Ribblecycles's new website

[LouisN]

I went to the new Ribble Cycles website.

it has changed since Ribbles was "Bought" .

No specific information on different tire sizes for example, or availability...

I wrote to Ribbles, no answers. I was used to prompt response before...disappointed.

Louis

[Nefarious86]

More about money than service.

[Calnago]

Interesting as I just ordered some things from them a couple of weeks ago. The website said the items were in stock but my order was still saying pending on the weekend. I sent an inquiry through their website asking why my order hasn't shipped yet. Still haven't heard anything.

[bikerjulio]

I had seen the site "upgrade" and didn't like. I did not know of the ownership issue until I read this thread. Sounds like a family patriarch selling for estate planning reasons. I really hope the new guys don't screw things up.

The parent company of Lancashire's Ribble Cycles has been acquired by a London-based retail investment firm. Cyclesport North, run by the Dove family, has owned Ribble Cycles since the 1980s. The new owner is True Capital, which owns niche retailers in other sectors.

Terry Dove will not be involved with Ribble Cycles going forward although his son, James, remains as managing director.

A statement from True Capital said it acquired Ribble because of the "growing participation of cycling" and "significant structural changes in consumers’ health-related activities". The company also said the cycle sector, rich in (fiercely) independent retailers, "remains one of the few unconsolidated niches in retail."

True Capital co-founder Paul Cocker said: “We have been tracking Ribble Cycles for some time and are delighted to be able to join forces with the Dove family. The structural growth of cycling, the changing consumer attitudes to their health and wellbeing, and the fragmented nature of the market look attractive drivers."

Terry Dove said: “I am exceptionally proud of what we have built as a family and whilst I am sad to be leaving the business I am delighted that my son, James, will continue to play an integral role going forward."

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He added: "It was important to me that, having been involved with Ribble for over 30 years, we could find the right partner to take the brand forward and in True Capital I am confident we have found one.”

James Dove said: “True Capital shares our vision for the next stage of Ribble’s growth and their sector specialist knowledge and understanding of the market coupled with the appreciation of our culture make them the right partner for the future development of the business."

Ribble employs 50 people. The shop was founded in the middle of the great bicycle boom of 1897. In 2013 Ribble Cycles posted a 22 percent increase in annual pre-tax profits totalling £2.6m. Figures for 2014 are not yet available.

[Dalai]

Interesting as I just ordered some things from them a couple of weeks ago. The website said the items were in stock but my order was still saying pending on the weekend. I sent an inquiry through their website asking why my order hasn't shipped yet. Still haven't heard anything.

I placed an order on the 4th with everything marked as in stock and it has been sitting in Processing a couple of days now...

I did get a reply after a couple of days to my question about the password reset code not working initially. They apologized for the delay in responding - guessing they are getting swamped with messages since the revamp!

Hopefully they don't go downhill, as of the UK shops I've been using Ribble the most of late.

[goodboyr]

Remember how great PBK was before they were purchased?????

Just sayin'

[boysa]

Wow, this is not welcome news. You are correct, goodboyr, PBK used to be my go-to shop until things went south. I did not know their slide coincided with them being bought out by another company.

After them, I relied on Wiggle, until inevitably they started raising their prices. Ribble has been my #1 shop for the last two years or so. Reliably the cheapest prices (especially Campagnolo parts) and quick shipping to the US. I hope I don't have to start searching again...

[lone wheeler]

Wanted some new tubs and a few other bits and pieces, new site kept saying they can't deliver to the UAE and it wouldn't calculate postage etc. Emailed them and got a standard response back that they must be using for all queries. Still not working as it should be. Shame. I'll keep trying, hopefully they will fix it.

[alpinestar]

I just had the same thing! Order in processing for 5 days, then i called them and was told it was shipped 4 days ago, received the part the day after. So guess Thier new system is not showing the correct status. Same with the 5% discount code not working and no reply on a email asking about it. I usually use bike24.de


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[micky]

I recently did a small order via Ribble as only them have some products I want and I thought they only updated the website, not that it was sold.
I always purchased with a safety feeling from them cause they are always fast but after more than a week still not anything delivered.

[nismosr]

not happy with the new website .. I have two orders pending 3/3 and 3/7 .. usually I get an email after 2 days that my order have been dispatched, get it after a week. but with the new co. nada !

[citadelguard]

The website is certainly the most difficult to navigate, and their service was the slowest in my experience. I placed an order from Ribble a week before placing orders from Wiggle and ChainReaction. The Ribble order arrived WEEKS after I received my other orders. Perhaps it could be explained by the intricacies of international shipping, but I received my other orders in just a few days. Any website that looks and functions as poorly as Ribble's gives me qualms about the legitimacy of their business, when you run a web store your interface is a huge part of the service you provide....

Here's to hoping they make some improvements.

[sanrensho]

So if Ribble goes the way of Probikekit, what other UK retailers are recommended?

Merlin seems to have a more limited selection and slightly higher prices.

[bikerjulio]

So if Ribble goes the way of Probikekit, what other UK retailers are recommended?

Merlin seems to have a more limited selection and slightly higher prices.

They have had some mixed reviews in the past, but personally my experiences with Total Cycling have been good. Based in Northern Ireland.

[Calnago]

I should update and say I did receive an email last night acknowledging some adjusting for their new website but that my order was in its way. Tick tock...