Bicycles

2012 Ridley: Noah FB Di2, Technical Analysis

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Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: Ridley

Published on Tuesday, 28 June 2011 13:59

Written by Luca Salvatelli

 The new bike Ridley Noah FB (Fast Brake) introduces a new series of key techniques and, for once, truly innovative, as opposed to those flaunting the four winds ... have discovered hot water! ...

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The new frame retains only the earlier forms of Noah, but was subject to careful review, which goes well beyond the new braking system, all of which, superficially, have focused. The frame is carbon fiber monocoque high modulus 40Ton and 50Ton. Remain unchanged the down tube, horizontal and vertical, judged excellent in terms of aerodynamics and stiffness to weight ratio (after all, the Noah is stiffer than other bike category), but new BB30 bottom bracket, which has allowed us to further improve the transmission of power to the rear wheel. The increased rigidity of the lower area of the frame has allowed us to further improve the weight/stiffness of the frame and the absolute rigidity of the same. Remains unchanged the tapered headset with bearings and 1 inch and ½ and 1 inch and 1/8, even in this case was an absolute favorite stiffness compared to other solutions currently fashionable, as the standard bearings of 1 inch and 3/8. The frame is designed for installation of the Dura Ace Di2. New fork and rear triangle. The fork holds the aerodynamic profile of the model known but gets the new F-Brake brakes. The new braking system leverages the flexibility of the carbon fiber to achieve a truly integrated system in the fork, lightweight and perfectly integrated into the aerodynamic profile of the fork and rear triangle. To achieve this braking system uses four different types of carbon fiber, so as to achieve flexibility, rigidity, safety and durability. A simple system with spring and screw allows the perfect alignment of the brake pads, while there is a quick opening system, as effective and simple. The whole system allows a considerable weight saving compared to a conventional system, although this was not the reason for its creation. A careful study of the aero fork has led to the creation of the profile F-SplitFork, where the double wing profile allows perfect aerodynamic penetration and integration of the fork with the vortices created by the wheel rather than hinder the progress of the bike, as in conventional forks, leads to an increase in performance. Wind tunnel studies have shown that this profile allows an improvement of 7.44% of the aerodynamic performance of the fork itself. The same concept was applied to the rear triangle. The new braking system allows for optimum aerodynamic efficiency and integration with the concept F-SplitFork, so as to further increase performance. Remains the Surface-F surface treatment, a treatment that allows the film of air to remain attached to the surface of the chassis, improving aerodynamic performance. Again in the wind tunnel tests have shown improved performance over 4%. The F-Brake brakes, instead, only allows a performance improvement of more than 2%. All this translates in reality to a less energy is required by the athlete to achieve a given speed. Still other tests, in fact, have shown that with the new bike FB Ridley Noah, to maintain a constant speed of 40 km/h are required in less than 20 watts of power, compared to a conventional bike, all with a heart rate of Athlete of less than 4%. Compared to the previous Noah performance has improved by 2.10%. Still a good result considering that the Noah is the best bike on the market Aero. The particular construction of the braking process, very special and long, has imposed a quantity of only 500 frames to achieve in a year, at least for the moment. The bike will then be available on the market only in the assembly Shimano Dura Ace Di2 and graphics combination alone. In the future will reach even the frame kit or the ability to customize graphics. The bike has Shimano Dura Ace Di2 group used for commands, change, derailleur and sprocket. The battery is placed under the saddle, with a particular clip, this location was chosen to avoid a further hole in the chassis and aerodynamic because studies have shown that this was the best location, even for routine maintenance (which is why it was excluded the position within the frame). The crank is Rotor, while the chain is KMC. The saddle is 4ZA, Sirrus Pro, and always has 4ZA stem aluminum and carbon fiber handlebars. Always 4ZA wheels with high profile rims carbon fiber, aluminum braking surface and Vredestein tires. The pedals are Shimano Dura-Ace. So assembled, the bike has a weight of 7.4 kg, very good, considering that the Specialized Vange McLaren Marck Kavendish has a weight of 7.6 kg, with the same Shimano Di2, but with much lighter wheels for tubular tires. Described the bike will be on sale at a price of around 9,990 Euro in five sizes already available in Noah as the frame geometry was unchanged. If, despite the high absolute price is proportionate to the quality of the bike and less than direct competitors certainly can not boast the technical solutions of this model.