Ridley

X-Ride 20 Disc Complete Cyclocross Bike - 2015

If you're planning on battling it out with the A group this season, or if you have sights set on nationals, you'll want to ride the Ridley X-Night or its little brother the X-Fire. However, if your aim is to see how much heckling you can conjure up from the crowd, or how many dollar bills you can have stuffed in your jersey, then the X-Ride Disc is the perfect compromise between high end race handling and a smart price. 

The tubing of the X-Ride is 7005 aluminum with a triple butted profile. This construction method allows for thicker tubing at junctures while maintaining thinner walls in the middle. This allows the bike to be light all the while handling well at speed. The geometry of the X-Ride is nearly identical to the carbon fiber X-Fire. It features the same "euro" styled higher bottom bracket for extra clearance. A relaxed head tube allows a comfortable position while maintaining quick handling in corners as does the short wheelbase.

The profile of the tubing is not your standard round aluminum tubing. For added stiffness, Ridley took and "pinched" the down tube of the X-Ride to give it a slightly ovalized shape. This not only increases stiffness, it also creates a larger juncture at the head tube. Additionally, the shaping of the tubes means that there is effectively more area to weld at the bottom bracket. Beyond the functional and structural changes that shaping the tubing provides, the flattened tube also makes carrying the frame a bit more comfortable for those times when the mud is deep or the stairs too steep.

Mated to the 7005 frame is the 4ZA Oryx Cyclocross fork. This fork is designed to minimize any chatter or torque from disc brakes. The 24-ton carbon fiber fork features oversized legs and a tapered 1-1/8 x 1-1/2inch steerer tube. It drives a straight line through obstacles and takes bunny-hops in stride. The X-Ride is race ready, but with such versatility, it is designed with two water bottle carriers and a take-anywhere attitude.

The Frame is finished with a combination of SRAM Force and Rival components. Using the slightly lighter Force for the front derailleur, the rear Rival complements the mix. They are 11-Speed, with the combination of 46/36 tooth front chain rings affixed to an FSA crankset and a rear 11-28 tooth cassette providing just about any gear you need whether the course is flat and dry or muddy and full of obstacles. The alloy wheels roll on 33mm Kenda Clement tires, and the entire cockpit features Ridley's very own 4ZA components.

The Ridley X-Ride 20 Disc Complete Cyclocross Bike - 2015 is available in Black/camo/grey and comes in sizes 45cm, and in even sizes from 48 to 60cm.