20 Reasons to/NOT to Buy Ridley X-Trail (Jun 2024) | BikeRide (2024)

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Number of Gears

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Weight

19.1, 17.8, 24.6, 19 lb

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Frame Material

14 reasons to buy

• Owners praised the X-Trail’s ‘sleek’ good looks, with the Carbon Ultegra HDB offering online custom paint options.

• Big tires masked uneven surfaces and soaked up rough conditions.

• One expert described the SRAM Apex 1 drivetrain on the Apex 1 650b as ideal for adventure riding.

• The X-Trail features three bottle mounts plus mudguard mounts, that are hidden on the Carbon SRAM Force1 HDB, keeping things neat and attractive.

• Some owners considered carbon X-Trails to be lightweight.

• Confident steering and good handling were reported from the Carbon SRAM Force1 HDB, with the bike receiving plaudits for stability, stiffness and all-day comfort.

• The X-Trail was chosen for its versatility and worked for many as a backpacking rig. Some reviewers said it could replace three of your other bikes. On-road and off-road, it rode equally well.

• On the Carbon SRAM Force1 HDB, braking power from the SRAM Hydraulics was strong in both dry and wet conditions, even on descents.

• Clearance for 700x36c, or 50mm tires (on 650b models), was strongly appreciated.

• Both the X-Trail Alloy and the A20 105 were considered good value.

• Front and rear thru-axles were a bonus for stiffness and disc-brake adjustment.

• Slack geometry was described by one user as ‘perfect’ and contributing to performance on rough surfaces.

• Some long-term owners described their experience of the X-Trail as ‘low maintenance’.

• Reviews described excellent power transfer, translating to good climbing ability.

6 reasons not to buy

• Experts described alloy models as heavy, with somewhat-weighty componentry. One reviewer even said the same for carbon models.

• It was considered a bit pricey – unless you use the X-Trail to replace multiple bikes.

• The Carbon Ultegra HDB was mocked by one expert, for sporting outdated '90s looks.

• Vibration, causing discomfort, was also reported by this expert on the Carbon Ultegra HDB.

• This reviewer also found that the Carbon Ultegra HDB’s tires didn’t grip so well.

• A20 105 and A55 models only used mechanical disc brakes. Experts felt they’d fair better with hydraulics.

Bottom line

The Ridley X-Trail comes in four build-options, three carbon and one alloy. All of them have received consistently positive reviews from most experts and owners. In this price range, bikes can be judged harshly. However, the X-Trail was frequently labeled as a rig that performed very well both on-road and off-road, while not being a dedicated expert in either department. If you are looking for a dedicated adventure bike to add to your quiver, you might find more committed options. But if you want one bike to rule them all, the X-Trail might be your champion.

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