The Ridley Ignite GTX tickles the road between a extremely rugged gravel hardtail and “we put a dropbar on our hardtail MTB body.” Ridley is looking it an “Alpine Gravel Bike.” From the seems of it, they’ve gone all-in on a platform that blurs the traces between gravel and MTB greater than ever earlier than.
The Ignite GTX is constructed from the bottom up with mountain bike geometry (it’s a mountain bike body—you may see it in MTB mode right here), huge tire clearance, and an non-obligatory 100mm journey suspension fork.
So, are we wanting on the subsequent evolution of gravel? Or have we simply come full circle again to the drop-bar hardtail debate?
A Gravel Bike… or a Mountain Bike with Drop Bars?
Ridley says the Ignite GTX is designed for ultra-endurance racing, excessive journey, and bikepacking—suppose Atlas Mountain Race, Tour Divide, and every little thing epic.
Ridley’s thought behind the Ignite GTX is straightforward: Mountain bikes deal with the tough stuff nicely however lack pace on flatter terrain, whereas gravel bikes excel on clean surfaces however battle in technical sections.
Ought to merging these two segments create a “quicker” and extra succesful MTB/gravel design? Possibly? Dropbars supply extra hand positions than conventional flat MTB bar designs, and it has labored for Salsa with the Cutthroat.
So, what makes the Ridley Ignite GTX totally different?
- Huge 2.3″ (58mm) tire clearance – The largest we’ve seen on a gravel bike but
- MTB geometry – Lengthy attain, 70-degree head angle, 1100mm wheelbase
- Inflexible or 100mm suspension fork choices – Suspension-corrected for an genuine MTB really feel
- Ridley’s “Flex-Keep” rear finish – Carbon stays are engineered to soak up vibrations
- 29-inch wheels – Absolutely embracing MTB tire compatibility
This isn’t actually a brand new endurance-ready gravel bike—it’s Ridley’s Ignite SLX hardtail with drop bars. Whereas privateer racers have been hacking collectively related setups for years, Ridley’s transfer indicators there may be extra demand for this model of motorcycle than beforehand thought.
Geometry & Suspension – MTB DNA
The Ignite GTX is all MTB hardtail at its roots, and Ridley is leaning into it. Oddly sufficient, MTB’s tech and fascinating specs play nicely and apply to the gravel journey crowd. Listed here are a number of the stand-out options of the geometry and body;
- Head Tube Angle: 70 levels—This is slacker than the Kanzo Journey, including extra management (and enjoyable) on descents.
- Attain & Stack: 418mm attain, 614mm stack (measurement massive) – Longer and taller than customary gravel bikes.
- Wheelbase: 1100mm – Steady at excessive speeds, nimble sufficient for tight switchbacks.
- Fork choices: Inflexible carbon or 100mm MTB suspension (RockShox SID or Recon Gold)
Most gravel suspension forks have a most journey of 40-50mm, however Ridley skipped these and went straight for full MTB suspension (in spite of everything, it’s an MTB bike). The Ignite GTX is constructed round a 100mm fork, making it way more succesful on rugged, high-speed descents than anything within the gravel house.
Construct Kits & Pricing
Ridley affords 4 builds with 1x drivetrains and Ritchey’s ultra-wide VentureMax bar (24-degree flare, shallow drop).
- SRAM Apex 1 / Inflexible fork – £2,599 / €2,799
- SRAM Apex 1 / RockShox Judy Silver – £2,699 / €2,999
- SRAM Rival 1 / RockShox Recon Gold – £3,199 / €3,499
- SRAM Rival/GX AXS Mullet Setup / RockShox Recon Gold – Value TBD
The mullet drivetrain (MTB rear derailleur + highway shifters) makes a ton of sense right here, pairing one of the best of gravel and MTB parts.
How Many Gravel Bikes Does Ridley Have Now?
At this level, Ridley may be Europe’s most devoted gravel model. Their lineup now contains:
- Kanzo Quick – Aero gravel race bike
- Kanzo Journey – Drop-bar journey rig
- Kanzo A – Alloy gravel bike
- Griffin RS & Grifn Gravel – Street/gravel all-rounders
- ASTR & Invenio – Extra road-focused choices
- Kalazy – Entry-level gravel/all-round
- Ignite GTX – The “Alpine Gravel” beast
Sport Changer or Only a Drop-Bar Hardtail?
The Ignite GTX is Ridley’s most boundary-pushing gravel bike but—a rig that doesn’t simply flirt with MTB tech; it IS a mountain bike. With 100mm fork compatibility, 2.3″ tire clearance, and progressive geometry, it’s as near a drop-bar hardtail as you will get whereas nonetheless calling it a gravel bike. Simply don’t put flat bars on it!
Will gravel racers embrace it? Arduous to say. However for riders tackling the longest, hardest races on this planet (ones that I’m an excessive amount of of a roadie for), this bike may be the software they’ve been ready for.
