Ridley

X-Trail Carbon Force 1 Gravel Bike - 2018

Ridley defines an all-road bike as one that can do everything including road, gravel, and even dabbling into a little CX if you fancy. The X-Trail Carbon Force 1 Complete Bike is equally adept at handling the Tuesday night club ride, long gravel rides and races, and toeing the line at a 'cross race. No need to find a specialty bike that is pigeonholed into one discipline, this bike does it all. By simply swapping the tires, the X-Trail can transform to excel on pavement and beyond.

The X-Trail borrows heavily from the X-Night, the no-holds-barred CX race machine used to snatch up wins on some of the most iconic 'cross races in Europe. The bombproof durability and race-proven pedigree contained in the X-Night's DNA is built into this high modulus carbon fiber frameset so stiffness, lightweight, and durability is covered. The tapered head tube adds to the frame's stiffness and the fork's crown melds perfectly with it, offering a beautiful aesthetic. It's slightly taller too, enhancing comfort and is a perfect addition given the bike's intentions. Super thin seat stays allow a good bit of vertical compliance over the pavé and gravel so you can ride longer and faster with less fatigue. Compared to its 'cross and road line the X-Trail has a lower bottom bracket which, combined with its longer wheelbase, offers more stability. This is immediately welcome when bombing down a fast descent riddled with braking bumps. Thru-axles front and rear improves stiffness on out of the saddle climbs and under braking. The X-Trail's disc brakes work well no matter the weather conditions and allow the frame and fork to easily clear a 36mm tire so you can be tackle any adventure. The Oryx Disc fork is constructed completely of carbon fiber and securely anchors the hubs in place with its 15mm thru axle. This significantly stiffens up the front end and ensures that the caliper and rotor are aligned perfectly even after removing and reinstalling the front wheel. Also of note, the fork has hidden fender mounts furthering its versatility in bad weather.

This X-Trail is built up with SRAM's excellent 1x11 Force CX1 drivetrain. The 46t chainring paired up with a 10-42t cassette means you'll have enough gear for spirited road rides and climbs hovering north of 20%. SRAM Force hydraulic disc brakes provide tons of modulation and plenty of power to scrub speed when it's time to descend. DT Swiss R23 wheels are lightweight and so durable that they will mostly go unnoticed and that is meant to be a compliment. Clement X'Plo MSO tires are a favorite for many mix terrain riders as they roll quick on the tarmac and still have plenty of grip when the road ends. The house brand Forza cockpit including the stem, bar, saddle, and post ensures a smooth and trouble-free ride.