Ridley

Fenix A10 Shimano 105 Complete Road Bike - 2015

Given its name and material, we're inclined to think that the Fenix A10 Complete Road Bike is Ridley's attempt to revive aluminum in the cycling industry. Or maybe it's a reference to the material's inherent climbing pedigree. Whatever the case, the Ridley team has dumped some R&D resources into the A10's material. It's also given it a geometry that's virtually the same as the line-topping Noah, so it's ready to race if you are.

In an age where even the water bottle cages are carbon fiber, Ridley hasn't forgotten that aluminum still has the qualities that make for an ideal race frame: stiffness, efficiency, and low weight. For the A10, Ridley has apparently invested in some quality infrastructure in order to work with 7005, which is stronger but can be more difficult to use than 6061, because its weight and strength lets them hydroform it into triple-butted tubes. The A10's frame is lightweight metal shaped with almost the same freedom that Ridley has with its carbon designs, including internally routed cables.

Aluminum can be harsh, though, which is one reason for the rush to carbon over the past decade. To address this, and thanks in part to its unprecedented tube shaping abilities, Ridley flattens out the thin seatstays for some vertical compliance and pops a 24t carbon fork into the front end. Both additions serve to eat up road noise and smooth the ride without sacrificing the efficiency of the chainstays, the bottom bracket, or the tapered head tube.

The drivetrain comprises a blend of Shimano bits, centering around the new 105. Completely redesigned for 2015, Shimano's workhorse has joined the ranks of 11-speed groups. The crankset is Shimano's FC-RS500, the wheels are the venerable Fulcrum Racing Sports, and the tires are the comfortable yet efficient 25-millimeter Continental Ultra Sport II. Peripherals from 4ZA round out the kit with some well-matched styling.

The 2015 Ridley Fenix A10 Complete Road Bike is available in six sizes ranging from XX-Small to X-Large in the color Black/white.