Last Updated on 26 July 2023 by Cycloscope
RIDLEY Fenix SLA Disc Aluminum VS Fenix SLiC Carbon. Review for 2022!
Frame, specs, weight, tire clearance, geometry, models’ comparison [SRAM, Ultegra, 105]
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Material | Aluminum |
Weight | 9.37kg |
Tires | Vittoria Zaffiro V // 700x25c // Black |
Platform | Fenix SLA Disc |
brake type | Disc |
Cassette | Shimano 105 R7000 // 11s // 11-32 |
Group | Shimano 105 2x11sp |
Price | € 2,735.00 |
Size | M |
Our winner! Ridley Fenix SLA
From Belgian manufacturer Ridley, here comes the 2022 version of the Fenix, a performance-oriented road bike with a classic endurance geometry.
The Fenix SL Disc is a really tough bike. It shines on all types of roads, uphill, on flats and downhill, and with a tire clearance of 28c it can also handle difficult Paris-Roubaix style cobblestones. Wherever the road takes you, you’ll have a reliable, stiff, and responsive bike between your legs.
As stiffness is really its main characteristic, the Fenix SLiC is not really a bike for everyone
As often is the case in the road bike world, Ridley manufactures an aluminum version, the Fenix SLA, and a carbon model, Fenix SLiC.
The compact and aggressive geometry make it delightful to pedal for trained endurance cyclists who love to push their limits, but if you’re a beginner in endurance cycling, maybe something a bit more comfortable could do you better – but here’s where the Fenix SLA comes in to play, we’ll see how the slightly different geometry and the aluminum frame are actually an advantage for beginners and folks who like comfort above performance.
The Fenix SLA Disc shares indeed many qualities with their top model, the SLiC carbon. It incorporates a diamond-shaped down tube that adds strength and stiffness to this endurance road bike.
But it also has thinner and lower saddle stays, which greatly increases your comfort level. Its responsiveness is also unbeatable thanks to its wide bottom bracket and stiff front tube. Albeit a bit heavier and featuring of course more basic components, the SLA is the winner of our value for money competition for the Fenix series.
The RIDLEY Fenix SLA Disc made it into our list of
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PROS:
- A broad bottom bracket contributed to the bike’s stiffness, which was amplified by the short chainstays. An arched top-tube and carbon/resin construction (SLiC) adds to the compliance for endurance.
- Ridley’s own website has a custom paint program for consumers.
CONS:
- The SLA and SLiC Disc models’ contact points (including saddles and bar-tape) were found to be excessively abrasive for extended endurance rides.
- The SLX’s ride can be felt as a little harsh and uncomfortable on long trips. The SLA’s ride was described as ‘somewhat hard’.
Ridley Fenix SLA Disc Geometry
Ridley Fenix Geometry
As geometry is concerned, all parameters are in the average range for endurance road bikes, the aluminum version though has a longer stack, slightly shorter reach, and way longer seat and head tube.
XXS | XS | yes | M | L | XL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TO | 740 | 770 | 800 | 830 | 860 | 890 |
B. | 450 | 480 | 510 | 540 | 570 | 600 |
C | 515 | 525 | 545 | 565 | 585 | 600 |
D | 107 | 127 | 142 | 172 | 202 | 227 |
AND | 75 | 74 | 73.5 | 73 | 72.5 | 72.5 |
F | 71.8 | 72 | 73 | 73.5 | 73.5 | 74 |
G | 410 | 410 | 410 | 410 | 413 | 413 |
H | 68 | 68 | 66 | 66 | 63 | 63 |
I | 973 | 973 | 982 | 992 | 1010 | 1019 |
J | 732 | 757 | 778 | 810 | 841 | 868 |
yes | 507 | 527 | 543 | 573 | 599 | 625 |
R | 379 | 374 | 384 | 390 | 396 | 403 |
Ridley Fenix SLA
The Ridley Fenix 2022 Models – SLA Disc vs SLiC SRAM VS SLiC Ultegra
As we can see from the table below, the Ridley Fenix SLA model refers to aluminium frame, while the SLiC series is made of high-grade carbon.
As usual for different models of the same road bike, the main difference sits in the groupset, with the presence of an electronic drivetrain in all SLiC models, the name of the models indeed specify which drivetrain is used, SRAM Rival eTap, SRAM Rival AXS, or Shimano Ultegra DI2.
Maximum available speeds are:
- Ridley Fenix SLA Disc – Shimano 105 2x11sp – 63 km/h
- Ridley Fenix SLiC – SRAM Rival eTap AXS – 67 km/h
- Ridley Fenix SLiC – Sram Rival AXS 2x12sp – 67 km/h
- Ridley Fenix SLiC – Shimano Ultegra DI2 2x12sp – 66 km/h
Fenix SLA Disc – Shimano 105 2x11sp | Fenix SLiC – SRAM Rival eTap AXS | Fenix SLiC – Sram Rival AXS 2x12sp | Fenix SLiC – Shimano Ultegra DI2 2x12sp | |
---|---|---|---|---|
RRP | €2,159 | €4,548 | €5,079 | €6,399 |
Online Price | $3,099 [2022] AT BACKCOUNTRY $2,599 [2021] AT BACKCOUNTRY | €4,159 AT WIGGLE | N/A | £3,198 AT CHAIN REACTION |
Category | Endurance | Endurance | Endurance | Endurance |
Weight | 9.4 kg | 8.5 kg | 8.4 kg | 8.4 kg |
Frame | Aluminum | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon |
Fork | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon |
Wheel Size | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c |
Wheel Material | Aluminium | Aluminium | Aluminium | Aluminium |
Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc |
Groupset | 105 | Rival eTAP | Rival eTAP | Ultegra Di2 |
Drivetrain | 2 × 11 | 2 × 12 Electronic | 2 × 12 Electronic | 2 × 11 Electronic |
Ridley Fenix Specs
Again here we can see how the main differences are of course between the budget Fenix SLA and the more expensive SLiC.
All the SLiC indeed feature similar components, with the exception of the Forza Aero Integrated handlebars on the Ultegra version, which doesn’t require a stem.
Rims and saddle are also updated on the Fenix SLiC Shimano Ultegra DI2.
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Fenix SLA Disc – Shimano 105 | Fenix SLiC – SRAM Rival eTap AXS | Fenix SLiC – Sram Rival AXS | Fenix SLiC – Shimano Ultegra DI2 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Frame | Fenix SLA Disc 7E5 | Fenix, 30T-24T HM UD Carbon, Diamond Shape, F-Steerer Head Tube, TA 12x142mm | Fenix, 30T-24T HM UD Carbon, Diamond Shape, F-Steerer Head Tube, TA 12x142mm | Fenix, 30T-24T HM UD Carbon, Diamond Shape, F-Steerer Head Tube, TA 12x142mm |
Fork | Fenix SLA Disc 7E5 | Fenix, 30T-24T HM UD Carbon, TA 12×100 mm | Fenix, 30T-24T HM UD Carbon, TA 12×100 mm | Fenix, 30T-24T HM UD Carbon, TA 12×100 mm |
Stem | Forza Stratos // 110 mm | Deda Super Box POB 110mm | Deda Super Box // 120 mm | |
Handlebar | Forza Stratos, Compact // 420mm (cc) | DEDA Zero2 // 420mm (cc) | DEDA Zero2 // 420mm (cc) | Forza Aero Integrated // 120mm – 420mm (cc) |
Saddle | Selle Italia Model X | Selle Italia XR | Selle Italia XR | Selle Italia SLR Boost // Manganese Rails |
Seatpost | Forza Stratos // 15mm Offset // 350mm // 27,2mm | Forza Cirrus // Carbon-Alloy // 24mm Offset // 350mm // 27,2mm | Forza Cirrus // Carbon-Alloy // 10mm Offset // 350mm // 27,2mm | Forza Cirrus // Carbon-Alloy // 10mm Offset // 350mm // 27,2mm |
Rims | Shimano RS171 DB // Shimano 11s // Clincher | Forza Levanto db // Shimano 11s // TA 12x142mm // Clincher-TLR // Forza 3 Beaufort hub // 19mm Internal Width // 38mm deep | Forza Levanto db // Shimano-Campagnolo 11s // TA 12x142mm // Clincher-TLR // Forza 3 Beaufort hub // 19mm Internal Width // 38mm deep | Forza Levanto db // Shimano 11s // TA 12x142mm // Clincher-TLR // Forza 3 |
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FAQs about Ridley Fenix
Are Ridley bikes good?
Ridley is a leading European bike manufacturer from Belgium, one of the undisputed birthplaces of cycling. Ridley bikes are good enough to be used by pros in the world’s most important road cycling competitions, such as Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
Are Ridley bike frames made in China?
Although the design and final built are handled in the Belgian quarters, frames are produced in two massive factories in China that make all carbon frames for Giant, Cervelo, Scott, Trek, Ridley, Colnago, Specialized, and literally hundreds more brands.