Ridley

X-Ride Disc Rival 1 Cyclocross Bike

Slather on that embrocation, bring your own cowbells and practice those handups, its cyclocross season. Whether you're a seasoned vet looking for a pit bike or it's your first 'cross season, Ridley's X-Ride Disc Rival 1 Complete Cyclocross Bike is hard to beat. Its aluminum frame adds a tremendous amount of value and will hold up to botched barrier attempts while the SRAM Rival drivetrain and hydraulic brakes work nearly as well as Force. Rolling on Fulcrum Racing Sport wheels and Donnelly's renowned MXP tires, there really isn't anything this bike can't handle as you traverse across off camber slopes, sand stretches, and steep run-ups as you battle for position.

Ridley constructs the X-Ride from triple butted 7005-T6 alloy with specially shaped seatstays that help damp energy robbing vibrations while out on the course. The Belgian brand routes housing internally for clean lines and it won't interfere while shouldering the bike on the steps or over the planks and it also reduces the chance of mud contaminating the shift housing. Its geometry is classic Euro-style honed over the years of working with some of the sport's finest racers while getting proper clearance for mud-caked tires, letting you ride just a bit longer if you don't have a second bike or pressure washer in the pits.

The X-Ride frame gets an Oryx Disc carbon fiber fork to take the edge off rough courses while contributing to a stiff and responsive front end. This fork features a slight asymmetry that counters the torsional forces applied to the left fork leg during braking to reduce flex and promote a long fork life. You'll find stainless steel inserts in the dropouts that protect the carbon from damage, and a scuff plate affixed to the inner left fork leg fending off errant rotors during frequent wheel changes, preventing gouging or scratching. Thru-axles front and rear add rigidity on both ends and ensure rotors stay aligned with calipers every time the wheels are installed.