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Ridley
Simply put, Ridley is Belgium. Cycling is a way of life in this small European country that borders France and Germany. It is the home of cyclocross racing, it’s the home of the rough cobblestones and short but steep burgs of the spring classics – races such as the Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen). Belgium is where these classics both punish and inspire the Flandrien of the sport, and the races that draw many thousands of fans regardless of the weather. Cycling is a deep part of the Belgian people, and no company better represents this than Ridley.
Jochim Aerts is the brilliantly creative man who founded Ridley in 1997 and he still drives Ridley forward today with his vision to build the best bike in every category. Every model has a specific design goal, and is constantly improved through the entire design phase until everyone is convinced that the goal is met. Very few companies in the industry have such a rigorous test regimen, have worked with Formula 1 teams to develop new aerodynamic features, or are tested on the pave as Ridley is.
An interesting note is that any Ridley bicycle is available with a custom paint job for an $850 upcharge. Please allow 10-12 weeks for delivery of a custom frame. You can use the Ridley Customizer online to design your own paint scheme.
We have an amazing special on custom painted Ridley frames for the months of August and September. Please see this blog post for details.
There are no rider weight limits on any Ridley frame (not even the ultra-light Helium). Ridley frames and forks carry a 10-year warranty against material defects, and a two-year paint warranty. There is also a great crash replacement program that is unrivaled in the industry.
A Ridley is the right bike for you when:
- You value stability and tracking at all speeds – these bikes feel like they’re on rails
- You want a ride that will go the distance with grace and ease without tiring you out in the process
- You’re looking for tried and true geometry and ride characteristics, but with cutting edge design that takes this to a new level
Aero Range
Ridley’s applied research into its aerodynamic range started with teardrop shaped tubes and internally routed cables, but that’s where the comparisons with other aero bikes end. In usual Ridley fashion that’s just not good enough and Ridley has taken the next steps with their next-generation fork and paint treatments.
Ridley’s aero series also ride very much unlike most of the other aerodynamic bikes on the market today, which means they feel great under all riding conditions and don’t only excel at going in a straight line.
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NoahThe Noah, named after Jochim Aert’s son, is Ridley’s top road bike (Dean is his other son, and is Ridley’s top of the line Time Trial/Triathlon model). With teardrop-shaped tubes, an R-Flow fork, and R-Surface textured panels it has been tested as the most aerodynamic road bike on the market today (a 17% aerodynamic advantage over the Cervelo Soloist). Pro Tour veteran Robbie McEwen has stated that this is the fastest road bike he has ever ridden! Made from a blend of 50-40-30 ton carbon the Noah is stiff, responsive, compliant and light weight in the ideal frame sections that provide you with a high performance ride. The Noah is available as either a frameset or as a complete bike with SRAM Red components, Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels, and a Deda bar/stem cockpit. Framesets are available now, and the complete bike will arrive in October. Pricing Noah Frameset – $3,150 Noah Complete with SRAM Red – $4,895 |
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Noah RSThe Noah RS is new for 2011, based on the Noah frame that has cut its teeth on the cobbles of Belgium and the Tour of Flanders. The Noah RS shares the R-Flow fork, R-Surface treatments and tube profile of the Noah. What the RS has that is new is an aero carbon seat post that is fully adjustable compared to the integrated seat mast (ISP) of the Noah. The RS give you the added flexibility to adjust the seat height as needed and ability to remove it when traveling. Built with a blend of 30-24 ton carbon, the same ride characteristics are present as on Noah while the tubing diameter is reduced to shave weight. Noah RS framesets and complete bikes will be available in November. Pricing Noah RS Frameset – $2,150 Noah RS Complete with SRAM Force – $3,495 |
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Phaeton RThe Phaeton R is an amazing bargain for those looking for excellent aerodynamic performance on a budget. By using hydroformed aluminum tubes the costs are kept down, but Ridley’s R-Flow and R-Surface technology remain and make a huge difference even at this level. We strongly recommend this bike for people wanting an incredibly versatile introductory race/triathlon model. Pricing Phaeton R Frameset – $995 Phaeton R with Shimano 105 – $1,895 |
Stiffness to Weight Range
We have to admit that many customers ask us if “stiffness to weight” translates into “incredibly stiff and light racing machines that are not for mere mortals”. No, it’s just Ridley’s way of stating their intention to build the lightest possible frame without sacrificing the stiffness and ride quality that they are known for. These bikes are amazing all-rounders that are great choices if you prefer a light and lively ride quality.
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HeliumThe Helium is the standard bike for the Pro Tour team Katusha. It is incredibly responsive, and responds quickly to the rider’s efforts whenever it is pushed. It’s arguably the ultimate “do everything” bike in Ridley’s lineup, as it excels at climbing, descends at speed with incredible stability, corners with that wonderful Ridley tracking, and can handle a huge variety of riding surfaces. Yes, these are frames that many Katusha riders use on the brutal cobblestone stages in the Spring Classics and they can stand up to rough rides as well. It’s really not often that a bike can be so versatile, but the Helium delivers. Like the Noah from the Aero Range, a blend of 50-40-30 weight carbon is used to balance the stiffness and strength rations of the various areas of the frame. Pricing Frameset – $2,900 |
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ExcaliburThis was the original experiment in the Stiffness to Weight range, and although it has been surpassed by the newer Helium Ridley has lowered the price to bring much of the same light, responsive ride quality into a price range accessible to most enthusiasts. Pricing Frameset – $1995 Complete with SRAM Force – TBD, expected to be around $3,250 |
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IcarusThe Icarus is a new arrival for Ridley, bringing the lessons learned in the Excalibur into a more competitive price bracket. Oversized round aluminum tubes give a smooth ride while keeping weight low. The new SRAM Apex groupset is light and quick, matching the ride characteristics of this bike very nicely. Pricing Icarus Complete with SRAM Apex – $1,395 |
Strength Range
This is the core of Ridley’s range, these are the bikes that made them famous. When Ridley first hit US shores, people wondered how the Belgians could make bikes that rode so stably and smoothly, could soak up road noise without removing the life and feel of the bike, and how something could be solid yet still agile.
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DamoclesThis is the legendary Damocles, that has been winning races and stages for many years now. This is one of the rare few bikes that can be ridden on long distances with excellent comfort yet respond quickly enough to accelerate away from the pack to be a true race bike. The Damocles is the model that is ridden exclusively by Filippo Pozatto of the Katusha team for it outstanding performance characteristics in the classics and well as the grand tours. The sharp edge technology used on the tubes are not only for looks (although you’d be forgiven for thinking that), they have function as well in terms of road dampening and stiffness. The Damocles has a wonderful high-end quality that smoothes out so much of the road due the blend of 30 & 24 ton carbon material used in its construction. This is definitely a bike to consider if you want performance, handling and comfort whether you’re riding a quick lunch time loop or on an all day epic. The Damocles is also available with an integrated seat post or ISP. The ISP reduces weight buy eliminating the standard seat post and an increases stiffness from the bottom bracket all the way to the seat rail. By using an ISP Ridley is able to fine tune the performance of the frame above the seat lug where others stop. This is the option to take home if you like the core ride quality of the Damocles but want to go up a notch in excitement. Pricing Damocles ISP Frameset – $2,050 Damocles Frameset – $1,850 Damocles Complete with Shimano Ultegra – $3,250 |
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OrionThere are certain bikes out there that are advertised as “plush” or “luxurious”, and some even have Belgian names to inspire thoughts of cobblestones and rough roads (we’re sure that Ridley is flattered by this). The problem we have with most of the bikes in that category (even the ones that the magazines gush about) is that they’re generally light and lifeless. Sure, they soak up road chatter, but they do it at the expense of excitement in the ride. The Orion isn’t a pretender to this category, and delivers both comfort and stability without sacrificing the ride quality. If you’re looking for an entry-level carbon road bike that feels great and can do it all, then look no further than the Orion. Pricing Orion with SRAM Force – $3,300 Orion with Shimano 105 – $2,295 |