A brand-new, dedicated cyclocross bike is a rare site these days, but if anyone’s going to launch one it’s Belgian brand Ridley. And they have.
The new Ridley X-Night RS builds on its 20-world-championship-winning pedigree with a frame that introduces aerodynamic shaping and cleaner integrations purpose-built for ‘cross racers.
The front of the bike gets a deeper head tube with aero shapes inspired by their FALCN RS road bike. Further back, the D-shaped seatpost cuts a bit more drag, but more importantly prevents the saddle from twisting if (when) you wreck.
Fully integrated stealth brake hoses clean up airflow even more, remove spots for mud and crud to hang out, and also make the bike easier to clean post-race. To do this, the upper headset bearing size is larger (as is the case with most stealth routed bikes running cables through the headset), and Ridley says this oversized setup increases overall frame stiffness and steering precision, which is perfect for cyclocross’s tight corners and sharp turns.
The BB area has smoother transitions into the seat tube and chainstays, eliminating spots for mud buildup to stick. And they gave it more mud clearance around the rear tire.
Just above it, the front derailleur mount is easy to remove and cover for 1x setups.
The top tube remains straight with a flattened belly for easier shouldering. And while you’re not likely to use them much during a race, they added more bottle cage mounting points for long training sessions in the heat of the summer. Summer? Yes, because remember, always, ‘cross is coming.
As for the bike, it’s not coming until September. Four sizes are offered (XS/S/M/L) in stock and custom build options. Pricing TBA.
