Ridgeback Platinum 2011 ........or

[eevvee]

Moved from beginners forum

All comments appreciated...

I will be looking a 2011 Ridgeback Platinum tomorrow. It has been lovingly cared for and serviced by its bike mechanic owner. It gets a good review on the Bike Radar site....

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/categ...t/review-ridgeback-bicycles-platinum-11-41698

There are 105 shifters, chainset and mechs, with the next groupset down – Tiagra – providing the hubs.

The owner is asking £400 Ono

Also available is a Merida Ride 91 lite (2011 - Shimano Sora)which, due to owner back injury, has about 100 miles on it. Owner is asking £ 600 Ono.

If I was going as high a £600 a new Boardman Road Race (Shimano Sora) is a possibility
- which like the Merida is a nice looking bike.

Although the Ridgebank does not have the looks of the others the write up it gets is good and I have heard a lot of good comments about Shimano 105 - so I am leaning towards the Ridgebank.

As usual your comments are very welcome in helping me to decide.
eevvee, Today at 14:52 EditReportTop#1Reply

 

[DCLane]

Me? I'd have the Ridgeback in an instant.

For the price it's a lot of bike. Mind you I'm biased; I had one in 2011 and it's very good value. It's also a good Audax/sportive bike with an excellent set up. In the 10 months I had it I did over 3000 miles, using it across a range of activities, and it was the bike I lost my weight using.

Check the frame over. Mine cracked near the head tube, but a full new bike was offered in exchange. This however was the 2012 model and I wanted the 2011 with 105 spec so rejected it.

If you don't select the Ridgeback, can I ask where it's at? That's because I'd be very interested in buying it.

 

[Soltydog]

The Ridgeback sounds the better specced bike, but if it hasnt got the looks of the Merida & that's important to you then you may always regret not going for it. You can always upgrade components on the Merida as you go along, but the looks of the bike will always be the same. Go for a test ride on both & then make your decision

 

[eevvee]

Tried the Merida on Sunday, nice bike but it has been left for some time and the chain and cassette were badly rusted. owner was looking for £550 - 600 - I pointed out one on eBay which looked like it had been well cared for at £380.

Trying the Ridgeback on Wednesday and will update then

 

[eevvee]

Bought the Ridgeback and now looking forward to some good Easter weekend miles....cold but dry weather forecast which is a big improvement on the wet conditions over the last couple of monthd

 

[DCLane]

Good choice; I'm sure you'll like it.

If not, PM me.

 

[djb1971]

Have you been out on it yet?

I've got one and love it, it's an excellent fast light tourer/audax bike. It'll be on Mull in just over a week lugging me and a pile of unneeded junk