Ridley

X-Ride Disc - 2015

If cyclocross is your off-season, keep the holiday weight-gain at bay activity, buying a 'cross rig that costs as much as your road bike probably isn't in the cards. But you don't need to compromise between a race ready bike and one that doesn't dent your wallet. Whether it's your primary ride or you use it as a pit bike, the X-Ride Disc frame features all the handling of the X-Fire at a fraction of the cost. 

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 boring round 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 Ridley added 2 water bottle carriers in case you choose to take it on a longer adventure.

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