Gallery: Thomas De Gendt's Ridley Helium SLX

Gallery: Thomas De Gendt's Ridley Helium SLX

Take a closer look at the Belgian rider's new Ridley

Thomas De Gendt's Ridley Helium SLX

Colin Levitch / Immediate Media

Colin Levitch

Published: January 19, 2017 at 9:45 am
Thomas De Gendt's Ridley Helium SLX - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
De Gendt is rolling on Vittoria Corsa tubs - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
The Belgian rider scored the KOM on Stage Three - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
Gotta keep the sponsors happy - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
De Gendt uses a SRM power meter and 53-39T chainrings - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
De Gendt's saddle of choice is a Selle Italia SLR Team Edition Flow - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
He likes his saddle pushed as far forward as possible - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
His saddle is supported by a Deda Superleggera seatpost - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
Lotto Soudal uses red anodized SRM PC8 head units - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
The Campy Super Record EPS shifters are fantastic looking - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
The whole Lotto Soudal team is using camo Lizards Skins DPS bar tape - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
Even though they're electronic, the EPS shifters keep the thumb shifter - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
De Gendt's Superzero stem comes with a plug for the faceplate to make it more aero - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
Stopping is provided by Campy Super Record EPS brakes - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
De Gendt uses a 130mm Deda Subzero stem - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
The EPS junction box is hidden beneath the stem - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
EPS front shifting is pretty reliable, but just incase De Gendt's bike sees a K-Edge chain catcher - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
The rear brake bolt on De Gendt's Helium SLX also holds the number plate holder - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
Bora Ultra wheels usually roll on Campy's CULT ceramic bearings, but given Lotto Soudal is sponsored by C-Bear we're not sure what's actually in the hub - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
The new Ridley Helium SLX sees slender chainstays - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
De Gendt's bike gets a SRM speed sensor on the chainstay - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
De Gendt's drinks are held by Elite Custom Race Bottle Cages - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media

Getting into the break on the third stage of the Tour Down Under from Glenelg to Victor Harbor, Belgian rider Thomas De Gendt collected the KOM and stayed away for nearly the whole stage, only to be pulled back ahead of the bunch sprint

De Gendt rides a size 51 frame on the brand new Ridley Helium SLX, which is claimed to weigh just 750g and be 15 percent stiffer than the previous model. The fork is also straighter than the Helium SL and is claimed to weigh just 300g.

The Lotto Soudal team is once again using a Campy Super Record EPS transmission as well as SRM powermeters. De Gendt is running 172.5mm cranks as well as 53-39T chainrings and a 11-27T cassette. Belgian brand C-Bear provides the ceramic bottom brackets for the team.

The Belgian rider scored the KOM on Stage Three - Colin Levitch / Immediate Media

De Gendt's cockpit is made up of Deda finishing kit, which includes 400mm Superleggera bars and a 130mm, 82-degree Superzero stem, and the D-Clip which the brand says improves aerodynamics.

Also from Deda is the carbon Superlegerra seatpost, which supports the Belgian rider's seating arrangements, and there's a Selle Italia SLR Team Edition Flow complete with a center cut out.

The breakaway specialist has also opted for Bora Ultra 50 rolling stock, packaged in 25c Vittoria tubulars.

Complete bike specs

  • Frame: Ridley Helium SLX, size S/51
  • Fork: Ridley Helium
  • Stem: Deda Superzero, 130mm, 82 degrees
  • Handlebar: Deda Superleggera, 400mm
  • Handlebar tape: Lizards Skins DPS
  • Front brake: Campagnolo Super Record
  • Rear brake: Campagnolo Super Record
  • Front derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record EPS
  • Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record EPS
  • Cassette: Campagnolo Super Record 11-27T 11-speed
  • Chain: Campagnolo Super Record 11-Speed
  • Crankset: Campagnolo Super Record 53-39T
  • Pedals: Look Keo Blade Carbon
  • Wheelset: Campagnolo Bora Ultra 30
  • Tyres: Vittoria Corsa tubular 25mm
  • Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Team Edition Flow
  • Seatpost: Deda Superlegerra
  • Bottle cages: Elite Custom Race Plus

Critical measurements

  • Rider's height: 1.77m
  • Rider's weight: 69kg
  • Saddle height from bottom bracket: 735mm
  • Centre of saddle to centre of bar: 720mm

Colin Levitch

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Colin now resides on the Gold Coast in Australia. Holding a media degree, Colin is focused on the adventure sport media world. Coming from a ski background, his father a former European pro convinced him to try collegiate crit racing. Although his bright socks say full roadie, he can often be found exploring singletrack or grinding down a gravel road.
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