Lotto-Belisol riders will tackle the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix on the new-for-2013 Classics-specific Ridley Fenix.
The Fenix was tested by Andre Greipel on Flemish roads last year but all Lotto-Belisol riders will use the frame for this year’s cobbled Classics season.
Strength, comfort and stiffness – but not weight – were at top of Ridley’s design brief when the Belgian brand set out to develop the Fenix so the frame weighs in at a relatively hefty 1,200g, which is a little heavier than you’d normally expect for a frame being raced at the highest level.
Ridley say the oversized, sharp-edged tubing of the Fenix improves stiffness while also guaranteeing the strength and durability required to handle the cobbles. The headtube tapers from 1-1/8″ to 1-1/2″ and there’s also a PressFit BB30 bottom bracket. Out back, the skinny seatstays taper dramatically in the middle to help take the edge off rough roads, while the chainstays are suitably deep to facilitate the power transfer required to tame the bergs of Flanders or pave sectors of Paris-Roubaix.
The Fenix is one of four frames available to Lotto-Belisol, along with the super-light Helium SL, the aero Noah FAST and the Dean time trial machine. Greg Henderson’s Fenix, pictured above, is equipped with a Campagnolo Record EPS groupset, Campagnolo Hyperon Ultra 2 wheels shod with Continental Competition tubular tyres, Deda finishing kit and a Selle San Marco Regale saddle.
Ridley’s 2013 catalogue initially included three consumer models – one based around a Shimano Ultegra build, one equipped with Campagnolo Centaur and an aluminium model decked out in Shimano 105 – but with the Classics season on the horizon they’ve added a new machine to the range.
Dubbed the Fenix Classic, the new model is, according to Ridley, specced to “conquer the most gruesome road sections”. In reality that means the machine gets 4ZA ‘Comfort’ handlebar tape and 25mm Continental Grand Prix 4 Season tyres to compliment the Campagnolo Chorus groupset, Rotor chainset, Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels and 4ZA finishing kit and saddle.
The Ridley Fenix Classic comes in a white team issue paintjob which also pays homage to the terrain it seeks to tame, with a cobbled-winged pheonix on the toptube, and additional images of cobbles also on the toptube and fork. Retail price has been set at £2,345, while there’s also a Campagnolo Athena EPS upgrade for £3,334 and the frame and fork are available separately for £1,220.
