30Th Anniversary Edition Celebrating 30 Years of Ridgeback Bikes
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2013/2014 Range 2013/14 Range 30th Anniversary Edition Celebrating 30 years of Ridgeback bikes 2013/14 Range ridgeback.co.uk ridgeback.co.uk 30th Anniversary Edition Celebrating 30 years of Ridgeback bikes 2013/14 Range ridgeback.co.uk 12 Rapide 34 Avenida Around town Easy cycling 30th Anniversary Edition Celebrating 30 years of Ridgeback bikes 38 Flight 48 Advance Ridgeback is 30 The fastest Comfortably quick As with most things in life, things change and one Once just a single mountain bike, Ridgeback is now way to work of the most apparent changes in recent years has in its 30th Anniversary year, offering a diverse been cycling’s more mainstream public presence. selection of models to meet the needs of a broad spectrum of riders. CONTENTS After all, cycling is a simple pursuit which for a relatively small outlay can provide many benefits. Highlights from new range include: The World As well as improved health and offering a cost- series Expedition. A new long distance bike with 26" 2013/14 effective alternative to high fuel and ticket prices, wheels and bar-end shifters, positioned at the more riding a bike allows you to accurately manage your rugged end of the touring market. RANGE journey time. It’s fast, efficient and provides freedom that other modes of transport just can’t offer. The Rapide series has been fully upgraded with all models now using double wall rims, stainless 56 World 66 Dual Track spokes and Shimano cables. To cater for the Explore distant places Tarmac and trail increase in ‘school commuting’, Rapide gets a new 24" wheel model called Dimension - an everyday bike aimed at 8-11 year olds. Last but not least, we’ve added a 14" wheel Scoot for taller or older beginner bike riders. Something that hasn’t changed is Ridgeback’s aim to make shopping for a new bike as easy as possible. So whatever your riding style, we’re sure you’ll find a Ridgeback that’s right for you in this year’s brochure and online at ridgeback.co.uk. 74 Terrain 86 Kids Off the beaten track Real bikes not toys T Toby Howes Connect with us on Facebook, get the latest news with Toby’s blog, check spec, Head of Product Design geometry and FAQs, plus find your nearest dealer. ridgeback.co.uk 1 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 30th Anniversary Edition Ridgeback’s landmark bikes. Celebrating 30 years of Ridgeback bikes 1983 : The first Ridgeback 2002 : Genesis Day 03 2003 : The Switch Storm 2006 : Dual Track Advance 2008 : Flight R25 2013 : Supernova XT In the beginning Mountain or street bike? Big wheels keep on rolling 25th Anniversary 30th Anniversary Something totally new Ridgeback launched the UK’s first In 2001 we created the flat bar road bike. Ridgeback’s Urban series was another trend Other milestones include, Dual Track, a In 2008, to mark our 25th anniversary, It’s been 23 years since the launch of the mountain bike. Originally named Genesis, this new breed setter. In 1998 these slick tyred, street robust all rounder with 29” wheels aimed the R25 was launched. This was a Roxy. Our first ‘hybrid’ bike, the Roxy was of fast commuter sports bike is seen as mountain bikes were not only lots of fun to at riders looking for a more comfortable limited edition of one hundred very a forerunner of the Rapide series, one Everyday cycling one of the last significant developments ride but provided a serious alternative to the off-road experience. Originally designed as special flat bar road bikes. Based on a of the most successful commuter bike 1990 saw the arrival of the Ridgeback Roxy, in cycle genres. more traditional commuting bike. Becoming a mountain bike, today’s Dual track is more prototype bike I was riding at the time, ranges in the UK. an early forerunner of today’s Rapide series - the Switch series in 2003, they ran right up off-road hybrid than mtb. the R25 was Ridgeback’s most advanced Despite having undergone significant To celebrate Ridgeback’s 30th the benchmark by which all other commuter until last year. flat bar bike to date. evolution, Ridgeback’s award winning design anniversary, this year’s Rapide series bikes are measured. Using 700c road rims instead of traditional continues today in the Flight series. 26 inch wheels, the Dual Track’s larger tyres Five years on and it’s now clear that includes a limited edition Supernova the R25 was a precursor of the future give the bike a longer contact patch for equipped with Shimano’s premium level of braking on performance flat bar bikes, improved traction whilst rolling over lumps Deore XT componentry. as it was equipped with Shimano Deore and bumps more smoothly. XT hydraulic discs, capable of awesome The 2014 Supernova XT offers fifty lucky stopping power. Today, all Flight series riders the opportunity to own a practical bikes are equipped with hydraulic and comfortable commuting bike of the disc brakes. highest quality. No two bikes are alike as each one is uniquely numbered 1 to 50. 1983 2002 2003 2006 2008 2013 1983 1990 1997 1998 1999 2003 2007 2010 Making History 2 3 FRAME TECH Frame tubes are precisely mitred Thanks to lighter weight aluminium and steel alloys the traditional bike frame has attained new levels of resilience and responsiveness. Guaranteed for life We can chose from many manufacturers’ components to get the best set-up, but the frame has the greatest influence on ride feel. Luckily it’s the component that can be most aluminium adapted to perform the way we need it to. Initial set up against frame drawings Inspecting frame alignment Checking seat stay configuration All Ridgeback frames are designed to provide tyres, and relevant riding style to ensure that the best blend of performance, handling and everything is in balance and working together to ride quality. Meticulously constructed from maximum advantage. Constructed to the highest lightweight aluminium or Reynolds steel, tube standard, Ridgeback frames are built to last, so diameter and wall thickness are specified they’re guaranteed for life. according to frame size and intended use. Whilst similar parts specifications are common to many bike brands, Ridgeback frame geometries are designed to work with the forks, stems and Frame Tech 4 5 ANATOMY OF A COMMUTER Frame Built using lightweight aluminium or steel tubing, Ridgeback frames have a geometry designed for comfortable power output and confident handling. Constructed with generous tyre clearance as well as useful mudguard and rack fittings, a Ridgeback frame always provides a balanced blend of comfort and ride quality. Disk Frame Brakes Guaranteed for life Powerful all weather braking Disk Brakes Perfect for regular city riding, hydraulic disc brakes have a safe, modulated lever feel and provide incredible stopping power in all conditions, especially in the wet, needing little adjustment as pad wear is low. Tyres Practical puncture resistance Shimano Tyres Continental and Schwalbe tyres are all about reliability. New technology has Shimano enabled the use of tougher yet lighter Probably the most important name in materials to radically reinforce tyres cycling. While all brands use Shimano Accurate shifting against intrusion from sharp objects. every time components to some degree, In simple language, whilst not yet Ridgeback strives to use complete a thing of the past, punctures are now Shimano transmission systems few and far between. where specifications allow to provide the highest level of shifting function and reliability. Anatomy of a commuter 6 7 ANATOMY OF A COMMUTER F Chris: Model: Balerno to Edinburgh Quay Flight 03 Until recently my ride was six miles Ride frequency: 3 days per week but I’ve recently discovered a really tranquil towpath route and now the Daily distance: 8 miles journey is closer to seven miles and takes about 10 minutes longer. Average speed: 15 mph It’s worth it though as I prefer Ride time: 35 mins riding along beside the canal. F F © 2013 Google Flight range page 38 - 47 R Stuart: Shoreham to Brighton Riding along the seafront beats public transport every which way. Of course down here, the weather can be challenging but cycling is easily doable with the right clothing so I still manage D D to bike in most days. Rapide range page 12 - 33 Vanessa: R D © 2013 Google Kilburn to Ealing Using main roads, it’s a five mile commute Model: to my practise, however I know lots of R Dual Track x2 shortcuts and if I’m really going for it I can get my time down to less than 25 minutes. I’ve cycled regularly for five years now and Ride frequency: 3 days per week don’t think I’d ever go back to driving. Daily distance: 5 miles © 2013 Google Average speed: 14 mph Ride time: 22 mins Model: Velocity Ride frequency: 5 days per week Average speed: 11 mph Daily distance: 7 miles Ride time: 40 mins Dual Track range page 66 - 73 Anatomy of a commuter 8 9 GO FURTHER R A Ridgeback Rapide series bike offers With the upright feel of a traditional bike, the perfect combination a Avenida series Ridgeback offers of speed, comfort and practicality. easy shifting, great brake performance and not A too many gears. Quick and adaptable, a Ridgeback Flight Highly versatile bikes for A performs at the highest level transport to training and on city streets, in rugged urban conditions and everything in between.