Ridley

Fenix SL Disc Ultegra Di2 Road Bike - 2019

It's pretty safe to say that disc brakes have a fairly firm grasp on the road bike world with many of the peloton's fastest riders winning on disc brakes and proving that the technology isn't just a marketing gimmick. As such, the Fenix SL Disc Ultegra Di2 Complete Road Bike from Ridley brings all the Flanders-worthy elements we loved in the rim brake version and ups the braking power and modulation ante with Shimano's Ultegra hydraulic braking system. Always a favorite among the Lotto-Soudal team on the cobbled classics, Ridley builds up this legendary frameset with the precise electronic shifting afforded by the Ultegra Di2 group, creating a stiff, lightweight, and responsive race-ready ride that's as functional as it is prepared for the bike industry's future.

While this Fenix is more than capable in Flandrian sprint finishes and animated road race tactics, its combination of powerful disc brakes and artful layup of vibration devouring unidirectional carbon fibers expand its capabilities beyond buttery smooth pavement into roads (and paths) less traveled. In comparison to the super-stiff featherweight frames in Ridley's line that use up to 60-ton moduli, the Fenix SL utilizes a blend of 30-ton and 24-ton carbon to strike a balance between road-smoothing compliance, rigid efficiency, and race-worthy weight. Poorly graded gravel, cobbles, and other road hazards that would otherwise feel like jarring punches on a 60-ton carbon take on all the disagreeability of crosswalk paint, though the stiff, tapered head tube does provide responsive steering to dodge unrideable obstacles.

Compared to the original Fenix, the Fenix Disc also has a slightly bigger wheelbase, measuring 2mm longer for a size medium. While this difference is more pronounced in the smallest sizes, even the bigger frames benefit from a more stable footprint for loose gravel and packed dirt roads. The adventure-minded cyclist will also appreciate the Disc model's increased tire clearance, up to 30mm, allowing for bigger tires for maximum plushness and reliability on everything from summer chip seal and sun-soaked logging roads to loose limestone gravel.