In a world where unyielding stiffness, ultralow weights, and slippery aerodynamics are seen as requisite ingredients for performance, a frame made of mid-grade carbon fiber weighing 1,200g hardly seems noteworthy. Yet for Lotto-Belisol's Jürgen Roelandts, Ridley's new Fenix Classic was more than up to the task at the Tour of Flanders, carrying him to an impressive third-place finish.
Ridley introduced the Fenix as a mid-range model earlier this year with an impressively attainable price tag of US$3,610/£2,326 with a Campagnolo Chorus group and Rotor crankset – about a third less than what Sky and Movistar's Pinarello Dogma K frameset sells for on its own. The Ronde van Vlaanderen's short but bumpy cobbled climbs put less of a priority on weight and more on smoothness and durability, though, and Ridley contends the Fenix's smoother ride and more damage-tolerant 24-ton carbon fiber is a worthy trade-off.
Ridley uses plugs on the tapered head tube to convert from mechanical to electric
Key features on Ridley's latest model include a tapered 1 1/8-to-1 1/2in front end, an oversized BB30 bottom bracket shell, internal cable routing that's convertible for electronic or mechanical drivetrains, and flattened sections on the seat stays to promote vertical flex on rough ground. Aside from that, it's a fairly standard modular monocoque frame that nonetheless found itself on the podium of one of the most prestigious one-day road races in the world.
Roelandts' frameset may have been mid-range but the build kit was decidedly high-end, including a Campagnolo Record EPS electronic group and matching Bora Ultra Two deep-section carbon tubular wheels wrapped with 25mm-wide, team-only Continental Competition Pro Limited ProTection tires. The Belgian rider's cockpit was also on par with the rest of the peloton with a forged aluminum Zero 100 stem, carbon fiber Superzero seatpost, and aluminum Newton Shallow traditional bend handlebar – in an increasingly common 40cm width for aerodynamics and double-wrapped with Lizard Skins DSP tape – all from Deda.
The beefy drivetrain chain stay sports a magnet for a power meter
Even so, there were still a few nods to workhorse-level gear such as the all-steel Campagnolo Chorus cassette, Xsilite-railed Selle San Marco Regale saddle, and Look KéO 2 Max pedals.
All told, it added up to a 7.72kg/17.02lb package without the SRM PowerControl 7 computer – heavy by modern superbike standards but clearly still plenty fast thanks to the legs that powered it.
You can check out the other bikes of the 2013 Tour of Flanders podium on BikeRadar, including Fabian Cancellara's Trek Domane 6-Series and Peter Sagan's Cannondale Synapse Evo Hi-Mod.
Roelandts rides the same mid-level frameset available to consumers, but with Campy EPS
Complete bike specifications
Frame
Ridley Fenix Classic, size M
Fork
Ridley Fenix Classic
Headset
FSA Orbit integrated, 1 1/8-to-1 1/2" tapered
Stem
Deda Zero 100, 130mm x -8°
Handlebars
Deda Newton Shallow, 40cm (c-c)
Tape/grips
Lizard Skins DSP, double wrapped
Front brake
Campagnolo Record D Skeleton dual-pivot w/ carbon-specific pads
Rear brake
Campagnolo Record D Skeleton dual-pivot w/ carbon-specific pads
Brake levers
Campagnolo Ergopower Ultra-Shift Record EPS
Front derailleur
Campagnolo Record EPS
Rear derailleur
Campagnolo Record EPS
Shift levers
Campagnolo Ergopower Ultra-Shift Record EPS
Cassette
Campagnolo Chorus 11 speed, 11-25T
Chain
Campagnolo Record 11 speed
Crankset
Campagnolo Record Ultra-Torque 11 speed, 172.5mm, 53/39T
Bottom bracket
Campagnolo Record Ultra-Torque OS-Fit
Pedals
Look KéO 2 Max
Wheelset
Campagnolo Bora Ultra Two tubular
Front tire
Continental Competition Pro Limited ProTection tubular, 25mm
Rear tire
Continental Competition Pro Limited ProTection tubular, 25mm
Saddle
Selle San Marco Regale w/ Xsilite rails
Seat post
Deda Superzero
Bottle cages
Tacx Tao aluminum (2)
Computer
SRM PowerControl 7
Critical measurements
Rider's height
1.85m (6' 1")
Rider's weight
78kg (172lb)
Saddle height, from BB (c-t)
778mm
Saddle setback
70mm
Seat tube length, c-t
540mm
Seat tube length, c-c
500mm
Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem)
583mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical)
106mm
Head tube length
175mm
Top tube length
565mm (horizontal)
Total bicycle weight
7.72kg (17.02lb) without computer
Array