Ridley Grifn completes the all-road bike segment of the Belgian company. Ridley It was one of the very first brands to launch the “all-terrain” bicycle segment, it was theyear 2015 and there was the X-Trail model. An iconic design inspired by the Kanzo and don't forget the aerodynamics of the Noah, although differences exist and are important.
The business card from new Grifn I am a 990 gram frame (declared and without paint) in the medium size and the capacity to accommodate tires up to 38 mm wide (which becomes 40 using a single chainring transmission)By concept it is the bicycle that is able to cover even the gravel race requests. Let's go into detail.
Grifn, what does it mean?
The name Grifn (Grifon or Grifen, as it is called in Belgian) It refers to a mystical being, with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle, a sort of hybrid, strong and imperious. All this also means versatility and few limitations of use, a bit like it wants to be Grifn project and as the market demands, which is very oriented towards allroad bikes, with two faces and many souls.
How it is made
It is a carbon monocoque obtained from a blend of high modulus composite fibers which are part of the Ridley Elite SeriesThe fabric application is positioned differently depending on the size and section of the frame.
It has an 86mm wide bottom bracket shell. The seatpost is 27,2mm, with a classic round shape. Ridley Grifn adopts F-Steerer technology for the fork stem which becomes the natural interface of the Cirrus Pro integrated handlebarThe Cirrus integrated circuit has its own shape, with a 16° flare. It has a short reach of 70mm, common to all sizes, and a drop of 120mm., that is, with a decidedly compact curvature.
Translating, the handlebar is always comfortable and easy to reach at the various contact points, regardless of the terrain and environmental situation being faced.
KOG Geometry
KOG is an acronym for Kanzo Optimized Geometry and it is not a secondary detail. Borrowing some solutions from Kanzo platform, the Grifn modifies some of the geometric dimensions, in order to make the medium more usable in a varied context and It is positioned between the endurance Fenix and the Kanzo itselfFor example: the head angle is 72° (except for the XS size which has 71,5°), common to all sizes (the Fenix Slic's is 73,5°, while the Kanzo Fast has 71,5°). The bottom bracket height is also intermediate.
The rear carriage is short (420 mm) Contextualizing it within the category to which the bicycle belongs, this value helps avoid compromising stability, while also offering a responsive bike even on asphalt (or hard-surfaced roads).
The reach is modern and slightly elongated forward, a factor that allows the bike to be used with short stems. The size of the steering tube should also be considered, depending on the size, which is rather elongated at the top, but still average for the category. An example is size M, which has a 16-centimeter tube. The overall wheelbase of the bicycle (measured from rear thru axle to front thru axle) It is shorter than the Kanzo models and longer than a Fenix Slic.
There are five sizes available: XS and S, M, L and XL, for a total of 4 catalogue setups Two road and two gravel-oriented bikes should be considered. The more road-oriented ones are equipped with transmissions Shimano 105 11v and 105 Di2 (respectively 3.199 and 4.699 euros), while the gravel versions with the packages Shimano GRX 2x (GRX600 at 3199 and GRX800 at 4.199 euros). Ridley allows you to customize the Grifn according to your needs and preferences, even in terms of color combinations, customization that takes place through the configurator.
Single crown and double plateau
The Ridley Grifn can mount the single chainring in and the Classified solution. The derailleur can also be mounted and this allows you to house even the crankset with the double crown.
The frame and fork have the predisposition for mounting mudguards, as well as several points where you can attach additional bags for long trips: under the seat, on the seat post, and under the down tube. Additionally, you can mount a small bag on the top tube, near the steering head.
Details not to be forgotten
The new Ridley Grifn borrows an interesting solution, previously adopted on the Kanzo, that is the possibility of mounting a dynamo for the lightsThe predisposition allows the cable that powers the light, or other electronic devices, to run internally through the fork and the tubes. The Ridley Grifn is not compatible with dropper seatposts, but it is possible to mount a traditional stem and handlebar.
The bottle cages inside the triangle find different positions, even lowered, so as not to interfere with the bags (if any) positioned underneath thehorizontal. With regards to this last profile, his shape is voluminous and limits rounding, so that the bags do not interfere with pedaling and enjoy maximum stability. The fork and rear triangle support brake discs with a maximum diameter of 160 millimeters.
