Prototype Ridley Fenix raced in Belgium
Lotto-Soudal tests out new endurance bike on the cobbles
This article originally appeared on BikeRadar
Ridley will launch a new Fenix endurance bike before the Tour de France this year, and the Belgian WorldTour squad Lotto-Soudal is testing prototypes at the cobbled classics of Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix.
Ridley isn't talking about the new bike yet, but BikeRadar took a close look at rider Lars Bak's machine at Scheldeprijs, the Wednesday race sandwiched between the early April classics.
"Ridley made this bike specifically for the cobbles," said Lotto-Soudal spokesman Arne Houtekier. "We have been testing it for just a few weeks, and the guys like it for the rough roads."
Compared to the current Fenix, Lotto-Soudal's prototype has more heavily sculpted tubes. The top tube, for instance, is noticeably flatter on the new frame with an arching curve, the down and seat tubes are less boxy and the curved transitions between tubes is gentler and more organic than the current bike.
The seatstay yoke on the new Fenix features a keyhole cut-out, whereas the current machine’s yoke is solid
The new Ridley Fenix endurance bike stands out from Ridley's race Helium SL and aero Noah SL bikes used by Lotto-Soudal
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