Ridley has two new Area tune motorcycles, at reverse ends of the velodrome racing spectrum. Select the aluminum Area A and also you get a no-nonsense workout at the reasonably priced simplicity of a tune motorbike. Or pass to absolutely the different excessive with the entire carbon Ridley Area Rapid, a pro-level tune racer the likes of which has been ridden to set the Hour File in its earlier iteration…
Ridley Area tune motorcycles in reasonably priced Alloy or Rapid carbon
A brand-new 250m indoor wooden velodrome lately opened in Belgium simply 10km from Ridley’s headquarters on the biking well-known Zolder Circuit. Whether or not you want to race vehicles, highway motorcycles, cyclocross, or BMX, Zolder has you coated. And now, in case you don’t need to chilly, rainy & muddy on move motorcycles in the course of iciness, you’ll teach and race within at the new tune.
In an effort to rejoice the outlet of Flanders’ new Heusden-Zolder Velodroom Limburg, Ridley debut two new tune motorcycles.
Inexpensive aluminum Area A
In my thoughts, the Ridley Area A is in truth essentially the most fascinating of the 2, since only a few common cyclists are simply going to move out and purchase a perfect high-end carbon frameset and building up some tremendous tune motorbike. However a contemporary UCI-approved race-worthy alloy tune motorbike is moderately reasonably priced, and a large number of a laugh.
Purchase this kind of for less than two grand, and you’ll teach throughout the iciness at the new Zolder velodrome for simply 13€ in line with two hour consultation.
Alloy Tech Main points, Pricing & Availability
The Area A is a simple triple-butted 7005-T6 alloy body alloy body with subtly aero hydroformed formed tubing for optimum stiffness. Pair that to an aero complete carbon 4Za aero fork for a stiff journey, optimized to journey in counter-clockwise circles on completely clean picket forums.
It is available in 4 inventory sizes (XS-L) with steep, competitive track-proven geometry.
The alloy Ridley Area A is to be had completely in one entire motorbike construct for 1900€, with an alloy Miche Pistard construct package & DT Swiss wheels. You’ll order one now out of your native Ridley broker. Supply is slated for roughly 5-6 weeks from now in mid-December.
Area Rapid
Now, striking budgets apart, the brand new Ridley Area Rapid will in all probability make your laps across the tune noticeably sooner. Advanced in parallel with this summer season’s all-new Dean Rapid time trial motorbike, the Area Rapid cuts an excessively an identical profile.
Maxed out inside the newest UCI technical rules, the group advanced the quickest tune motorbike conceivable. Most significantly, the newly allowable 8:1 tubing profile rule. Designed in CFD, then shown within the Motorcycle Valley wind tunnel that’s actually subsequent door to Ridley HQ, the Area Rapid will have to be, smartly… speedy.
Carbon Tech Main points
The core overarching design rules had been optimized aerodynamics, maximized stiffness, and unwavering energy switch.
Key to the aero efficiency are the deep F-tubing aerofoil shapes after all.
However the Ridley Area Rapid additionally inherits the F-Floor Plus grooves alongside the frontal profile of its headtube and fork. Breaking boundary layer airflow over the motorbike makes for smoother aerodynamics.
Stiffness and gear switch in the long run come right down to a cautious combine of 4 grades of Torayca 24-60T carbon fibers. Pair that to a tapered 1.125-1.125″ headset and a PF30 backside bracket for slim however stiff connections.
Adaptability & Most UCI-Allowable Geometry
Ridley created the Area Rapid as a unmarried adaptable carbon frameset as a way to race throughout all tune disciplines. More than a few cockpit setups, even forks with axle flip-chips, and naturally other wheelsets can tweak the Area Rapid for the entirety from dash to pursuit racing.
The brand new tune race motorbike includes a standard 1 1/8″ higher steerer set down into the toptube or above with customized spacers, for usual bar+stem compatibility. However after all, essentially the most aero setup is Ridley’s personal modular flush-fit 1-piece stem and base bar cockpit.
The overall carbon Area Rapid fork is to be had in tremendous slim 70mm hub spacing or usual 100mm. And each and every additionally includes a flip-chip on the bolt-on entrance axle. That mainly we could riders pick out 35mm or 45mm fork offset for his or her perfect dealing with really feel. And even thru-axle appropriate flip-chips, too.
Out again, wheel customization (and future-proofing) is similar tale, with integrated chain tensioners for the horizontal fork ends. And likewise bolt-on or 12mm thru-axle wheel compatibility.
Ridley most effective makes the Area Rapid in two body sizes (M & L). However, they are saying it gives sufficient variation to suit maximum elite athletes. They usually created the Massive to give you the longest allowable entrance heart measurement beneath UCI law, “maximizing motorbike period beneath present rules”.
Ridley Area Rapid tune motorbike – Pricing, Choices & Availability
The brand new carbon Ridley Area Rapid tune motorbike is to be had completely as framesets. So, select from the 5000€ Dash setup with simply the body, fork, headset & seatpost.
Or pick out the 6000€ Pursuit frameset. It then provides within the swish basebar cockpit crowned off with a suite of Deda Jet2 aerobar extensions.
Now the restricting issue is availability.
Formally, the brand new carbon tune motorbike isn’t but in-stock, and not using a respectable supply date given. However, Ridley has invited professional riders, biking groups, and nationwide federations to get in contact. Purchase the brand new Area Rapid tune motorbike, and Ridley “can be offering tune and wind tunnel trying out to optimize the [rider’s] efficiency“, making the most of the Motorcycle Valley tunnel and new Zolder Velodrome.
