RIDLEY Fenix SLiC vs SLA [Review for 2022] Budget Aluminum to Top Carbon Road Bike

Ridley Fenix 2022 - value for money
RIDLEY Fenix SLA
9.2
RIDLEY Fenix SLiC SRAM eTap
8.5
RIDLEY Fenix SLiC SRAM AXS
8.3
RIDLEY Fenix SLiC Ultegra DI2
8.8
PROS
stiff and responsive
great acceleration
CONS
Not comfort oriented
8.9
Overall Judgement

Last Updated on 26 July 2023 by Cycloscope

ridley fenix SLiC

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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How we write our reviews: most of our reviews are based on first-hand long-term use or short-term test by a member of our team. For some new models or build variations, we rely on our experience with similar models and our team's experience in understanding bike geometry and components.

MaterialAluminum
Weight9.37kg
TiresVittoria Zaffiro V // 700x25c // Black
PlatformFenix ​​SLA Disc
brake typeDisc
CassetteShimano 105 R7000 // 11s // 11-32
GroupShimano 105 2x11sp
Price€ 2,735.00
SizeM

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
graphics @Ridley-Bikes.com

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.

XXSXSyesMLXL
TO740770800830860890
B.450480510540570600
C515525545565585600
D107127142172202227
AND757473.57372.572.5
F71.8727373.573.574
G410410410410413413
H686866666363
I97397398299210101019
J732757778810841868
yes507527543573599625
R379374384390396403

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 2x11spFenix SLiC – SRAM Rival eTap AXSFenix SLiC – Sram Rival AXS 2x12spFenix 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
CategoryEnduranceEnduranceEnduranceEndurance
Weight9.4 kg8.5 kg8.4 kg8.4 kg
FrameAluminumCarbonCarbonCarbon
ForkCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbon
Wheel Size700c700c700c700c
Wheel MaterialAluminiumAluminiumAluminiumAluminium
Brake TypeHydraulic DiscHydraulic DiscHydraulic DiscHydraulic Disc
Groupset105Rival eTAPRival eTAPUltegra Di2
Drivetrain2 × 112 × 12 Electronic2 × 12 Electronic2 × 11 Electronic
Ridley Fenix SLA review

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 105Fenix SLiC – SRAM Rival eTap AXSFenix SLiC – Sram Rival AXSFenix SLiC – Shimano Ultegra DI2
FrameFenix SLA Disc 7E5Fenix, 30T-24T HM UD Carbon, Diamond Shape, F-Steerer Head Tube, TA 12x142mmFenix, 30T-24T HM UD Carbon, Diamond Shape, F-Steerer Head Tube, TA 12x142mmFenix, 30T-24T HM UD Carbon, Diamond Shape, F-Steerer Head Tube, TA 12x142mm
ForkFenix SLA Disc 7E5Fenix, 30T-24T HM UD Carbon, TA 12×100 mmFenix, 30T-24T HM UD Carbon, TA 12×100 mmFenix, 30T-24T HM UD Carbon, TA 12×100 mm
StemForza Stratos // 110 mm Deda Super Box POB 110mmDeda Super Box // 120 mm
HandlebarForza Stratos, Compact // 420mm (cc)DEDA Zero2 // 420mm (cc)DEDA Zero2 // 420mm (cc)Forza Aero Integrated // 120mm – 420mm (cc)
SaddleSelle Italia Model XSelle Italia XRSelle Italia XRSelle Italia SLR Boost // Manganese Rails
SeatpostForza Stratos // 15mm Offset // 350mm // 27,2mmForza Cirrus //
Carbon-Alloy // 24mm Offset // 350mm // 27,2mm
Forza Cirrus // Carbon-Alloy // 10mm Offset // 350mm // 27,2mmForza Cirrus // Carbon-Alloy // 10mm Offset // 350mm // 27,2mm
RimsShimano RS171 DB // Shimano 11s // ClincherForza Levanto db // Shimano 11s // TA 12x142mm // Clincher-TLR // Forza 3 Beaufort hub // 19mm Internal Width // 38mm deepForza Levanto db // Shimano-Campagnolo 11s // TA 12x142mm // Clincher-TLR // Forza 3 Beaufort hub // 19mm Internal Width // 38mm deepForza 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.