Ridley Orion

colm_gti

Just wondering if anyone has ridden/owned the above and can offer their opinions on it. Stiffness, responsiveness, comfort, quality, etc. etc.

Looking at upgrading the aluminium frame of my bike, and past season models of the above fall right into my budget....

DirkVoodoo

You mean like this:

(2008 Ridley Orion with Centaur Black/Red)





I used to love it, but I find the head tube too tall now and the sizing a bit odd. Probably needed a size down. Prefer the fit of my Planet-X, which is why, once again, this frame will be going up for sale. Headset issues sorted, it just takes a standard campy 45x45 drop-in like an FSA Orbit CE.

Colinoc

I bought an orion a few months ago and love it!

dave_o_brien

I also used to have one, and loved it. Size wise, I agree with Dirk, it's a slightly odd fitting bike, but I found that suited my slightly odd proportions. I'm 183cm with 82.5cm inseam and a long back, and found a medium frame, with 10mm spacer under the stem and a 13cm stem coupled with a 25mm setback seatpost fit me really, really well. I've since gotten a Look 565, and that has taken time to adjust the fit.

But as far as the frame goes, it was plenty stiff and responsive. Not as comfortable or smooth as my Look, but is built to a very high quality, and a lot more comfortable than my aluminium bike I have at the minute. For the right price, I'd gladly get another one, without any concerns.

colm_gti

Similar to that Dirk, I was looking at the red and white 2012 model on CRC for €533...

I'll be coming from a BMC with a 585mm effective TT, 120mm stem and 225mm HT, which is probably a tad on the big side but very comfortable. I was looking at going for a M Orion, 565mm effective TT and 175mm HT, with a 130mm stem it should give a slightly more aggressive geometry than my current bike, right?

DirkVoodoo

colm_gti wrote: »

Similar to that Dirk, I was looking at the red and white 2012 model on CRC for €533...

I'll be coming from a BMC with a 585mm effective TT, 120mm stem and 225mm HT, which is probably a tad on the big side but very comfortable. I was looking at going for a M Orion, 565mm effective TT and 175mm HT, with a 130mm stem it should give a slightly more aggressive geometry than my current bike, right?

Sounds right, the sizing is odd though, the bottom bracket sits quite high off the ground so this compounds the feeling I had of being "too high up" even with a stem slammed onto the cap.

wav1

colm_gti wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone has ridden/owned the above and can offer their opinions on it. Stiffness, responsiveness, comfort, quality, etc. etc.

Looking at upgrading the aluminium frame of my bike, and past season models of the above fall right into my budget....

Ciaran the mini wav is on one at the moment and he loves it.Stiff and responsive is the feedback I get.Sometimes the ridley geometry can be a bit funny though and I think they suit chaps with longer torsos.I reckon their great value from chain reaction.medium for you?

colm_gti

wav1 wrote: »

Ciaran the mini wav is on one at the moment and he loves it.Stiff and responsive is the feedback I get.Sometimes the ridley geometry can be a bit funny though and I think they suit chaps with longer torsos.I reckon their great value from chain reaction.medium for you?

Cheers wav!

Aye been comparing the geometry to that of my BMC, and it seems there's only a difference of 15mm in the reach between it and a medium orion, which should be negated by a 130mm stem?

My CX bike has a 55cm TT and a 130mm stem and apart from the HT being a lot shorter, the reach doesn't feel a whole lot different to my BMC...

colm_gti

So while holidaying in Tenerife last week, I dropped into bikepoint, who offer the rental of bikes. One of the options was a 2012 Ridley Orion, so I took the opportunity to rent a Medium (56cm) to try out for a few days. I was pretty happy with the feel of the 56cm Ridley in comparison to my 60cm BMC (I'm 6'1"), and am planning to pull the trigger on an Orion frameset in the morning when my bank balance is replenished.

But before I do, are there any other carbon framesets I should consider with a maximum budget of €600? Or even just frames and separate forks?

The Ridley while probably not the lightest, felt plenty stiff and responsive under my 85kgs....which would be the main requirement.

wav1

colm_gti wrote: »

So while holidaying in Tenerife last week, I dropped into bikepoint, who offer the rental of bikes. One of the options was a 2012 Ridley Orion, so I took the opportunity to rent a Medium (56cm) to try out for a few days. I was pretty happy with the feel of the 56cm Ridley in comparison to my 60cm BMC (I'm 6'1"), and am planning to pull the trigger on an Orion frameset in the morning when my bank balance is replenished.

But before I do, are there any other carbon framesets I should consider with a maximum budget of €600? Or even just frames and separate forks?

The Ridley while probably not the lightest, felt plenty stiff and responsive under my 85kgs....which would be the main requirement.

I'd say go for it Colm.Dont think you'll be dissapointed.Orion in this house on the way to the euro champs and i have every faith in it.

Plastik

From Planet X both the SL Pro carbon and the RT57 both come in under budget http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-planet-x-rt-57-12-45936

colm_gti

Plastik wrote: »

From Planet X both the SL Pro carbon and the RT57 both come in under budget http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-planet-x-rt-57-12-45936

I can't seem to log on to the PX website, and the Irish site says no stock...how much is the RT57 frameset?

colm_gti

They're not the worst looking frame either...

Plastik

Website is very slow this morning, but it was something like 590 for frame & fork, down from 8/900 ish.

*€592.24 down from 829.14. Lots in stock on the UK site.

colm_gti

Plastik wrote: »

Website is very slow this morning, but it was something like 590 for frame & fork, down from 8/900 ish.

*€592.24 down from 829.14. Lots in stock on the UK site.

Thrown a bit of a spanner in the works alright, roughly the same price as the ridley, longer top tube, shorter head tube, lighter (according to the website claims)...though I've ridden the Ridley and liked it, whereas the PX is a bit of an unknown entity for me, so I may be safer with the Ridley.

DirkVoodoo

colm_gti wrote: »

Thrown a bit of a spanner in the works alright, roughly the same price as the ridley, longer top tube, shorter head tube, lighter (according to the website claims)...though I've ridden the Ridley and liked it, whereas the PX is a bit of an unknown entity for me, so I may be safer with the Ridley.

What size Ridley did you ride in the end? I have decided I actually don't fit that frame properly anymore and while my Planet X is undergoing emergency seatpost surgery, I went ahead and ordered a new frame.

I'd be looking to offload the Ridley for the right price.

colm_gti

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

What size Ridley did you ride in the end? I have decided I actually don't fit that frame properly anymore and while my Planet X is undergoing emergency seatpost surgery, I went ahead and ordered a new frame.

I'd be looking to offload the Ridley for the right price.

I rode a Medium (56cm) 2012 frame and found it perfect, in fact I just took my own bike out for a spin and it now feels too tall and cumbersome in comparison.

What size is the frame you're looking to sell?

DirkVoodoo

colm_gti wrote: »

I rode a Medium (56cm) 2012 frame and found it perfect, in fact I just took my own bike out for a spin and it now feels too tall and cumbersome in comparison.

What size is the frame you're looking to sell?

I believe a medium, but the geometry is slightly different to the newer one. I had a chart somewhere, one sec.

DirkVoodoo

Link to old ad

I might measure again just to make sure. I believe this was the geometry chart:



EDIT: That couldn't be it, definitely measured head tube around 160mm.

You are welcome to try it if you can bring along a longer stem (although it might not handle 100% given the cable outers are cut for a 100mm stem)

cunavalos

Just to throw another alternative out there. The cannondale caad 10.

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/frames-c6/road-frames-c112/cannondale-caad-10-road-frameset-2013-p214304

Reputedly one of the lightest aluminium frames available. Used in countless weightweenie builds and much sought after by criterium racers in the us for its stiffness and durability (the 'crack and fail' nickname for cannondales is largely a thing of the past)

Although slightly over budget 549GBP (approx 640euro). Use parcel motel to avail of free delivery to uk and collect from warehouse in finglas for €7. Delivery was 4 days IIRC.

I did it this way and delighted with the bike (comparing to previously owned cannondale supersix and orbea orca). Would welcome you to try the bike but am on the short side (52cm frame).

colm_gti

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Link to old ad

I might measure again just to make sure. I believe this was the geometry chart:



EDIT: That couldn't be it, definitely measured head tube around 160mm.

You are welcome to try it if you can bring along a longer stem (although it might not handle 100% given the cable outers are cut for a 100mm stem)

If that's the geometry for the frame you're selling then I may very well be interested, but from what I can make out yours is a '08 frame, and has a 555cm TT and 160cm HT? In which case I think it would be pushing it for me to squeeze on to one of those...

cunavalos wrote: »

Just to throw another alternative out there. The cannondale caad 10.

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/frames-c6/road-frames-c112/cannondale-caad-10-road-frameset-2013-p214304

Reputedly one of the lightest aluminium frames available. Used in countless weightweenie builds and much sought after by criterium racers in the us for its stiffness and durability (the 'crack and fail' nickname for cannondales is largely a thing of the past)

Although slightly over budget 549GBP (approx 640euro). Use parcel motel to avail of free delivery to uk and collect from warehouse in finglas for €7. Delivery was 4 days IIRC.

I did it this way and delighted with the bike (comparing to previously owned cannondale supersix and orbea orca). Would welcome you to try the bike but am on the short side (52cm frame).

While I have heard fantastic things about the CAAD10, and dream of some day owning a cannondale (albeit a supersix), I figure that while I'm biting the bullet and changing to a more suitably sized frame, I may as well opt for something full carbon as well.

DirkVoodoo

colm_gti wrote: »

If that's the geometry for the frame you're selling then I may very well be interested, but from what I can make out yours is a '08 frame, and has a 555cm TT and 160cm HT? In which case I think it would be pushing it for me to squeeze on to one of those...

Yep, 08...that geometry you've given looks the same as what I had in my original ad. You're still welcome to try of course.

colm_gti

To throw yet another spanner into the works, I can also get a 2012 scott cr1 frame for roughly the same price as the orion.

The size is roughly the same as the Ridley bar a 5mm shorter top tube (18mm difference in reach between it and my BMC) that I should be able to work with by swapping to a 130/140mm stem, and a 1mm taller headtube (minimal).

The CR1 is marketed as a more relaxed bike, but has a steeper seat tube angle than the ridley, and .5 degree slacker head tube angle....is the 'sportive geometry' marketing pish, or would I notice it? Would this be a better option than the Ridley?

Plastik

If I ever go and look up procrastinate in the dictionary I know I'll find a picture of you, Colm

colm_gti

Plastik wrote: »

If I ever go and look up procrastinate in the dictionary I know I'll find a picture of you, Colm

If the choice is between writing up a thesis and looking for a way to spend money, I know what I'd prefer

Seaneh

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/frames-frames-road-ribble-r872-carbon-road-frame/ribbfrar970

Gwan, you know you want it.

colm_gti

Seaneh wrote: »

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/frames-frames-road-ribble-r872-carbon-road-frame/ribbfrar970

Gwan, you know you want it.

Factoring in the price of a fork would tip it over my budget, plus they don't have my size in stock...

Currently a toss up between the orion and the cr1, just trying to find opinions and arguments for the cr1, which I've not had the pleasure of riding...

Seaneh

Well poop to that then.

foxer3640

Had an orion up until recently. Great frame. Stiff responsive and comfortable. I'm just under the 6' and the medium suited me fine. You wont be disappointed.

Plastik

Definitely wouldn't consider the CAAD10, Colm? I think that of the lot of them listed so far that it would be the one for me. Rock solid race bike.

colm_gti

I done the bad thing and ordered a Scott cr1, I figured it had the perfect blend of price, weight and stiffness, and comes with bottom bracket, headset and seat post collar. It's almost identical to the Ridley anyway so should be comfortable enough!

Biopace

Congrats Colm, where did you order it from? I'll be looking for a road frame myself shortly

billyhead

colm_gti wrote: »

I done the bad thing and ordered a Scott cr1, I figured it had the perfect blend of price, weight and stiffness, and comes with bottom bracket, headset and seat post collar. It's almost identical to the Ridley anyway so should be comfortable enough!

Are you planni gto hold onto your old BMC bike or sell it on as I might be interested if you are?

colm_gti

Bought the frame here...

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/frames-c6/road-frames-c112/scott-cr1-sl-hmx-road-frame-set-2012-p194662#233135

The bmc frameset is now for sale in the adverts