Ridley bikes

the playing mantis
the playing mantis Posts: 2,129
edited November 2012 in Road general
One of the pro teams rides them, but whats there reputatition, good bikes? had heard they are just generic frames rebadged a la cube (puts tin hat on), just wondering how come wiggle are selling them at nearly 50% discount (which i ahave alerted road buyers to in that section) seems a terrific deal, but is there a catch, apart from the fact they are not very well known or 'mainstream'? (which isnt a catch, indeed a bonus imo, just a reason some people may stear clear of them leading to wiggle having to offer massive discounts)

Comments

  • mcockram85
    mcockram85 Posts: 14
    I have a Ridley Noah RS that I brought from Wiggle and I absolutely love it, I've had it for about 6 months now and it's a fantastic bike for the money.

    It's nice and stiff and it feels quick up hills (you could debate the aero advantages of a split fork all you like but it feels faster). The RS is certainly a racy set up so not suited to everyone but for me it's ideal.

    They're not that popular in the UK which is strange as they do provide bikes for Lotto-Belisol, maybe its just because they aren't a fancy Italian brand, their only competition from Belgium would be the Merckx bikes which again are not as popular as you'd expect them to be.

    The only gripe I have had with it is that I managed to bust one of the aero spokes on a commute to work, it could well be just a freak event but I have swapped the wheels out now for another set of wheels that I already owned for the winter anway.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,698
    Very popular over here. I think they have a factory in Belgium, but that might be just a painting operation (for many other brands though)

    Good Bikes!
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • the playing mantis
    the playing mantis Posts: 2,129
    interesting stuff, lot of value in those wiggle offers it seems, btw think u need to update ur blog ddraver!
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,698
    yeah - this trip has been as boring as buggery....

    it's not even that cold!
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • Wacky Racer
    Wacky Racer Posts: 638
    edited November 2012
    I'm really happy with my Ridley Orion. My LBS built mine up with Campy Veloce groupset. All I can add is that the frame is nice and light, and stiff, and it rides well, it's not too stretched, and is very well finished.

    The statement on their website suggests they are anything but generic frames...
    "We have a simple design philosophy here at Ridley—build the best riding bicycle, end of story. The seminal impulse for every design comes from cyclists - professional competitors, club racers and enthusiastic amateurs, all of whom share the same desire: to possess the best bicycle in the world. We computer-engineer desire into designs, and then bring them to life in prototype form. We then build a sequence of prototypes. We analyze tube profiles, materials and frame geometry. We stress-test in the laboratory, and then we ride-and-repeat until every bicycle that bears our name rides like a Ridley.
    Our carbon frames require over 100 pieces of carbon fiber material, and each layer of pre-impregnated fibers must be oriented to deliver the exact combination of strength and compliance. We used the power of our engineers to work out the ultimate layup sequence, we then apply a century of Belgian cycling heritage to ensure that the strength, stiffness and compliance values achieved in the laboratory-translate into Ridley’s now legendary performance on the road. Cycling is our passion, we apply it to everything we create."
    Ridley Orion
  • the playing mantis
    the playing mantis Posts: 2,129
    new cyclists want to crack onto them on wiggle then, short ones that is, fantastic value
  • mkviken
    mkviken Posts: 217
    i test rode an orion 105 and it was a very nice bike. the frame seemed very good quality and the bike in general had a more expensive feel to it than cube imo.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Yep, pretty sure Ridley aren't re-badged. They are too innovative for that - integrated brakes, aero frames etc.
  • ilm_zero7
    ilm_zero7 Posts: 2,213
    Ridley stuff is quite individual, and the upper end bikes inovative - I admire them for that. A nice bike to own if you dont want to stay with the herd riding Specialized/Giant/Trek

    The team Lotto bikes are stunning close up too
    http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=3370a&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
    Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR2
  • mallorcajeff
    mallorcajeff Posts: 1,489
    i saw a ridley speed with DA Di2 on it in my local shop last week and I could have wet myself, such a stunning looking thing, 10'000 euros though! jesus. a friend of my step daughter has one and he is turning pro next year and has one via a sponsor deal here in mallorca and i went for a ride with him and it certainly wasnt slow but then thats more down to him I think, flash 19 year old! He also has the TT bike which looked incredible. A dean I think it was with a FFWD disc wheel. i love the look of them, dont think they are generic? not for that money surely? never ridden one though so dont know what like to ride
  • giropaul
    giropaul Posts: 414
    I'm suprised the OP isn't more aware of them; plenty around (I've got 3 or 4!). They sponsor Lotto, but also quite a few Belgain 2nd division teams, and especially 'cross teams. 'Cross world champion was on one a yaer or so back.

    Rather than being "re-badged" they actually re-badge their frames for some UK shops.

    Great bikes with Belgian handling - bombproof over pave!

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