Ridley Noah Disc - Colourful from Belgium
Visually, the Noah still resembles the top model we tested in 2019, the Noah Fast, which was a surprise test winner at the time, scoring 1.5 and outclassing many well-known competitors. The fact that the score of its inexpensive counterpart is noticeably different is mainly due to its comparatively high weight: the current test bike weighs 1.5 kilograms more on its ribs.
It's not just Shimano's simpler 105 groupset that weighs it down; the slightly heavier carbon wheels from the Forza brand also add to the weight. Nevertheless, the extra € 600 compared to the standard equipment - the bike can be configured in the Belgian manufacturer's modular system - is a good investment. The standard flat aluminium rims would not only look lost in the aero flounder, the bike would also lose touch with the main field in terms of aerodynamics.
In terms of stiffness values, the frame in the cheaper quality level loses further points, but only weighs around 150 grams more than the top model and offers equally good comfort. On the road, the Noah is a classic, manoeuvrable racer, made for tight criteriums with fast sprints; however, the riding position is not too sporty even for long tours. Unfortunately, the drivetrain and wheels are the only options on the Noah; higher-quality tyres or a choice of saddles of different widths would be desirable.
The handlebar width and stem length are also predefined for the versions with mechanical shifting; the dimensions can only be changed for the version with the Rival wireless shifting system from SRAM, which costs just over 5000 euros. The large selection of paint finishes in the configurator is very cool, you can choose from dozens of colours; the frames are painted in Belgium for an extra 100 euros.
Facts & measurements of the Ridley Noah Disc 105
- Price: 4414 Euro
- Weight: 8,6 Kilo
- Aerodynamics220 Watt
- Frame/fork/steering bearing weight* 1197/499/74 grammes
- Frame sizes** XS, S, M, L, XL
- Seat/top tube/head tube 505/570/165 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 579/387 millimetres/1.50
- Wheelbase/caster 985/52 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/Circuit Shimano 105 (2x11, 50/34, 11-32 t.)
- Brakes Shimano 105 (160/160 millimetres)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Forza Levanto DB/Vittoria Zaffiro 25 millimetres (f./h.: 1361/1778 grams)
Strengthscomfortable frame, customised paint finishes
Weaknessesrelatively heavy equipment, only five sizes
>> The Ridley Noah Disc 105 gets an overall score of 2.5 in the TOUR test of competition bikes
More competition road bikes in the test:
>> Benotti Fuoco Aero
>> Cervélo Soloist 105
>> Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race
>> Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 eTap
>> Giant Propel Advanced 1
>> Merida Reacto Rival Edition
>> Lapierre Aircode DRS 5.0
>> Rose XLite 04 105
>> Storck Aerfast.4 Comp Disc Ultegra
The test results in detail
*Weighed weights.
**Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
***Stack/reach projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube
STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright sitting position.
****Wheel weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if applicable.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
