Gravel bikes under 2000 euros on test: The Ridley Kanzo Adventure A - workhorse from Flanders
Julian Schultz
· 25.04.2025
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When a manufacturer describes its gravel bike as a "workhorse" or "bombproof aluminium version", that says a lot about the character of the model. Ridley chooses these words for the Kanzo Adventure A, which the Belgian brand presented last year at the Gravel World Championships in Flanders and whose characteristics are based on the carbon version of almost the same name. Both platforms share a preference for difficult terrain and the ability to carry plenty of luggage. In short, the new model is designed as an adventure bikepacking bike.
To keep you in control on bumpy tracks, Ridley has designed the base to be extremely smooth-running. The extended wheelbase, plenty of fork trail and an extremely slack steering angle result in stoic straight-line stability that few other gravel bikes can match. The logical consequence of this is that quick changes of direction are relatively sluggish. However, fast gravel chases are not the thing of the aluminium bike anyway, which openly shows off the weld seams of the frame tubes. At just over eleven kilograms, it is, like many of its competitors, no sprinting wonder. On the other hand, the slightly stretched seating position is unusual for an adventure bike. Even on the Kanzo Fast - one of the race gravel bikes from the Belgians - you sit a little more upright. In combination with a steep seat angle, this shifts the rider's centre of gravity forwards, which should help the front wheel keep better contact with the ground on steep ramps.
Space for MTB tyres
With its bikepacking genes, the new bike feels most at home on moderate terrain; the round aluminium seat post reacts rather unyieldingly to bumps. As the derailleur limits the tyre width on the rear wheel to 47 millimetres, the tuning potential for more suspension comfort on the test bike is limited. For the single crankset, the frameset is approved for tyres up to 52 millimetres wide, allowing the "workhorse" to poach in mountain bike territory and tackle more demanding terrain.
However, with the maximum width tyres, there is probably not enough space for permanently installed mudguards - Ridley does not provide any information on this - although the total of 18 mounting points on the frame and fork will make the hearts of bikepackers and fans of full equipment beat faster. In contrast to the carbon frame version, the Kanzo Adventure A also accepts a rear pannier rack. The so-called "dog bone" on the top tube, to which a spare inner tube can be attached using a strap, for example, is reserved for the more expensive platform. A hub dynamo with integrated cable routing can be retrofitted.
Although the 2x12 Shimano drivetrain is getting on in years, it is not inferior to current 1x12 versions in terms of range and mountain capability. The combination of 30/36 teeth in the lowest gear takes the fear out of climbs. The UDH standard on the derailleur hanger is designed to protect the rear derailleur in the event of a fall and make adjustment easier. The test bike is the Base modelThe other equipment variants differ in terms of the drivetrain. For the top model with electronic SRAM gears, there is a surcharge of 1,000 euros. The carbon fleet starts at 3,099 euros and, unlike the Kanzo Adventure A, can be customised in the Belgian company's extensive online configurator.
Ridley Kanzo Adventure A: Info & test grade
- Price: 1999 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel: 11.1 kilos
- Frame sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL (test size greased)
- TOUR grade: 2,6
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 496/565/157 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 598/394 millimetres/1.52
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 655/566 millimetres/1.16
- Wheelbase/caster: 1,070/80 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift:Shimano GRX 600/400 (2x10; 46/30, 11-36 t.) | Grade: 2.5
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 400 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 2.0
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Dry TR 45 mm (eff.: 44 mm) | Grade: 2.0
- Impellers: Shimano RS171
- Impeller weights: 1,991/2,564 grams (f./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 11,120 grams | Grade: 5.0
- Driving stability: 9.5 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
- Rear comfort: 164 N/mm | Grade: 2.7
- Comfort front: 84 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 67 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
Advantages and disadvantages of the Ridley Kanzo Adventure A
- Plus: Stable ride, countless mounting points
- Minus: heavy, low frame comfort
All 13 bikes in the comparison test
- Bulls Grinder 4
- Canyon Grizl 7
- Carver Gravel 220 1by
- CUBE Nuroad C:62 One >> available here
- Focus Atlas 6.7 >> available here
- Giant Revolt 0 >> available here
- Megamo Jakar 20 >> available here
- Merida Silex 400
- Radon Regard AL 10.0
- Ridley Kanzo Adventure Alu >> available here
- Rose Backroad AL GRX RX400 >> available here
- Scott Speedster Gravel 10 >> available here
- Stevens Prestige >> available here
How TOUR tests
Weight (25 per cent of the overall grade): The weighed complete wheel weight in the standardised test wheel size 56-57 centimetres counts for the evaluation. We also show the wheel weights for orientation. The grading scale is set in such a way that a grade of 1.0 is technically achievable: we award the best grade for weights under 7.5 kilograms.
Rear comfort (20 per cent): A measure of compliance under road shocks, measured in the TOUR laboratory. A suspension travel is measured when the seatpost is loaded. The measured value correlates very well with the riding impressions and the feeling of comfort. Good marks also mean decent riding dynamics, which have a positive effect on speed on poor roads and off-road.
Comfort Front (10 per cent): The deformation of the handlebars under load is determined in the same way as for the rear. A good score means a lot of suspension comfort, which takes the strain off your hands on long rides. However, strong sprinters who want a lot of stiffness should look for stiff handlebars.
Front stiffness (10 per cent): Important parameter for steering precision and confidence in the bike at high speeds, determined in the TOUR laboratory. Overall stiffness is determined on the fully assembled frame set, i.e. including the fork. The stiffness values are capped. The aim is not an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride.
Bottom bracket stiffness (10 per cent): Reveals how much the frame yields under hard pedalling, for example when sprinting. This measurement also takes place in the TOUR laboratory, with realistic clamping in which the frame can deform as it would during riding.
circuit (5 per cent): The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test. It is not the price or the quality impression of individual components that is assessed, but exclusively the function of the entire gearbox. The gear range, but also, for example, the cable routing, the quality of the cables and the mounted chain play a role.
Brakes (5 per cent): As with shifting, the test on the road also counts here, and the experience from our countless tests of brakes is also incorporated into the assessment. It is not the component itself that is assessed, but the function of the interaction between the brake body, pads and discs: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how do they react in hot or wet conditions, how long are the braking distances?
tyres (5 percent): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - as far as known from one of our independent tyre tests or based on driving impressions. The tyre width has no influence on the rating, as this is more a question of personal preference.
Lacquer (5 per cent): The TOUR paint test simulates stone chipping and allows a statement to be made about the durability of the protective top coat. A chisel simulates stone chipping or chain impact. Starting at a height of ten centimetres, the height is increased by ten centimetres until the paint gives way or the maximum drop height of 50 centimetres is reached.
Maintenance/adjustment (5 per cent): The test assesses how easy a bike is to maintain and adjust. Marks are deducted, for example, for special tools required, particularly complex detailed solutions, manufacturer-specific components or maintenance work that can only be carried out in specialised workshops.
The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the individual scores weighted differently (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.
Julian Schultz
Editor
