Riblle R872 drop in frame replacement

[brucelee]

Hi, my road bike got trashed and I'm looking for a drop in replacement for a ribble R872 frame :

I'd like to reuse the forks if possible just to save cash and so I don't have to redo the front brake. I've checked the usual suspects - PlanetX and ribble (not a fan of ribble) and planetX don't seem to be doing frames at the moment, neither to ribble, and I don't know if they are doing their crash replacement thing any more. Everywhere else seems really expensive branded high end stuff... I'd consider a cheap ALU frame/carbon fork combo just to get back on the road and then I could repurpose it as a beater later on. Can't find any of these either.... Anyone got any suggestions ? Would be OK trying something different (even a steel frame if stiff....) but it's a pure road/race bike setup I'm looking for.
I've picked up one of these : https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-p ... 6534.html

but I'm thinking of returning it if I can find another option because of the requirement for a press fit bottom bracket, a missing seat post wedge (I think, might be stuffed in there somewhere), and concerns about the geometry with the forks and the compatibility with the ribble axle.
Questions :
What's the current thinking on press fit bottom brackets - my gut reaction is negative, but I've not replaced a BB due to wear for a very long time, so if it goes in OK, it might outlast the frame anyway ...
Is there standardisation for axles or do they usually come with the frame with lots of different types/thread pitches etc ?
Boardman bikes support page simply points to the retailers sites, the frame is from halfords, and you know what they're support is like. I haven't removed the packaging cos I might return it - is the seat post wedge likely to be stuffed in there somewhere or will this be an extra expense ? Anyone know where I can get one ? They the sort of thing that can be 3d printed ?
Anyone know if I'll have to add stuff like internal gear cable padding to this frame ?

As far as the geometry goes, the specs for the R872 (XL) / Boardman SLR 8.9 Disc Xtra Large are :
part : 2019 R872 Disc Frame Teal XL

part : Boardman SLR 8.9 Disc Xtra Large Frame Only

could someone determine if the ribble forks would be OK with this frame, I'm not great with the intricacies of bike geometry and not really in the right frame of mind to wrap my head around it all at the moment - just want to get back on the road.
Cheers,
Bruce.

[EdT]

You can try putting the numbers in here

https://geometrygeeks.bike/advanced-search/

My impression is that manufacturers are moving away press-fit. While they make manufacturing simpler, they are a source of many complaints. I would tend to avoid them if I had the choice.

[rareposter]

Questions :
What's the current thinking on press fit bottom brackets - my gut reaction is negative, but I've not replaced a BB due to wear for a very long time, so if it goes in OK, it might outlast the frame anyway ...

There's nothing wrong with them - they got a bad reputation early on because of issues around creaking but there are any number of ways to stop that and manufacturers (of both frames and BBs) quickly sorted the problems. I've got a gravel bike with a PF BB and while the original BB didn't last that long, the replacement has been absolutely faultless for years.

Is there standardisation for axles or do they usually come with the frame with lots of different types/thread pitches etc ?

The thru-axle should come with the frame, it is basically part of the frame. There are about 4 or 5 common "standards" and no easy way of telling which yours is.

is the seat post wedge likely to be stuffed in there somewhere or will this be an extra expense ? Anyone know where I can get one ? They the sort of thing that can be 3d printed ?

Again, stuff like this should be included with the frame. There should never be a requirement for the customer to go off and 3D print their own parts!

Anyone know if I'll have to add stuff like internal gear cable padding to this frame ?

It's kind of good practice to do that anyway.

A few questions of my own:
You say you trashed the Ribble frame but not HOW that happened. If you dropped a brick on the seatstay and broke one then OK, the forks are probably fine but if it got hit by a car, I would not be trusting the forks...
I'm very surprised that Halfords are selling pure frame-only Boardman. I'm actually wondering if it might be old stock kept back for warranty purposes but now that model is discontinued and the bikes that are still being ridden around are out of warranty if they're trying to flog the "spare" frames off...
Road bikes are quite particular now with forks to the extent that most are sold as "frame & fork" (and often seatpost / headset etc) because they can be so specific. I mean, from that geometry chart, the head angle and the offset are the same so the forks should - in theory - fit fine but it'll depend on axle-to-crown length and the steerer tube taper. Ultimately I think that while you might get away with the ex-Ribble forks, you're probably better off trying to find a new or S/H F&F package where you KNOW that the forks are right for the frame.

You're right about buying frames though - most people buying frame only will be buying a sort of "dream bike" and setting it up with their own choice of parts. However, the vast majority of sales are not that, they're entry-level / midrange full bikes because it's much cheaper and easier for the customer to walk in, buy a bike that does the job and walk out again rather than trying to negotiate the intricacies of what is and isn't compatible.

[Brucey]

in order to say if the ribble fork is suitable or not you need to say what the specs are. The offset and the headset parts need to match. There is also the possibility of a bad fit (eg a gap or a clash) between the fork and the frame. There is little TA standardisation for screw threads etc., so using whatever fits the frame seems to be order of the day.

[531colin]

……… I mean, from that geometry chart, the head angle and the offset are the same so the forks should - in theory - fit fine but it'll depend on axle-to-crown length and the steerer tube taper…….,

Of course it’s the axle to crown length which sets the head angle. They give enough information to get close to the length……
Ribble has 1mm more BB drop than Boardman
Ribble stack is 2mm less (to the nearest whole mm)
Ribble head tube is 5mm longer (200 vs. 195)

So the Boardman forks are 6mm longer ?? (somebody check me, please!...this is making my head spin!)

....not accounting for any differences in headsets....I'm guessing both will be the modern sort, not visible external cups?

My rule of thumb is 10mm longer fork gives about 1 degree slacker head angle, so the longer Boardman fork will slow the steering down.....
but maybe not noticeable?
No, other way round......the Ribble forks are short for the Boardman frame, and will quicken the steering.....that would be a "no thanks" from me, 73 degrees and 45mm offset is already on the quick-steering side for me.

[brucelee]

Yea, this looks like a run around to me, the steering on the R872 was twitchy but I kinda liked it - but no more. There are too many problems with the boardman frame so I'm back to plan B - cheap ALU frame with carbon forks :
https://planetx.co.uk/products/planet-x ... ad-frame-1
Nowhere does this explicitly say if it's flat mount or post mount - I have a 140mm rotor on the rear, the prebuilt ones list 'Rever Flat Mount Disc Brake Mounting Hardware / 27mm / Single' in the build kit - maybe just bolts ? The prebuilt groupset list doesn't seem to list the calipers...
There seem to have been different iterations of this frame and though the wheel options for the pre built models seem to be 142mm TA, nowhere does it explicitly say this for the frame.
Will the BB,head tube (I'll be selecting the 'include headset' option), brake mounts need facing ?
Doesn't say if it comes with axles....
Know I'll need front mech clamp, barrel adjusters, BB cable guide (?!) anyone think of anything else ?
The BB included with the pre-built ones is 'Token 878 GXP 68mm BSA Bottom Bracket / Black' rather than the shimano part. I'll be fitting ultegra 8000 BB. I assume this one just pushes that chainrings out a couple of mm (I use a spacer)
It's weird that they give a detailed geometry of the frame and omit things like seat post size.... (I have an appropriate post and clamp).
Any knowledge of planetX's cryptic specifications would be gratefully received.
Cheers,
Bruce.

[brucelee]

You say you trashed the Ribble frame but not HOW that happened. If you dropped a brick on the seatstay and broke one then OK, the forks are probably fine but if it got hit by a car, I would not be trusting the forks...
I'm very surprised that Halfords are selling pure frame-only Boardman. I'm actually wondering if it might be old stock kept back for warranty purposes but now that model is discontinued and the bikes that are still being ridden around are out of warranty if they're trying to flog the "spare" frames off...

I also have my doubts about the forks now, part of the reason for switching to plan B. I also have similar suspicions about the boardman frames.

[brucelee]

(somebody check me, please!...this is making my head spin!)

Imagine how that is for someone who doesn't understand it !!! Hence the post

[531colin]

(somebody check me, please!...this is making my head spin!)

Imagine how that is for someone who doesn't understand it !!! Hence the post

Yebbut......theres more than a fair chance you're younger than me!......

[Cyclothesist]

Yea, this looks like a run around to me, the steering on the R872 was twitchy but I kinda liked it - but no more. There are too many problems with the boardman frame so I'm back to plan B - cheap ALU frame with carbon forks :
https://planetx.co.uk/products/planet-x ... ad-frame-1
Nowhere does this explicitly say if it's flat mount or post mount - I have a 140mm rotor on the rear, the prebuilt ones list 'Rever Flat Mount Disc Brake Mounting Hardware / 27mm / Single' in the build kit - maybe just bolts ? The prebuilt groupset list doesn't seem to list the calipers...
There seem to have been different iterations of this frame and though the wheel options for the pre built models seem to be 142mm TA, nowhere does it explicitly say this for the frame.
Will the BB,head tube (I'll be selecting the 'include headset' option), brake mounts need facing ?
Doesn't say if it comes with axles....
Know I'll need front mech clamp, barrel adjusters, BB cable guide (?!) anyone think of anything else ?
The BB included with the pre-built ones is 'Token 878 GXP 68mm BSA Bottom Bracket / Black' rather than the shimano part. I'll be fitting ultegra 8000 BB. I assume this one just pushes that chainrings out a couple of mm (I use a spacer)
It's weird that they give a detailed geometry of the frame and omit things like seat post size.... (I have an appropriate post and clamp).
Any knowledge of planetX's cryptic specifications would be gratefully received.
Cheers,
Bruce.

London Road current models use flat mount brakes. The pictured frame looks to be the current model.

[VinceLedge]

How about a 2nd hand R872 frame?

[Brucey]

one of the good things about CF is that it can often be repaired to 'better than new' condition. If you are struggling to obtain a suitable replacement frame, it might be easier to have it repaired instead.

[EdT]

With the whole rear triangle being damaged, a repair could be quite costly. With a new frame and fork being just over £300 via Aliexpress, I would be tempted to bin the old frame.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002648741697.html

[brucelee]

Back on the road, yeeeaaaa

Wow, this is a really nice frame. Super comfy and solid in a sprint - might not bother with a fancy CF frame....

[Cyclothesist]

Nice bike! The London Road frames are well regarded as a do it all. And a bargain too. Good job!