The FASTEST Gravel Bike in the World? Ridley Astr RS Review

Ridley has launched the brand new Astr RS. It’s an aerodynamic carbon fibre gravel bike designed for racing with tyre clearance which at 52mm is very progressive. I spent several weeks riding it to see what it’s all about, find out how fast it really is and how it compares to other race gravel bikes like the Canyon Grail.

content
0:00 Intro
1:49 Frame design
3:17 Squarespace ad
4:30 Price, build and weight
5:50 Compared to rivals
6:50 Ride impressions
12:28 How wide is too wide?
14:04 Verdict

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[marciomvp]

Finally a bike that check all the boxes. I've been research my next gravel bike and, honestly, coming from a Ventum GS1, it is quite difficult to find a replacement. Though I am very very happy with the GS1 a bit more of tire clearance would be welcome.
Looks like the bike is the Ridley ASTR RS. Now I can start to save money and be intentional about it :)
The boxes: race geometry, stability fast lose descent, 52mm clearance, narrow integrated cockpit with flare, responsiveness, and beauty.

[Liryc]

I've been eyeing a rose backroad ff for a moment, but damn that frame is beautiful.

[cluckeroo]

I have a 2010 Ridley Helium with the integrated seat post. Still amazing to ride.

[BikeCoffee-Cake]

Love the video!

I think there is space for race-focused gravel bikes, and gravel bikes - just like race vs all-road bikes.

This one I think looks pretty cool - if I was racing I’d be tempted.

[Mockle]

Ridley sure know how to make an attractive bike 👌🏼

[patstrzeszewski]

We definitely need more bikes like this.

[rnodeprot]

Always appreciate your content. You should come do a gravel race here in the States. Can you please go over the frame geometry in these reviews? Thanks!

[RogerWatson]

You riding Unbound would make great content. Nice range of bikes the cheaper options looked better than the range topper you had.

[StefanKoefoed]

The reason I own a Kanzo Fast is, that it's so perfect for both road and gravel. 1 bike - 2 wheel sets. That's all I need.

The Astr RS has caught my eye though, since I saw it for the first time a few weeks back, and the only reason is tire clearance. I really want to use some 45-50c tires, but to do that, I need a new bike. Maybe this will be it. 😁

[Allride_]

this is the first one of a new generation of gravel race bikes (not counting the lauf seigla because it was so far ahead of this) and I can't wait to find a more versatile one to suit all my needs, from racing to quick bikepacking

[gazsyka]

This frame design is very familiar with the ROSE backroad FF.
Aero framebag too. Designed by the road race model.
And it's "only" costs 6.999 euro with the new red XPLR.
Maybe you should test that bike too.

[stijndeklerk]

Cool looking bike, one for the short list of my next purchase. As for how wide tires should go. No rules should be rule, except for some safety related stuff like a minimum weight maybe... Let the course dictate the best options.

[Nairezs]

Hi David, thanks for the review! Would you consider this as a good do it all bike? Having a road and gravel wheelset?

[ThomqsMNielsen]

I've just put "Winther tires" 2.1" (53mm) Vittoria Mezcal on my Revolt. Mainly to try it out.Can't wait to try them, but I don't think the ride will be as smooth as on my "summer tires" 45mm Challenge Strada Bianca, most suple tire I've ever tried.
But I agree If the tires get wider and you put suspension on your gravel bike, you might as well buy a XC MTB

Lastly, Unbound? YES!

[thebikerei]

With the Option of Configuring as You like its quite interesting

[frienduro]

When are you reviewing the Lauf Seigla? It has 57mm clearance

[midwesttreasureandrelicrec]

Yes using the type of high modulus carbon that they are using for this bike it is definitely going to be stiff stiff. I hope they let you try out one of the lower level bikes with the medium carbon layup to see if compliance will change but you can definitely see the vibrations coming straight from the ground through your body hear it in your voice and see it in your arms pretty drastically.

[romansauber]

I got a Kanzo Fast and quite like it. Looks very similar to this one.

[wtr]

I'm running 54mm Thunderburt in front and at the back either a 45mm G-One RS if I want speed or a 50mm G-One Bite if I want more comfort for more challenging terrain or longer rides

[rogercmerriman]

I’d assume (my gravel bike is old so narrow tires!) that the MTB geometry and suspension would still make the bike still feel very different, this said I like that my bike is happy on mixed terrain ie tarmac/gravel roads single track and so on, larger tires (50/60mm) are like MTB potentially making it more specific than generalist.