Ridley Supercross

Price Paid:  $2200.00 at Competetive Cyclist

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Mt. Diablo

Bike Setup:
SRAM Force, Mavic Aksium.FSA bar/stem. Flite saddle.

Summary:
Bike is actually 2008 model, but the drop-down menu didn't give me that option. My first cyclocross bike. I'm using it mainly as a road bike that can take me to the dirt trails and fireroads. Nice frame, except for the sizing; very short top tube which doesn't fit my body type well. Great frame and component mix.

Strengths:
Good value; Scandium/carbon frame/fork with Sram Force components.

Weaknesses:
Like others have said, watch the frame sizing. I got a 54 which is slightly smaller than most of my road bikes, but I can barely stand flat-footed when I straddle the bike; I have a 30" inseam. I would have bought a 52, except the top tube length on the 54 is already at the limit for the shortest top tube I can get away with (using a 130 stem). A 52 would have given me a way too short top tube. Avid brakes don't seem to stop that well, compared to road brakes.

Similar Products Used:
My first CX bike. Other bikes include various mountain and road bikes.

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at eBay

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
San Joaquin River Trail

Bike Setup:
Ritchey WCS stem, Ritchey carbon post, DuraAce/Mavic Reflex wheels 28/32, Tufo tubulars, FSA Cross crank and BB 36-46, SRAM Force shifters and der's, Avid SL V-brakes (Travel Agents optional), WTB saddle, ITM carbon bar, SRAM 12-28 cassette and chain.

Summary:
I agree with the first reviewer on most points. This bike handles very well, the front end is very predictable but fast--a great race bike. The frame is very light, stiff, yet the carbon front and rear work as they are designed to soften the ride.

Strengths:
Light and stiff, excellent handling, a real point and shoot bike.

Weaknesses:
The bike has an extremely tall seat tube and head tube, hence the standover height is very high. That is not a problem for me but I my saddle is only about 5 to 6 inches above the top tube (still 3 inches above the stem height though), and I have a 54 cm instead of my usual 55/56 cm road frame. So beware when buying, especially if you are a "low pedaler" like me.

Similar Products Used:
I also have a Voodoo Wazoo, which I really like as a expedition bike (it is a triple) but it does not handle as well as the Ridley

Price Paid:  $1675.00 at Nelo's Pro Cycles

Model Year:
2006

Bike Setup:
Campy Record shifters, Chorus rear derailluar, cassette, chain, Spooky Carbon brakes, FSA bars, stem and carbon crank and carbon seat post, Crank Bros Candy Ti pedals, DT Hubs, spokes and RR 1.1 Rims, Michelin Muds, Flite Saddle, Single chain ring.

Summary:
This is my third CX specific bike and my favorite. I really like my Guru but wanted a bike that was even lighter. The Supercross is super light, about 16 lbs. It is great handling and tracks straight in poor conditions. They are sized large, consider using the C-T seat tube measurement when sizing, not so much the C-C top tube length. The quality of the welds, fit and finish is first rate. The seat stays and the fork is solid and the brake pivots don't flex. Very solid bike, great value.

Strengths:
Super light weight, strong, great handling, strong fork, excellent fit and finish.

Weaknesses:
None, just watch the sizing. My road size is a 58 and I ended up choosing a 54 instead of a 56.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale CX Disc, custom made Guru Flite CX