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Ridley's Fenix SL gains a letter on its name and loses some substantial grams (Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
Stout chainstays should keep the rear end flex-free and responsive (Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
Look at that, two chainrings and a front changer (Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
The all-new carbon Forza rims are 45mm deep and 19mm wide internally (Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
Even with a hydraulic reservoir tucked in the levers the familiar Campy shape is still there(Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
The extended hoods just provide more to grab. Magura helped Campy with its disc brakes(Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
Campy started the cables under the bar tape trend that others all now follow (Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
The Deda Superzero bar is aero, which I typically don't like(Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
Kudos to Ridley for not splashing a giant logo that screams "Look at me!!!" on the deep rims(Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
#BeTough, so much better than #StopWhining. Also never a bad idea, especially when riding(Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
Campagnolo Potenza handles the drivetrain(Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
The massive down tube is sure to keep things in line(Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
The Campy logo on a disc caliper still seems a bit weird(Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
The front brake hose is routed internally through the fork blade (Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
The Ridley 'R' is one of precious few spots of color on the otherwise murdered-out frameset (Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
Deda is all over the finishing kit, including this Superzero stem (Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
A Deda post holds a classically shaped Selle Italia Flite saddle with titanium rails(Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
Road tires are ever so slowly bumping up in size. I do dig the tan sidewalls(Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
The Flite saddle isn't subtle but won't be seen while riding (Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
Gloss logos on matte black look distinguished (Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
Slender seatstays should keep the ride smooth(Image credit: Russell Eich / Immediate Media)
Ridley's Fenix SL has been its most popular bike for a lot of reasons and it boasts a near ideal blend of stiffness and comfort at a decent weight. From the cobbled classics to all-day training rides, more often than not the Lotto-Soudal team chooses the Fenix SL.
Now Ridley has claimed to have dropped weight and increased stiffness with its new Fenix SLX Disc. The Belgian company also claims the bike's ride quality is improved as well to make it Ridley's premier all-around, do-it-all road bike.
Ridley Fenix SLX Disc frame specs
60/50/40T carbon
Claimed frame weight of 850g (Medium)
BB86
Thru-axles front and rear
30mm tire clearance
Ridley Fenix SLX and Fenix SL compared
The massive down tube is sure to keep things in line
Even though the frame comes out of the same mould as the previous Fenix SL, Ridley was able to subtract 300 grams from the frame to come in at 850 grams for a Medium through the use of higher modulus carbon (60/50/40T).
In addition to the weight savings, Ridley also claims a 5 percent increase in stiffness.
The SLX was the frame that German powerhouse Andre Greipel chose to ride for most of the spring classics, so it's sure to be plenty stiff for mere mortals.
Yet thanks to the low junction where the thin seatstays meet the seat tube, the ride is said to be better than ever as well.
Build kit and wheels
The Campy logo on a disc caliper still seems a bit weird
The Fenix SLX Disc I have in on test features Campagnolo's new Potenza disc brake group. The 2x11 system, while a bit down the range in the Campy hierarchy, is replete with the classic look and feel of higher-end Italian gear changers.
Magura helped out on the disc brakes, which clamp on 160mm/140mm rotors front and rear. Both are flat mount with the rear residing neatly between the stays.
The front brake hose is routed internally through the fork blade
Now onto the Forza R45-19c wheels. They have the potential to be pretty special.
Instead of a person laying the individual pieces of carbon into the mould following a layup schedule, the new Forza wheels' carbon rim is woven by machine.
By using a machine, less material is needed, overlay is reduced and consistency is all but guaranteed.
Kudos to Ridley for not splashing a giant logo that screams
The entire wheel building process stays within Europe as well. The rims are made in Germany, lacing and truing is handled by DT Swiss hubs made in Switzerland and the Sapim spokes hail from Belgium.
The result is a rim that's 45mm deep, 19mm wide internally, and weighs around 410 grams. When built with DT Swiss 350 hubs, total wheelset weight comes in around 1,400 grams. Ridley even states they're comparable aerodynamically to the highly respected Zipp 303.
Ridley Fenix SLX Disc pricing
The extended hoods just provide more to grab. Magura helped Campy with its disc brakes
Ridley will have several build kits available beginning with a Shimano Ultegra mechanical build Forza Cirrus kit and DT Swiss R24 db wheels for €4,299.
The new Campagnolo Potenza disc groupset with a Deda Elementi SuperZero kit and Campagnolo Zonda db wheels retails for €5.799.
The fancy Forza wheels can be added for an upcharge.
