No rainbow jersey. Not even a medal from women's a road race. The Dutch star-filled team once again deployed tactics that were, in the best scenario, questionable. With just shy of 10km to go, Demi Vollering attacked on a steep climb, bringing rivals including later winner Kopecky with her but dropp...

Compared to Ridleys previous gravel racer, the Kanzo Fast, which secured victory in our big 2023 gravel race comparison test, the brand-new ASTR RS wants to be significantly more modern. Tire width, cockpit, and aerodynamics are all state-of-the-art, which is supposed to make the difference in demanding gravel races. Weve tested the ASTR RS to see if it delivers.Ridley ASTR RS | 11,699 | 7,82 kg in Size M | Manufacturers WebsiteThe Ridley ASTR RS was developed in close collaboration with the Classified Ridley Factory Team. To meet the increased demands of modern gravel races, Ridley combined the features of their two top gravel bikes with new aerodynamic approaches and significantly reduced weight.The ASTR RS is designed to deliver the precise, direct handling of a race bike while also setting new standards in aerodynamics, and, at the same time, is built to handle much rougher gravel tracks. As a result, the tire clearance has grown significantly to an impressive 52 mm, and the geometry has been adjusted accordingly. The Ridley Kanzo Fast, which secured the coveted Best in Test title in our big 2023 gravel race comparison test, has a strong race DNA with razor-sharp handling and optimised aerodynamics. The Ridley Kanzo Adventure, also a master of its class, won the gravel adventure comparison test. The ASTR RS inherits its generous 52 mm tire clearance, remarkable versatility, and outstanding off-road capabilities.From two comes one: The Kanzo Fast passes on its race DNAthe Kanzo Adventure its off-road capability.Ridley makes one thing clear: the ASTR RS is a thoroughbred, highly specialised race bike aiming for the podium, not an adventure bike that can race if needed. The experience of recent years has shown that in gravel races like the Unbound 200, its becoming increasingly important to optimise aerodynamics and rolling resistance on rough gravel tracks at an average speed of 35 km/h over a distance of 320 km. A quick glance at the bikes of this years top 10 clearly shows: wide tires, deep rims, and narrow cockpits.The Ridley ASTR RS in detailIn typical Ridley fashion, the ASTR RS can be customised to your personal preferences using the manufacturers online configurator. Here you can customise the paint job and spec to suit your preferences and budget. Our test bike comes in one of the three standard paint finishes and relies exclusively on top-tier components.Smooth! The workmanship of the frame and paintwork leave nothing to be desired.The SRAM RED AXS XPLR 113 drivetrain relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur and provides a wide gear range with smaller gear jumps. This is meant to ensure precise, fast shifting while increasing the drivetrains durability. The expensive top-tier package is rounded off by an outstanding, powerful one-finger brake.The 1046 SRAM RED XPLR cassette impresses with a huge gear range and fine gear ratio and if thats not enough, you have the option to mount a front derailleur.The frame of the ASTR RS is also compatible with 2x drivetrains and comes standard with a front derailleur mount, which can be used as a chainguide mount when running a 1x setup. The only limitation is that the maximum tire clearance is reduced from 52 mm to 47 mm when using a 2x setup.Racey! The narrow 360 mm top handlebars are optimised for inward-angled hoods.The brake hoses are fully concealed inside the frame.A trend thats already widespread in the pro road peloton is narrow cockpits, which allow for the most aerodynamic riding position possible. The new Forza NIMBUS Pro one-piece cockpit measures 36 cm wide at the hoods but becomes significantly wider in the drops thanks to a generous flare, providing plenty of control on technical descents.Ridley ASTR RS 11,699SpecificationsFork RidleySeatpost Forza CarbonBrakes SRAM RED AXS 160/160 mmDrivetrain SRAM RED XPLR AXS 1x13Chainring 42TStem Forza Nimbus ProHandlebar Forza Nimbus ProWheelset DT Swiss GRC1400 12 x 100/12 x 142 mm Through AxleTires Vittoria Terreno Dry 700 x 47cCranks SRAM RED AXS 172.5 mmCassette SRAM RED XPLR 10-44TTechnical DataSize XS S M L XLWeight 7.82 kgSpecific FeaturesThe DT Swiss GRC 1400 SPLINE 42 wheels arent the optimal choice for such wide tires.However, they look great paired with the 47 mm Vittoria Terreno Dry tires with tan walls.That aerodynamics are becoming increasingly important is also evident in the wheel choice. The deep 42 mm DT Swiss GRC 1400 SPLINE 42 wheels, with an internal width of 24 mm and a rim width of 32 mm, are definitely suitable for wide tires. However, for better aero performance, the new DT Swiss GRC 1100 Dicut 50 gravel wheelset would make more sense, as its better suited to wide tires. That the wheel-tire combination is crucial for aero performance has already been shown on road bikes, and as you can see: road bike trends are making their way to gravel bikes.The fitted Vittoria Terreno Dry tires in 47 mm width look great on the bike. However, despite their fast tread pattern, they didnt fully convince us in our gravel tire comparison test due to high rolling resistance and limited puncture protection.The frame provides clearance for up to 52 mm wide tires.Thanks to the cut-out in the seat tube, the chainstays remain nice and short.Another piece of evidence supporting this theory is the fork of the ASTR RS, which, like Ridleys all-round race bike, the Ridley Falcn RS, aims to efficiently channel airflow past the down tube using a diffuser. Ridley developed an aero bag system in collaboration with Apidura that minimises drag and fits perfectly to the ASTR RS. The system grows with the frame size and offers plenty of storage for long races with few rest stops. For easy attachment, there are mounts in the front triangle and on the top tube. Additionally, the frame can take up to three bottle cages. However, as expected on a purebred race bike, you wont find mounts for mudguards or a luggage rack.The geometry of the Ridley ASTR RSWhen it comes to geometry, the Ridley ASTR RS takes many cues from the reigning gravel race king: the Ridley Kanzo Fast. At 71.5, the head angle is identical, ensuring precise handling. Despite the significantly more generous tire clearance, the chainstays remain the same length, which is possible thanks to a cut-out in the seat tube. This is intended to preserve the bikes nimble acceleration and agility.The top tube and wheelbase have been slightly increased to provide more stability at higher speeds. The head tube shrinks by a substantial 18 mm, allowing for a much more aggressive riding position. The ASTR RS is available in five different sizes, XS to XL.SizeXSSMLXLSeat tube475 mm500 mm520 mm550 mm575 mmTop tube525 mm545 mm565 mm585 mm600 mmHead tube115 mm130 mm150 mm175 mm200 mmHead angle71.071.071.571.571.5Seat angle74.574.074.074.073.5Chainstay425 mm425 mm425 mm425 mm425 mmBB drop75 mm75 mm75 mm75 mm75 mmWheelbase1006 mm1027 mm1043 mm1064 mm1085 mmReach376 mm392 mm406 mm419 mm432 mmStack536 mm550 mm571 mm595 mm619 mmRidley ASTR RS first ride testExpectations for the ASTR RS are sky-high. Can Ridley live up to their success? For this first ride review, we took the Belgian manufacturers brand-new gravel weapon to the Dolomites, where we put it through the wringer on fast gravel tracks, rough descents, and steep climbs. The ASTR RS exudes race vibes even when stationary. The build quality is excellent, leaving no doubt about the quality and durability of the materials. The aggressive, narrow cockpit, deep rims, and relatively slim frame despite the massive tire clearance, make one thing clear: the ASTR RS is all about speed on rough terrain.Ready, set, go! A few powerful pedal strokes kick off the test ride. The stiff frame efficiently transfers power to the rear wheel, ensuring nimble acceleration. Straight away, youll notice the lower system weight compared to the Kanzo Fast, which weighs nearly 1 kg more. Despite the 47 mm (!) Vittoria Terreno Dry tires, the bike accelerates effortlessly, both on flat terrain and steep inclines. Once up to speed, the ASTR RS holds it efficiently. The narrow cockpit and shorter head tube create a sporty riding position that makes it easy to slice through the wind. The deep rims, frame, and fork round off the aero concept, making the ASTR RS feel like an incredibly efficient bike at high speeds.The narrow, deep cockpit allows for an aerodynamic riding position.To carry the speed through loose gravel corners, you need control and grip. The 47 mm Vittoria Terreno Dry tires do a great job in this regard, providing stability and composure. If you swap to 38 mm tires, the familiar, playful handling of the Kanzo Fast returns. However, on fast, rough descents, the additional stability of wider tires makes perfect sense. On technical descents, we recommend moving your hands to the much wider drops, as the 36 cm narrow top section doesnt offer enough control.The 47 mm wide tires provide plenty of comfort.When it comes to comfort, the voluminous tires do most of the work, while the frame remains stiff, ensuring efficient power transfer. The 3D-printed Selle Italia SLR Boost 3D Superflow saddle and the Forza Nimbus Pro cockpit are ergonomically impressive and pleasantly unobtrusive during the ride. The same goes for the SRAM RED AXS XPLR groupset, which performs reliably in all situations and allows you to brake confidently with just one finger, even on the steepest descents. The Ridley ASTR RS can build on the performance of its predecessors and, in our opinion, places itself ahead of the Ridley Kanzo Fast in Ridleys gravel race line-up, which is mainly due to its versatility, low system weight, and precise handling.Who should take a closer look at the Ridley ASTR RS?The Ridley ASTR RS is a fast, efficient, and precise gravel racer with generous reserves for rough terrain and enough tire clearance for muddy race tracks. If youre after a fast bike for gravel, this bike wont disappoint whether in the mountains or on flat terrain. While the wide tires and luggage mounts suggest fast bikepacking potential, the aggressive cockpit and sporty riding position are clearly racing-focused. If youre looking for a nimble adventure gravel rig with playful handling, the Ridley Kanzo Adventure would be the better choice.Helmet Specialized Propero 4 | Glasses 100% Aerocraft | Jersey POC | Bib POC | Socks Fizik | Shoes Shimano S-PHYRE XC9Conclusions about the Ridley ASTR RSWith the ASTR RS, Ridley has once again perfectly captured the trends of the gravel segment. The countless mounting points, optional 2x drivetrain, and generous tire clearance make the ASTR an extremely versatile bike, and allow you to adapt it to any race. The low system weight, efficient power transfer and strong aero performance make it the ideal bike for fast gravel racing. If you love riding fast on gravel, this is the bike for you. Well done!TopsVersatileWell-thought-out overall conceptLightweightFlopsNoneMore information on Ridley.comDer Beitrag Ridley ASTR RS first ride review The gravel racer of the future? erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

The new Santa Cruz Vala eMTB marks a significant departure from its range, ditching its signature VPP (virtual pivot point) linkage in favour of a 4-bar linkage to provide 150mm of rear wheel travel.The shift in suspension linkage is all to do with packaging.The new bike uses Boschs updated full-power Performance Line CX motor (which has brought a raft of new electric mountain bikes to market).Fitting this into a frame that offered the ride characteristics and geometry the brand wanted meant Santa Cruz had to do away with its VPP links.The Vala is built for rough and ready trail riding, with 150mm suspension at the back and 160mm travel forks.Mullet (MX) wheels boost handling, while a 600Wh battery is said to blend range with weight distribution. Geometry and suspension progression chips are added.Repackaging the frameThe iconic VPP design has been swapped for a Horst-link design to help Santa Cruz fit a Bosch motor to their ebikes. Tommy Wilkinson / Santa CruzVirtually every other full-suspension Santa Cruz uses its VPP linkage whereby two counter-rotating links low in the frame drive the shock.However, the Bosch motor doesnt easily sit with this lower linkage design, as the pivot would have to bolt through the motor body not something thats going to work very wellIn order to fit the motor, Santa Cruz has shifted to a more traditional 4-bar Horst linkage on the Vala, enabling the motor to fit, while also ensuring it could use the geometry it wanted.This shift has also enabled Santa Cruz to fit proper long-drop dropper posts into the frame.Neat chassis detailsIts tubes are relatively skinny for a full power ebike. Tommy Wilkinson / Santa CruzAs youd expect, the frame is carbon, with the brand offering builds with both its cheaper C level carbon, and the higher-modulus, lighter and more expensive CC carbon.The frames have all the usual Santa Cruz accoutrements, including simple-to-service large bearings.These require just a 5mm hex key to do a bolt check, with collet axles designed to resist them ever coming loose.The link is bridged to boost stiffness and protect the shock from side loads. The captive flip-chip hardware means bits wont fall on the floor when you adjust it, and replaceable thread inserts so you dont write off your frame if youre a bit ham-fisted.And, theres plenty of protection and bolted tool storage under the top-tube.Numbers matter"Vala" means 'chosen one', according to Google. Tommy Wilkinson / Santa CruzThe kinematics of a bike is what, in theory, determines how it should ride.The three graphs commonly seen cover anti-squat, anti-ride and leverage.Anti-squat determines how much pedal forces stiffen up suspension you want some, as this resists pedal bob, but too much can lead to a harsh and bumpy ride.The Vala has moderately low levels of anti-squat, in keeping with what Santa Cruz is doing across its range.With a motor to help on the climbs, a little more pedal bob, but potentially quite a bit more grip is a compromise worth making.The chain slap protection is impressive. Tommy Wilkinson / Santa CruzAt the sag point, the anti-squat is just above 100 per cent, so the suspension should be stable, while still allowing the rear wheel to track the ground.It falls below 100 per cent later in the stroke, so bigger hits shouldnt result in too much pedal kickback.Anti-rise refers to how much the rear suspension squats under braking. Too much will make the rear suspension stiffen and the wheel skip over the ground, rather than allowing the tyre to stay in contact handy for slowing you down.You want some, though, to help counteract the natural forward shift of your weight under braking.The figures are low on the Vala, and rise, slightly, through the bikes travel, but remains well under 100 per cent throughout. As such, the Vala should provide excellent braking performance.The chainstay to rocker link pivot has a geometry adjusting flip chip. Tommy Wilkinson / Santa CruzLeverage curves refer to the amount of rear wheel travel provided by each unit of shock stroke used.When it comes to leverage curves, Santa Cruz hasnt changes much compared to its current bikes.However, the shift to a 4-bar linkage has enabled longer stroke shocks to be fitted. This means that the leverage ratios have decreased, though.Santa Cruz say this gives better better damping quality and more consistency on long descents, as more of the shock strokes travel is used for any given rear wheel movement.Theres also a progression chip fitted at the base of the shock.The lower shock mount features a progression adjusting flip chip. Tommy Wilkinson / Santa CruzThis gives the bike more or less progression over the range of its travel.The less progressive setting will give a perkier, stiffer initial part of the suspension stroke, with slightly improved pedalling performance.The more progressive setting will be softer and more supple in the early part of the travel, giving more grip and comfort.The Vala will offer 26 per cent or 29 per cent progression.Fine figuresThe Vala is the first Santa Cruz bike to use a Horst-link rear suspension system. Tommy Wilkinson / Santa CruzThe geometry flip-chip offers two options Hi and Lo.They alter the head and seat tube angles by 0.3 degrees and the bottom bracket height by 4mm the Hi setting being steeper and taller.Theres also a roughly 3mm change in reach, with the Hi offering a slightly longer position on the bike.In the Lo setting, a large has a 477mm reach, 63.9 degree head angle and a 77.2 degree seat tube angle these are all in keeping with modern trends for a bike of this ilk.Santa Cruz has maintained its offering of size specific chainstay lengths, ranging from 440mm to 451mm in the Lo setting, across the Small to XXL size range. SMLXLXXLSeat tube angle (degrees)77.277.277.277.277.2Head tube angle (degrees)63.963.963.963.963.9Chainstay (mm)440441444447451Seat tube (mm)380400420460500Top tube (mm)574602623646675Head tube (mm)110120130145160Bottom bracket height (mm)340340340340340Wheelbase (mm)12111242126912981334Stack (mm)626636644657671Reach (mm)432456477497522 Edit Table Santa Cruz motor and battery specsBosch's newest Performance Line CX motor with 600Wh batter is fitted. Tommy Wilkinson / Santa CruzThe Vala is built around the new Bosch Performance Line CX motor.Its a full-power motor, offering 85Nm of torque and 600W of peak power. The unit has a claimed weight of 2.8kg almost identical to the Shimano EP801 motor.The motor has four standard modes, which can be customised in an app, with the on-bar mode controller being wireless. Theres a top-tube display to show battery range and mode.This is paired with a 600Wh battery, stowed in the downtube, and fixed in place. This helps keep weight down, and should contribute to a quieter bike.600Wh is said to be as much as most riders need, and helps keep the overall weight of the battery lower in the frame when compared to the 800Wh batteries that extend all the way to the top of the downtube.If more range is needed, then Boschs 250Wh PowerMore range extender can be fitted.Santa Cruz Vala CC X0 AXS RSV initial ride impressionsIt's got an easy-to-ride quality that makes jumping on it fun and rewarding. Tommy Wilkinson / Santa CruzSenior technical editor Alex Evans was hand-delivered a brand new Vala ahead of the launch. He managed to do two rides on the bike on his home trails in Scotlands Tweed Valley before the embargo lifted, and his initial ride impressions are below.Hopping onto the Vala for the first time reveals a comfortably balanced ride feel with little adjustment, I felt at home.Theres an unbiased seated riding position. The steep seat tube angle places your hips comfortably over the bottom bracket but doesnt transfer too much of your weight into your hands on flatter blasts along fire roads.The new Horst-link suspension feels smooth and supple. It offers plenty of geometry-stabilising progression (even in the lowest 26 per cent flip chip position) to preserve your riding position and resist excessive sag when gradients really steepen.On the climbs, the Vala feels comfortable and stable. Tommy Wilkinson / Santa CruzComfort, control and composure are all well within your grasp, which really doubles down on the bikes familiar feel.The new Bosch Performance Line CX motors power, torque, and assistance mapping felt identical to the previous model, which is no bad thing given the brands class-leading position.However, the freewheel rattle when descending on rough terrain has been totally eliminated. Combine that with the finned chain slap protection, and the Vala is eerily quiet downhill.The front and rear suspension is well-matched. Tommy Wilkinson / Santa CruzSuspension performance is excellent, absorbing small stutter bumps and large compressions with absolute conviction. To boot, the rear ends Fox Float X shock and Fox 38 GRIP X2 fork felt incredibly well matched.Its balanced feel comes into play when descending sitting neutrally in the bike's centre makes overweighting either end less likely. Control is delivered directly into the palms of your hands you dont have to work hard to keep the Vala on track.Alex is going to be spending more time on the Vala over the coming weeks so keep tuned for a full review soon.Santa Cruz Vala models and pricingThe Horst-link suspension design is used by many other manufacturers thanks to its tubeability. Tommy Wilkinson / Santa CruzFive models will be offered in the Vala, with the top two featuring its higher-spec CC carbon.All bikes feature Fox Float X shocks, and all bar the base R model have Fox 38 forks.Schwalbes new Radial Casing Magic Mary tyres feature on all models, too.Well add US pricing as soon as we have it.Santa Cruz Vala RThe base model Vala receives the C level carbon, along with a 160mm travel RockShox ZEB Base fork and Performance level Float X shock from Fox.SRAMs NX Eagle mechanical drivetrain is paired with their DB8 brakes with 220/200mm rotors.Alloy Reserve 30|HD wheels are supplied.6,699Santa Cruz Vala SNext in the range is the R model, with upgrades to suspension and drivetrain.A Fox 38 Performance fork greets the Float X Performance shock, while theres now a GX mechanical drivetrain.SRAMs Maven brakes feature here, as does a OneUp V3 dropper and RaceFace ARC30 wheels.7,599Santa Cruz Vala GX AXSAs the name suggests, this middle-tier model gets electronic gears from SRAMs GX AXS Transmission family.Theres also Performance Elite level suspension at both ends and the same ARC 30 wheels from RaceFace.8,599Santa Cruz Vala X0 AXS RSVThe second-best model sees Kashima gold featured in the Factory level fork and shock, and as the name suggests, SRAMs X0 AXS Transmission gears.Theres SRAM Maven brakes and Reserves carbon 30|HD C front and 31|DH rear rims on DT Swiss 350 hubs.9,999Santa Cruz Vala XX AXS RSVTop of the tree gets you all the bells and whistles.An XX AXS Transmission, Ultimate level Maven brakes, carbon rims with i9 Hydra hubs and of course, Factory level fork and shock.Youll have to dig deep, though.11,999

A rare arterial condition curtailed Zdenk tybar illustrious career but not before one last heroic home tilt at the cyclo-cross Worlds