Ridley

Fenix Disc Ultegra Complete Road Bike - 2016

While the international governing bodies hem and haw over allowing disc brakes in the peloton, the rest of us are free to take advantage of increased stopping power, controlled modulation, and the general boost in confidence that comes along for any disc-equipped ride on Ridley's 2016 Fenix Disc Ultegra Complete Road Bike.

Boasting all the versatility of the original Fenix, this Fenix blends long mile comfort and snappy handling that'll have you riding in comfort no matter where the day takes you. Its Ultegra drivetrain borrows heavily from the technology found in Shimano's top-tier Dura-Ace group to bring legendary reliability and precise gear shifts to your next ride.

The Fenix's versatility expands beyond the pavement to multi-surface excursions thanks to Ridley's artful layup of vibration devouring unidirectional carbon fibers. While the super stiff, purely featherweight-focused frames in Ridley's line use up to 60-ton moduli, the Fenix utilizes 24-ton carbon to strike a balance between road smoothing compliance and rigid efficiency. Potholes, cobblestones, and other road hazards that would otherwise feel like jarring punches on a 60-ton carbon take on all the disagreeability of crosswalk paint. Just in case you ever do get tired of wantonly throwing your tires over road obstacles, the stiff, tapered head tube provides responsive steering to dodge through debris with ease.

Compared to the original Fenix, the Fenix Disc also has a slightly longer wheelbase, measure 2mm longer for a size medium. While this difference is more pronounced in the smallest sizes, even the bigger frames benefit from a more stable wheelbase for loose gravel and packed dirt roads. The adventure-minded cyclist will also appreciate the Disc model's increased tire clearance, allowing bigger tires for maximum plushness and reliability on everything from summer chipseal and sun-soaked logging roads to loose limestone gravel.

The beefy bottom bracket junction, PressFit 30 bottom bracket, and burly chainstays work in harmony to address all your power transfer needs, ensuring that comfort doesn't come at the cost of speed-robbing flexibility during high-wattage efforts. In a final nod to the balance of efficiency and comfort, the seat tube is squared-off at the bottom with gradually softening edges as it rises to the seat collar. This makes for less lateral flex where you're putting power into the road and a more compliant ride where the road is less than forgiving.