Finally a bike that check all the boxes. I've been research my next gravel bike and, honestly, coming from a Ventum GS1, it is quite difficult to find a replacement. Though I am very very happy with the GS1 a bit more of tire clearance would be welcome. Looks like the bike is the Ridley ASTR RS. Now I can start to save money and be intentional about it :) The boxes: race geometry, stability fast lose descent, 52mm clearance, narrow integrated cockpit with flare, responsiveness, and beauty.
Love the video! I think there is space for race-focused gravel bikes, and practical/flexible/multi-purpose gravel bikes - just like race vs all-road bikes. This one I think looks pretty cool - if I was racing I’d be tempted.
The reason I own a Kanzo Fast is, that it's so perfect for both road and gravel. 1 bike - 2 wheel sets. That's all I need. The Astr RS has caught my eye though, since I saw it for the first time a few weeks back, and the only reason is tire clearance. I really want to use some 45-50c tires, but to do that, I need a new bike. Maybe this will be it. 😁
If you are not running the fenders, you can fit 45mm with no problems on the Kanzo Fast. My Conti Terra Speed inflate to 48mm and there still is some room.
This frame design is very familiar with the ROSE backroad FF. Aero framebag too. Designed by the road race model. And it's "only" costs 6.999 euro with the new red XPLR. Maybe you should test that bike too.
Cool looking bike, one for the short list of my next purchase. As for how wide tires should go. No rules should be rule, except for some safety related stuff like a minimum weight maybe... Let the course dictate the best options.
I've just put "Winther tires" 2.1" (53mm) Vittoria Mezcal on my Revolt. Mainly to try it out.Can't wait to try them, but I don't think the ride will be as smooth as on my "summer tires" 45mm Challenge Strada Bianca, most suple tire I've ever tried. But I agree If the tires get wider and you put suspension on your gravel bike, you might as well buy a XC MTB Lastly, Unbound? YES!
this is the first one of a new generation of gravel race bikes (not counting the lauf seigla because it was so far ahead of this) and I can't wait to find a more versatile one to suit all my needs, from racing to quick bikepacking
Always appreciate your content. You should come do a gravel race here in the States. Can you please go over the frame geometry in these reviews? Thanks!
Yes using the type of high modulus carbon that they are using for this bike it is definitely going to be stiff stiff. I hope they let you try out one of the lower level bikes with the medium carbon layup to see if compliance will change but you can definitely see the vibrations coming straight from the ground through your body hear it in your voice and see it in your arms pretty drastically.
I'm running 54mm Thunderburt in front and at the back either a 45mm G-One RS if I want speed or a 50mm G-One Bite if I want more comfort for more challenging terrain or longer rides
Hi David.... How is the overall quality of the bike - build/paint etc? I've currently got the Kanzo Fast... the bike is stunning to look at, nice to ride but the build quality is really poor and the paint work too.... Had problems with the headset (no matter what it always comes loose), chain ring/BB and a couple of the 'mounting threads for mudguards are u/s'. And the back up from shop and Ridley has been very poor. I've since purchased a Canyon Grail this summer to replace it - it's a far better quality bike. Sadly, I wouldn't ever buy another Ridley (from my own experience)
Always great when people dhare their experiences. But i’ve read similar things about canyons too, but have myself a canyon roadbike sincs 2018, which has over 35000kms done. Zero problems. It’s an alu btw. So i still don’t know what i’ll like as gravel bike 😅
Hi David, seems to be a bike that ticks all my boxes. I will look to this bike definitely. What colour combination is this bike? I like the Green look this bike got, as this is in my head a nice gravel colour (among some sand a frame in sand colour) I hesitate between Crux, checkpoint/checkmate and Astr/RS
An archetypical gravelbike should be a road (race) bike with bigger tires. As it seems, big rubber has more advantages than disadvantages. The upper limit tires for gravel riding are fast XC MTB like Thunderburts, starting from 54mm width. Those roll faster on tarmac than many dedicated gravel tires which makes the latter ones kinda obsolete. The next generation of serious gravel race bikes has to fit true 29ers or bust while roadbikes will get up to 40mm road tires. Tire (size) inflation. Pun intended.
I’d assume (my gravel bike is old so narrow tires!) that the MTB geometry and suspension would still make the bike still feel very different, this said I like that my bike is happy on mixed terrain ie tarmac/gravel roads single track and so on, larger tires (50/60mm) are like MTB potentially making it more specific than generalist.
I luuuved my 2002 Ridley Scandium road bike...had the largest diameter downtube i've ever seen on a bike frame...Scandium aluminum beer can bike...LOL...one of their first road bikes, I believe...prior Ridley had been primarily making cyclocross bikes...so gravel should be NO Problemo...
Lovely bike, but…10k for a gravel bike. Pre gravel, 2k was enough for an absolute beast of a CX bike, which is effectively what this is. Still appreciate the upload and content though.
I have Kanzo Fast, as you saw at HONC It has mudguard mounts. I do not see the reason why Ridley are making this bike when they already have the Kanzo. 🤷♂️
Kanzo Fast weighs 1250g in a Medium, this weights 860g, Kanzo Fast also maxes out at 42mm tyres where as this takes 52mm, gravel racing events are evolving and top end riders are fitting as big of a tyre (plus mud clearance) that they can fit. This bike has a more aggressive racing position than the Kanzo Fast which has a more upright position, the Kanzo Fast is still staying in the range for a more relaxed gravel bike (in fact it is getting a UDH update for 2025)
Compared to the Kanzo Fast, it’s lighter, more aero, has more tire clearance, is 2x compatible and has a UDH (well, and is more expensive). The Astr will likely be its full time replacement soon enough
Yeah, getting super ridiculous… how did we land up here? Cycling to be an accessible sport, not anymore. It’s becoming dare I say elitism on a grand scale, then it’s paying the over inflated prices to enter an event which in most cases you are on your own and no closed roads. Gravel races are a real win for organisers.
When I look at my 2020 Racemax I want more comfort, better handling, downtube storage, more tire clearance in 700c, better cable routing and a T47 bottom bracket. So sadly, the new Ridley is not for me.
Yes with a much higher rotational weight put towards the outside edge of that circle which is the wheel, and with handlebars going narrower The leverage is less and less. It is going to take a lot more Force to overcome the gyroscopic effect that is keeping it going straight I mean I'm sure you know this but one trade-off I think we're going to see is the trend towards bigger tires makes its throughout gravel is frame designers are going to have to figure out something in the frame to counteract this especially for speedy handling for 20 plus mile per hour gravel races like unbound. Are we going to see wheelbase is starting to get slightly narrower? Redtube angles slightly steeper from the slack trend that's going on now?. It's going to be interesting to see where the limit is.
Fantastic bike and was raced in Unbound with the classified hub. But in terms of tyre clearance, geometry, weight, 2by/1by isn't this pretty close to the Canyon Grizl CF SLX? (Grizl has the option for mudguards)
@@Qu.Z. I've been doing this for almost 15 years now some of it on a semi-pro level I own bikes from $700 to $11,000 and I can tell you it does make a difference. Even if the bike only makes up 20% of the total aerodynamics maximizing that 20% is huge at 14 + mi an hour especially in a race like unbound at 20 plus miles an hour.
@@midwesttreasureandrelicrec7914 upgrade tires, or new wheels, or adjust tire pressure, no need to spend 3-11k, except maybe if you're professional racing. But for normal people, it isn't worth spending more than 3k just to improve seconds. Just my opinion
I once tested a carbon 29er hardtail that the brand advertised as the 'faster carbon hardtail'. I asked them how they got to that conclusion and the marketing person said, "I just thought it sounded good". Indeed. gg
Unbound.. no man. Far better events to enjoy. Why not sign up for something in truly special maybe South America or even Africa? And get to see real beauty verses plain rolling hills… everyone has those.
The problem with "gravel race bikes" on rough technical trails is that your weight is forward over the front tire. Better to use a mtb in these conditions. Don't see a need for a gravel bike that fits more than 45mm tires.
I do like it, with a bike like this I am certain you can do everything with a couple of set of wheels. You can't really go fast on a "normal" gravel bike but you definitely can on a Kaius
@@Ian-Saxon Well *I* can't go fast on any bike really 😂 When you look at it seriously, yes, you can go fast on a CX bike. But when you want something that is purposely made for speed (geometry, layering of the carbon and other bits), then a bike like the ASTR or the Kaius will offer a much better option. A CX bike for example will have a higher BB, be less aero and more nimble. So yes, you can go fast on any bike, but for someone like me who does mostly road and gravel and max 2 CX races a year, then I would much rather gravitate towards a fast gravel than a CX.
@@charlesserilas223 don't fall for all the marketing, dude. The differences are so incredibly marginal. Of course that matters for the top racers but that's literally it.
@@Mr_Zzzeee I tend to agree with you but I temporatily used my gravel as a road bike. I moved all the components on a dedicated road bike and gained over 1 kph on a 70k route. I'm not saying its a miracle, but you can feel the difference. Again, I mostly ride on steel anyway so I don't really care, but for the dedicated riders (so 1/2 of my club) they would feel the difference
35000km with my OPEN WIDE, more than 10000km OPEN UP, ORBEA ORCA ...also PF - no problems at all with PF. Thats BS! You´re looking to much BambiniMapdecBlabla
We need to ask ourselves.. how the ***k did we land up here? The tech hasn’t changed so much, it’s still. A frame and wheels, the real difference is the pilot.
Yes David, do Unbound next year.
Absolutely, would love to watch that
I've been eyeing a rose backroad ff for a moment, but damn that frame is beautiful.
Finally a bike that check all the boxes. I've been research my next gravel bike and, honestly, coming from a Ventum GS1, it is quite difficult to find a replacement. Though I am very very happy with the GS1 a bit more of tire clearance would be welcome.
Looks like the bike is the Ridley ASTR RS. Now I can start to save money and be intentional about it :)
The boxes: race geometry, stability fast lose descent, 52mm clearance, narrow integrated cockpit with flare, responsiveness, and beauty.
Agree but, just missing the frame-box like on the Grail?
I have a 2010 Ridley Helium with the integrated seat post. Still amazing to ride.
Ridley sure know how to make an attractive bike 👌🏼
Love the video!
I think there is space for race-focused gravel bikes, and practical/flexible/multi-purpose gravel bikes - just like race vs all-road bikes.
This one I think looks pretty cool - if I was racing I’d be tempted.
The reason I own a Kanzo Fast is, that it's so perfect for both road and gravel. 1 bike - 2 wheel sets. That's all I need.
The Astr RS has caught my eye though, since I saw it for the first time a few weeks back, and the only reason is tire clearance. I really want to use some 45-50c tires, but to do that, I need a new bike. Maybe this will be it. 😁
If you are not running the fenders, you can fit 45mm with no problems on the Kanzo Fast. My Conti Terra Speed inflate to 48mm and there still is some room.
This frame design is very familiar with the ROSE backroad FF.
Aero framebag too. Designed by the road race model.
And it's "only" costs 6.999 euro with the new red XPLR.
Maybe you should test that bike too.
Agreed. I plan on going to Bocholt in the next couple of weeks for a test ride. I am interested in the 12sp Di2 model.
When are you reviewing the Lauf Seigla? It has 57mm clearance
Cool looking bike, one for the short list of my next purchase. As for how wide tires should go. No rules should be rule, except for some safety related stuff like a minimum weight maybe... Let the course dictate the best options.
You riding Unbound would make great content. Nice range of bikes the cheaper options looked better than the range topper you had.
I've just put "Winther tires" 2.1" (53mm) Vittoria Mezcal on my Revolt. Mainly to try it out.Can't wait to try them, but I don't think the ride will be as smooth as on my "summer tires" 45mm Challenge Strada Bianca, most suple tire I've ever tried.
But I agree If the tires get wider and you put suspension on your gravel bike, you might as well buy a XC MTB
Lastly, Unbound? YES!
this is the first one of a new generation of gravel race bikes (not counting the lauf seigla because it was so far ahead of this) and I can't wait to find a more versatile one to suit all my needs, from racing to quick bikepacking
Always appreciate your content. You should come do a gravel race here in the States. Can you please go over the frame geometry in these reviews? Thanks!
Yes using the type of high modulus carbon that they are using for this bike it is definitely going to be stiff stiff. I hope they let you try out one of the lower level bikes with the medium carbon layup to see if compliance will change but you can definitely see the vibrations coming straight from the ground through your body hear it in your voice and see it in your arms pretty drastically.
I'm running 54mm Thunderburt in front and at the back either a 45mm G-One RS if I want speed or a 50mm G-One Bite if I want more comfort for more challenging terrain or longer rides
With the Option of Configuring as You like its quite interesting
I got a Kanzo Fast and quite like it. Looks very similar to this one.
How does this compare with the Enve Mog? Any preference?
Hi David.... How is the overall quality of the bike - build/paint etc? I've currently got the Kanzo Fast... the bike is stunning to look at, nice to ride but the build quality is really poor and the paint work too.... Had problems with the headset (no matter what it always comes loose), chain ring/BB and a couple of the 'mounting threads for mudguards are u/s'. And the back up from shop and Ridley has been very poor. I've since purchased a Canyon Grail this summer to replace it - it's a far better quality bike. Sadly, I wouldn't ever buy another Ridley (from my own experience)
Always great when people dhare their experiences. But i’ve read similar things about canyons too, but have myself a canyon roadbike sincs 2018, which has over 35000kms done. Zero problems. It’s an alu btw. So i still don’t know what i’ll like as gravel bike 😅
Hi David, thanks for the review! Would you consider this as a good do it all bike? Having a road and gravel wheelset?
Hi David, seems to be a bike that ticks all my boxes. I will look to this bike definitely. What colour combination is this bike? I like the Green look this bike got, as this is in my head a nice gravel colour (among some sand a frame in sand colour)
I hesitate between Crux, checkpoint/checkmate and Astr/RS
An archetypical gravelbike should be a road (race) bike with bigger tires. As it seems, big rubber has more advantages than disadvantages. The upper limit tires for gravel riding are fast XC MTB like Thunderburts, starting from 54mm width. Those roll faster on tarmac than many dedicated gravel tires which makes the latter ones kinda obsolete. The next generation of serious gravel race bikes has to fit true 29ers or bust while roadbikes will get up to 40mm road tires. Tire (size) inflation. Pun intended.
I’d assume (my gravel bike is old so narrow tires!) that the MTB geometry and suspension would still make the bike still feel very different, this said I like that my bike is happy on mixed terrain ie tarmac/gravel roads single track and so on, larger tires (50/60mm) are like MTB potentially making it more specific than generalist.
Big yes on unbound
Wish the frameset would be available in the United States
Great video as always. What bike was u racing at pittville park last weekend. Nice to be in same race.
I luuuved my 2002 Ridley Scandium road bike...had the largest diameter downtube i've ever seen on a bike frame...Scandium aluminum beer can bike...LOL...one of their first road bikes, I believe...prior Ridley had been primarily making cyclocross bikes...so gravel should be NO Problemo...
i you fit 29er 2.20 raceking mtb tires on the bike it will be even faster the roll faster than gravel tires
I love the bag you showed . Do you know if the knockoff bag *luxrul* is made in China? Another great video!
Lovely bike, but…10k for a gravel bike.
Pre gravel, 2k was enough for an absolute beast of a CX bike, which is effectively what this is.
Still appreciate the upload and content though.
Also after many years of Gravelbike Business - an CX is no Gravelbike, its a different type of bike in every way. Educate yourself. 😀
Completely different; geometry isn't the same - and a CX is a race bike for 60 mins....
spending 10k on pushbike is fuckking stupid. You can get great electric motorbike if you are serious about green riding and low emission
They start from 3200 euro, with additional 700 if you want to pick your own colors. For a gravel bike which will suffer some abuse, thats not too bad.
Doubting between the Ridley Astr and the Specialized Crux. Which one do you think is better suited for the road as I would ride 80% on tarmac.
Probably the Ridley for mostly road
Nice bike 👍🏻
I have Kanzo Fast, as you saw at HONC It has mudguard mounts. I do not see the reason why Ridley are making this bike when they already have the Kanzo. 🤷♂️
Kanzo Fast weighs 1250g in a Medium, this weights 860g, Kanzo Fast also maxes out at 42mm tyres where as this takes 52mm, gravel racing events are evolving and top end riders are fitting as big of a tyre (plus mud clearance) that they can fit. This bike has a more aggressive racing position than the Kanzo Fast which has a more upright position, the Kanzo Fast is still staying in the range for a more relaxed gravel bike (in fact it is getting a UDH update for 2025)
Compared to the Kanzo Fast, it’s lighter, more aero, has more tire clearance, is 2x compatible and has a UDH (well, and is more expensive). The Astr will likely be its full time replacement soon enough
will be interesting what MVDP rides at GRAVEL W CHAMPS
Hey Dave, what size frame did you ride and how tall are you?
I was on a size medium and I'm 181cm
Hey David what would you choose between the Ridley and the Ventum GS1.
The tyre clearance of the Ridley would be a big factor for me but the Ventum does offer lower prices so that's a consideration if price matters
Thanks for the insight. How’s the ride between the two. If you were going to do Unbound 200 which bike would you choose ?
Never done Unbound but the Ridley has bigger tyre clearance so I would probably take it
I love my kanzo fast, now the frames are all the same, same design
The aero difference between this and Kanzo Fast must be miniscule.
What was the link to the trail?
I run the new gt grade with 2.1 tyres .
Can route in Plains be shared?
Nice bike but not £10k+ nice. Dreaming!
Yeah, getting super ridiculous… how did we land up here? Cycling to be an accessible sport, not anymore. It’s becoming dare I say elitism on a grand scale, then it’s paying the over inflated prices to enter an event which in most cases you are on your own and no closed roads. Gravel races are a real win for organisers.
@@lazlo2511Nobody forces you to buy expensive bikes. Just stop whining.
Could you review something a bit more relevant to casual cyclists and bikepackers, like Propain Terrel CF that was released 6 months ago?
Looks really similar to Scott Addict Gravel
Hola precio de la bicicleta, gracias
When I look at my 2020 Racemax I want more comfort, better handling, downtube storage, more tire clearance in 700c, better cable routing and a T47 bottom bracket. So sadly, the new Ridley is not for me.
It looks like a Scott Addict Gravel
Actually that’s a very good point, and is seems even the colour way?
This bike is great if money isn’t an issue.
Yes with a much higher rotational weight put towards the outside edge of that circle which is the wheel, and with handlebars going narrower The leverage is less and less. It is going to take a lot more Force to overcome the gyroscopic effect that is keeping it going straight I mean I'm sure you know this but one trade-off I think we're going to see is the trend towards bigger tires makes its throughout gravel is frame designers are going to have to figure out something in the frame to counteract this especially for speedy handling for 20 plus mile per hour gravel races like unbound. Are we going to see wheelbase is starting to get slightly narrower? Redtube angles slightly steeper from the slack trend that's going on now?. It's going to be interesting to see where the limit is.
Soooo, gravel bikes are waking up to the fact that monster cross bikes have been a thing for at least 15 years 😂 ?
Looks like the grail
Fantastic bike and was raced in Unbound with the classified hub. But in terms of tyre clearance, geometry, weight, 2by/1by isn't this pretty close to the Canyon Grizl CF SLX? (Grizl has the option for mudguards)
cant wait for the first fatbike gravelbike - 29x4" when? :D
Your body position and clothes have more impact for speed than buying an expensive bike.
Sure. But this video is about the new Ridley bike.
And once you have that maximized then......
@@midwesttreasureandrelicrec7914 yiur fitness level. don't depend on expensive bike, it wont make a significant difference if not, just placebo
@@Qu.Z. I've been doing this for almost 15 years now some of it on a semi-pro level I own bikes from $700 to $11,000 and I can tell you it does make a difference. Even if the bike only makes up 20% of the total aerodynamics maximizing that 20% is huge at 14 + mi an hour especially in a race like unbound at 20 plus miles an hour.
@@midwesttreasureandrelicrec7914 upgrade tires, or new wheels, or adjust tire pressure, no need to spend 3-11k, except maybe if you're professional racing. But for normal people, it isn't worth spending more than 3k just to improve seconds. Just my opinion
I once tested a carbon 29er hardtail that the brand advertised as the 'faster carbon hardtail'. I asked them how they got to that conclusion and the marketing person said, "I just thought it sounded good". Indeed.
gg
P Stetina on his Canyon Grail got 2nd at The Rad - Dirt Fest last week. Stacked field. Keegan got 1st
It’s no MOG beater
I didn’t watch the video yet, but this looks exactly like what a new canyon grail should have been
My Yeti hardtail would have it :)
Unbound.. no man. Far better events to enjoy. Why not sign up for something in truly special maybe South America or even Africa? And get to see real beauty verses plain rolling hills… everyone has those.
The problem with "gravel race bikes" on rough technical trails is that your weight is forward over the front tire. Better to use a mtb in these conditions. Don't see a need for a gravel bike that fits more than 45mm tires.
Top riders at Unbound go as high as 55 on race geometry frames.
I ride my Grail with 32mm - sweet Spot. I would rather thinking ging down to 28mm than to go on 35mm or so.
why owning a gravel bike then
@@benreisenauer9781 Relaxed geometry, and flexible up to 40mm if ride cross field
Press Fit BB no thanks
71° hta in size xs and s means toe overlap for sure.. if you can live with that, happy days, for me that's another bike to put in the joke dept.
Honestly just get a hard tail race mtb
Aero gravel bike the bike industries latest con to get you to "upgrade"😆
I do like it, with a bike like this I am certain you can do everything with a couple of set of wheels. You can't really go fast on a "normal" gravel bike but you definitely can on a Kaius
@@charlesserilas223why can’t you go really fast on a standard CX bike?
Interested to hear your take on it 👍
@@Ian-Saxon Well *I* can't go fast on any bike really 😂 When you look at it seriously, yes, you can go fast on a CX bike. But when you want something that is purposely made for speed (geometry, layering of the carbon and other bits), then a bike like the ASTR or the Kaius will offer a much better option. A CX bike for example will have a higher BB, be less aero and more nimble. So yes, you can go fast on any bike, but for someone like me who does mostly road and gravel and max 2 CX races a year, then I would much rather gravitate towards a fast gravel than a CX.
@@charlesserilas223 don't fall for all the marketing, dude. The differences are so incredibly marginal. Of course that matters for the top racers but that's literally it.
@@Mr_Zzzeee I tend to agree with you but I temporatily used my gravel as a road bike. I moved all the components on a dedicated road bike and gained over 1 kph on a 70k route. I'm not saying its a miracle, but you can feel the difference. Again, I mostly ride on steel anyway so I don't really care, but for the dedicated riders (so 1/2 of my club) they would feel the difference
My Pinarello Grevil is as fast as it gets 😊
Anything else is just playing catchup. 😮
Pressfit BB👎👎👎
To cut down on production cost, no doubt
35000km with my OPEN WIDE, more than 10000km OPEN UP, ORBEA ORCA ...also PF - no problems at all with PF. Thats BS! You´re looking to much BambiniMapdecBlabla
Kanzo,griffen and now this 🤷🏻♂️🤦♂️ too much
Slow,and ponderous in the corners, no thanks!
Kind of hating on the bike
David…nice try on the click-bait!!!!!! i Think you will find the fastest gravel bike in the world is Keegan Swensons SC Stigmata
Very much aimed at?????????mmmmmmm people with more money than sense, and an inlated idea of how good they are, I wouldnt pay that money for a car ffs
We need to ask ourselves.. how the ***k did we land up here? The tech hasn’t changed so much, it’s still. A frame and wheels, the real difference is the pilot.
Giant Revolt ,flip the chip I can put on a 2.2 . Best gravel bike out there .😃🚵♀️
Only thing the Revolt is missing, for me, is the UDH. Next gravel bike I build is getting a t-type transmission.
they really missed the boat not putting on a UDH