The Belgian manufacturer is expanding its portfolio with inexpensive versions of its successful models. The new Helium in particular draws attention - the light all-rounder with lots of driving fun is now available for 3.199 euros.
The Belgian manufacturer offers three road bike models: the aerodynamically optimized Noah, the comfortable all-rounder Fenix and the light Helium. With an extra-short wheelbase and rather steep angles designed for particularly agile handling and great maneuverability, the latter is the perfect racing machine for everyone who is on varied terrain with tight corners and steep bends - a bike that is made for powerful acceleration and frequent Change of direction, as they are typical for the Belgian spring classics.
Save with the Essential Series
The only drawback of the Helium Disc so far has been its rather high price – nothing could be done for less than 5.000 euros. But with the "Essential Series" there is now a new model at the start that is significantly cheaper. And that without major compromises: the slim frame with round tube profiles and pencil-thin seatstays is indistinguishable from the expensive SLX model, apart from the 120 grams more weight - so the new model is still well under 1.000 grams, according to the manufacturer. The completely integrated cable and line routing was also adopted from the top model - it goes under or through the stem directly into the head tube, so that the cockpit appears as tidy as possible. Especially if you order the Helium with Sram Rival AXS, which, as a wireless electronic shifter, does not require any shifter cables.
As the cheapest Helium Disc of the Essential Series, the bike with Shimano 105 and simple Shimano wheels costs 3.199 euros; with the aforementioned Sram Rival AXS and aluminum wheels from Ridley's own brand Forza, the bike is available for an attractive 4.399 euros. The very well-functioning electronic groupset comes with 48/35 chainrings and a 10-36 twelve-speed sprocket, although the latter is actually too wide and not graduated finely enough for racing bikes. Here the 10-30 wreath would be better.
Many colors in the configurator
The configurator on the Ridley website offers a lot of freedom when it comes to color design: for an additional charge of 100 euros, there is a three-tone paint finish of your choice, and you can also book high-profile aluminum wheels or light carbon wheels. The individual Helium hardly costs more than 5.100 euros, which is still very cheap in view of the high-quality equipment - with the Helium Disc SLX the frame set alone costs 3.949 euros. Of course, this option is not available with the Essential model.
The aero racer Noah is now also available in an essential version – with Shimano 105 from 3.699 euros, with Ultegra from 4.499 euros. With both model series, Ridley is likely to open up an even broader group of customers - and anyone who knows the bikes from the Belgian manufacturer knows that that's a reason to be happy.
www.ridley-bikes.com
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