Ridley has launched the Falcn RS 2.0, a new climbing-focused race bike that's designed to prioritise low weight over aerodynamic efficiency.We first spotted the Falcn RS 2.0 in the wild under Uno-X Mobility riders at the Tour Auvergne-Rhne Alpes in June, and it has already proven competitive, ridden to second place on the penultimate stage of the 2026 Vuelta a Espaa by Tobias Johannessen.Johannessen followed up that result with victory on the flat stage 21, on board the Noah Fast, vindicating Ridleys rejection of the single-bike approach.Accordingly, the new model is intended to sit alongside the Noah Fast, and offer options to its sponsored riders and customers, according to the brands drop-bar product manager, Bert Kenens, who concedes that the Noah Fasts weight has made it less suitable for racing in the mountains. Read our first-ride review of the Ridley Falcn RS 2.0A completely new design There's a claimed 12% weight reduction from the previous Falcon RS frame, fork and seatpost. Ashley Quinlan The Falcn RS 2.0s new frame, fork and seatpost combined are claimed to be 12 per cent lighter than the previous Falcn RSs, with the frame tipping the scales at a claimed 705g in a size medium (roughly equivalent to a typical size 56cm). The previous Falcn RS frame weighed 825g in the same size.The standard SRAM Red AXS build is said to weigh 6.2kg (also in a size medium), with Force AXS and Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 builds also scraping under the 6.8kg UCI weight limit.Ridley says the frames tube shapes have been designed to reduce weight, while retaining essential aerodynamic performance. Kenens explained that the brand chose the more traditional-looking tube shapes compared to the previous bike because the carbon can be laid up in a more efficient manner. The Falcn RS 2.0 is an entirely fresh design. Ridley says this enables the frame to be made lighter without compromising its structural requirements.Given the stark differences, the Falcn RS 2.0 represents a completely new design, as opposed to an evolution of the old bike.The flipside is Ridley claims the new bike is around 10 watts slower than the Noah Fast at 50km/h. Tyre clearance is 35mm. Ashley Quinlan However, Kenens says the typical assumption that an aero bike is the fastest was challenged at this year's Tour de France. Yellow jersey incumbent Torstein Tren decided to ride the Falcn RS 2.0 on his second day in the jersey (stage 6, which included the Tourmalet mountain pass), despite being presented with a special yellow Noah Fast frame in time for the day.Regardless of his fortunes that day he lost the jersey to the tough parcours and a rampant Tadej Pogaar Kenens says Tren and his Uno-X team took the decision on performance grounds alone.Progressive race geometry The geometry is progressive and race-focused. Ashley Quinlan The Falcn RS 2.0 also gets what Ridley describes as progressive race geometry.The seat angle is notably steep at 76 degrees through the five-size range, designed to pitch the rider over the bottom bracket for greater pedalling efficiency a direct response to pro riders modern tendency to slam saddles to (and beyond) recommended limits in order to achieve the same effect.Meanwhile, in a similar manner to sibling brand Eddy Merckxs 525R race bike, the top tube has remained the same effective length by shifting forwards, meaning riders shouldnt need to resort to running longer stems to compensate for the forward saddle position. The seat tube angle is a steep 76 degrees on all sizes. Ashley Quinlan Its worth noting that the reach appears longer in the brands geometry charts as a result. This figure is calculated from a horizontal line drawn from the bottom bracket (which has remained in a normal location) to the centre of the head tube (which has moved forwards).Up front, the head tube angle is a more common 73 degrees for sharp and agile handling, according to Kenens, but the head tube has been made taller than the previous Falcn RS which I recall delivering a low-down and aggressive ride position.Ridley says this should contribute to a more comfortable position without resorting to running spacers.Design details The front derailleur hanger can be removed if you want to run the new Falcn in 1x orientation. Ashley Quinlan The Falcn RS 2.0 can only be run with electronic drivetrains, while the front derailleur hanger can be removed for it to sport a 1x drivetrain.The new, smaller-diameter seatpost has resulted in the Di2 battery housing moving from there to the down tube, which Ridley says reduces the risk of cable snags. This is fastened in place using the same clamp design as on the Kanzo Fast 2.0 gravel bike, which sees a carbon shell clamped upon by two titanium bolts.Tyre clearance is rated to 35mm (measured), while the bearings for the headset use CeramicSpeeds Solid Lubrication Technology for fewer servicing needs.The bike features a BB86 press-fit bottom bracket standard.Customisable builds and prices There are SRAM Red AXS and Force AXS builds, or you can opt for Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100. Ashley Quinlan The Ridley Falcn RS 2.0 is available from today in three off-the-peg builds: SRAM Red AXS (11,299 / $14,999 / 12,499), SRAM Force AXS (7,699 / $10,199 / 8,499) and Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 (6,899 / $8,999 / 7,499).However, while these bikes are standard off-the-peg specifications, they are fully customisable using Ridleys bike builder programme.Importantly, the brand allows size modifications to the Forza Nimbus Pro integrated cockpit, and Kenens says the brand is working on a setback version of the seatpost (but expects most riders to prefer the default in-line seatpost to complement the new geometry).The bike comes fitted with TPU inner tubes as standard, purported to deliver comparable rolling resistance benefits to tubeless, but without the risk of sealant drying in transit.