Ridley's Fenix SL has been its most popular bike for a lot of reasons and it boasts a near ideal blend of stiffness and comfort at a decent weight. From the cobbled classics to all-day training rides, more often than not the Lotto-Soudal team chooses the Fenix SL.
Now Ridley has claimed to have dropped weight and increased stiffness with its new Fenix SLX Disc. The Belgian company also claims the bike's ride quality is improved as well to make it Ridley's premier all-around, do-it-all road bike.
- Ridley Fenix SL Disc review
- So long cables as Ridley unveils new Noah SL Aero
- Gallery: Thomas De Gendt's Ridley Helium SLX
Ridley Fenix SLX Disc frame specs
- 60/50/40T carbon
- Claimed frame weight of 850g (Medium)
- BB86
- Thru-axles front and rear
- 30mm tire clearance
Ridley Fenix SLX and Fenix SL compared
Even though the frame comes out of the same mould as the previous Fenix SL, Ridley was able to subtract 300 grams from the frame to come in at 850 grams for a Medium through the use of higher modulus carbon (60/50/40T).
In addition to the weight savings, Ridley also claims a 5 percent increase in stiffness.
The SLX was the frame that German powerhouse Andre Greipel chose to ride for most of the spring classics, so it's sure to be plenty stiff for mere mortals.
Yet thanks to the low junction where the thin seatstays meet the seat tube, the ride is said to be better than ever as well.
Build kit and wheels
The Fenix SLX Disc I have in on test features Campagnolo's new Potenza disc brake group. The 2x11 system, while a bit down the range in the Campy hierarchy, is replete with the classic look and feel of higher-end Italian gear changers.
Magura helped out on the disc brakes, which clamp on 160mm/140mm rotors front and rear. Both are flat mount with the rear residing neatly between the stays.
Now onto the Forza R45-19c wheels. They have the potential to be pretty special.
Instead of a person laying the individual pieces of carbon into the mould following a layup schedule, the new Forza wheels' carbon rim is woven by machine.
By using a machine, less material is needed, overlay is reduced and consistency is all but guaranteed.
The entire wheel building process stays within Europe as well. The rims are made in Germany, lacing and truing is handled by DT Swiss hubs made in Switzerland and the Sapim spokes hail from Belgium.
The result is a rim that's 45mm deep, 19mm wide internally, and weighs around 410 grams. When built with DT Swiss 350 hubs, total wheelset weight comes in around 1,400 grams. Ridley even states they're comparable aerodynamically to the highly respected Zipp 303.
Ridley Fenix SLX Disc pricing
Ridley will have several build kits available beginning with a Shimano Ultegra mechanical build Forza Cirrus kit and DT Swiss R24 db wheels for €4,299.
The new Campagnolo Potenza disc groupset with a Deda Elementi SuperZero kit and Campagnolo Zonda db wheels retails for €5.799.
The fancy Forza wheels can be added for an upcharge.
International pricing was unavailable.