Ribble Audax/Winter Training frameset - opinions and alternatives?



B

bookieb

Guest
Hi All,

I'm tempted by the Ribble Cyles Audax/Winter Training frameset.

It can be seen here:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/details.asp?D=P&Cat=FRAMES&Section=FRAW&GenCode=RIBBFRAW0200
....also at...
http://tinyurl.com/mvq2r

Comes with "free" carbon forks, and by the time I've added a suitable
headset (which they say they'll fit for free), it comes to STG£134.90
+ P&P.

I've Googled the group archives and found some fairly mixed comments
(to say the least) about Ribble's Mail Order/Online service.

It seems like a good deal, and will replace my current ageing and heavy
Peugeot steel frame from the mid 90's.
I'm not mad on the "hidden" headset - I'd probably be happier with a
standard 1" or 1 1/8" external one, but it seems to be hard to find a
modern frame (other than custom) that uses one.
Anyone got any other suggestions for somthing suitable in the same line
as the Ribble?

I'm not fussed between Alu and Steel, and I'd be happy to spend a bit
more (say up to Stg£250 for F&F), but I'm not UK based so it'd have to
be Mail Order.

Q. Anyone with recent experience of Ribble (good or bad), or hints on
how to deal with them?

Q. Any comments on the frameset or forks themselves (or similar
framesets from Ribble)?

Q. Any suggestions for alternatives to this F&F from other Mail Order
suppliers?


Thanks,

bookieb
 
Ribble have a bad reputation on this ng for delivery and service, but I
have had no problem. I bought one of these frames 4 yrs ago and it is
still going strong, it was good value at £199 when I bought it so 134
is very good indeed.

HTH
 
"bookieb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>I'm tempted by the Ribble Cyles Audax/Winter Training frameset.
>
>It can be seen here:
>http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/details.asp?D=P&Cat=FRAMES&Section=FRAW&GenCode=RIBBFRAW0200
>...also at...
>http://tinyurl.com/mvq2r


>I'm not mad on the "hidden" headset - I'd probably be happier with a
>standard 1" or 1 1/8" external one, but it seems to be hard to find a
>modern frame (other than custom) that uses one.


I'm not with Chris Juden here - I think it's great having something I don't
need specialised tools to fit. They do work.

>Anyone got any other suggestions for somthing suitable in the same line
>as the Ribble?
>Q. Any suggestions for alternatives to this F&F from other Mail Order
>suppliers?


Not for the same money. Kinesis racelight-T is what I've got - similar
market. Also I think tifosi and fort do equivalents.

>Q. Any comments on the frameset or forks themselves (or similar
>framesets from Ribble)?


My dad has one. It seems pretty good, esp. for the price. It takes short
brakes (as normal for 'road' bikes) rather than deep drops, so tyre/mudguard
clearance isn't as good as on mine. That's about the only thing which would
stop me getting one.
Back wheel is 130mm - again, normal for this sort of frame.

cheers,
clive
 
MartinM wrote:
> Ribble have a bad reputation on this ng for delivery and service, but I
> have had no problem. I bought one of these frames 4 yrs ago and it is
> still going strong, it was good value at £199 when I bought it so 134
> is very good indeed.

No problems here either. I've had quite a lot from them. My son raced a
Ribble Scandium in France and still uses it for training.
All the Best
Dan Gregory
 
bookieb wrote:
> I'm tempted by the Ribble Cyles Audax/Winter Training frameset.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/mvq2r


Looks nice.

> I've Googled the group archives and found some fairly mixed comments
> (to say the least) about Ribble's Mail Order/Online service.


I've never used them.

> It seems like a good deal, and will replace my current ageing and heavy
> Peugeot steel frame from the mid 90's.


I'll be keeping my old Peugeot from the 1980s - it may be heavy, but
with a little care and attention it will last longer than I will.

> I'm not mad on the "hidden" headset - I'd probably be happier with a
> standard 1" or 1 1/8" external one, but it seems to be hard to find a
> modern frame (other than custom) that uses one.


Internal headsets are fine, but there are a number of people who have
issues with integrated headsets, which are a different beast. It doesn't
really specify whether it is internal or integrated in the Ribble ad. I
share the concerns about integrated headsets from an engineering point
of view, and own none.

> Anyone got any other suggestions for somthing suitable in the same line
> as the Ribble?


See below.

> I'm not fussed between Alu and Steel, and I'd be happy to spend a bit
> more (say up to Stg£250 for F&F), but I'm not UK based so it'd have to
> be Mail Order.
>
> Q. Anyone with recent experience of Ribble (good or bad), or hints on
> how to deal with them?
>
> Q. Any comments on the frameset or forks themselves (or similar
> framesets from Ribble)?


Sorry, no experience of them.

> Q. Any suggestions for alternatives to this F&F from other Mail Order
> suppliers?


http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/en-us/dept_57.html

Its £25 over your budget, but looks very nice to me (apart from the
integrated headset, which you may not be fussed about). There are a
number of people on here who have Dolan bikes, I've yet to see someone
**** one off. I really like my Dolan steel winter frame, which I built
up with slightly different components to this:

http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/en-us/dept_106.html

You would have to ask them if they have any of those frames left,
though. I'm building a similar one (in black) up for a friend this
weekend too, which makes it sound a bit like I work for Mr. Dolan, but I
don't.

JimP

--
Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to
grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after
all. - DNA
 
Clive George wrote:
> "Jim Price" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/en-us/dept_57.html

>
> I think this might actually be the same as the Ribble frame. Unless
> ribble have changed it since the end of last year.


That is a distinct possibility, given that Ribble have often sold bike
frames supplied by Terry Dolan before - in which case of course it makes
sense to save the money otherwise wasted on the paintjob and get the
Ribble. I was really recommending the steel one, though, as that is the
same as one I own, I feel I can recommend it, and I dislike integrated
headsets (which is what the Ribble will have if it is the same).

JimP

--
Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to
grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after
all. - DNA
 
in message <[email protected]>, Jim Price
('[email protected]') wrote:

> bookieb wrote:
>
>> Anyone got any other suggestions for somthing suitable in the same
>> line as the Ribble?

>
>> Q. Any suggestions for alternatives to this F&F from other Mail Order
>> suppliers?

>
> http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/en-us/dept_57.html
>
> Its £25 over your budget, but looks very nice to me (apart from the
> integrated headset, which you may not be fussed about).


Yes, I was going to suggest that, too. It is, after all, a Dolan. But the
trouble with going to buy a bike from Dolan's is that you tend to end up
looking at things like this
http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/en-us/dept_11.html or this
http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/en-us/dept_104.html which my partner is
currently campaigning for, or this
http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/en-us/dept_16.html
which is pretty much like my Dolan
http://www.jasmine.org.uk/dogfood/story/article_41.html

.... and you go home with something that isn't a cheap bike at all, at
all!

> You would have to ask them if they have any of those frames left,
> though. I'm building a similar one (in black) up for a friend this
> weekend too, which makes it sound a bit like I work for Mr. Dolan, but
> I don't.


I don't either, but I would be happy to agree that he makes _exceedingly_
good ca^Wbikes.

--
[email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

my other car is #<Subr-Car: #5d480>
;; This joke is not funny in emacs.
 
Simon Brooke wrote:
> in message <[email protected]>, Jim Price
> ('[email protected]') wrote:
>
> > bookieb wrote:
> >

<snip>
> Yes, I was going to suggest that, too. It is, after all, a Dolan. But the
> trouble with going to buy a bike from Dolan's is that you tend to end up
> looking at things like this
> http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/en-us/dept_11.html or this


Stop it!

> http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/en-us/dept_104.html which my partner is


Agggh! Stop it -really.

> currently campaigning for, or this
> http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/en-us/dept_16.html


I'm not joking - you're just annoying me now...

> which is pretty much like my Dolan
> http://www.jasmine.org.uk/dogfood/story/article_41.html


Get thee behind me, Stan!

>
> ... and you go home with something that isn't a cheap bike at all, at
> all!
>

<snip>
> --
> [email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
>
> my other car is #<Subr-Car: #5d480>
> ;; This joke is not funny in emacs.


Hmmm, budgets, nice in theory and all. Wish I hadn't seen all of them
now. ;-)

Thanks anyway, but nah, I'm gonna stick with somthing cheap and work on
the engine instead. When the engine deserves it, I might spend a bit
more.

Thanks,

bookieb.
 
bookieb wrote:

>
> I'm not fussed between Alu and Steel, and I'd be happy to spend a bit
> more (say up to Stg£250 for F&F), but I'm not UK based so it'd have
> to be Mail Order.


I was going to say to go ahead only if you can go to the shop in person
but do not touch them with a bargepole if its mail order. Some people
have had OK service where everything was right but when things go wrong
they are just not interested in sorting it out. It was Ribble that
caused me to find out how to cancel a cheque guaranteed cheque with my
bank. They were totally indifferent to the fact that they had delivered
an order that was wrong, had damaged parts from poor packing, missing
parts and in the case of the wheels, poorly made parts. Once the
situation was reversed and I had their duff parts and they didn't have
my money any more they got quite aggressively angry. Pity they didn't
think to treat their customers as they wanted to be treated before the
tables were turned. Steer clear is my advice unless you are a gambler.


--
Tony

"The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the
right."
- Lord Hailsham
 
Tony Raven wrote:
> I was going to say to go ahead only if you can go to the shop in
> person but do not touch them with a bargepole if its mail order.
> Some people have had OK service where everything was right but when
> things go wrong they are just not interested in sorting it out. It
> was Ribble that caused me to find out how to cancel a cheque
> guaranteed cheque with my bank. They were totally indifferent to the
> fact that they had delivered an order that was wrong, had damaged
> parts from poor packing, missing parts and in the case of the wheels,
> poorly made parts. Once the situation was reversed and I had their
> duff parts and they didn't have my money any more they got quite
> aggressively angry. Pity they didn't think to treat their customers
> as they wanted to be treated before the tables were turned. Steer
> clear is my advice unless you are a gambler.


I second that advice.

I wasn't able to solve the problem so easily with my last (ever) Ribble
order since I used a debit card. Ribble sent an item I didn't order and
charged me for it. They refused to refund until they had the goods back
then took five weeks to refund after I had returned the goods. I
experienced a few various problems before that as well.

Recent reports elsewhere make it clear that Ribble's attitude has not
changed since my experiences.

~PB
 
I have purchased one of these frames fairly recently mail order.

Took a good couple of weeks to arrive but they did respond to my email
asking how long it was likely to be.

When I got the frame it did not appear that they had fitted the headset.
I therefore took it down the LBS asking them to fit it. Rather
embarrassingly they informed me that it was a push in headset and
therefore only required pushing into place! (Although they did not
charge me for doing this).

Frame looks good seems fairly well built and includes all the little
bolts for mudguards etc. My only complaint would be that the paint job
could be better. However, as a bike should be for riding rather than
admiring I don't have a problem with this.

Hope this helps,

Gordon


bookieb wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I'm tempted by the Ribble Cyles Audax/Winter Training frameset.
>
> It can be seen here:
> http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/details.asp?D=P&Cat=FRAMES&Section=FRAW&GenCode=RIBBFRAW0200
> ...also at...
> http://tinyurl.com/mvq2r
>
> Comes with "free" carbon forks, and by the time I've added a suitable
> headset (which they say they'll fit for free), it comes to STG£134.90
> + P&P.
>
> I've Googled the group archives and found some fairly mixed comments
> (to say the least) about Ribble's Mail Order/Online service.
>
> It seems like a good deal, and will replace my current ageing and heavy
> Peugeot steel frame from the mid 90's.
> I'm not mad on the "hidden" headset - I'd probably be happier with a
> standard 1" or 1 1/8" external one, but it seems to be hard to find a
> modern frame (other than custom) that uses one.
> Anyone got any other suggestions for somthing suitable in the same line
> as the Ribble?
>
> I'm not fussed between Alu and Steel, and I'd be happy to spend a bit
> more (say up to Stg£250 for F&F), but I'm not UK based so it'd have to
> be Mail Order.
>
> Q. Anyone with recent experience of Ribble (good or bad), or hints on
> how to deal with them?
>
> Q. Any comments on the frameset or forks themselves (or similar
> framesets from Ribble)?
>
> Q. Any suggestions for alternatives to this F&F from other Mail Order
> suppliers?
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> bookieb
>
 
bookieb wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I'm tempted by the Ribble Cyles Audax/Winter Training frameset.
>
> It can be seen here:
> http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/details.asp?D=P&Cat=FRAMES&Section=FRAW&GenCode=RIBBFRAW0200
> ...also at...
> http://tinyurl.com/mvq2r
>

<snip>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> bookieb


OK, thanks to all who replied.

Not really sure what to do now. It seems to be a good offer on a
price/value basis, it it doesn't go wrong.
I had the same suspicion that it was the same frame as the Dolan 7005
training frame, or at least close to indistinguishable from it, and it
may be similar to the Hewitt frame as well.

OTOH, I've seen enough bad comment on Ribble's Mail Order service to
make me think twice, particularly as I'm located that bit further away.

I think I'll give it a miss for the time being, and keep looking.

Other than the Planet X and the Dolan, can anyone suggest anything else
in a similar line and price range?

Thanks again,

bookieb.
 
Tony Raven wrote:

> Once the
> situation was reversed and I had their duff parts and they didn't have
> my money any more they got quite aggressively angry. Pity they didn't
> think to treat their customers as they wanted to be treated before the
> tables were turned.


That must have been quite satisfying. Did they threaten you? Did you
hold out for return postage in your hot-and-sticky before sending the
stuff back?

--
Dave...
 
dkahn400 wrote:
> Tony Raven wrote:
>
>> Once the
>> situation was reversed and I had their duff parts and they didn't have
>> my money any more they got quite aggressively angry. Pity they didn't
>> think to treat their customers as they wanted to be treated before the
>> tables were turned.

>
> That must have been quite satisfying. Did they threaten you? Did you
> hold out for return postage in your hot-and-sticky before sending the
> stuff back?
>


I told them rectifying their mistakes was not my problem. The kit was
available for collection if they wanted to arrange for someone to
collect it. They eventually sent a courier to pick it up.

--
Tony

"The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the
right."
- Lord Hailsham