Ridley Fenix Classic revealed + video

With the spring classics fast approaching, Belgian manufacturer Ridley have revealed the all-new Fenix, a bike designed for tackling the pave and unforgiving roads of races like Tour of Flanders and Paris-Rouabix. This new model, which will be used by Team Lotto-Belisol later this month, features flex areas in the seat stays to absorb vibrations.

The new Fenix joins the lightweight Helium SL, aero Noah Fast and time trial Dean, completing Ridley’s range of bikes and giving their sponsored team and amateur cyclists alike a broad choice of bikes to suit different riding situations and riding styles. To our eyes the Fenix looks like the perfect bike for everyday UK, given the general disrepair of our roads, as well as looking ideal for a spot of racing.

The new bike has been some time in development. The teams top sprinter André Greipel actually tested the new frame during a few races last year, and the model appeared on the UCI’s list of approved frame designs last autumn. 

The frame actually borrows the shaped downtube from the previous Damocles model. The top tube is also reminiscent of that bike. Meanwhile, the back of the bike is completely new, with a wishbone seatstay design with slim seat stays, flatter and narrower in the middle, designed to flex to absorb vibrations caused by riding over rough roads. In contrast, the chainstays are huge and very tall to give the high level of power transfer a rider like Andre demands.

A 24 ton hi-modulus unidirectional carbon fibre layup is used. Naturally there's a tapered head tube as befits any modern frame. There’s also internally routed cables, and it’s Di2/EPS compatible as well. There’s a BB30 bottom bracket as well. Frame weight is a claimed 1,200g, so it’s not been built to be as light as possible, but it’s certainly not heavy.

Pricing sets the Fenix apart, with the frame costing about half of the typical cost of a top-end race frame, claims Jochen Bessemans, PR & Marketing Manager. “This price setting makes it possible for amateur riders to have an absolute topframe without having to empty their pockets," he says.

As if to reinforce the Fenix’s affordability, they’re offering the Fenix Classic, a fully built bike costing €2,699 - we have no UK price yet. It’s specced with a Campagnolo Chorus groupset and Rotor chainset and Ridley’s own 4ZA finishing kit. Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels are fitted with Continental GP 4-Season 25mm tyres and 4ZA Comfort handlebar tape completes the package. Three other builds will be offered, Centaur, Shimano 105 and Ultegra.

More at www.ridley-bikes.com