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Ridley Unveils Thru Axle Disc Brake Oryx Cyclocross Cork, Plus 2016 Noah SL, X-Night SL & More

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Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (5)

If you’re going by what is most popular on the European cross scene, cantilever brakes still look like the way to go. But times, they are a changing. As more an more pros make the jump to disc brakes (for personal or sponsorship reasons), it’s getting harder and harder to find new cross bikes equipped with cantis here in the U.S. After moving largely to disc brakes for U.S. cross bikes in 2013, Ridley is making their next disc related move with their new Oryx fork for 2016. To be found on all of their cyclocross race bikes (X-Fire, X-night, and new X-Night SL), the Oryx fork adds a 15mm thru axle plus few smart little features that will make CX racing with discs a bit easier.

Along with the fork, Ridley showed a number of small changes and improvements plus new paint jobs, and of course the new X-Night SL and Noah SL…

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (6)

The introduction of the new Oryx fork will mean that all three of the top tier CX bikes will move to thru axle front ends for 2016. Still relying on the current 15x100mm thru axle dimension for road and cross, the axle sill simply twist to close. Like other forks from Ridley, the disc fork features stainless inserts in the dropouts to protect the carbon on hurried wheel changes in the pits.

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (8)

Along the same lines is the stainless scuff plate (covered with blue protective film) on the inside of the left fork blade. The idea being that errant wheel changes could cause the rotor to scuff the leg of the fork, so the steel plate protects the carbon and aids in wheel installation.

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (9)

If the brake mount looks a bit odd, that’s because it uses the new Shimano Flat mount. When asked if there was a particular reason to use the new standard, Ridley told us that you can still use any current brake with an adapter, but the fork would be compatible with any new disc brakes that might surface in the future. Whether that means even smaller rotors or new brake designs entirely are up to your imagination, but it does hint towards future development.

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (11) Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (10)

It’s a bit hard to make out just by looking at it, but the fork uses an asymmetric design to help cope with the additional torsional forces of braking. The tapered 1.5 to 1 1/8″ steerer also uses an aluminum crown race seat for durability and uses internal cable routing for the brake hose. Other details include clearance for 42mm tires and hidden fender mounts for your off season training.

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (21)

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (12)

In case you’re wondering where you’ll find that new thru axle fork, we also got a sneak peek at the new 2016 X-Night SL. The X-Night SL will use the same cross race geometry found on the X-Night and thanks to a different carbon layup, will come in about 150g lighter.

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (19)

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (20)

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (23) Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (22)

The X-Night SL will also be available in these awesome two-sided paint jobs which look like completely different bikes depending on your vantage point.

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (15)

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (18) Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (17)

The X-Night will have a similar paint job without the two-face style.

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (3)

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (4)

First spotted at Eurobike, the new Noah SL is just starting to ship out to dealers. With only 20 or so made per week, Ridley points out that these will be limited so if you want one you should get your order in now. Combining aerodynamic technologies like their F-Splitfork and F-surface, the frame is still lightweight for an aero road bike at 950g (claimed). Found under Pro Tour Team Lotto Sudal, and Andre Greipel, the Noah SL uses standard rim brake calipers unlike the Noah Fast.

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (36)

Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (2) Ridley Oryx thru axle disc brake cyclocross fork Noah SL x-Night 4za carbon wheels (1)

While we’re on the subject of brake calipers, the Dean Fast is receiving some updated stoppers of its own. After the bike was launched in 2013, rim widths started changing pretty rapidly, so the new  brakes are designed to work better with multiple rim widths including the new crop of ultra wide wheels. Complete bikes will begin shipping in May.

ridley-bikes.com

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13 Comments
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Bazz
Bazz
9 years ago

Well done on staying with the 15mm Thru-axel on the cross bike Ridley! Stupid 12mm std can go join overdrive as far as I’m concerned.

Haya
Haya
9 years ago

The Noah SL numbers will be “limited”…..limited to the absolute maximum number that they can sell.

Rico
Rico
9 years ago

Haya if they know that number they are all time greatest businessmen. Maybe “limited to the max we can afford to risk”. I do like Ridley bikes though, my 2011 x-fire is still all I need for dirt.

Heffe
Heffe
9 years ago

I find the paint jobs on the cross bikes to be absolutely hideous.

Dirty
Dirty
9 years ago

Great paintjob @ Crossbikes!

KC
KC
9 years ago

No fender mounts, so they’re losing the market for those of us who want dual-purpose our cyclocross bike as a commuter through the winter.

Also, 15mm front? I know an earlier commenter liked that, but it doesn’t make sense, since the best wheelset choices are going 12mm. For example, one of the only fast carbon thru-axle wheelsets with Centerlock (which is required for XTR rotors) is the DT Swiss Spline DB series which is 12mm front.

WG
WG
9 years ago

Amazing paint jobs. Or is it just my soft spot for each and every Ridley bike?

Thesteve4761
Thesteve4761
9 years ago

@kc, what do you know that we don’t? NOBODY has officially announced a 12mm front fork/hub/wheel…

AW
AW
9 years ago

This is just a small offering , I hear the range is amazing , watch this space , fender mounts that would be cool !

Tomi
Tomi
9 years ago

KC: in my experience any modern DTSwiss hub can switch from qr9 to thru-axle by switching the end caps. I doubt the DT Spline DB Series will be limited to 12mm front.

Matt
Matt
9 years ago

Any word on steerer tube length? Would love an ENVE-matching 350mm.

D
D
9 years ago

@KC & AW The Oryx Disc 15TA fork will be available in two versions: one without fender mounts (shown here) and one with hidden fender mounts, for a clean look and maximum “dual-purpose” versatility.

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