to be the same just with a taller bit at the front of the hood - Only relevant for hydraulic brakes - so not likely to apply to me in the near future... although Mrs Kes is making noises about wanting a carbon bike with disk brakes.....