Ridley Bikes presents the ASTR RS, a high-end racing gravel bike that meets all the needs
of the modern gravel circuit. This bike enhances the performance gravel segment and
stands alongside the award-winning Kanzo Fast. Piotr Havik from the Classified Ridley
Factory Team already secured a 4th place at Unbound Gravel on a prototype of this bike.
It’s been an exciting time in gravel bike development recently, now tyre clearance isn’t a limiting factor and manufactures like Ridley are offering some interesting options. To complement the All road Grifn and the go anywhere Kanzo Adventure monster truck, the New ASTR and ASTR RS is for the gravel racer but also ideal for anyone that want’s to ride fast and with clearance for up to 52mm tyres means no compromise in comfort or capability. We are excited to see this latest evolution in gravel, hold on tight, lets see where it goes. Here’s the details from Ridley:
PHC comment
Ridley Bikes presents the ASTR RS, a high-end racing gravel bike that combines aerodynamics and
lightweight features, meeting all the needs of the modern gravel circuit. This bike enhances the
performance gravel segment and stands alongside the award-winning Kanzo Fast. Piotr Havik from
the Classified Ridley Factory Team already placed 4th on a prototype of this bike at Unbound Gravel.
The product developers kept the chainstays as short as possible to accommodate tires up to 52
millimetres without losing the feeling of responsiveness during acceleration. Additionally, the bottom bracket is positioned lower than on bikes designed for comfort, providing more stability at high
speeds. Finally, the head height is lower, allowing for a more aerodynamic position on the bike. In
summary, this results in a modern competitive geometry tailored to the ambitious gravel racer.
What immediately stands out: the ASTR RS has a tire clearance of 52 millimeters with a 1x setup and 47 millimeters with a 2x setup. As the terrain of races becomes rougher and riders feel the need to be prepared for this, they have already been racing on the Kanzo Adventure to have tires of at least 47 millimeters for extra comfort and grip. That’s why the product developers chose to think broader, both literally and figuratively, with the ASTR RS, going up to 52 millimeters (1x setup) and 47 millimeters (2x setup). This confirms Ridley’s role as a trendsetter in the gravel segment.
GEOMETRY
A modern performance geometry demands more stability due to increasingly rough terrain combined with higher speeds. A head tube angle of 71.5 degrees ensures faster handling. The ASTR RS has a steeper seat tube (74 degrees), which improves climbing performance and power transfer compared to a less steep seat tube.
The product developers kept the chainstays as short as possible to accommodate tires up to 52 millimeters without losing the feeling of responsiveness during acceleration. Additionally, the bottom bracket is positioned lower than on bikes designed for comfort, providing more stability at high speeds. Finally, the head height is lower, allowing for a more aerodynamic position on the bike. In summary, this results in a modern competitive geometry tailored to the ambitious gravel racer.
Ridley applies the latest innovations in aerodynamics. This is evident in the fork crown, where the integrated diffuser reduces air resistance. The airflow passes more easily through this fork crown, and the crown adds extra energy so that the airflow can pass the downtube without extra resistance. There is also less resistance in the area behind the head tube and fork.
The inspiration for these adjustments and the tube shapes came from the Falcn RS road bike. The ASTR RS also features a lightweight frame weighing 890 grams (in size Medium), directly impacting your climbing performance and the lively feel of the bike.
FURTHER BUILD
The ASTR RS is compatible with one or two front chainrings. Ridley does this because there is still a demand in the market for the two-by setup. You can remove the integrated front derailleur clamp or replace it with an aero chain guide developed in collaboration with Wolf Tooth.
The number of mounting points is kept to a minimum. The focus is on performance, so Ridley does not provide dynamo routing for the installation of lights (which they do provide on models like the Grifn and the Kanzo Adventure). Every mount means a bolt, which adds extra weight.
A notable feature is the mounting points for Apidura aero packs. These packs manage to make the bike more aerodynamic. This creates extra storage space while allowing you to ride even faster! This is due to the strategic positioning within the frame, which promotes airflow. The prototypes of these bike bags were tested during Unbound 2022, then further optimized and eventually developed into a commercial product.
NIMBUS PRO COCKPIT
Ridley introduces the Nimbus Pro cockpit on the ASTR RS. This cockpit follows the latest trends towards a narrower cockpit, aiming for a natural, even more aerodynamic position on the shifters. This, combined with a flared drop, also provides more stability. Additionally, the top of the handlebar is optimized for aerodynamics and features a backsweep towards the rider, resulting in an ergonomic position.
CLASSIFIED-RIDLEY
The development of a new bike at Ridley always happens in consultation with the riders. With the Classified Ridley Factory Team, they form the very first professional gravel team, and this expertise is certainly not wasted by the engineers. From Unbound to the Traka 360, Classified Ridley is present at every prestigious race and knows the specific needs of the ever-changing gravel circuit better than anyone else. Recently, these races have become increasingly rough, creating new demands for the bike.
After gravel specialist Piotr Havik already became acquainted with the ASTR RS, he decided to tackle Unbound Gravel on this machine. The Dutchman finished fourth in this mythical race in Kansas, confirming the philosophy behind the ASTR RS. It was the fastest edition ever of the classic, which confirms that modern gravel races are faster than ever. After Havik’s performance, many rumors arose about this new race bike, and now Ridley reveals all its secrets.
ASTR
In addition to the ASTR RS, the bike manufacturer is also launching the ASTR as the second member of the ASTR family. This bike shares the features of the ASTR RS. The only difference is the choice of a different carbon composition with a slight weight difference, a round seat post, and the Cirrus Pro Integrated gravel cockpit. Ridley aims to offer everyone the chance to own an ASTR: from ambitious amateurs to the most dedicated pros.
COMPARISONS
The ASTR RS positions Ridley alongside the Kanzo Fast as a performance gravel bike. Even before the gravel hype began, Ridley had already established itself as a trendsetter in the market by offering this competitive bike. Now, Ridley confirms its role as an innovative company by adding an aero-to-weight bike to this performance segment. While the Kanzo Fast focuses entirely on aerodynamics, the ASTR RS is a more versatile gravel bike.
Looking at the entire Ridley range, the Kanzo Adventure was also developed for bikepacking with multiple mounting points, wider tire clearance, and dynamo routing. The all-road Grifn family is suitable for both road and gravel. Ridley aims to cover the entire segment and fully believes that the ASTR RS and the ASTR achieve this.
SUMMARY
The ASTR family combines an adapted performance gravel geometry with a wider tire clearance for the increasingly challenging terrain of gravel adventures. With the ASTR, Ridley pushes the boundaries of gravel racing at the highest level!
