The latest road race trend is increasingly faster speeds. Unlike past races where speed was maintained through drafts on flat ground and competitiveness on uphills was achieved, these days, the speed of the peloton is getting faster, and competition for strong breakaways and downhills is fierce.
For this reason, the demand for aerodynamics has recently increased for road bikes, and efforts are being made to design lightweight but aerodynamic bicycles. In addition, Ridley, a Belgian bicycle brand, also introduced a new race bike, the FALCN RS, which balances aerodynamics and weight.
Ridley’s new road race bike
So far, Ridley has released Helium, a lightweight all-round race bike, and Noah, an aero bike for speed. In addition, we introduced a new race bike, the Falcon RS, optimized for this season’s latest race trends, completing the road bike category that can accommodate a wider variety of courses.
The Falcon RS has the basic characteristics of an aero road bike, but is characterized by the pedaling responsiveness of a lightweight all-round bike and light weight. It is designed to provide the best performance on courses that require high speed and acceleration.
Falcon RS that will satisfy both aerodynamic speed and light acceleration
Aerodynamic design
The Ridley Falcon RS focused on the air resistance of the head area according to the latest aerodynamic research.
First, it was designed to naturally diffuse the airflow passing from the top crown of the fork to the downtube, allowing air to pass through the fork and escape into the downtube more quickly.
In addition, by applying the F-steerer, the cables of the stem-handlebar integrated carbon cockpit are perfectly assembled with internal cables. This design, which creates a sleek appearance, allows the aerodynamic performance of the carbon cockpit to be maximized. This was made possible by the D-shaped steerer tube design, which allows the cable leading inside the cockpit to be inserted into the frame through the front of the steerer tube.
Because of the F-steerer, a mechanical drivetrain cannot be applied, and only Shimano and SRAM’s Di2 and AXS electric systems can be used.
Designed to naturally distribute air flow from the fork crown to the downtube
Stem and handlebar integrated cockpit and perfect internal cable application
F-steerer technology using D-shaped steerer tube
The cable enters the frame through the front of the steerer tube.
D-shaped seatpost considering aerodynamics and ride comfort
Tube design that balances weight and aerodynamics
Ridley carbon design considering weight, rigidity, and ride comfort
The Ridley Falcon RS is designed based on elite carbon design. This is characterized by using Toray’s carbon yarn and evenly arranging carbon with high rigidity of 60T, 50T, 30T, and 24T.
If you simply use only 60T carbon material, you can maintain lightness and high rigidity, but the compliance will be low and you will not be able to respond appropriately to riding comfort and high speeds. Accordingly, Ridley arranged various carbon materials according to their characteristics to respond to fast speeds, high pedaling responsiveness, improved control, and comfortable riding comfort.
The Falcon RS was manufactured with this elite carbon design, showing high rigidity for pedaling and handling, while also providing the ride comfort required for long-term riding and the adaptability to cope with high speeds.
During the test ride, I was able to feel excellent pedaling response and a smooth ride through the steering wheel.
Elite carbon design with appropriate stiffness and compliance by applying various carbon yarns
It is important to increase the rigidity necessary for acceleration and control, and to appropriately arrange compliance for speed and ride comfort.
product image
Simple and modern graphics were applied based on light gray. In an age where complex finishes with multiple colors are popular, a style of design that is less influenced by trends is attractive.
Ridley Falcon RS
It will be sold not only as a frameset, but also as a complete vehicle with various drivetrain combinations.
Derailleur hanger of UDH standard
The front derailleur mount can be separated, so it can be configured with a single chainring combination.
Short chainstays and high rigidity rear triangle
Head design with detailed airflow
Handlebar that satisfies aerodynamics and riding comfort
3-bolt water bottle cage eyelet
A zero-offset seatpost is also provided, creating a variety of fitting possibilities.
BB86 compatible bottom bracket
geometry
Product Name Ridley Falcon RS (RIDLEY FALCN RS) Frame Elite Series HM Carbon Fork 12-100 Thru-Axle, 45mm Rake, D-Shape Steerer, Full Carbon Handlebar/Stem Forza Cirrus Pro Integrated Seatpost Carbon D-Shape Saddle Prologo Scratch M5 PAS Tirox lever SRAM RED eTAP AXS rear derailleur SRAM XX1 EAGLE AXS brake SRAM RED eTAP AXS hydraulic disc cassette sprocket SRAM FORCE chain SRAM FORCE crankset SRAM REDBB SRAM DUB press fit wheelset Vision Metron 45 SL tires Vitoria Corsa PRO Actual weight 7.48kg (excluding pedals, size S)
Aggressive riding performance
The Falcon RS I was test riding was an S size product. The S size geometry of the Falcon RS is similar to that of a typical 54 size bike, so it feels a little larger than other brands’ bikes.
However, thanks to the non-offset seatpost, the reach was slightly reduced and the position was moved a little further forward, making it suitable for aggressive riding.
With a frame weight of around 800g, it is not considered ultra-light, but the pedaling response was good, and thanks to this, steady acceleration was possible uphill.
In terms of compliance, the head part felt soft overall, reducing the burden of speed and road shock, but the rear part may have felt harder due to the non-offset seatpost.
It is a race bike that has both the characteristics of an aero bike that can run while maintaining speed and the characteristics of an all-round bike that can accelerate uphill. The Falcon RS will satisfy riders looking for a road bike that matches the latest road riding trends. It is expected that it will be possible.
