Ridley says its new Noah Fast is the fastest bike it has ever made, saving 8.5 watts compared to its predecessor at the WorldTour pace of 50kph.
The Noah Fast was first spotted in November 2024 when an image appeared online of Uno-X Mobility using the new bike. The sighting prompted some to compare the aero bike, with its deep head tube, to the Velocity Ace from Uno-X Mobility’s previous bike supplier, Dare.
Ridley says that in 2025 “aerodynamics is everything”. It has taken advantage of the latest UCI regulations, while updating the bike’s geometry and cockpit to make the aero bike as fast as possible.
The 8:1 rule
The previous Ridley Noah went through various iterations, while retaining a consistent shape and look. But the new bike has a different design and silhouette thanks in part to the UCI’s 8:1 rule.
Previously, the UCI stipulated that tubes must be only three times longer than their width. But, following the UCI’s changes to equipment regulations in 2023, bike manufacturers can now design bikes with tubes eight times longer than their width, producing designs such as the Colnago Y1Rs.
Ridley has also taken advantage of the rule change, as well as inspiration from its Dean Fast time trial bike, with the Noah Fast’s long, narrow profiles in the fork and seatstays. The oversized down tube is said to be designed to guide airflow around water bottles without creating drag.
Using its in-house wind tunnel and a “trial-and-error approach”, Ridley says its engineers extended the bike’s head tube to maximise the compensation triangles allowed by the UCI.
The shape around the head tube and seat tube is said to improve wind guidance.
As well as being 8.5 watts faster than the previous Noah Fast, these changes also make the new aero bike 7 watts faster than the Ridley Falcn RC all-round race bike.
The bike is also said to be 10 per cent stiffer in the head tube than the Falcn RS and similar values apply to the bottom bracket, “providing maximum efficiency during acceleration”.
Cockpit integration
As well as the deep head tube design, the Noah Fast now has an integrated cockpit, further altering the look – and performance – of the bike.
Ridley says the focus of the new design was to combine aerodynamics and comfort.
Integrating the cockpit into the top tube is said to reduce air turbulence compared to typical cockpit arrangements.
The Nimbus Aero cockpit follows the trend towards narrower handlebars, measuring 36cm at the shifter position for a more aerodynamic position, according to Ridley.
Ridley says the handlebar shape also angles the shifters inwards, furthering your aerodynamic position, while meeting the UCI’s regulations on shifter placement.
The flare on the handlebar is said to aid the bike’s composure when steering.
New geometry
Ridley says the Noah Fast’s seat angle is much steeper than typical road race bikes, at 76 degrees.
It says that years of sponsoring pro teams – which saw sprinters such as André Greipel and Caleb Ewan ride Ridley's bikes – revealed a trend towards “more forward bike fits”.
Ridley says: “A steeper seat angle aligns with the changing preference of riders towards a position with an open hip angle for a better power transfer. This setup complies with the new UCI regulations effective from January 1, 2025.”
The Noah Fast can fit 34mm tyres and a lower bottom bracket is said to compensate for the wider rubber.
The lower head tube and integrated cockpit put the rider in a more aggressive aero position.
Ridey says the Noah Fast is available in five sizes. The brand offers custom builds and the bike is available from €5,499 for the frameset and €8,799 for a complete bike with Shimano Ultegra.
Ridley is also offering a new Noah aero bike, which has the same geometry and aero characteristics but uses a different carbon lay-up and cockpit integration.
