If you're a fit road rider it's probably a seasonal temptation to dip your toe into the deep end of 'cross racing. Anything that so efficiently maintains your top-end speed has to be a good thing. In fact, for most roadies the greatest deterrent to diving into the local or regional 'cross scene isn't desire -- it's equipment. Not everyone has the spare dough to dedicate to a bike they'll use 3 or 4 months out of the year. Thankfully, that's where the Ridley Crosswind comes into play.

The Crosswind is the kissing cousin of the Ridley Supercross -- the bike ridden to 4 consecutive pro World Championship 'cross victories between '01-'04. In fact, there are only two fundamental differences between them: The Crosswind is built with Easton's butted Ultra Lite aluminum tubeset, not scandium. And instead of a carbon fiber seatstay, you get aluminum stays instead. What's the net effect? The Crosswind comes in at a scant 100g heavier than the Supercross, but you save $400 in cost. For most 'cross racers it's a trade-off they'll make in a nano-second. The reality of things is this: If you're fit and you have the technical skills to handle 'cross, nothing about the Crosswind will prevent you from crossing the finish line with your hands aloft. It's a thoroughbred 'cross race bike through-and-through, and it packs more performance, more 'cross-specific race heritage, and more curb appeal than any other "budget" 'cross bike in the marketplace.

One huge bonus on the Crosswind is that it comes standard with the same Ridley 4ZA Python monocoque full carbon fiber fork you get on the X-Night and the Supercross. The Python is the most respected fork on the World Cup 'cross circuit, and you'll see it on countless brands of pro bikes. It's stiff, it's light, and it allows the Crosswind to track through technical courses (at both low and high speeds) with precision equal to what you get in Ridleys that cost 2x or 3x more. It also comes with an FSA integrated 1-1/8" headset. It requires a 31.6mm seatpost, a 34.9mm front derailleur. It has a 5-year warranty from manufacturing defect. It's available in even sizes from 48cm-60cm in a glossy White/Blue scheme or Red/Black each with white logos..

2008 Ridley Crosswind Pricing
	Frameset	Record / Chorus	Centaur / Dura Ace	Ultegra SL / Red	Force / Rival
Crosswind	$999	3404 / 3036	2526 / 3333	2623 / 3330	2688 / 2351

2008 Ridley Crosswind Geometry

Seat Tube c-c	Seat Tube c-t	Top Tube	Head Tube	Seat Angle	Head Tube Angle
48.0	52.0	51.5	11.5	74.0	72.5
50.0	52.0	52.0	12.5	73.5	72.0
52.0	56.0	53.5	14.5	73.0	72.0
54.0	58.0	54.5	16.5	73.0	72.0
56.0	60.0	56.0	18.5	73.0	72.0
58.0	62.0	57.5	20.5	73.0	72.0
60.0	64.0	58.5	22.5	73.0	72.0