20 Disc All-Road is aimed at the rider wanting to keep their terrain options open Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The workmanlike build uses 9-speed Shimano Sora with a compact crank and mechanical disc brakes Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Color-matched metal mudguards are a practical addition, and allow for large tyres Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Ridley's 2015 cyclocross bike range starts with the entry-level US$1,600 X-Bow 20 Disc, with an aluminum frame, Shimano Sora 9-speed transmission and Challenge Grifo tyres Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
First in the X-Ride line up is the US$2,300 X-Ride 20 Disc, with Avid BB7 discs, Shimano 105 gearing and an FSA Gossamer crank with 4ZA components Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
A chunky carbon fork, internal cable routing, discs and Challenge Cirrus Pro tyres make for a purposeful cyclocross machine Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The US$3,000 X-Fire 20 Disc offers a full carbon frame with Shimano 105, FSA Gossamer cranks, BB7 discs and 4ZA wheels and finishing kit Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The X-Fire 20 Disc's carbon frame has heavily sculpted chainstays and good mud clearance Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Internal cable routing keeps the frame's chunky lines clean Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Next up is the X-Fire 10 Disc Ultegra, and for US$3,600 the main upgrade is the Ultegra groupset, and improved 4ZA parts. It does retain the FSA Gossamer crank though Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The X-Night 20 Disc Ultegra 11 Di2 Hydro, which backs up the lengthy name with Shimano's hydraulic disc brakes, 11-speed Ultegra Di2, a Rotor 3DF crank and 4ZA carbon tubular wheels. Yours for US$7,000 Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Rotor's 3DF crank makes good use of the X-Night's BB30 bottom bracket shell Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Ultegra Di2 promises fast and accurate shifting in all conditions Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The X-Night's internal cabling extends to the front brake's hydraulic hose, which is routed inside the left fork blade, and includes a hose splitter for maintenance Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
With disc brakes, the X-Night sports clean looking seatstays Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Shimano's hydraulic brakes can only be used with these 11-speed Di2 shifters, due to the extra internal space needed for the master cylinder Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The X-Night still retains high spec cantilever models. This one has SRAM Red 22, an S Series chainset and Cirrus Pro tubulars but no current price Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The Belgian flag design is reminiscent of 2013 Belgian Champion Klaas Vantornout's Ridley race bike Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
4ZA have even matched the Cirrus Pro's saddle design Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
4ZA supply the carbon tubular wheels, shod with 33mm Challenge Grifos, and stopped with 4ZA cantilevers Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Ridley's most notable new road bike was the new Dean TT machine, decked out with Campagnolo EPS and suitably rapid TT wheels Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The X-Night SL Canti features Zipp 303s and a SRAM Red group Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The X-Night SL Canti's Zipp 303s are fitted with Continental Cyclo X King tubulars Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Ridley recently released its 2015 range of road and cyclocross bikes. With the road range little changed, except for the new version of the Dean TT bike, we looked most closely at the extensive cyclocross line-up from the Belgian brand.
Offering at least 12 distinct models, Ridley have possibly the most comprehensive ’cross range, staring from the X-Bow 20 Disc with Shimano Sora and BB7 discs at US$1,600 to the X-Night 10 Disc with the just-announced SRAM CX1 at US$7,500.
We’ve highlighted some of the most notable bikes in the range in our photo gallery to the right.
Robin Wilmott is a freelance writer and bike tester. He began road cycling in 1988 and, with mountain bikes in their infancy, mixed experimental off-road adventures with club time trials and road races. Cyclocross soon became a winter staple and has remained Robin's favourite form of competition. Robin has always loved the technical aspect of building and maintaining bikes, and several years working in a bike shop only amplified that. Robin was a technical writer for BikeRadar for nearly a decade, and has tested hundreds of bikes and products for the site. He has also written extensively for Cycling Plus, Velonews and Cyclingnews.
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