The fastest bike in the ProTour peleton, the Noah keeps its legendary stiffness but receives a significant weight reduction, making it even more versatile. 30-ton high modulus carbon fiber reinforced with 40-ton carbon. 3K multidirectional carbon finish. Fully replaceable CNC dropouts. Straight-blade full carbon 30-ton carbon monocoque fork.
Strengths: Very fast and responsive ! Looks great and descends with exceptional stability.
Weaknesses: Very narrow clearance of the rear stays with respect to the wheels. Would not be able to ride the bike if a spoke was broken.
Bottom Line:
I have had the bike for 2 years now and have to say I still get a buzz out of riding it. I was never a good descender, but on this bike I have lost any fear I previously had. I have found it very comfortable and definitely the fastest bike I have ridden.
Strengths: Quick on the flats. Comfortable. Excellent handling. Looks good. Rflow does do something.
Weaknesses: Honestly, the BB is not stiff enough. There is energy lost going uphill. Its not heavy but it does not go up mountains fast like an R3 or a 595--with the same components, on the same climbs, the difference is obvious in 2 pedal strokes. the 595 finish is also superior. I liked ridley, and I want them to be great--but I love Look. And Im not sponsored or affiliated either-- they just build amazing bikes and I want people to know how good they are.
Bottom Line:
I like Ridley's products. I like the whole Belgian mystique--cobbles etc. I think they make good bikes, and I like the R flow concept.
My noah was a good bike. It was quick on flats, and it descended really well. The handling and balance was excellent. The R flow definitely worked at high speeds. The bike was surprisingly comfortable-- I was told it would be harsh, even by competitive cyclist, but I found it to be very smooth and compliant. I have one major critique of the Noah. It is not a good climber. The power transfer is just slightly sub par.
The bike I gave up for it was a cervelo R3, which is much much stiffer in the bottom, and much faster up a climb. From Day 1 on the noah, I looked forward to trading it in, because there are a lot of mountains where I live, and I need the bike to do its best at translating my effort into uphill motion-- its depressing otherwise. The noah did not excel in this department--its didn't suck, it just wasn't great. The Look 595 ultra I have replaced it with is far superior machine--it shoots up mountains and it cruises easily at high speed. It's magic. 6 stars to the Look.
So Ridley, I like you guys. I think Tom Boonen is cool. But it is NOT thefastestbikeintheworld.com. The fastest bike needs to go fast uphill as well. Sorry. It is a good, comfortable, fairly quick bike. But the Look is in another league. The noah also lacks the magic of the look--the x factor that makes you excited to climb aboard and go onwards.....
Strengths: Sprinting, sharp handling, rock solid feel.
Weaknesses: none, but because of the quick handling you do have to pay a bit more attention on fast descents.
Bottom Line:
Bike is a 2009, not an option in the drop down menu. The previous reviewer summed up my feelings almost exactly. A fantastically stiff frame and the "fastest" bike i've ever ridden but somehow feels kind of wooden and souless. Not necessarily a bad thing, but the ride is all buisness. It's been a great crit bike with the high bottom bracket and steep head angle, drops right over in the corners and lets you keep on the gas. The integrated post isn't exactly uncomfortable but you do feel the rough roads after a long ride and big bumps do go striaght through you. It's a race bike, period.
Had my best season ever and few wins on this frame. Probably coincidence, but the thing does love to sprint. I'm 195lbs, a decent sprinter, and can get no noticaable flex out of the frame.
Bike Setup: Red group, Ritchey cockpit, reynolds SDV66 tubular wheels.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
biker58life
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2009
Strengths: gets things done! that aero thing really works at or above 30 MPH (you will feel it!), stiff and not bad at muting the road, climbs like a robot monkey (seriously), looks super sexy!
Weaknesses: lacking in a bit a "feel", not a bad thing if all you want is getting 'er done, you will also need to find longer routes because the Noah will take care of whatever business you throw at her
Bottom Line:
My Ridley Noah is 2009. Bought on eBay, threw mix of 7800 with 7900 compact crank. Don't get me wrong, I love the look of this thing and it does go fast and unbelievably stable BUT, its attitude is definitely...how do I describe it...business-like. I rode my usual routes and I AM going faster because the routes takes less time and I feel less fatigued but it just feels like a German car...business-like. It's NOT a bad thing, but just business-like. I have a colnago President and the President feels lively. Now, lively is difficult to quantify but President just feels passionate. Ridley Noah is...business like. Again, not a bad thing! The President is more "fun" but the Noah gets it "done". Both are fun in their own ways. Just amazing how bikes can feel so different.
Strengths: I have read in some reviews that the ride of the Noah was harsh. With that expectation, I've been pleasantly surprised at how comfortable of a ride it has been. Chip-seal roads that were bone-rattlers on my last bike (aluminum) are barely noticeable now. I think that the slotted fork and seatstays actually provide some softening from what would probably be a really stiff ride otherwise. I've ridden a few other high-end carbon fiber bikes and they all have had a similar "buttery" smoothness to them that I'm glad to enjoy on the Noah.
Handling is phenomenal. I'm faster and more confident in corners than ever before. I feel far more stable and don't even think about whether or not the bike will can handle it when I dive into a sharp corner with a group of other riders around me.
I don't have any real hills in my immediate area, but there are a few "speedbumps" that we call hills - 200 feet or so. The group that I ride usually ride with usually races to the top of these hills. I'm now at the top of these short climbs with the fastest guys and am a real contender in the sprints to the top. When I push the bike, it translates all of my (meek) power into forward momentum.
Weaknesses: The one problem that I have with this bike is its attitude. This bike laughs at me when I ride it hard. Here I am going anaerobic bridging a gap and my friggin' bike is saying to me, "is that all you've got?". I really do think it has that attitude.
Seriously, I really don't have real any criticisms yet. It's a great bike that I've enjoyed riding each time.
Bottom Line:
Well, I'm 800 miles into my new Noah and thought I'd share my thoughts.
It's great. Seriously, it's a great bike. Every time I have ridden it, I have said "I love this bike". And I'm faster than ever on it.
There's good news and bad news about my Ridley Noah.
The good news is that the bike just comes to life at about 32mph. It awakens as if from a deep slumber and realizes that it's time to take over from me. I guess that this is when the aerodynamics of the slotted fork and seatstays actually does something worthwhile. It becomes so stable at high speeds that I have wondered whether or not it's actually a bicycle then. It's amazing. The bad news is that I don't get to 32mph nearly often enough.
Yeah, the 2009 Noah is on the pricey side, but I have had no regrets.
I'm a big fan of the new aero bikes and love what Ridley has done with the next edition of the Noah. I love the integrated brakes and can see more integration like this taking plac Read More »
They keep on improving da beast, now apparently whole new surface and INTEGRATED recessed brakes, almost like the Trek TT bike's. It look pretty cool with new paint schemesl. I won Read More »
Anyone has had any experience with the Ridley Noah RS, if so, please share your thoughts on it. Any feed back will be greatly appreciated.:) Read More »
