Ridley

X-Night Disc Rival 1 Cyclocross Bike - 2018

The 2018 Ridley X-Night Disc Rival 1 Complete Cyclocross Bike is ready to do battle with its perfect blend of new technology and classic Euro design in any cross conditions. Slather on the sunscreen and get out the file treads for the early season hot and dusty events and trade that out for the embrocation and mud tubulars for the later season rain, sleet and mud fests. This is Ridley's second tier cross bike, and they wisely spec it with SRAM's workhorse 1x Rival drivetrain and powerful hydraulic disc brakes for a value-packed group that doesn't sacrifice on race-worthy functionality. The Rotor 3D30 crank with 42t chainring pairs with an 11-32t cassette to provide exceptional gearing for any terrain you will find on the course. Anything that's too steep for that gearing is better tackled on foot anyway. Getting the power to the ground is a set of DT Swiss R24 Spline DB tubeless-ready wheels sporting Clement's fast rolling and grippy MXP tires.

The X-Night is constructed from 24t high-modulus carbon fiber that channels all of your pedal power into forward motion while preventing rough sections of the course from reaching the rider to leads to fatigue. Internal cable routing gets the housing out of the way for easy shouldering on the run-ups and sandpits and prevents cables from becoming contaminated. The race-specific European cyclocross geometry offers quick handling and makes picking lines on tricky, technical courses a breeze. The generous clearance allows tires to easily pass through the chainstays, be it on a dry grassy course or a peanut butter mud-filled one in the Pacific Northwest parcours.

The X-Night's fork is new as well with flat mounts for the disc brake calipers and a 12mm thru-axle for a solid ride, with a slight asymmetry to counter the torsional forces applied to the left fork leg when slowing down. Stainless steel inserts at the dropouts protect the carbon from damage, and a scuff plate on the inner left fork legs protects the carbon surface from rotors during frantic wheel changes in the pit. The added durability adds up to a reliable and longer fork lifespan, so you don't have to second guess if you're fork is up to the challenge.