Specialized Roubaix v Ribble sportive Bianco

billyhead

Looking for advice on the 2 bikes below and which you would think offers the better value. The specialized Roubaix retails at 1950 in Cycleways whereas the Ribble with the equalvialent components added on i.e (similar groupset) is cheaper at €1168. Does the different spec for the Specialized justify
the difference in cost.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/ribble-sportive-bianco?part=BB13RIBSPORTVEBIANCO&sub=conf_BBRC&bike=1

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-specialized-roubaix-sport-compact-13-47007

Is the Specialized seriously over priced for waht you get. Also I know its risky when buying a bike online i.e you don't get a chance to ride it so if anyone else has the same bike and could offer advice as to what size would suit someone around the 6ft mark. The bike I currently ride has a 57cm top tube length with a 90mm stem (was 110) and it fits me fine but would be a more agressive and race orientated geometry. Any advice would be appreciated. If the geometry would be comparable obviously I would not be able to match the wheels. The bike would be used for weekend endurance spins and the odd sportive hence the reason for a bike with a more relaxed then agressive geometry.

Seaneh

Ribble can just price a lot more competitively because they cut out the middle man and you order directly from their factory.

It's not so much that the robix is over priced as it is that the ribble is just great value.

billyhead

Thanks Seanah. It looks like good value compared to the specialized. The only drawback I suppose would be returning it if their was a defect with the bike and as siad you cant ride it befpre hand to make sure you get the right size. Last thing i want to do is get the wrong sized bike and it could be ackward trying to exchange it. Seems good value though compared to the roubaix

funkyjebus

I have a sportive bianco in 58cm if you want to try. I love it.

billyhead

funkyjebus wrote: »

I have a sportive bianco in 58cm if you want to try. I love it.

Thanks for the offer. A 58cm bike might be a little big. What height are you btw. I am just over 6ft so a 56.5 might be a better match. Did you have any problems getting it delivered and how long did you wait before it arrived. Also is there much assembly invloved once you received it?

Seaneh

billyhead wrote: »

Thanks for the offer. A 58cm bike might be a little big. What height are you btw. I am just over 6ft so a 56.5 might be a better match. Did you have any problems getting it delivered and how long did you wait before it arrived. Also is there much assembly invloved once you received it?

58 should be fine for you really, and if not, well, you'll know for sure that one size down will be your size.

funkyjebus

billyhead wrote: »

Thanks for the offer. A 58cm bike might be a little big. What height are you btw. I am just over 6ft so a 56.5 might be a better match. Did you have any problems getting it delivered and how long did you wait before it arrived. Also is there much assembly invloved once you received it?

I'm 6'4 but I would have gone with a 60cm if they did one.

I got the frame only, so there was a bit of assembly! The frame took 2-3 weeks to deliver.

As I said you are more than welcome to try mine for size.

Kav0777

I'm Not trying to throw a spanner in the works, but have you considered this:

http://http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet_x_pro_carbon_shimano_ultegra_road_bike

PHILI007

I would personally think you would be crazy to buy a bike without testing it first. I recently bought a Pinarello Rokh from Chain Reaction in Belfast and saved approx €650. If you see something you like on their site, you can phone them and arrange for a test ride. I originally bought a Fuji from them.When I got it home and took it for a decent spin I didn't like it. I brought it back and was offered a full refund or exchange for another bike, can't argue with that.In the end I exchanged it for the Pinarello. Brendan is the guy i was dealing with. One word of advice if you do decide to contact them, know what size frame you require.

bedirect

just be careful, i have a specialized roubaix but a 54 frame can be a 56 in another model, price a local dealer, there are at least 4 different types of the roubaix so be careful what you buy. Also consider maintenance (there is a 2 year warranty) with specialized.

billyhead

Just noticed that you can get the Roubaix although with a sora groupset for around €1270 including shipping on Evans cycles compared to €1575 in Cycleways atm (expect that to be reduced by 10% shortly when the 2014 stock arrives their around september). Does 1270 look like a good deal for the the roubaix which is fully carbon and has room for upgrades for the wheels and groupset further down the line. As mentioned the bike will be used for long weekend spins, some 50 km round commutes to the workplace and also sportives. I have a faster bike for the quicker training spins. This would be used for more relaxed comfortable long distance spins.:)


http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/roubaix-compact-2013-road-bike-ec040969