CLICK OR COLLECT?

As the direct-sell cat among the bike-shop pigeons Canyon probably doesn’t need an introduction but it’s worth pointing out a few things. While it’s based in Germany, it has a fully functional tech and support centre in the UK. Getting a bike from Canyon is never going to be as quick or convenient as wheeling one straight off the shop floor of your local bike shop. That applies to any bike you buy online, however, and you can’t expect even the biggest local shops to have everything you need/want in the right size/type on hand immediately.

Ribble Cycles has been around for over a century, leaping into prominence when it launched its high-value, user configurable bike range onto mail order and then internet shopping channels. The past couple of years has seen a total overhaul of the brand with serious topend aspirations added to bargainbucket roots. That’s not to say its bikes aren’t still well priced and practical, but they’re fresh ‘Ribble only’ designs and the Bike Builder options now include Zipp wheels with top-spec Vittoria rubber, rather than multi-coloured hosepipe quality tyres. You can also physically visit Ribble in its Lancashire HQ or at its frequent ‘pop-up shops’. That’s still not the same as buying from a truly local shop with a fully equipped, staffed workshop and decades of experience on everything from mechanical hacks to recommended routes and local club timetables. It’s worth noting that, where possible, both Canyon and Ribble will work with your local shop to reimburse them for fixing any minor technical issues to save you having to send the bike back to HQ.