Ridley's new Helium SLX climbing bike hits some impressive numbers on the scale — 1.65lb/750g frame, 14.7lb/6.7kg complete — without tipping over into the light-but-flexy territory.
As a heavier rider, I might be an ironic customer for this machine, but I'm a decent tester because some lightweight gear bends underneath me.
On a day's ride up Southern California's Rockstore climb and then down the curve-alicious Decker Canyon descent, the Helium SLX didn't give a bit, but instead responded the way you'd want any race machine to, with quick accelerations and confident handling.
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Ridley Helium SLX Dura-Ace highlights
- Full Dura-Ace 9100 mechanical group
- 300g fork with stainless steel dropouts
- 750g frame with internal cable routing
- Press Fit 30 bottom bracket
- 1,350g 4ZA Cirrus Pro carbon wheels with DT Swiss 240 hubs
- 14.7lb/6.7kg complete bike (size small)
Ridley Helium SLX Dura-Ace ride impressions
Perhaps the best thing about the Helium SLX is that it isn't way out on the razor's edge of any one characteristic.
I felt right at home with the Helium's fit and feel, and I trust Continental's excellent Grand Prix clinchers
Like the frameset, Dura-Ace isn't the absolute lightest, but boy does it work well
Ridley Helium SLX Dura-Ace vs. other climbing bikes with Dura-Ace 9100
While the Syncros house brand is good, you get a mix of Dura-Ace and Ultegra, not full Dura-Ace
Helium SLX vs. Helium X
Ridley Helium SLX Dura-Ace early verdict
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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