Today I decided to write a review of 2 popular Audax bikes, Allow me to start with a bit of backgroud that explanes why I have both of them in my stable.
2 weeks ago,after hitting an unseen dirt track on my Ribble and breaking a spoke I was forced to use my Townsend while the Ribble wheel was in for repair.
This caused my commute home to take 45 mins (I Can do it in 27 mins these days)
This was because I didnt have brakes, or gears, or wheels that didnt wobble, I was forced , because of how bad a shape it was in to avoid the main roads. I decided then that it had to go and I had to get myself a new “Back Up” Bike.
I set about looking on eBay for another Ribble, however the only ones at a decent price were either REALLY old, or poorly specc’ed. Almost giving up I searched Surosa, there was ONE listed, however it was just 2 miles from me, the only downside was the seller was asking £480 for it !!!!!! It didnt sell and after some hard negotiations he agreed to sell it to me for a little over £350, and here it is.
Surosa Toledo "Pro"
It stunning and pretty much brand new, its the same spec as my Ribble but has much more recent components, this blog post is designed to review both bikes and give an idea what they are VS each other.
Ribble Audax Review:
Ribble Audax
I have rode the 2007 Ribble Audax for approx 3500 miles since I purchased it in August 2009.
It has been a great bike that I use every day, the Mavic Open Sport wheels are not the best, however have taken my 20+ Stone pretty well with just 4/5 broken spokes in 3500 approx miles of riding. It has the older style shimano tiagra groupset and while its been reliable its felt at times, clunky and industrial,
I am at the stage now where I can cruse along on the flat at 20/23Mph on this bike all day without any problems.
When I stand up to accelerate it feels livley, however the back end does sometimes feel a little too lightweight and has at times lost traction when I was stood up and cornering at the same time.
I fitted a Fizik Arione Saddle and I have to say its the single most comfortable saddle I have ever used (I have even owned a brooks saddle and didnt enjoy that)
For £300 ( Although was an eBay purchase it was BRAND NEW !) its been an fantastic BARGAIN and really is a great bike.
Looks 4/5
Comfort 3.5/5
Performance 3.5/5
Durability 4/5
Surosa Toledo Pro Review:
Surosa Toledo "Pro"
WOW This bike was purchased as my “Back Up” but riding just the 2 miles home I knew it was FAR too good for that.
The Toledo has a slightly sloping top tube. The geometry gives the bike a more upright and relaxed riding position for better long distance comfort.
Equipped with the 2009 shimano tiagra groupset shifting is smooth, quiet and precise.
The wheels not only look good they also feel pretty good too.
It often felt today like the Surosa was under geared vs the Ribble as I felt I was going slower but spinning the cranks at the same cadence, however every time I looked down at my Garmin Edge I was doing between 19 and 22 Mph, It wasnt under geared, it was just a much more relaxed ride, so much so that I rode 15 miles with a 16mph average.
The first 13.5 Miles were done with a 17.8 MPH average, however it was a bloody hot morning and I didnt bring a drink, so I had to stop for one, by the time I was done I had cooled down and took it easy the rest of the way.
The Surosa doesnt look as light as the Ribble thanks to the oversized tubes, however my average today was quicker than ever (Until I had stopped that is).
Those oversized tubes give it an AMAZING look.
Looks 4.5/5
Comfort 4.5/5
Performance 4.5/5
Durability ??/5
Surosa VS Ribble:
The Ribble inspires you to sprint more. The Surosa allows you to ride faster for longer and harder, between the 2 the clear winner is the Surosa, more comfort, better geometry and that Black finish looks the DOGS !!!!.
The other issue is that the Surosa feels more agile yet sure footed when you do feel the need to sprint,
I will be using my Ribble as my new Back Up bike and the Surosa will get a beating every day, that actually saddens me a little, as I had lusted after a Ribble for so long and while I had it, it was the best bike I had ever rode.
The Surosa now takes that title and I suspect a Surosa, not Ribble, will be my next bike purchase when the time arises.
Providing that the Surosa’a durability lives upto that of the Ribble’s……
Gaz
Cycle Of Life - Fix You 
Nice review.
22/23mph, really?
If you can ride at this speed for just 30mins you will set a very respectable time a time trial.
If you can hold this sort of speed for 4/5hours then you will probably set the quickest time of the day on a sportive.
Thanks Red mate.
I shouls have been a little more clear, I can hold 20/25mph pretty much allday PROVIDED the road is FLAT, I hit a slight incline and the speed just dies. I have very little problem holding it for 30 mins, however over 4/5 hours im guessing there are gonna be hills and in that case its game over LOL.
Great to see your enjoying yourself Gaz, looks like you’ve picked up some decent deals on ebay!
One bit of advice on the lose of traction, try and remain seated in corners! Check this months C+ for some hints on nailing corners and cracking average for that 13.5 mile ride, I need to head into the country side or Richmond Park for averages like that 😀
Hi Mark, Enjoying myself isnt the word 😀
I thought my Ribble was a bargain but it really has been eclipsed by that of the Surosa !!
Re: being seated, yeah I agree, but sometimes when you want an overtake, or there is a slight incline I just cant help but stand and give it hell.
Cheers again, I set my new fastest average of 15.5 mph over 15.5 miles yesterday, traffic and lights were not good to me, so fingers crossed that leaving later today will allow for a little more speed 😀
I never thought cycling could EVER be THIS much fun 😀
Nice bike, that’ll be hammered then?
How’s the weight going? Benn a bit of a plateau for me of late…
Sure as hell is mate, Hammerd ? Its done 70 miles in 2 and a half days……..guess thats a yes then LOL
TBH I was just talking to my misses about it, I set myelf a target weight IF I had the operation that I wanted to get to so that I would be happy enough but that wouldnt be over the top, I am now just ONE LBS away from that original target and WITHOUT an operation, once I hit it, I want another 4.5 stones off, its been a rollercoaster, but I think I have now nailed it !!!!
So mate, how the heck are you these days ?
I’m keeping on keeping on Gaz, all my story is over on my blog, dunno if you’ve been reading it or not, but I’ve shipped 4st 3Ib so far 10 months into this madness and doing around a 100 miles a week. Can’t grumble!
Way to go Clive mate, things have been REALLY busy for me at work for the past few months so not really had chance to catch up with your blog TBH but it sounds like you got it nailed big time mate, well done.
Gaz
Your still doing better than me. I can’t hold 20/25mph for that long.
I would seriously look into having a go at a time trial. Most of them are flat!
Whats the worst that can happen, you might just enjoy it?
Heres a usefull link
http://www.ctt.org.uk/Events/EventsList/tabid/134/Default.aspx
Cheers for the vote of confidence Red, Im sure there are many many many riders out there that are quicker but thanks for the link, I will check it out and who knows what the future will hold.
Gaz
23mph average is good, very good infact but sadly its unlikely to be anywhere near quick enough to win. Some of the guys that do these events arn’t humen.
It is more than quick enough to make sure you won’t be last though!
So long as you have fun it really doesn’t matter what your time is.
ahhhh yes, that old chestnut of winning not being important 😉 LOL
Its something I would like to consider at some point for sure.
Gaz
what is it with you and great bargains on e-bay – fancy being my “buyer” … good I’m lookin a 54″ winter bike and I hear sending it to these shores costs as little as £25. Not much but 50% of my budget… You’ve got £25 get going I look forward to hearing of your progress! 😉
With my track record….gimme 5 mins 🙂
I like the look of your Surosa – never seen one round these parts… Actually to fair if the past 2 years have taught me anything its that the 2nd hand market in Northern Ireland simply doesn’t exist… do you think you could get a similiar deal again?
There are none on eBay and Ribbles are not the bargain they once were, I think I got lucky, twice.
BOOOOOOOOOO HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS….
😀
Hi I’m thinking of a surosa 2-3 yrs old looks good & various Campy’ kit allover it
280 ish sounds like a deal !! what do you think ..is it good & lightweight ?
‘newbie- phil LOL
Im no campag fan but at £280 you cant go wrong, I paid £350 for mine, I have done well over 1000 miles and its now in the shop having the groupset upgraded, and I have purchased new wheels, normally I would have just got a new bike, but I like my Toledo too much, the one you are looking at, is it the Audax or Toledo Audax ?
well done dude
Thanks 🙂
Gaz
Sorry to resurrect an old post.
Providing that the Surosa’a durability lives upto that of the Ribble’s
I’m on the verge of ordering Surosa Toledo “Pro” Audax bike an wondered if you could spare a moment to update your post about how you have found the bike 1 year on.
Thanks
Andy
Hi Mate
Out of the 2 , i’d go for the Surosa, its not perfect , a huge issue being the fact the paint doesn’t have any lacquer at all but I have owned both a Ribble and a Surosa and the Surosa was the better bike overall and I think Surosa are a GREAT bike shop (Both my Cube MTB’s came from them) that said, I now ride a Cannondale and think that is a better bike than anything else I have ever rode !!!!!