Ridley

Fenix SL Disc Ultegra Complete Bike - 2017

The peloton is notoriously averse to change, so when disc brakes start to voluntarily appear in the top tiers of European racing, you know that the technology isn't just a marketing gimmick. As such, Ridley's 2017 Fenix SL Disc Ultegra Complete Bike brings all the Flanders-worthy elements we loved in the rim brake version and ups the braking modulation ante with Shimano's Ultegra hydraulic braking system. Add in our own custom colorway, the legendarily trustworthy Ultegra mechanical drivetrain, and stiff, responsive thru axles, and you have a race-ready ride that's as functional as it is prepared for the bike industry's future.

While this Fenix is more than capable in Flandrian sprint finishes and animated road race tactics, its combination of powerful disc brakes and artful layup of vibration devouring unidirectional carbon fibers expand its capabilities beyond buttery smooth pavement into roads (and paths) less traveled. In comparison to the super-stiff featherweight frames in Ridley's line that use up to 60-ton moduli, the Fenix SL utilizes a blend of 30-ton and 24-ton carbon to strike a balance between road-smoothing compliance, rigid efficiency, and race-worthy weight. Poorly graded gravel, cobbles, and other road hazards that would otherwise feel like jarring punches on a 60-ton carbon take on all the disagreeability of crosswalk paint—though the stiff, tapered head tube does provide responsive steering to dodge the unrideable obstacles.

Compared to the original Fenix, the Fenix Disc also has a slightly bigger wheelbase, measuring 2mm longer for a size medium. While this difference is more pronounced in the smallest sizes, even the bigger frames benefit from a more stable footprint for loose gravel and packed dirt roads. The adventure-minded cyclist will also appreciate the Disc model's increased tire clearance, allowing bigger tires for maximum plushness and reliability on everything from summer chipseal and sun-soaked logging roads to loose limestone gravel.