Amazing go-to bike, having topped out 2019 TDF with both the polka dot jersey (AG2R Stockeu69 guise) and as runner up in the Lotto Soudal colours (under 2 inspiring riders of course) the Helium SLX is one of the best hill climbing bikes on the planet, if not the best. It’s like someone is pushing you up the hill, until you realise that it’s actually you and this is how your efforts should be propelling you, due to minimal energy loss in the Helium frame. The price for this performance is that it’s a little stiffer than some, but being a Ridley that -Pave- heritage is always to hand and so it is still a great 200km bike if that’s your thing.

The Helium SLX Disc is Ridley’s ultra-gourmet bike. It’s extremely lightweight. The frame tips the scale at 780gr for a size small, which is only 50g heavier than the original rim brake model.

By using disc brakes you don’t only have a bike that expertly helps you count altimeters, but provides you with full control in the descent as well. The straight blade fork adds to that sublime handling taking hairpin bends. Furthermore the use of disc brakes increased the frame’s stiffness, thanks to the 12 mm thru-axles.

The Helium SLX Disc has been aerodynamically optimized as well, by using F-Steerer technology like on the Noah Fast. That way every cable can be integrated to create a clean cockpit