Ridley X-Trail

14 reasons to buy

• Owners praised the X-Trail’s ‘sleek’ good looks, with the Carbon Ultegra HDB offering online custom paint options.
• Big tires masked uneven surfaces and soaked up rough conditions.
• One expert described the SRAM Apex 1 drivetrain on the Apex 1 650b as ideal for adventure riding.
• The X-Trail features three bottle mounts plus mudguard mounts, that are hidden on the Carbon SRAM Force1 HDB, keeping things neat and attractive.
• Some owners considered carbon X-Trails to be lightweight.
• Confident steering and good handling were reported from the Carbon SRAM Force1 HDB, with the bike receiving plaudits for stability, stiffness and all-day comfort.
• The X-Trail was chosen for its versatility and worked for many as a backpacking rig. Some reviewers said it could replace three of your other bikes. On-road and off-road, it rode equally well.
• On the Carbon SRAM Force1 HDB, braking power from the SRAM Hydraulics was strong in both dry and wet conditions, even on descents.
• Clearance for 700x36c, or 50mm tires (on 650b models), was strongly appreciated.
• Both the X-Trail Alloy and the A20 105 were considered good value.
• Front and rear thru-axles were a bonus for stiffness and disc-brake adjustment.
• Slack geometry was described by one user as ‘perfect’ and contributing to performance on rough surfaces.
• Some long-term owners described their experience of the X-Trail as ‘low maintenance’.
• Reviews described excellent power transfer, translating to good climbing ability.