2016 Ridley Helium SL Frameset

Innovative layups and a relentless drive to minimize frame weight is what causes Lotto Soudal’s Tim Wellens to praise the Ridley Helium SL. The bike possesses tremendous power transfer, important for sprint points and powerful climbing characteristics, and it boasts the lightweight technologies that form Ridley’s design DNA, including the precise-steering tapered headtube, Pressfit 30, and internal cable routing. Refined tube shapes, from the sharp edge downtube to ovalized seatstays, create pedaling efficiency and dampen high-frequency road vibrations, respectively. Notably, André Greipel sprinted to the German championship on a Helium SL, and also used one on the cobblestones – making the Helium SL one versatile rig.

Superlight race bike, approximate weight: 750g. The oversized tube shape is engineered with the use of extremely high modulus carbon. This results in a very light frame, without compromising stiffness. The dual purpose internal cable routing uses the same holes for mechanical and electronic shifting, resulting in a very clean design without excess holes. Flex seat stays increase vertical compliance for additional comfort, without reducing lateral stiffness.