Ribble frames - opinions

Pete Biggs <[email hidden]> wrote:

: Yes indeed, and you could even save some weight if you take it out after
: adjusting the headset (as it or a star nut & top bolt doesn't actually do
: anything afterwards), if you felt like it.

To spell out the obvious, you MUST NOT do this with a fork with a carbon
steerer however. It's very dangerous. The bung acts to resist the crushing
force of the stem bolts. Obviously this isn't a problem with an alloy
steerer.

Arthur

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Arthur Clune said:

Pete Biggs said:

Yes indeed, and you could even save some weight if you take it out
after adjusting the headset (as it or a star nut & top bolt doesn't
actually do anything afterwards), if you felt like it.

To spell out the obvious, you MUST NOT do this with a fork with a
carbon steerer however. It's very dangerous. The bung acts to resist
the crushing force of the stem bolts. Obviously this isn't a problem
with an alloy steerer.

Thanks Arthur. I forgot about that, sorry, as I don't use carbon steerers
myself.

~PB

x-no-archive: yes

David E. Belcher said:

As someone about to build up their first frame with a threadless fork
column/headset combo, it all sounds a bit daunting! I've opted for a
TA top cap which features an expanding plug (designed for carbon
steerer tubes but fine for alloy & Cr-Mo ones too) - have I saved
myself a difficult task compared with the star-washer type (says he,
with fingers crossed)?

Looking at it Yes. I Think your root is better. May consider this.

Thanks

Peter

Pete Biggs said:

darrenf said:

Thanks for your replies. No bad reports then🙂

I will be paying their shop a visit tomorrow as I will be over that
way anyway and I want to have a good look at their bikes/frames
before I buy. Apparently, they have quite a few complete bikes in the
shop.

Good, don't mail-order from them. They can't even despatch correct
inner tubes! Not being one to hold life-long grudges, I thought I'd
give Ribble another chance. I order Michelin Ultralight, standard
ones received.

Blimey, that was only the start of it.......

I returned the tubes for refund/exchange, Ribble then sent me the same
tubes again, plus another BB (like the one in original order, received),
plus... wait for it.... they've charged me for the whole total again.
Cretins!!!

This *will* be the last time I ever use them.

~PB

quote='Pete Biggs'Pete Biggs said:

darrenf said:

Thanks for your replies. No bad reports then🙂

I will be paying their shop a visit tomorrow as I will be over that
way anyway and I want to have a good look at their bikes/frames
before I buy. Apparently, they have quite a few complete bikes in the
shop.

Good, don't mail-order from them. They can't even despatch correct
inner tubes! Not being one to hold life-long grudges, I thought I'd
give Ribble another chance. I order Michelin Ultralight, standard
ones received.

Blimey, that was only the start of it.......

I returned the tubes for refund/exchange, Ribble then sent me the same
tubes again, plus another BB (like the one in original order, received),
plus... wait for it.... they've charged me for the whole total again.
Cretins!!!

This *will* be the last time I ever use them.

~PB[/QUOTE]
Not a story that inspires confidence.......😕

Anyhow, just to report my findings if anyones interested.......

I visited the ribble shop earlier this week as planned. The chap in the shop was pretty helpful and the quality of the bikes looks fine. We had a good chat about sizing, where the frames are made etc which confirmed my understanding of their set up.

They measured me up and we agreed on the best frame size for me. I asked about lead in times from order to delivery and was told that it would usually be about two weeks if the frame size/ colour was in stock or up to 5 or 6 weeks if they had to order it in. That all seemed fair enough to me, as long as I know beforehand.

The frame finishes looked pretty good on those I saw in the shop. Nice smooth welds and decent quality paint job. The only downside being that the paint jobs are generally single primary colour choices (ie blue, red, yellow, black). The finish looked fine though and that in itself is not really an issue to me given the price of the frames.

I am still unsure if I will go for an aluminium frame. I am also considering a custom steel job (I am long in leg and short in body which means I always seem to be on the fringes of proper fit on most standard frames), possibly even titanium.

However, I have never had an alu frame (just steel so far), and if I don't get one, I'll never know if the ride is more harsh etc. That's what attracts me to the ribble frames. For the money, if I go for alu, but find I'm not a fan of alu after a while, I haven't wasted a stupid amount of money to find out.

Ho hum, decisions decisions.

One thing I have decided though is that if I do opt for aluminium, it is most likely to be from ribble.

darrenf wrote:

/snip

Quoted message said:

Not a story that inspires confidence.......😕

Anyhow, just to report my findings if anyones interested.......

I visited the ribble shop earlier this week as planned. The chap in
the shop was pretty helpful and the quality of the bikes looks fine.
We had a good chat about sizing, where the frames are made etc which
confirmed my understanding of their set up.

They measured me up and we agreed on the best frame size for me. I
asked about lead in times from order to delivery and was told that it
would usually be about two weeks if the frame size/ colour was in
stock or up to 5 or 6 weeks if they had to order it in. That all
seemed fair enough to me, as long as I know beforehand.

The frame finishes looked pretty good on those I saw in the shop. Nice
smooth welds and decent quality paint job. The only downside being
that the paint jobs are generally single primary colour choices (ie
blue, red, yellow, black). The finish looked fine though and that in
itself is not really an issue to me given the price of the frames.

I am still unsure if I will go for an aluminium frame. I am also
considering a custom steel job (I am long in leg and short in body
which means I always seem to be on the fringes of proper fit on most
standard frames), possibly even titanium.

However, I have never had an alu frame (just steel so far), and if I
don't get one, I'll never know if the ride is more harsh etc. That's
what attracts me to the ribble frames. For the money, if I go for alu,
but find I'm not a fan of alu after a while, I haven't wasted a stupid
amount of money to find out.

Ho hum, decisions decisions.

One thing I have decided though is that if I do opt for aluminium, it
is most likely to be from ribble.

Ribble are a bunch of idiots and crooks. You risk serious hassle if you
have anything to do with them.

It is a myth that aluminium frames provide a harsh ride. A harsh ride
comes from too-hard tyres and a too-hard saddle. Find out and compare the
amount of *vertical* deflection between various frames. The difference is
virtually nothing, and pales into isignificance when compared to tyre
deflection.

~PB

Pete Biggs said:

darrenf said:

Thanks for your replies. No bad reports then🙂

I will be paying their shop a visit tomorrow as I will be over that
way anyway and I want to have a good look at their bikes/frames
before I buy. Apparently, they have quite a few complete bikes in

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

shop.

Good, don't mail-order from them. They can't even despatch correct

inner

Quoted message said:

tubes! Not being one to hold life-long grudges, I thought I'd give

Ribble

Quoted message said:

another chance. I order Michelin Ultralight, standard ones received.

I ordered the wrong size frame (my fault) and they changed it no
problems.