Ridgeback.Co.Uk 2012/13 Range Ridgeback.Co.Uk Contents | 2012/13 Range
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ridgeback.co.uk 2012/13 Range ridgeback.co.uk Contents | 2012/13 Range Toby Howes Page 12 Page 32 Page 40 Page 50 1 Head of Product Design Cycling goes mainstream A few years ago in a previous introduction, I wrote that cycling There’s much that’s new this year. seemed to be everywhere I looked. With hindsight, cycling’s more Flight gets a semi-hydroformed frameset and all models now have mainstream public presence was in its infancy back then. Today it’s hydraulic disc brakes. The new Advance series is a range of quick yet firmly established. Cycle cafes, cycle Fridays, kids training schemes, comfortable road bikes ideal for commuting and weekend touring. Boris bikes, maps, apps, superhighways, British world champions, If you want a versatile all-rounder, take a look at Dual Track. They’re media coverage. The list goes on. It really is a welcome sight to see Page 60 Page 70 Page 80 Page 88 easy to ride and handle well under load whether you’re carrying cyclists and cycling being given serious consideration. luggage or using a child seat. After all, cycling is a simple pursuit which for a relatively small outlay Other new arrivals include the World series Tour. At £599.99 it’s a can provide many benefits. As well as improved health and offering great first tourer or robust commuter. Finally, we’re now offering a cost-effective alternative to high fuel and ticket prices, riding a bike a 20” wheel boy’s and girl’s bike with a simple steel fork. RX20 & allows you to accurately manage your journey time. It’s fast, efficient Cherry are slightly lighter than their suspension fork equivalents and and provides freedom that other modes of transport just can’t offer. are aimed at a more tarmac orientated rider. At Ridgeback we continue to look at everything cycling to make sure There’s never been a better time to be cycling, so whatever your Connect with us on Facebook, get the latest each new range meets the varied needs of today’s cyclists. riding style, we’re sure you’ll find a Ridgeback that’s right for you in news with Toby’s blog, check spec, geometry and FAQs, plus find your nearest dealer. this year’s brochure and online at ridgeback.co.uk. ridgeback.co.uk 2012/13 Range ridgeback.co.uk MAKING HISTORY Since 1983 Ridgeback has been building bikes for UK riders and has an unmatched reputation for innovation and quality. From high performance flat bar and touring bikes to comfortable commuters and children’s bikes, Ridgeback leads the way. Toby Howes looks back at some of Ridgeback’s landmark bikes. 2003 : The Switch Storm 2006 : Dual Track Advance 2008 : 25th Anniversary Mountain or street bike? Big wheels keep on rolling 25th Anniversary Ridgeback’s Urban series were another Other milestones include, Dual Track, a In 2008, to mark our 25th anniversary, trend setter. In 1998 these slick tyred, street robust all rounder with 29” wheels aimed the R25 was launched. This was a 2 mountain bikes were not only lots of fun at riders looking for a more comfortable off limited edition of one hundred very 3 to ride but provided a serious alternative road experience. Originally designed as a special flat bar road bikes. Based on a to the more traditional commuting bike. mountain bike, today’s Dual track is more prototype bike I was riding at the time, Becoming the Switch series in 2003, they off-road hybrid than mtb. the R25 was Ridgeback’s most advanced ran right up until last year. flat bar bike to date. The first Ridgeback 2002 : Genesis Day 03 Using 700c road rims instead of traditional 26 inch wheels, the Dual Track’s larger tyres Five years on and it’s now clear that the give the bike a longer contact patch for R25 was a precursor of the future of improved traction whilst rolling over lumps braking on performance flat bar bikes, Nearly 30 years ago in 1983, Ridgeback Something totally new and bumps more smoothly. as it was equipped with Shimano Deore launched the UK’s first mountain bike. XT hydraulic discs, capable of awesome In 2001 we created the flat bar road bike. stopping power. Today, all Flight series Roxy Originally named Genesis, this new breed of bikes are equipped with hydraulic disc fast commuter sports bike is seen as one brakes. 1990 saw the arrival of the Ridgeback of the last significant developments in cycle Roxy, an early forerunner of today’s Rapide genres. series - the benchmark by which all other commuter bikes are measured. Despite having undergone significant evolution, Ridgeback’s award winning design continues today in the Flight series. 1983 1990 1997 1998 1999 2003 2007 2010 2012/13 Range ridgeback.co.uk FRAME TECH Thanks to lighter weight aluminium and steel alloys the traditional bike frame has attained new All Ridgeback frames are designed to provide Whilst similar parts specifications are common to 4 5 levels resilience and responsiveness. We can chose from other manufacturer’s components for the best blend of performance, handling and ride many bike brands, Ridgeback frame geometries quality. Meticulously constructed from lightweight are designed to work with the forks, stems and the best set-up, but the frame has the greatest influence on ride feel. Luckily it’s the component aluminium or Reynolds steel, tube diameter and tyres, and relevant riding style to ensure that that can be most adapted to perform the way we need it to. wall thickness are specified according to frame everything is in balance and working together to size and intended use. maximum advantage. Constructed to the highest standard, Ridgeback frames are built to last, so they’re guaranteed for life. aluminium Frame tubes are Initial set up against Checking seat stay Inspecting frame precisely mitred frame drawings configuration alignment 2012/13 Range ridgeback.co.uk client : ridgeback strictly confidential Anatomy of a commuter Frame Built using lightweight aluminium or steel tubing, Ridgeback frames Tyres have a geometry designed for Continental tyres are all about comfortable power output and reliability. New technology has confident handling. Constructed with enabled the use of tougher yet generous tyre clearance as well as lighter materials to radically useful mudguard and rack fittings, reinforce tyres against intrusion the frame provides a balanced blend from sharp objects. In simple of comfort and ride quality. language, whilst not yet a thing of the past, punctures are now few and far between. 6 7 Shimano Probably the most important name in cycling. While all brands use Shimano components to some degree, Ridgeback strives to use Disk Brakes complete Shimano transmission Perfect for regular city riding, systems where specifications allow hydraulic disc brakes have a safe, to provide the highest level of modulated lever feel and provide shifting function and reliability. incredible stopping power in all conditions, especially in the wet. Additionally little adjustment is needed as pad wear is low. 2012/13 Range ridgeback.co.uk Anatomy of a commuter Chris: Balerno to Edinburgh Quay Until recently my ride was six miles but I’ve recently discovered a really tranquil towpath route and now the journey is closer to seven Flight Rider miles and takes about 10 minutes longer. It’s worth it though as I prefer riding along beside the canal. Model:Model: FlightFlight 03 Frequency of cycling: daily for commuting Flight range page 50 - 59 Ride frequency: Daily Vanessa: © 2012 Google Kilburn to Ealing Using main roads, it’s a five mile commute to my practise however I know lots of shortcuts and if I’m really going for it I can get my time 8 9 down to less than 25 minutes. I’ve cycled Dual Track Rider regularly for five years now and don’t think I’d ever go back to driving. Model: Dual Track x2.3 Dual Track range page 40 - 49 Ride frequency: At least three times per week © 2012 Google Stuart: Shoreham to Brighton Riding along the seafront beats public transport every which way. Of course down Rapide Rider here, the weather can be challenging but cycling is easily doable with the right clothing so I still manage to bike in most days. Rapide range page 12 - 31 Model: Metro Frequency of cycling: a few times a week for shopping Model: Velocity Ride frequency: Almost every day © 2012 Google 2012/13 Range ridgeback.co.uk A Ridgeback Rapide series bike offers the perfect combination of speed, comfort and practicality. With the upright feel of a traditional bike, a Metro series Ridgeback offers easy shifting, great brake performance and not too many gears. A robust all-rounder that’s self-assured on rough terrain yet feels comfortably balanced on city streets and canal towpaths. Quick and adaptable, a Ridgeback Flight performs at the highest level on city streets, in rugged urban conditions and even on light off road trails. 10 Highly versatile bikes for transport to 115 training and everything in between. Long distance tourer, rugged commuter or just for day rides, a World series bike offers a cycling experience steeped in history but with the benefit of contemporary technology. Off-road bikes designed for durability and comfort. All Kids Ridgebacks have a light aluminium frame that allows a child to lift and handle their bike with ease. GO FURTHER 2012/13 Range ridgeback.co.uk AROUND TOWN & WEEKENDS AWAY 12 13 Built for commuting and everyday riding, a Ridgeback Rapide offers the perfect combination of speed, comfort and practicality. 2012/13 Range ridgeback.co.uk ADAPTABLE AND STYLISH WITH THE DURABILITY NEEDED FOR EVERYDAY USE 14 15 A short test ride of one of these benchmark commuter hybrids will confirm why so many people choose a bike from this popular category.