A concentration of technology
Driven from the very beginning by the desire to create the most modern bikes with formidable efficiency, Joachim Aerts and his team have always devoted a great deal of effort to developing new technologies aimed at improving the performance of their models.
Among Ridley's most notable innovations is the FAST technology (Future Aero & Speed Technology). By exceptionally optimising aerodynamic drag, this concept — applied at every level of the bike (top and down tubes, chainstays, fork, brakes…) — delivers a sense of fluidity and power with every pedal stroke, every corner, and every time you rise from the saddle to launch a sprint.
To develop this set of technologies, Ridley drew notably on BikeValley — an independent wind tunnel entirely dedicated to cycling, created in 2013 by several Belgian industry players including Ridley, capable of very precisely simulating winds of up to nearly 110 km/h.
The Fast concept in detail
F-TUBING
F-Tubing technology refers to the design of tubes with a teardrop-shaped profile that significantly reduces drag. Thanks to this shape, air flows without resistance along the tubes. In order to reduce the weight of the tubes, and consequently increase speed per watt produced, this teardrop shape ends where the airflow leaves the tube, resulting in a 4.03% reduction in drag at 50 km/h.
F-Surface Plus
F-Surface Plus technology was developed to enable riders to go faster at the same power output. Featured on the aero Noah and Dean models, it involves applying a textured surface (like the dimples on a golf ball) to strategic areas in order to reduce drag. These dimples create a small amount of turbulence that allows the main airflow to better follow the shape of the tube. The smooth flow of air around the frame allows you to cut through the air. Thus, the stronger the wind, the more you benefit from this technology.
F-Split Fork
The revolutionary F-Split Fork tackles the turbulence generated by rotating wheels. To achieve this, it draws air in through a slot along the fork legs and channels it away from the spokes. The reduction in air friction results in an increase in speed.
F-Wings
The F-Wings at the bottom of the fork limit the turbulence around the fork legs created by the rotating hub. These small winglets smooth the airflow in this area and reduce drag. This is based on the same principle as the wing profile of an aircraft. This technology is integrated into the Noah Fast.
F-Steerer
The F-Steerer headtube cover, with its half-moon curve, offers an ingenious solution for fully internal cable routing. The cables run directly from the handlebar to the inside of the steerer tube via the stem. Inside the steerer tube, they move freely when the handlebar pivots left or right. This solution not only reduces drag caused by cable friction, but also gives the bike a very clean silhouette. Furthermore, adjustment of the cross-section of the steerer tube has increased its lateral stiffness, for even more explosiveness in sprints. Compatible with Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM drivetrains.
F-Brake
Fully integrated into the fork, the F-Brake brakes are made entirely of carbon. You won't even find a metal spring. This technology gives the bike a very clean silhouette and reduces weight. And more importantly, it provides a 2% aerodynamic advantage, as the brakes are completely sheltered from the wind. The reduction in the number of moving parts also reduces maintenance requirements.
Carbon frame design according to Ridley
For the manufacture of its carbon frames, Ridley sources exclusively from Toray, the world leader in carbon fibre manufacturing, widely favoured by aerospace industry players in particular. Depending on the model, the brand uses high-modulus carbon fibres, ranging from the 24-tonne elastic modulus — the most flexible, which gives the frame a degree of flex and comfort — to the 60-tonne modulus, which is the stiffest for competitors seeking victory.
Once the fibre type has been selected, Ridley works to determine the exact function a frame will fulfil — that is, how it will be used and what sensations it must deliver in every possible scenario. Then comes the stage of designing the frame shape, with particular attention to the precision of curves, lines, and the variable thickness of each tube. Carbon lamination is the final step. It involves combining hundreds of pieces of carbon assembled in around a dozen layers, in order to produce a machine perfectly suited to the task it will need to perform.
