Ridley

Yana / SRAM Apex Complete Bike - 2012

When you're just getting into cycling, or just looking to finally upgrade your old beater college bike, it's not hard to notice the massive disparity in pricing between top-of-the-line and bottom-of-the-pile bikes as you shop the brands. Thankfully, the Ridley Yana SRAM Apex Complete Bike finds itself in the performance categories closer to the top, with a price that won't leave you gasping for breath. The Yana sits at the the beginning of Ridley's race-ready women's frames, and as you'll see -- comes complete with zero compromises in women's-specific geometry, construction, and build.

The Yana SRAM Apex Complete Bike is a great option if you're looking to upgrade from your steel or full aluminum bike, or are simply just getting into road cycling. Yana features an ideal blend of aluminum and carbon for the frame and fork's construction. With its mix of reliable, yet high-performing componentry, this bike will easily become your newest fitness machine, criterium racer, or weekend fun-bike. Even better is that the Yana is an exceptionally upgradable platform that you can continually invest in as you grow stronger and faster, and begin to take on more competitive rides. As Ridley's initial women's offering, the Yana has the same geometry as the Belgian company's carbon fiber Asteria race bike with a price that still leaves room in your budget for a new kit and shoes.

The Yana frame is made with 7000 double-butted aluminum. The use of aluminum makes the frame stiff and responsive while still being lightweight. Adding to the frame's stiffness, while eliminating intense road vibrations, the Yana is equipped with a carbon fiber fork. This keeps the frame's overall weight down, and it creates a snappy handling sensation through curves and sprints. Shifting duties are left to SRAM's excellent Apex line -- a groupset with plenty of gear range between its wide cassette and compact crankset, allowing you to tackle even your biggest local hills -- provided you're up to the challenge, of course. But what good is going up easily if you can't come down safely? Ridley has fitted the Yana with Tektro R-525 calipers which offer easy modulation and plenty of stopping power ensuring you're never going too fast for comfort. Last, but surely not least, you'll be rolling on a pair of go-anywhere Alex wheels that should provide countless worry-free miles.

Frame build aside, it's the geometry of the Yana that shines through. A 70.5 degree head tube angle gives the bike excellent tracking and handling through descents. The head tube and top tube lengths also add to a high degree of comfort. Brought together with an anatomic height and length combination, the head and top tubes provide a well-rounded, golden ratio for long distance riding, that doesn't compromise its ability to perform under fire in a criterium.

The Ridley Yana comes in four sizes: XX-Small through Medium, and in a pleasant White/blue colorway.