Ridley has rolled out its latest radical-looking Ignite GTX gravel bike, which bridges the gap between gravel and mountain biking, offering the technical advantages of a mountain bike, along with the aerodynamics of drop bars, making it an ideal choice for virtually any off-road pursuit.
“It’s not uncommon to see riders on an alpine gravel bike during a gravel race, while others are on traditional gravel bikes. Similarly, you may spot a rider on an alpine gravel bike in a mountain bike race, while competitors ride mountain bikes. This isn’t done to stand out, but because this bike is the best option in very specific conditions—a well-known phenomenon in ultra off-road competitions. However, professional riders are rarely seen on alpine gravel bikes, often because their sponsors don’t offer them. As a true trendsetter, Ridley now presents the Ignite GTX,” says Ridley.
“The Ignite GTX excels in long gravel races over large rocks and through desolate sandpits that resemble mountain bike races in difficulty. The same goes for ultra mountain bike races that are so ‘smooth’ that, if organized today, they would simply be labeled gravel races. A mountain bike is focused purely on mountain biking, while a gravel bike is too limited for rough terrain, and the Ignite GTX fills the gap between these two worlds. Ridley doesn’t compromise or aim for a 99% fit—it strives for absolute perfection,” adds the Belgian brand.
Mountain Bike Geometry
The geometry of the Ignite GTX is based on the Ignite SLX hardtail mountain bike, featuring a slacker head angle for added stability, along with Ridley’s flex-stay technology for extra comfort, while clearance has been increased to accommodate tires up to a hefty 29 x 2.3, or 58mm.
“This tire clearance is a crucial feature. The ability to install wider tires with more tread is by no means a drawback. The larger tire volume results in lower resistance, and wide tires reduce the risk of punctures. However, this comes at a cost to aerodynamics, which is where the drop bar comes into play. In these ultra races, the relatively low speeds make aerodynamics less critical,” explains Ridley.
Drop Bar
The Ignite GTX utilizes Ritchey’s Venturemax handlebar, featuring 24° of flare with a short drop, resulting in a combination of optimal aerodynamics and stability thanks to wide drops, while also offering multiple hand positions to allow for powerful acceleration and better balance when riding in the drops.
Availability
Ridley offers the Ignite GTX with SRAM Rival 1, SRAM Apex 1 and a SRAM Rival-GX AXS mullet setup, along with either a suspension fork with 100mm of travel or a rigid carbon fork, with pricing starting at €2,799.
Here’s how the variants breakdown:
- Ignite GTX, SRAM Apex 1, Rigid fork: €2,799
- Ignite GTX, SRAM Apex 1, RockShox Judy Silver: €2,999
- Ignite GTX, SRAM Rival 1, RockShox Recon Gold: €3,499
