Bike-Build! Ridley Falcn RS Limited Edition
Embark on a journey into the heart of our latest bike build tailored for our guide, Egor!! Witness the craftsmanship unfold on the Ridley Falcn RS in a rare limited edition color at our Mallorca bike shop.
The DNA of Pleasure in Riding
The joy derived from cycling is unparalleled. While many seek comfort and enjoyment during their cycling hours, a professional cycling guide requires superior tools to elevate the riding experience. Essential gear like comfortable cycling clothing, a lightweight helmet, and, most crucially, the bike itself. The ideal bike must be light, comfortable, versatile, yet possess the stiffness and predictability required for the demanding role of a cycling guide.
Having previously owned an aero-bike designed for sprints, races, and high speeds, the need for more comfort became apparent after extensive hours in the saddle during cycling tours like the REYNES CYCLING TOUR: Pyrenees.
Ridley
Ridley, a cornerstone brand in our Mallorca bike rental fleet, has been a familiar name due to its sponsorship of the Lotto Soudal pro-team over the years. While I admired the NOAH Fast Aero model, I yearned for a bike that deviated from the typical aero design. Ridley's surprise announcement of a new model, crafted from scratch, marked a shift toward the popular "universal" trend — semi-aero, semi-endurance, semi-climbing frames. This trend, initiated by a certain S-brand years ago, proved to be a game-changer, offering an all-around experience that enhances enjoyment while sparing your lower back from chiropractic bills.
The Allure of "Almost Black"
Why choose a black bike? A question I asked myself despite having owned one before. Black, while classic, can be too common to be taken seriously. My choice was not a conventional black; observe the top tube, the intricate details. As Sagan's slogan says, "Why so serious?" — a sentiment that resonates with my S-brand shoes featuring Peter Sagan's signature. This bike shines, it's bright, stylish, and simultaneously exudes a strict aura from a distance. But come closer...
Capturing Glitter Pearls
Ever noticed the absence of specific specs in my narrative? That's because, for many of us, the allure of a bike lies in its design. However, if you're a cycling geek hungry for details, feel free to skip ahead to the specifications.
The interplay of black raw carbon with a glossy finish and glitter pearls is mesmerizing in the sunlight. Originally even brighter, the frame now boasts a ceramic coating from WAX IS DEAD, offering a slightly matte appearance. Living in Mallorca, where rain is scarce but humidity prevails, I was surprised by the effectiveness of the ceramic coating. My friend's tests in muddy Britain revealed its astounding resilience.
It might seem unusual to pair the super-stiff Winspace LÚN HYPER wheelset with ultimate stiff carbon spokes in this build. However, having ridden them before and appreciating their performance, I opted to compare their overall feel with the comfort of the Falcn RS frame. Undoubtedly, the Falcn RS surpasses my previous bike in terms of comfort! In a future build, I plan to incorporate a lightweight wheel set with 31-35mm rims and classic steel spokes for an even more comfortable ride.
Choosing to forego tubes, I stuck to my traditional setup with Schwalbe Pro One 28mm TLE tires – renowned for their exceptional grip and durability. I don't shy away from gravel parts, navigating them with the help of Tols High Volume valves to mitigate issues with sticky valve cores and sealant renewal.
Ridley's responsiveness to acceleration is immediate, yet the feel is more smooth and stable compared to a sprint aero bike. I appreciate these characteristics in a modern bike without specific racing intentions.
The clean and precise cockpit from Forza, a sub-brand of Ridley, offers a satisfying feel. However, I may explore alternative units for stem length and bar width in the future. The Supakaz stars harmonize with the pearls on the frame, highlighting the importance of attention to detail.
The uncompromised drivetrain, featuring Dura-Ace R9270 Di2, is enhanced with an OSPW cage boasting ceramic bearings from Nova Ride – chosen for their design and performance over competitors. Coupled with a well-crafted bottom bracket from Enduro Bearings, the drivetrain operates seamlessly. While I don't quantify watt-savings, the ceramic bearings, including the TorqTite, Ceramic-Hybrid, XD-15 model in the bottom bracket, should extend service intervals, especially in the high humidity prevalent in Mallorca.
K-edge chaincatcher, a small aluminum detail, acts as a guardian, preventing frame damage from potential chaindrops.
Uncertain about the Shimano powermeter, I opted for a change in the pedal platform, shifting from the excellent Shimano pedals to the Wahoo POWRLINK ZERO, a dual-sided pedal-based powermeter.
This build exemplifies the essence of attention to detail, capturing the beauty and functionality that enhance the overall biking experience.
An integral and, arguably, the most crucial part of the bike—the saddle. The Specialized S-works Power Mirror saddle takes comfort to unprecedented levels. After a brief 1km test ride on cobbles in Turkey, the saddle proved so comfortable that I decided to make it a part of my bike. While acknowledging that this saddle comes at a cost comparable to a private jet, in my opinion, the investment is well worth it. After all, during extended rides of 3+ hours, preventing numbness at the contact point with your bike becomes paramount.
Components Chart, Weight, and Epilogue
| Component | Brand | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Frame and fork | Ridley | Ridley Falcn RS, LTD, size 56 |
Drivetrain |
Shimano |
Dura-Ace Di2 R9270 2x12spd, disk |
Bottom Bracket |
Enduro Bearings |
TorqTite XD-15 BKC-0861 Ceramic-Hybrid |
Rear Cage |
Nova Ride |
Nova Ride OSPW |
| Pedals | Wahoo | POWRLINK ZERO, Dual Sided |
Wheelset |
Winspace |
Lun Hyper 38mm depth |
| Tyres | Schwalbe | Pro One 28mm, Skinwall, tubeless |
Handlebar |
Forza |
Cirrus Pro, 400x110mm |
Bartape |
Supakaz |
Super Sticky Kush |
Saddle |
Specialized |
S-works Power Mirror, 143mm |
| Coating | Wax is dead | Ceramic coating |
| Bottle cages | Elite | Ala |
| Total Weight | 7600gr |
Delighted with the final weight ratio for this modern disc-brake bike, I revel in its versatility and speed. It doesn't boast an ultralight or exorbitantly expensive profile, yet it stands out with a commendable weight of 7600g, inclusive of pedals. This weight makes the bike a universal and fast performer.
The inaugural ride affirmed that the build perfectly aligns with my needs and expectations. Future modifications may involve changing a few parts, such as the wheelset and potentially the handlebar, with the aim of shedding another 200-300g. However, let's save the intricate details of these adjustments for the weight weenies who appreciate the nuance of every gram.
Full Galery
