R
RidleyX-Night
cyclocross
01
Origin
Ridley has built cyclocross bikes from near the brand's founding — Belgium is CX's home country. The X-Night name has been the race-series CX bike through multiple generations since the mid-2000s. The 2023 RS generation (5th generation) adopted aerodynamic profiles from the Falcn RS road bike and introduced patented F-Steerer integration into a CX frame for the first time, keeping cables completely buried in mud conditions.
02
Specifications
- Frame
- Elite Series carbon: 30T-24T HM UD Carbon (X-Night SL); RS generation uses aero profiles from Falcn RS; F-Steerer head tube; UDH (SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger); higher BB for mud clearance
- Drivetrain
- Shimano GRX 815 Di2 1x11 + Classified Powershift 2-speed hub (GRX Di2/Classified build); or SRAM Force AXS 1x / Rival AXS (build-dependent); Rotor Direct Mount 48T ring
- Brakes
- Flat-mount hydraulic disc brakes
- Wheels
- 700c; Classified Powershift CF G42 carbon 42mm deep, 25mm internal width on RS GRX Di2 build
03
The verdict
+Strengths
- F-Steerer keeps cables clean in the worst Belgian mud conditions — a genuine race-day advantage
- Aero-profiled tubing from Falcn RS makes it one of the faster CX frames aerodynamically
- Classified hub option delivers broader range without front derailleur on technical CX courses
−Weaknesses
- Proprietary Classified wheel system complicates trailside repairs at races
- Elite Series (not top-tier) carbon means the RS is not the absolute lightest CX frame available
- F-Steerer servicing requires more effort than a conventional headset and bar setup
04
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