Ridley

Phaeton T/Shimano 105 Complete Bike

If you're relatively new to the grueling sport of triathlon, you might not be looking to break the bank on the cycling leg of the race, just yet. However, while swimming and running are important, your day gets harder with every pedal stroke if you're racing on your dad's old ten-speed. Luckily for you, Ridley's got your back. The Phaeton T/Shimano 105 Complete Bike provides all of the aerodynamic advantages you need, while offering up unrivaled comfort in the aero position. With a solid group of components, a sleek, wind-cutting frame design, and a cost-effective price, there's no reason that the bike should be considered your 'weak leg.'

Ridley threw almost every trick in its playbook at the Phaeton T frame in order to provide a sound aerodynamic profile. To start, Ridley used strong and stiff, triple-butted 7005 aluminum to construct the tubes. Aluminum, when shaped correctly, offers a toe-to-toe weight-to-stiffness ratio with carbon fiber, which is why we'll take great aluminum over cheap carbon any day of the week. Now, in terms of aerodynamics, a common misconception is that carbon is, in and of itself, naturally aero -- not true. The truth is that carbon is easily molded into aero-shapes, but with Ridley's use of hydroforming on the tubes, it was able to create a profile that cheats drag without sacrificing comfort. Not only does the frame shape increase laminar flow, but the Phaeton also features internal cable routing and Ridley's F-Surface technology to dissipate wind-resistance. F-Surface is easily our favorite feature of this bike, and you won't find it from anyone else but Ridley. Through the strategic placement of textured surfaces on the frame, F-Surface creates an artificial boundary layer that increases laminar flow, and accordingly, permits air to remain attached while passing around the frame.

Knowing that aluminum can a bit jarring at times, Ridley included its 4ZA R-Blade carbon fiber fork to dissipate road vibration and chatter. And considering that you're going to spending 95% of your time over the front wheel, this suppleness is a welcomed addition to the Phaeton. Further in the comfort department, the Phaeton has a sophisticated positioning system that allows multiple adjustments. Knowing that flexibility is variable throughout the season, Ridley equipped the Phaeton with a full-length aero carbon seatpost with its A.S.A. adjustment system. This allows you to easily re-position the seat angle to your liking, and thus make your reach to the Profile Design T3 Airwing bars as comfortable as possible.

More than just pretty looks and aerodynamics, the Phaeton is loaded with an incredible component package. The frame rolls on the reliable Alex Joytech wheels, cased in the Vittoria Rubino 3 tires. And supplying the power to the wheels is a FSA Gossamer STD crankset, KMC chain, 12-25 Tiagra cassette, and Shimano 105 front and rear derailleurs. For shifting and braking, Ridley included Microshift TT shift levers, Tektro TL 720 brake levers, and Tektro R-525 calipers.

The Ridley Phaeton T/Shimano 105 Complete Bike is available in the color Black/green and in four sizes from X-Small to Large.