OK, so technically, they’re not all in, Ridley will still have some cantilever brake equipped models next year, but for the big sellers, the top bikes are all disc. That’s saying a lot for the future of cyclocross when one of the most respected names in the sport endorses it heavily.
“We’re leading the way with disc brakes for cyclocross,” boasts Todd Schmidt, Ridley’s U.S. Sales Manager. “We have the number one name in ‘cross and we’ll be shipping three disc models to dealers before most other brands are even showing them.”
The X-Fire Disc Ultegra uses virtually the same frame as the standard X-Fire but with disc tabs only. For 2013, it also becomes electronic compatible. Retail is $3,395 with FSA cranks and Ultegra drivetrain. A second spec, the X-Fire Disc Apex, comes in at $2,695.
Full length brake housing means these’ll be hydraulic disc brake compatible as SRAM and others bring components to market. For now, they’re spec’ing Hayes’ CX5 mechanical discs with a Ritchey cockpit across the range of bikes. Schmidt says the Hayes brakes work well with any brand levers and perform exceptionally well, something we’ve heard from other brands, too.
The X-Ride Disc Apex gets the same spec but with an alloy frame. $2,195 retail.
UPDATE: all disc models have 135mm rear hub spacing, and canti bikes will remain 130mm.
The flagship pro-level X-Knight mostly just gets spec updates, including carbon tubulars. Thanks to feedback from riders that want to use their bikes for training as well as racing, they’ve given water bottle bosses for the first time. It’s also now electronic drivetrain compatible thanks to new wire ports on the downtube. No disc model on this one. Yet.
The X-Bow gets a new sloping compact geometry. This gears it toward being a stiffer, lighter frame, particularly in the larger sizes. It also has eyelets for rack as fenders, making it both race worthy and good for everything else you do around town. Retail is just $1,595 with Shimano Tiagra and a frame that’s based on their original Super Cross, which won the World Cyclocross Championships in 2002 (Mario Declerq) and 2003 (Bart Wellens).
WEIGHTS
X-Fire Disc (18lb 11oz) / X-Knight (16lb 2oz) / X-Ride Disc (20lb 9oz)
