Ribble Bikes - alternatives?
Discussion
I’ve just started cycling to work after a bad year of working from home in lockdown.
It’s a hilly thirteen miles, and given my early start, long hours, and poor fitness I bought an electric-assist bike to help me to get into it.
A few weeks in and it’s time to look at getting something unassisted soon, so I decided to get a Ribble Titaniim gravel bike, which seems to be a good mixture of road-bike weight and geometry, but robust enough to deal with London’s roads.
Unfortunately they seem to have an eight month lead time, and to need all the money up-front today.
I’m not comfortable giving them £3,000+ against a promise that if they are solvent next year I might get a bike, so can anyone recommend something similar available sooner?
It’s a hilly thirteen miles, and given my early start, long hours, and poor fitness I bought an electric-assist bike to help me to get into it.
A few weeks in and it’s time to look at getting something unassisted soon, so I decided to get a Ribble Titaniim gravel bike, which seems to be a good mixture of road-bike weight and geometry, but robust enough to deal with London’s roads.
Unfortunately they seem to have an eight month lead time, and to need all the money up-front today.
I’m not comfortable giving them £3,000+ against a promise that if they are solvent next year I might get a bike, so can anyone recommend something similar available sooner?
Planet X do a Titanium Gravel bike, due back in stock in August.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXTEMV3FOR1700/pla...
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXTEMV3FOR1700/pla...
JayRidesBikes said:
Planet X do a Titanium Gravel bike, due back in stock in August.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXTEMV3FOR1700/pla...
Afternoon all, I just bought a Planet X London Road, £1,299. Hope it serves me well. 😀 🚵🏼♀️https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXTEMV3FOR1700/pla...
I'd second planet x. I was after a Ribble cgr ti, but the lead time was outrageous, so opted for Planet X Titus Roadrunner. Again titanium and much better spec.
Bike has been superb on the back roads of Denbighshire/Powys/Gwynydd (real Ivor Williams territory) which were destroying my Giant tcr. Much faster on the ti too.
I had seen comments about their customer service, but a mate did a self build with one of their ti frames, with no issues. My experience was great too, got the bike within a few weeks of ordering in May, and the delivery date was brought forward.
Bike has been superb on the back roads of Denbighshire/Powys/Gwynydd (real Ivor Williams territory) which were destroying my Giant tcr. Much faster on the ti too.
I had seen comments about their customer service, but a mate did a self build with one of their ti frames, with no issues. My experience was great too, got the bike within a few weeks of ordering in May, and the delivery date was brought forward.
I’ve just ordered a Ribble earlier this week. Slightly better lead time of 3 months. I didn’t think they’d take full payment (£2k) until delivery, but it’s all been taken already. Not too bothered and on a credit card should the worst happen, which I’ve no concerns over BTW.
If you buy on finance they don’t charge you (other than deposit) until delivery.
If you buy on finance they don’t charge you (other than deposit) until delivery.
Bridgewaterfalls said:
I'd second planet x. I was after a Ribble cgr ti, but the lead time was outrageous, so opted for Planet X Titus Roadrunner. Again titanium and much better spec.
Bike has been superb on the back roads of Denbighshire/Powys/Gwynydd (real Ivor Williams territory) which were destroying my Giant tcr. Much faster on the ti too.
I had seen comments about their customer service, but a mate did a self build with one of their ti frames, with no issues. My experience was great too, got the bike within a few weeks of ordering in May, and the delivery date was brought forward.
Is the kit on that “good”? I’m not sure which stuff is entry-level and which is mid nowadays.Bike has been superb on the back roads of Denbighshire/Powys/Gwynydd (real Ivor Williams territory) which were destroying my Giant tcr. Much faster on the ti too.
I had seen comments about their customer service, but a mate did a self build with one of their ti frames, with no issues. My experience was great too, got the bike within a few weeks of ordering in May, and the delivery date was brought forward.
Have you looked at Spa cycles in Harrogate.
I got a 725 steel frame with 105 running gear from there last year. Rides beautifully.
They do Titanium models at what I think is a pretty reasonable price
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m1b0s223p4584/SPA-CYCL...
I got a 725 steel frame with 105 running gear from there last year. Rides beautifully.
They do Titanium models at what I think is a pretty reasonable price
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m1b0s223p4584/SPA-CYCL...
Ribble you could stick on finance or cycle to work to avoid paying upfront, but assume the delay is an issue regardless.
Planet X bikes are decent quality, but have priced up in the last 12 months! Guess unsurprising given the shortages.... Their bikepacking bags are also great value.
The Spa Elan I looked at last year but thought it was a bit behind these others development wise.
Everyone with an Enigma seems to be 100% happy with the extra cost as the bikes are great and service sounds better than anyone. Think an Escape is nearer 4k though.
My Dolan GXT is verrry similar to the Ribble and seems to have better availability. Ti seatpost is a really nice addition.
Theres a good thread somewhere on here with a lot of Ti discussion. Few people ended up with the Dolan, couple with Engima.
Planet X bikes are decent quality, but have priced up in the last 12 months! Guess unsurprising given the shortages.... Their bikepacking bags are also great value.
The Spa Elan I looked at last year but thought it was a bit behind these others development wise.
Everyone with an Enigma seems to be 100% happy with the extra cost as the bikes are great and service sounds better than anyone. Think an Escape is nearer 4k though.
My Dolan GXT is verrry similar to the Ribble and seems to have better availability. Ti seatpost is a really nice addition.
Theres a good thread somewhere on here with a lot of Ti discussion. Few people ended up with the Dolan, couple with Engima.
Dnlm said:
Ribble you could stick on finance or cycle to work to avoid paying upfront, but assume the delay is an issue regardless.
Planet X bikes are decent quality, but have priced up in the last 12 months! Guess unsurprising given the shortages.... Their bikepacking bags are also great value.
The Spa Elan I looked at last year but thought it was a bit behind these others development wise.
Everyone with an Enigma seems to be 100% happy with the extra cost as the bikes are great and service sounds better than anyone. Think an Escape is nearer 4k though.
My Dolan GXT is verrry similar to the Ribble and seems to have better availability. Ti seatpost is a really nice addition.
Theres a good thread somewhere on here with a lot of Ti discussion. Few people ended up with the Dolan, couple with Engima.
Pretty much this.Planet X bikes are decent quality, but have priced up in the last 12 months! Guess unsurprising given the shortages.... Their bikepacking bags are also great value.
The Spa Elan I looked at last year but thought it was a bit behind these others development wise.
Everyone with an Enigma seems to be 100% happy with the extra cost as the bikes are great and service sounds better than anyone. Think an Escape is nearer 4k though.
My Dolan GXT is verrry similar to the Ribble and seems to have better availability. Ti seatpost is a really nice addition.
Theres a good thread somewhere on here with a lot of Ti discussion. Few people ended up with the Dolan, couple with Engima.
I got an Enigma, and I bloody love it. Great guys to deal with too - and definitely a step beyond a pure 'retail' type relationship as you'd have with Ribble/Planet X/Dolan.
Did I pay a little more (for similar spec)? Yes, probably - although it's tricky to work out, as I've got full Hope kit, etc. which the others don't offer. The detailing, little touches and service more than made up for it though.
Available via cyclescheme too.
not in your budget and slightly off topic but i ordered an Ribble 872 disc in Apr with a July 8th collection date. Kept getting pushed back and back so cancelled and found a Cube attain race in stock for only £400 more.
Defo go elsewhere atm, they are a great but small comapny, the big boys will pressure shimano/sram and be able to get stock sooner.
Defo go elsewhere atm, they are a great but small comapny, the big boys will pressure shimano/sram and be able to get stock sooner.
Iirc the ribble uses a threaded bottom bracket whereas the planets uses a press fit, otherwise they're pretty similar.
My experience of ribble, was fine, bike turned up a few weeks before the estimated date, and no issues when I needed to warranty a brake caliper. Always got a response to emails or online chat. The guys in the showroom at blue water were really helpful, got me on a sizing jig set up for the appropriate frame geometry so I could work out frame size, stem length, bar width etc and they advised on component choices. All good there.
I did the 0% finance option so didn't have to worry about paying it all upfront. It's not like you get a discount for paying cash...
My experience of ribble, was fine, bike turned up a few weeks before the estimated date, and no issues when I needed to warranty a brake caliper. Always got a response to emails or online chat. The guys in the showroom at blue water were really helpful, got me on a sizing jig set up for the appropriate frame geometry so I could work out frame size, stem length, bar width etc and they advised on component choices. All good there.
I did the 0% finance option so didn't have to worry about paying it all upfront. It's not like you get a discount for paying cash...
If it helps a lady at my wife's work has just ordered a Ribble last week. They said March next year, but they phoned her almost immediately to offer a September delivery. Perhaps a frame was available.
Theyll be around a good while, I've seen them grow massively (as I've aged!) from the old shop on Watery Lane with rubbish parking!! I must add one to my collection at some point.
Theyll be around a good while, I've seen them grow massively (as I've aged!) from the old shop on Watery Lane with rubbish parking!! I must add one to my collection at some point.
They're bigger and doing better than ever I would say, if you want that bike, buy it I reckon.TheDrownedApe said:
not in your budget and slightly off topic but i ordered an Ribble 872 disc in Apr with a July 8th collection date. Kept getting pushed back and back so cancelled and found a Cube attain race in stock for only £400 more.
Defo go elsewhere atm, they are a great but small comapny, the big boys will pressure shimano/sram and be able to get stock sooner.
Yup, many many stories of people being told July, I mean Nov, I mean next Jan… by Ribble Defo go elsewhere atm, they are a great but small comapny, the big boys will pressure shimano/sram and be able to get stock sooner.
Some people are lucky, many aren’t.
lufbramatt said:
I wonder if the bikes on long lead times are the more popular standard builds?
I changed lots of bits on mine- different groupset, wheels, bars etc. and it arrived early. There must be certain parts the create the bottlenecks.
Certainly chatting with Enigma last summer, if there was flexibility in spec life was much simpler.I changed lots of bits on mine- different groupset, wheels, bars etc. and it arrived early. There must be certain parts the create the bottlenecks.
GRX rear mechs at one point were a bottleneck, for example. Tyres too could be tricky. That's where I really appreciated the direct comms from a known person at the firm. Tweak to cassette and tyre spec meant a much quicker delivery once Hope had restarted wheel building.
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