Cyclocross Magazine’s contributor Hannah Caproon attended the 2017 Winter Press Camp to check out new gear from two dozen brands that might be of interest to our cyclocross and gravel-riding audience. Highlighted here are two new bikes from Ridley and a new program targeted at female riders and racers.
Ridley’s X-Ride Disc – Affordable and Approachable Alloy All-Arounder
Ridley’s X-Ride, a budget-friendly alloy offering, received some significant updates this year. Ridley applied the race geometry from its higher-end carbon models to the X-Ride, raised the bottom bracket, shortened the head tube, and steepened the frame angles.
Ridley’s X-Ride Disc uses a 6061 alloy frame with internal cable routing, flat mount disc brakes and 142x12mm rear axle spacing to provide an affordable, versatile cyclocross/gravel bike. Winter Press Camp 2017. Photo courtesy of Ridley.
It now features internal cable routing, and dropped over 70 grams from the frame weight by switching to 6061 aluminum. It’s available as a flat mount disc frameset with 12mm thru-axles, in 48cm through 60cm. “Whether you need a budget pit bike, or you’re toying with the idea of racing ‘cross, the X-Ride is very approachable,” said Richard Wittenberg, VP of International Operations.
The X-Ride Disc comes in five versions which are: Shimano Ultegra/105 mix (hydro. disc brakes), SRAM Rival 1 (hydro. disc brakes), Shimano 105 (hydro. disc brakes), Shimano 105 (mech. disc brakes), Shimano Tiagra (mech. disc brakes). Prices range from $2,310 (Ultegra/105) to $1,430 (Tiagra) USD.
Frame: X-Ride Disc, Triple Butted 7005-T6 Alloy
Fork: Oryx Disc TA, Carbon Steerer
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 11s
Front Derailleur: Shimano 105
Crankset: FSA Gossamer Mega EXO, 46/36
Shifters: Shimano ST-R505
Cassette: Shimano 105, 11-28
Chain: KMC X11
Brakes: Shimano BR-RS505 / Br-Rs785 Hydraulic Disc, F160/R160
Wheelset: DT Swiss R24 Spline Db
Tires: Clement MXP 700x33c, Folding
Stem: 4ZA Stratos
Handlebar: 4ZA Stratos
Seatpost: 4ZA Stratos, 27.2x350mm
Ridley X-Trail Adventure – Alloy Version Allows Big Rubber and a Lower Price Point
Ridley’s X-Trail Adventure can fit fenders or racks and can also fit tires as wide as 700x42c or 27.5x55mm. Winter Press Camp 2017. Photo: courtesy
The X-Trail Adventure, now offered as an alloy frameset, has increased tire clearance: 55c for 650b wheels, and 42c for 700c wheels. It’s a 12mm thru-axle frameset, with 142×12 rear spacing, beefed-up asymmetrical chainstays, and reflective graphics. While the X-Trail alloy is not a new model, the “Adventure” adds tire clearance, rear thru axle and an eye-catching copper finish. We first saw the carbon X-Trail at summer Press Camp in 2015 in prototype form, and in production form at 2015 Interbike, and the carbon version was more constrained in tire clearance and featured QR rear axles.
The Ridley X-Trail Adventure is available in seven sizes (XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL) and five models with similar retail pricing to the X-Ride. An Ultegra version with hydraulic disc brakes is priced at $2,300 and the Tiagra version with mechanical disc brakes is $1,500 USD.
Stay tuned as we hope to put one to the test.
La Ridley – Women’s-Specific Motivational Campaign
Ridley is also launching “la Ridley,” a social media campaign intended to motivate women into cycling. Core contributors include Isabelle Beckers (Lotto-Soudal), Fatima Berton, Elisabeth Kellerer, Stacey Riedel, with guest appearances by Marianne Vos.
Ridley also offers a significant amount of options in the new women’s bike line. The Ridley Jane, Aura, and Liz framesets are no different than the men’s frame geometries, but they feature narrower bars, female-specific saddles, and other small changes that could make the bikes much more appetizing to ladies.
More info: ridley-bikes.com
