Ridley has taken to the boards with its new Omnium Fast aero carbon track bike, taking advantage of the UCI’s latest 8:1 ratio regulations to create a sleek silhouette that focuses on both aerodynamics and geometry to ensure “quick and confident reactions” while competing in “scratch, tempo, elimination race and the points races”.
“Aerodynamically, the Omnium Fast is based on the highly efficient Arena Fast (track bike) and Dean Fast Disc (time trial bike). The tube shapes utilize the UCI rules that were relaxed in 2022, allowing profiles to have an 8:1 ratio instead of the previous 3:1. This means developers can make the tubes longer and narrower. Additionally, the junction between the top tube, head tube, and down tube is maximally filled. Compared to the Arena Fast, the Omnium Fast features a steeper head angle, specifically designed for optimal agility and reactivity in a peloton. The Arena Fast, on the other hand, focuses on stability and maintaining speed in races where less steering is needed. In this model, the rider sits lower and deeper. For pursuit events, a time trial handlebar is used, resulting in maximum aerodynamics. The head tube is also shorter, with a cutout in the top tube to allow seamless integration of a time trial handlebar into the frame. On the Omnium Fast, however, we use traditional ‘drop bars,’ meaning integration of the handlebar into the frame is not required. This results in a higher head tube. These adjustments together provide a highly responsive and agile bike combined with maximum aerodynamic efficiency,” explains the Belgian brand.
The Omnium Fast features a steeper 74° headtube angle and the same short chainstays as its predecessors. However, the wheelbase has been extended, while the Stack and Reach figures have also been increased by 3cm. Moreover, the fork now incorporates flip-chip dropouts to fine-tune the Rake by 10mm, allowing the fork trail to increase from 38mm to 49mm. Also, both the front and rear dropouts are now “future-proof” courtesy of replaceable inserts that work with either conventional bolt-on axles or newer 12mm thru-axles.
“Placing the flip chips in the forward position reduces Trail, making the bike more responsive. A longer Trail, achieved in the rearward flip chip position, results in more forgiving handling,” says Ridley.
Additionally, the Ominuim Fast is treated to an all-new carbon Forza Track bar, featuring a super narrow 35mm bar (just 30cm across the flats) with slightly flared drops and horns for a more aerodynamic, out-front position.
The Omnium Fast frameset sells for 5000€, which includes a proprietary aero seatpost, headset and a 30mm Rotor Track axle with a 144×5 BCD Rotor Track Spider and Cema Interlock bottom bracket, albeit with no crankarms. The Forza Track bar can also be had with the Forza Track bar for an additional 450€.
For those wanting a complete build, Ridley offers the Omiumum Fast with a Miche crankset, DT Swiss T1800 aluminum wheels, a Selle Italia SLR saddle and the new Forza Track bar for 6000€.
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