Road Bikes - Ribble

Wiseman_Vaughn

Wiseman_Vaughn

Well-known member
Question for the boards cycling enthusiasts...

I bought an Orbea Hybrid last year and ended up using it way more than I aticipated due to being Furloughed. With hindsight - I wish I'd bougt an out and out road bike and I'm starting to have a look around for something in the £1500 price bracket.

A couple of people have recommended Ribble bikes and the R872 in particular. Does anybody have one or know anything about them?
 
dooderooni said:
Don't have one or own one, but they seem to get good reviews.
I'd also look at Decathlon. At £1500 you can get some very decent kit. If you do go for the Ribble, look at upgrading the wheels and tyres in the bike builder as the base options aren't anything special.
Click to expand...

Thanks! It's a bit of a minefield in that price bracket - There is just so much choice! I'll definitely have a look on Decathalon!
 
Very true.
Grab a coffee and read this to be even further confused by choice ;)
Despite some people having issues with them, I've got a Planet X RT80 and have since added carbon aero wheels to it for under £1500. As long as the bike fits right then it is a price bracket that offers so many great bikes.
 
dooderooni said:
Very true.
Grab a coffee and read this to be even further confused by choice ;)
Despite some people having issues with them, I've got a Planet X RT80 and have since added carbon aero wheels to it for under £1500. As long as the bike fits right then it is a price bracket that offers so many great bikes.
Click to expand...

Aye! My other issue is that I'm 5'10" and I bought a Large Hybrid. It works well with the more upright geometry but I'm a bit uncomfortable buying a Large Road bike without trying it. I might have to wait until the shops re-open before I dive in.
 
You're an inch taller than me and I'm a Medium on most size charts.
Try entering your measurements here and see what geometry recommendations come up. You can then check those against the spec sheets and see which models would suit you. Reach and stack are two measurements that can really make or break how a bike feels and how comfortable you can get on it. If you go for what some makers call an endurance model then you'll note that the reach and stack are different from the same size in a more race oriented bike. By a series of trial and error I've got my reach and stack dialled in so that I can stay in the drops comfortably which really improves your speed and handling.
 
dooderooni said:
You're an inch taller than me and I'm a Medium on most size charts.
Try entering your measurements here and see what geometry recommendations come up. You can then check those against the spec sheets and see which models would suit you. Reach and stack are two measurements that can really make or break how a bike feels and how comfortable you can get on it. If you go for what some makers call an endurance model then you'll note that the reach and stack are different from the same size in a more race oriented bike. By a series of trial and error I've got my reach and stack dialled in so that I can stay in the drops comfortably which really improves your speed and handling.
Click to expand...
Thta's really helpful! Many thanks - I'll see what it recommends
 
I'd describe Ribble as 'good value', you wont be disappointed with their bikes (frames), but personally I'd look for a good used bike instead.

Set your budget and list what spec is important to you.
 
You could also think about a 'bike fit', but you're talking about a two to three hundred quid plus travel as there's maybe none locally.

I think you only really know what is best for you with experience, and the ideal bike will change with your age and fitness levels. I'm nearly 70 now and starting to suffer from arthritis in the neck and am currently putting together a Hetchins frame with a far more upright position than I would have ever considered even ten years ago. Remember that nothing is set in stone. If the position doesn't feel right you can always do a lot by tweaking stem length, angle and height and the same with the saddle post and position for only a small outlay.

EDIT An older article on Bike Fit. https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/bike-fit/bike-fit-recommended-uk-locations-33069
 
Wiseman_Vaughn said:
Question for the boards cycling enthusiasts...

I bought an Orbea Hybrid last year and ended up using it way more than I aticipated due to being Furloughed. With hindsight - I wish I'd bougt an out and out road bike and I'm starting to have a look around for something in the £1500 price bracket.

A couple of people have recommended Ribble bikes and the R872 in particular. Does anybody have one or know anything about them?
Click to expand...
Try this from Cycling weekly:

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-tests/grouptest-bikes-for-under-1500-21836

They are always pretty dependable.

I managed to purchase a Specialized Roubaix [2019] for 1000 GBPs [which is half the current price]
- it has a front "Shock" in the head tube which reduces vibration and good over rough ground.
It has clearance for 32 mm tyres and the geometry is perfect for long runs.

Alternatively, Bianchi, Trek and Cannon all produce good dependable road bike around 1500 GBP`s.

Carbon bikes are as little as 1000 GBP`s but watch out for cheap components which make the bike cheaper.

As a rough guide I would suggest Shimano 105 or Shimano Tiagra are reliable groupsets to look out for. Both are proven to be robust and durable. The higher end Deore, Ultegra and Dura-Ace are high end components and you pay the price.

Up until recently I owned a Boardman Team Carbon which I upgraded with a Shimano 105 Groupset and Mavic Aksyium wheels. I also bought a Bontrager Madison Elite saddle.

Each to their own.

A word of warning: wheel - sets are the first things to upgrade - the cheaper ones tend to be very heavy and sluggish - but not in every case.

Good hunting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top