Ridley X-trail carbon

Anyone got one and can comment on how it is both on road and on gravel / gently off road. Was going to go with a disc road bike and keep the London road but a good offer on one of these is very tempting and should do the job if both current bikes. The geometry is very similar to a cervelo r3 apart from a slightly slacker head angle, so I know it will fit.

I have and it’s an exceptional bike:

I didn’t rate the OEM Clement tyres and swapped immediately to Schwalbe G-One Allround. Initially 38c but they are too wide for the frame so have since swapped to 35c to avoid frame rub. Front wheel bearings seized up in < 6 months of dry riding, but cheap to replace with some that aren’t made of Fulcrum Cheese.

I’ve ridden a fair bit on it over the summer and it has rapidly become my favourite bike and I’ll take it out whenever I can. I know that people like to recommend the bike they own, but I really do love this bike and a chap I met on holiday who also loved the look of it went straight out and bought one upon his return and he loves his too!

If I had to critique it, I would say that there’s not enough tyre clearance at the back and I’d love to have seen 40mm tyres, but it’s a really nice ride and the geometry is spot on. Be aware that Ridley size them odd, so for me (5ft 11″) the medium is the right size, but I was even borderline OK on the small! I guess they are taller over in Belgium 🙂