Content of this article:
- Ridley Raft - Cross-Race-Down-Country?
- Ridley Probe RS - the hump is gone
The Belgian manufacturer Ridley is known beyond the MTB world for its road bikes, but above all for its gravel and cyclo-cross bikes. It was therefore no surprise that the Ridley Sablo was not a downhill bike some time ago, but a light, sleek cross-country racing machine. Ridley is continuing on this trail - if you want to stay in the picture - with its two new models. The Probe RS is intended to be a "performance-orientated" hardtail, with a frame weighing only 760 grams (unpainted). The Ridley Raft as a full-suspension MTB is available in two versions: the Raft XC with 100 millimetres of travel and the Raft TR with trail-compatible 120 mm. The head tube angle is also adapted to the area of use: 66.6 degrees for the Raft TR (120 mm travel) and 67.5 degrees for the Raft XC (100 mm travel).
Ridley Raft - Cross-Race-Down-Country?
Ridley tries to include everything that is in demand on its fullys. The Raft is designed to be fast and light for racing, but has various mounting points for three bottles and a top tube bag, so according to the manufacturer it should also be fun for off-road bikepacking. The weight of the unpainted frame (size M) is 1750 grams (manufacturer's specification). The weight of a Raft TR with an XX1 groupset - i.e. the trail biker - is only 11.5 kg in size L. This makes it roughly equivalent to the Scott Spark RC in terms of weight nothing inferior.
Ridley Raft: 20 mm and different shocks between TR and XC
The biggest difference between the two versions of the Ridley Raft is the suspension fork and shock. On the Raft XC, a RockShox SIDluxe shock with a 40 mm stroke provides 100 mm of rear suspension travel. On the Raft TR, a RockShox Deluxe shock with 45 mm stroke provides 120 mm of travel. At the front, either a SID SL fork with 100 mm or a SID fork with 120 mm travel and 35 mm stanchions work accordingly.
The Ridley Raft models are priced between 4199 euros (XC with Sram GX, 12-speed) and 7799 euros (XC with Sram XX1) or 4999 euros (TR with Sram X1, 12-speed) and 5999 euros (TR with Sram GX AXS, 12-speed). Both versions are available in grey and yellow - and in sizes S to XL.
Ridley Probe RS - the hump is gone
What is striking about the new Ridley Probe RS compared to the previous Ignite SLX race hardtail from the Belgians is that it no longer has a hump on the top tube. The Probe RS has retained its suitability for racing with its low frame weight and sporty geometry consisting of a steep seat angle combined with a longer top tube and slacker head angle.
The Probe RS has a 100 mm suspension fork on board, but can also accommodate a 120 mm suspension fork, which in turn makes the hardtail a more trail-orientated bike, or at least an MTB for more technical terrain.
The frame of the Ridley Probe comes from Portugal
In the production of the Probe RS, Ridley follows the slowly awakening trend to European production facilities and has the frame built in Portugal. This works so well that the weight of the unpainted frame of the Probe RS is only 760 grams in size M. On the other hand, the price of the complete bike does not shoot up to exorbitant heights, but is between 3999 euros and 7999 euros (Sram XX1 AXS).
The Ridley Probe RS groupset is based entirely on Sram. The cheapest version comes with a Sram X01 12-speed rear derailleur and Level TL brakes. This is joined by a RockShox SID SL Rush fork with 100 millimetre travel and DT Swiss X1900 Spline rims. For the high-end spec, there is Sram XX1 AXS on the drivetrain, the Sram Level Ultimate Carbon Disc Brake for negative acceleration, a RockShox SID SL Ultimate Charger and DT Swiss XRC1501 Spline wheels.
The race hardtail from Ridley is also available in sizes S to XL. The manufacturer has also announced a configurator that allows you to customise the bike with different designs, colours, paintwork, groupsets, components, wheels, tyres and saddles. However, this is not yet available for the new models at ridley-bikes.com usable.
Marc Strucken
Editor
