Ridley Noah
THE STORY
For 2009, Ridley completely redesigned the Noah using a new carbon manufacturing process and introduced the revolutionary R-flow aerodynamic system. With so many technological innovations wrapped into one bike, we were eager to see the how far Ridley had pushed the envelope.
THE FRAME
The Ridley Noah is designed to be the most aerodynamic road bike frame in the world. It features monocoque construction, with aero-shaped down-, seat- and top tubes, combined with Ridley proprietary R-flow seat stays and fork. R-flow is Ridley’s name for the double blade fork and seat stay designs. The double blade design was originally developed by Oval Concepts and has seen limited use on the European scene. Ridley purchased the patents and continued development of the design. The double blade design, while small, is designed to have a big effect on performance. As a wheel turns it creates turbulence, which increases drag. This drag is increased in the areas around the fork and chainstays as the turbulent air from the wheel interacts with the air passing around the fork or seat stay. The double blades create air slots, which pull air away from this area allowing for smoother, faster airflow. Every tube on the Noah is on the limit of the UCI guidelines for aerodynamics. Ridley even went so far as to develop an aerodynamic paint scheme for the Noah. On the seat and down tubes Ridley has introduced thin-rough-to-the-touch transparent strips that are on the front edge of the tubes. Ridley has termed these R-strips. This causes the air to be disrupted slightly against the surface, increasing airflow around the tube. These strips are also used within the R-flow slots to smooth airflow as it reintegrates with the air passing over the outside of the fork or seat stay.. Remaining true to the Noah’s heritage, Ridley has kept the 1.5-inch lower headset bearing, oversized bottom bracket and carbon seat mast. All of these features have made the Noah unique in performance and ride quality. These are traits that Ridley wanted to preserve with the 2009 model.
The 2009 Noah is created using a new carbon manufacturing process in which the shape of the frame is first created using a foam mold. This mold is then wrapped in a rubber bladder. The carbon fiber is then hand laid over the mold. When the frame, is cured the foam mold melts and drains from the frame. The rubber sleeve is then pulled from the frame leaving a one-piece monoque frame. This construction method allows Ridley to build a stronger frame and with sharper airfoil points that make the double blade design possible in tight areas. This also allows Ridley to sharpen the tail end of the tubes so that air can flow off the frame more easily.
THE PARTS
The Ridley Noah comes with a complete SRAM Red drivetrain. Fulcrum Zero wheels, Ridley’s own 4ZR Nytro one-piece carbon bar and stem combo and a 4ZR Cirrus saddle, 23c Vredestein Fortezza tires complete the Noah. SRAM Red has become one of our favorite groups. It provides top-flight performance on a par with anything on the market, while its graphic treatment is unique and visually separates it from anything else. The Fulcrum Racing Zero wheels are smooth and light with no detectable flex. One of the more impressive features of the wheels is the spoke design. The spoke profile on the Fulcrum Racing Zeros increases as the spokes get closer to the rim. This increases aerodynamics while still keeping the weight as low as possible. The Fulcrum Racing Zeros weigh 1425 grams a pair. The 4ZR one-piece bar and stem combo is light with a wide flat cross section, and features internal cable routing. While not every test rider liked the wing-shaped profile of the bars, the internal cable routing kept the front of the bike looking clean, and the bar’s aero-profile fit the theme of the bike. The 23c Vredestein Fortezza tires are great tires that offer good cornering performance in both wet and dry conditions. The 4ZR saddle was comfortable, and held its shape throughout the duration of the test.
THE NUMBERS
Our medium Noah had a 73.5-degree head and 73-degree seat tube angle, connected by a 56.5-centimeter top tube. Chainstay length and bottom bracket height were both standard race dimensions at 40.8 centimeters for the chainstays. The Noah Red weighs 15.2 pounds.
THE RIDE
The Ridley Noah is fast. It climbs fast, it descends fast, and in sprints it accelerates like a rocket. The bottom bracket is incredibly stiff with no hint of flex while climbing or sprinting. This stiffness is continued throughout the front triangle. With the oversized downtube, 1.5-inch-lower headset bearing and one-piece bar/stem combo, the Noah goes where it’s pointed. Despite being incredibly stiff the Noah was smooth and comfortable. Surprisingly, we attribute this smoothness to the R-flow design in the fork and seat stays. By effectively splitting the fork and seat stays into two smaller pieces with thinner cross sections, Ridley inadvertently introduced a degree of vertical compliance to the frame. As for the effectiveness of the R-flow design on aerodynamics, without wind tunnel testing we will have to trust Ridley’s data. With that said, more than one tester said that the bike felt faster than their normal bike. The only real downside to the Noah is that it is following the trend of tall head tubes. Our 55-centimeter Noah had a high head tube. When combined with Ridley’s one-piece bar stem combo it made it difficult for some riders to get the bars low enough to match their normal riding position.
THE VERDICT
The Ridley Noah is made for racing at the top level. When on the Noah, it’s easy to daydream you are hammering the cobbles of Flanders or sprinting to a stage win in the Tour de France. Although these are what the Noah was designed for, the Noah shouldn’t be overlooked by a weekend warrior or by someone looking to cut a few minutes off their best century time. The Noah is truly a race machine for everyone.
PRICE: $2999.99 (Frameset)
WEIGHT: 15.2 pounds
INFO: www.ridley-bikes.com
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