The Ridley Noah SL has been launched at this year's Eurobike show. The original Noah was a pure aero machine, with advanced features including a split-legged fork and unique integrated V-brakes; the Noah SL retains that wind-cheating DNA but sheds some weight and offers greater practicality.
The frameset is an entirely new design: gone are the quirky aero brakes, replaced by conventional callipers that make pro race 'magic spanner' efforts far more feasible. Gone too is the seatmast – and a more user-friendly aero seatpost is in its place.
The SL's fork blends neatly with the frame for improved aerodynamics, and dropped seatstays aim to offer greater comfort. It's still a split-legged design, with small refinements offering a claimed reduction in drag of up to eight percent, although at what speed we know not.
Further aerodynamic gains come from what Ridley calls F-Surface+ technology, essentially grooves running either side of the leading edge of a frame tube which create micro turbulence, delaying separation of the airflow and reducing drag.
The Noah SL uses standard brake callipers, and has clearance for 25mm tyresThe rest of the Noah SL's spec is a laundry list of race bike must-haves: a PF30 bottom bracket shell, carbon dropouts, a 1 1/8 to 1 1/2in tapered head tube and clearance for 25mm tyres all feature.
Available builds are as follows, UK and US pricing is TBA:
- Noah SL 10 (SRAM Red 22) - €7,999
- Noah SL 15 (Campagnolo Chorus EPS) - €6,699
- Noah SL 20 (Shimano Dura-Ace) - €5,999
- Noah SL 30 (Shimano Ultegra) - €3,699
- Noah SL frame and fork - €2,999
Fenix gets disc brakes
We rode the rim brake Fenix endurance machine earlier this year, and it seemed inevitable that a disc version would be forthcoming. Pricing and availability is to be confirmed but it looks like the Fenix disc will be offered in two builds, both using the latest Shimano hydraulic brakes – one with Ultegra, and one with 105 components.
The new Ridley Fenix Disc. This Shimano Ultegra Di2 isn't offered as standard
Aside from having sprouted disc post mounts front and rear, little has changed on the Fenix. Where other manufacturers have chosen to adopt thru-axles, Ridley has stuck to standard quick-release skewers.
