Ridley

X-Ride Disc - 2014

Regardless of if you're starting out in the seemingly daunting world of cyclocross, or you already have two carbon Ridleys at your beck and call, you'll benefit from having a Ridley X-Ride at your disposal. Not only is it one of the lightest aluminum cyclocross frames on the market, but it also features many of the same design elements as its lauded big brother — the Worlds-winning X-Night.

The Ridley X-Ride frame was constructed from triple-butted 7005-T6 aluminum, while the 4ZA Oryx fork features a full-carbon composition. This combination gives the X-Ride just the right amount of rigidity to enable quick accelerations and pickup for mucky climbs, but not so much that you feel your bones shatter when you hit the bunny-hop a bit too hard. This also places the frame and fork combo around 2000 grams in a size Medium — which is fairly comparable to the full-carbon X-Fire.

Ridley's field experience has also bred a few frame designs that you'll be happy to have when you're encountering mud. For one, the X-Ride incorporates Ridley's Mudless Tube Technology on the fork and seatstays. As you're probably able to guess, the oversized tubing sheds mud and debris while producing a compliant ride quality. The massive tubing also stiffens the bottom bracket juncture for a more direct crank efficiency. The frame refuses to be stifled by buildup. For further protection from the elements, and for those times when you're running with the bike, Ridley ran the brake and shift cable over the top tube of the frame. This way, unless you fall in a sinkhole, you'll always have unhindered precision to the functionality of your bike. The Oryx fork uses a massive 1-1/8 by 1-1/2in steerer that eliminates brake chatter and increases lateral rigidity. This is the same fork that you'll find on the top-tier X-Night. 'Cross forks simply don't get any better.

The Ridley X-Ride is available in the color Grey and in the sizes 52 and 54cm. Please note that this frame is only compatible with mechanical groupsets. Also, the frame requires a 34.9mm clamp-on front derailleur, cantilever brakes, a 68mm BSA threaded bottom bracket, a 31.6mm seatpost, and a 34.9mm seatpost clamp. However, the frame does come equipped with a FSA tapered headset.