Ribble 'Winter'/'Training' Bike

[Richard A Thackeray]

Out of curiosity has anyone local(ish) to me have one of these??

I've read the reviews on here, but would really like to see one in the flesh as the expression goes

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/r...art=BB12RIB7005AUDAXWINT&sub=conf_BBRW&bike=1


I think I'd be buying the 52cm frame. in order to get the correct top-tube length that I'm used to (with my 18 year old Dyna-Tech 755Ti)

And; how rigid are they on drafting different parts in, that aren't on the 'Bike-Builder; list?, as I'd like 172.5 cranks,as I have them on all my other road (& cross) bikes

Thanks in advance

 

[smokeysmoo]

I've had two, one I ordered as a full bike, and one I bought as a frameset and built myself.

They make an excellent all round bike IMO. As usual, they look even better 'in the flesh' than they do in pics, and the blue 7005 frameset always looks really nice IMO.

As for customising the build you'd have to call them, but I do seem to recall from another thread them being very rigid in this respect, but it's worth a call.

May even be worth a shufty across to Preston to their showroom industrial estate unit to see the bikes and get fitted on their rig

 

[AlanW]

For the money they are indeed brilliant value. However, double check that the whole frame geometry is good for you. Although the top tube maybe correct for you they do have a very short head tube so you could end up with a shed load of spacers under the stem to get it to the correct height.

I have built two Ribble frames up now and in truth I cocked up on both occasions!!!

The first frame I bought only going by the seat tube length, (yes I know school boy error) and the top tube was way to long. Incorrectly I tried to address this by going for a shorter stem but this only made the steering very twitchy. So I sold that frame and bought the next size frame down, which did have near enough the correct length top tube. BUT, on account of the very short head tube, a fact that I hadn't taken into consideration at the time, so I ended up with 50mm of spacers under the stem. Or flipping the stem over, which was never going to happen!!!

And it is also fair to add, while yes they are brilliant value for money, they are as dull as dishwater to ride. Very unresponsive and energy sapping as a lot of the power doesn't seem to make it to the rear wheel? The term, "riding thro' blancmange" springs to mind.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Thanks guys for the information, will try to find out head tube length too

 

[Noodley]

Ribble have a "what size" guide on their site, which I followed and it was spot on.

As to your queries, I dinnae live near you and I have no idea if they would accomodate your request

 

[smokeysmoo]

Ribble have a "what size" guide on their site, which I followed and it was spot on.

+1

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

For the money they are indeed brilliant value. However, double check that the whole frame geometry is good for you. Although the top tube maybe correct for you they do have a very short head tube so you could end up with a shed load of spacers under the stem to get it to the correct height.

The first frame I bought only going by the seat tube length, (yes I know school boy error) and the top tube was way to long. Incorrectly I tried to address this by going for a shorter stem but this only made the steering very twitchy. So I sold that frame and bought the next size frame down, which did have near enough the correct length top tube. BUT, on account of the very short head tube, a fact that I hadn't taken into consideration at the time, so I ended up with 50mm of spacers under the stem. Or flipping the stem over, which was never going to happen!!!

Just checked my Dyna-Tech, &;
Seat-Tube = 54.5cm C-C
Top-Tube = 54cm or 54.5cm
Head-Tube = 14cm

So a considerably longer heaed-tube on the DT. but it is 18+ year old geometry

 

[simmi]

I've had two, one I ordered as a full bike, and one I bought as a frameset and built myself.

They make an excellent all round bike IMO. As usual, they look even better 'in the flesh' than they do in pics, and the blue 7005 frameset always looks really nice IMO.

As for customising the build you'd have to call them, but I do seem to recall from another thread them being very rigid in this respect, but it's worth a call.

May even be worth a shufty across to Preston to their showroom industrial estate unit to see the bikes and get fitted on their rig

+1
I am very happy with my ribble which arrived in October, this was my first road bike for many years so can't say how it compares with other bikes but it is more than good enough for me.

The only thing I can add is get yourself to Preston if you can. I didn't know much when I ordered the bike so went for the standard set up that came with the bike.

I have since spent quite a bit of money on cassettes, cranks and chain etc. getting the bikes gearing right for me.

My original came with 39-52 chainrings which for me made the hills too hard, so now have the compact 34-50 which now being 43 suits me more.

I also think in the future I might take the bike to a LBS for a fitting, I get back ache when on the drops so think I might need some extra spacers under the stem.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

A belated "Thankyou" guys

I've got something sorted out regarding one of them

 

[montage]

To the OP...I hope you don't mind me joining in on this thread

I've had two, one I ordered as a full bike, and one I bought as a frameset and built myself.

They make an excellent all round bike IMO. As usual, they look even better 'in the flesh' than they do in pics, and the blue 7005 frameset always looks really nice IMO.

As for customising the build you'd have to call them, but I do seem to recall from another thread them being very rigid in this respect, but it's worth a call.

May even be worth a shufty across to Preston to their showroom industrial estate unit to see the bikes and get fitted on their rig

How does it ride compared to your caad (you do have a caad right?)
I'm looking for a winter trainer/light tourer, but don't fancy a bike that is just no fun to ride, especially having been spoilt after riding a decent racing bike all summer.

@AlanW 's claim of it being boring is exactly what worries me.

Would you guys have spent your money on anything different? (I just need a frame)

 

[smokeysmoo]

How does it ride compared to your caad (you do have a caad right?)

I had Ribble's 7005 winter frame and IMO they ride really nicely.

They could never match the CAAD10, but then again they are chalk and cheese in many ways so I never expected them to TBH.

FWIW you see more Ribble's on the roads around here than you do just about anything else through the winter months, and if I needed to I would have no hesitation in buying another one.

Hope that helps.

 

[montage]

I had Ribble's 7005 winter frame and IMO they ride really nicely.

They could never match the CAAD10, but then again they are chalk and cheese in many ways so I never expected them to TBH.

FWIW you see more Ribble's on the roads around here than you do just about anything else through the winter months, and if I needed to I would have no hesitation in buying another one.

Hope that helps.

Cheers!
"round here" refer to lancashire by any chance? They're definitely popular, but moaning about them also seems to be popular! As long as it isn't unbearable climbing then it's no big drama. Any idea on weight in comparison with the caad?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Cheers!
"round here" refer to lancashire by any chance? They're definitely popular, but moaning about them also seems to be popular! As long as it isn't unbearable climbing then it's no big drama. Any idea on weight in comparison with the caad?

Yup, I only live 15 miles from Ribble's unit at Walton Summit, but I'm also not far from Dolan Bikes and Alan Hinde either, yet I wouldn't hesitate to have another Ribble.

IMO the majority of moaning is about their customer service which over the years has left a lot to be desired for many, but other than a small payment issue that was technically down to me, (I just wouldn't admit it at the time), I've never had a problem myself.

I think they really have upped their game over the past few years, I'm sure they still cock things up on occasion, but what company doesn't, and to me it's more important how cock ups are handled than the fact they happen in the first place.

I also think the Ribble looks fantastic in blue, whereas the Dolan Preffisio looks cheap IMO, and if you really want to read CS horror stories just Google Alan Hinde

 

[montage]

Yup, I only live 15 miles from Ribble's unit at Walton Summit, but I'm also not far from Dolan Bikes and Alan Hinde either, yet I wouldn't hesitate to have another Ribble.

IMO the majority of moaning is about their customer service which over the years has left a lot to be desired for many, but other than a small payment issue that was technically down to me, (I just wouldn't admit it at the time), I've never had a problem myself.

I think they really have upped their game over the past few years, I'm sure they still cock things up on occasion, but what company doesn't, and to me it's more important how cock ups are handled than the fact they happen in the first place.

I also think the Ribble looks fantastic in blue, whereas the Dolan Preffisio looks cheap IMO, and if you really want to read CS horror stories just Google Alan Hinde

Thanks for the help!

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I've got something sorted out regarding one of them

Received it on Monday!! (eventually - as initially, the person at work, who deals with 'C2W' was off)

Tiagra groupset
172.5mm cranks, 50/34 rings
11-25 cassette
100mm stem (could really do with a 110)
42cm bars
SPD's (well it is a commuter/winter/training bike)
SKS mudguards

Only downsides, I can find, so far, are;
1. the Tortec pannier rack I also ordered won't fit, due to the 'hooded' (Ritchey style) drop-outs & inteferance with the brake caliper at the seat-stays
2. The standard saddle (Selle-Italla X1) is too flat for me, I'll probably put a 'Flite' (original 1990 style) on it