Ridley has decided to buck the full-aero trend, instead striking a balance between lightweight and aerodynamics with the launch of its new Falcn RS road bike, describing it as “the ultimate all-round performance road bike”.
“The Falcn RS is the perfect companion for cyclists who are in search of a bike that’s light for climbing, aero and stiff for sprinting and stage rides. Thanks to its lightweight frame with aerodynamic features and wider tire options, this is a fast, top-performing road bike that will exceed your expectations. The Falcn RS is ready for all kinds of racing: whatever is on the UCI calendar, the Falcn RS can handle it. From Ronde van Vlaanderen to Paris-Roubaix, a Grand Tour stage and Strade Bianche, you can ride it all with the new Ridley Falcn RS,” boasts the Belgian brand.
Capitalizing on its existing Noah Fast Disc aero bike and lightweight Helium SLX Disc, Ridley says the new Falcn RS frame hovers around 825 grams in a size medium, while the fork tips the scales at just 380 grams, an impressive feat for a bike that’s designed to ascend as well as it can tackle the flats.
“Our in-house aerodynamicist did extensive research using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis and wind tunnel testing to optimise the aerodynamics of the Falcn RS.The frontal area of the Falcn RS is focused on aerodynamics, while the general frame design is developed to be as lightweight as possible while keeping the aerodynamics in mind,” says Ridley.
“The Falcn RS has an aero tube profile where feasible without sharp edges in the frame, keeping the integration of the tubes simple. Moreover, the head tube is deeper to make the Falcn RS more aero. Every cross-section of the frame is aero-optimised with carefully chosen aerofoils. The shape of the top tube is even adjusted to enhance the bike’s stability under crosswinds. Additionally, [we] developed a fork crown including a diffuser. This induces turbulence in the airflow before the down tube, making it easier for the airflow to go over the down tube and increasing the pressure behind the head tube. The Ridley diffuser fork results in a bike that has 10% less drag at 50km/h (31mph) compared to the original fork. The back of the bike is made as lightweight as possible thanks to the seat tube and seatstays,” Ridley further adds.
Geometry also played a crucial role in the development of the Falcn RS, which features both a shorter head tube and a longer reach, while the chainstays are slightly longer and the bottom bracket is also slightly lower, putting the rider in a much more aggressive position.
“The new geometry has been adjusted to accommodate bigger volume tires without raising the center of gravity. This provides the rider with excellent control, especially on uneven terrain,” explains Ridley.
That said, Ridley says the Falcn RS is optimized for 28mm tires, but it can also accommodate rubber up to 34mm.
“This allows for greater comfort and lower rolling resistance, as wider tires can be run at lower pressures. The wider tire options on the Falcn RS ensure that riders can tackle rough roads with ease, without sacrificing speed or efficiency. This means that the Falcn RS can handle any road surface. Wider tires allow riders to maintain high speeds and stay in control at all times,” says Ridley.
Elsewhere, the Falcn RS is equipped with a Forza Cirrus Pro Integrated Road handlebar/stem with a 75mm reach, 130mm of drop and a 5° flare, while brake hoses and cables are run internally through the stem and into the frame. The bike also features two water bottle mounts on the seat tube and three on the down tube, as well as a Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) at the rear and a removable front derailleur hanger, complete with a replacement cover in the case of a 1x set-up.
The Falcn RS is available in the following guises, as well as full customization via Ridley’s online configurator.
Ridley Falcn RS SRAM Force AXS, $12,399 Groupset SRAM Force AXS Wheels DT Swiss ARC 1400 50mm
Ridley Falcn RS Shimano Ultegra Di2, $12,399 Groupset Shimano Ultegra Di2 Wheels DT Swiss ARC 1400 50mm
Ridley Falcn RS Shimano 105 Di2, $8,249 Groupset Shimano 105 Di2 Wheels Forza Levanto DB, tubeless ready
Ridley
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