![]() ![]() The Ritchey WCS Protocol clincher wheels are light enough at 1600g per pair and wrapped in meaty 34mm-wide Hutchinson Bulldog tubeless-ready tires. The frameset may be more workhorse than showhorse but the exceptional spec makes it hard to notice as the value-laden $2799 (£1799) US retail price nets what is surely one of the most comprehensive, ‘cross-appropriate and best looking complete packages in the segment. ![]() fender mounts means the conquest team will work well for commuting or foul-weather road riding, too James Huang/ Equipment: unbeatable component spec save for a few personal preference items fender mounts means the conquest team will work well for commuting or foul-weather road riding, too: the extruded driveside chainstay yoke leaves gob of room for muck and grime. The extruded driveside chainstay yoke leaves gob of room for muck and grime. Even so, uncut weight drops from 450g to 430g.įitted with a superb mix of race-ready componentry, our complete tester weighs in at 8.43kg (18.58lb). ![]() Up front, Redline has nixed last year’s Ritchey WCS carbon ‘cross fork in favor of a new all-carbon prong of its own design complete with substantially burlier dimensions for better steering and stouter braking performace. Two-up/one-down cable routing keeps vulnerable mechanical bits out of the mud (and pointy bits away from soft body parts) while also eliminating the need for often-problematic front derailleur pulleys. The double-butted scandium frame isn’t as light as we had hoped at 1540g (52cm) but it should be rigid enough for even the strongest riders: the double-butted scandium frame isn’t as light as we had hoped at 1540g (52cm) but it should be rigid enough for even the strongest riders James Huang/Īmple mud clearance is provided by S-bend stays and a slim extruded aluminium driveside chainstay stub that leaves enough room for aggressive single-ring drivetrain setups. The moderately oversized tubing uses fairly conservative wall thicknesses that are less likely to dent or crumple if things go awry on race day – something that is decidedly more common in ‘cross – and the slightly ovalized top tube presents a decent amount of surface area for comfortable shouldering. The double-butted scandium-enhanced aluminium frame weight of 1540g (actual weight, 52cm) won’t set any hearts aflutter but it’s still well within the ballpark for a competition-ready rig and a number of touches enhance its ‘cross-specific appeal. And I can happily note that the 2022 addition of dual front discs-with ABS that will undoubtedly prove handy in the dirty-do a great job of reining in those moments when I got a little overexuberant up near that 10,000-RPM redline.The reasonable price tag nonetheless includes a scandium alloy frame and intelligent parts spec that will leave few riders wanting for more: the reasonable price tag nonetheless includes a scandium alloy frame and intelligent parts spec that will leave few riders wanting for more James Huang/ Chassis: scandium-enhanced frame could be lighter but comes in broad range of sizesĬarbon fibre may have taken over the mid-to-high-end segments of the road market but aluminium still packs a lot of punch for ‘cross and few machines can match the complete package of Redline’s flagship racer. Meanwhile, downshifting into corners with the satisfying engagement of the shifter and slick action of the clutch lever meant I barely needed to test the Nissin brakes until I did so just for you, dear reader. But that's exactly the kind of confidence that a lightweight bike can inspire, as opposed to bigger, bulkier ADV options with more power, more complex suspension, and more storage space for gear. Still, after a few minutes, I eventually glanced back down at the digital gauge and discovered that I had been holding surprisingly high and steady speeds through corners. It's just my obsession with sportier bikes (and carbon-fiber bicycles) that makes for a bit of a transition period, since I only get to ride what the OEMs send, after all. I'd call riding a bike with this kind of upright position good practice, but the truth is that most commuter and cruiser riders do so without a second thought.
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