Ridley

Dean RS/SRAM Apex Complete Bike

The Ridley Dean RS/SRAM Apex Complete Bike and its predecessor, the Dean, are remarkably similar. However, there are more differences than the use of a standard seat post on the Dean RS. The whole package has been constructed around the idea of making a race-ready triathlon bike that combines both comfort and speed without depleting your life savings.

For the Dean RS, Ridley pushed the boundaries of drag reduction by incorporating numerous proprietary design features like its F-Splitfork technology. F-Splitfork focuses on reducing the traffic jam of integrated drag around the wheel areas. To achieve this, Ridley placed long, slotted airfoils on the Monocoque 4ZA fork legs. These airfoils redirect the oncoming airflow away from the spokes, and allow the wheel to create a turbulent boundary layer above its surface. Ridley claims that this effectively reduces drag up to 6.4%. Ingeniously, Ridley also predicted a number of variables, and took a multi-stage approach to reducing the Dean's profile. After air passes through the fork's airfoils, the frame shape guides the flow onto a textured surface treatment that Ridley calls F-Surface. The F-Surface is applied at key points around the frame, and essentially operates as a trip wire. The rough surface creates a slight turbulence directly above the frame surface. This creates an artificial boundary layer that forces the laminar boundary layer towards the forward part of the frame to become turbulent. In summary, this process enables airflow to remain attached over more of the frame, and thus provides a lower level of integrated drag. According to Ridley, the F-Surface treatment adds an additional 3.6% reduction in drag.

The aero-advantage doesn't stop there. Internal cable routing takes the shift and brake cables through the frame to ensure a smooth air flow over the frame. To further limit disruption, the front brake caliper has been strategically placed behind the fork, and both the head tube and its juncture with the fork makes use of a contoured design.

Aside from aerodynamics, the Dean RS is incredibly stiff and responsive. It's constructed from a weight conscious combination of 40-, 30-, and 24-ton high-modulus carbon fiber. Ridley placed stronger carbon only where it benefited the rigidity of the frame -- this approach limits frame weight without compromising overall stiffness. Additionally, the Dean features an oversized head and down tube to bolster lateral rigidity and handling. Ridley also incorporated a carbon, aero seatpost for stiffness during hard drives to the line in the saddle.

More than just pretty looks and aerodynamics, the Dean RS is loaded with an incredible component package. Driving the power is a SRAM Apex compact crankset, SRAM PC-1030 chain, 12-25 Apex cassette, and Apex front and rear derailleurs. For shifting and braking, Ridley included SRAM TT500 shift levers, Tektro 4.1 brake levers, and 4ZA Dean calipers. Rounding out the package, and arguably the most advantageous component to your position on the bike, are the Profile Design T2/T3 handlebars.

The Ridley Dean RS/SRAM Apex Complete Bike is available in the color Red/white and in five sizes from X-Small to X-Large.