Ridley Fenix Sl 30 Road Bike 2016

Ridley Fenix SL 30 Road Bike 2016. If you're the kind of rider who likes to excel at the full compliment of skills racing and high performance riding require, you'll love the Ridley Fenix SL 30 from the very first pedal stroke. Like other models in the Fenix SL Series, the SL30 comes as close to balanced perfection in its performance as you're likely to find in a road bike. Ridley set out to build a bike with the versatility to climb, sprint and provide ample comfort for your longest days in the saddle, and the SL 30 doesn't disappoint. The Fenix SL frame is 15% lighter, 8% stiffer, and 5% more compliant than the previous model, the Ridley Fenix Classic. The full carbon, high modulous frame has a touch of aero, with a front triangle design influenced by the Noah SL. The shaped hour glass head tube is stiff and aerodynamic, while the fork integrates smoothly into the frame to better channel air flow around the bike and eliminate drag. The diamond shaped down tube is big and beefy for maximum rigidity, while maintaining the tough tube shapes the original Fenix was known for. The flat top tube starts out massive at the head tube junction, then arches and tapers to the seat tube, which Ridley claims helps the frame flex just a little bit more for added compliance. The massive 31.6mm seatpost of the old Fenix has been replaced with a more comfortable and complaint 27.2mm design. The rear triangle looks as though it takes its inspiration straight from the lightweight Helium SL, with pencil thin seat stays that help soak up plenty of road vibration, and chunky asymmetric chain stays for added power transfer. The previous PF30 bottom bracket has been replaced with a BB86, which results in a more open configuration for bigger tires without sacrificing any stiffness. A tapered headtube and full carbon fork keep things nice and rigid in the front end. The Fenix SL can clear 28mm tires with room to spare. Some pro riders claim the frame clears a 30mm Continental tubular, and we've also fitted some pretty wide tires on there though it depends on the tirerim combination. This continuing trend toward wider tires, more than anything, helps give the Fenix SL 30 a wonderfully supple and comfortable ride, not to mention expanding the bike's capabilities as an all around gravel and all road machine. Of course an excellent component spec is also a vital part of the performance equation for a bike like the Fenix SL 30, and it doesn't disappoint. The SL 30 is built with Shimano's popular and highly regarded Ultegra 11 speed groupset, which includes a compact crankset and, of course, the Grand Tour winning technology of Dura Ace at a competition level price point. With excellent ergonomics and a masterful front derailleur that makes shifting to the big ring even under power, easy and efficient, Ultegra continues to set a high standard for mechanical shifting. Rounding things out is a build kit from Ridley's house brand 4ZA components, including an alloy stem, handlebar, seatpost and saddle. 4ZA RC31 wheels offer a premium ride quality, with a semi deep section rim for some aerodynamic gains that won't weigh you down. Wrapping up the wheels is a set of Continental UltraSport II SL tires, the training tire of choice for many pros. The Grand Prix perfectly balances lightweight, flat protection, and road feel for an excellent all around tire.