Owners praised the X-Trail’s ‘sleek’ good looks, with the Carbon Ultegra HDB offering online custom paint options.
Big tires masked uneven surfaces and soaked up rough conditions.
One expert described the SRAM Apex 1 drivetrain on the Apex 1 650b as ideal for adventure riding.
The X-Trail features three bottle mounts plus mudguard mounts, that are hidden on the Carbon SRAM Force1 HDB, keeping things neat and attractive.
Some owners considered carbon X-Trails to be lightweight.
Confident steering and good handling were reported from the Carbon SRAM Force1 HDB, with the bike receiving plaudits for stability, stiffness and all-day comfort.
The X-Trail was chosen for its versatility and worked for many as a backpacking rig. Some reviewers said it could replace three of your other bikes. On-road and off-road, it rode equally well.
On the Carbon SRAM Force1 HDB, braking power from the SRAM Hydraulics was strong in both dry and wet conditions, even on descents.
Clearance for 700x36c, or 50mm tires (on 650b models), was strongly appreciated.
Both the X-Trail Alloy and the A20 105 were considered good value.
Front and rear thru-axles were a bonus for stiffness and disc-brake adjustment.
Slack geometry was described by one user as ‘perfect’ and contributing to performance on rough surfaces.
Some long-term owners described their experience of the X-Trail as ‘low maintenance’.
Reviews described excellent power transfer, translating to good climbing ability.

6 reasons not to buy

Experts described alloy models as heavy, with somewhat-weighty componentry. One reviewer even said the same for carbon models.
It was considered a bit pricey – unless you use the X-Trail to replace multiple bikes.
The Carbon Ultegra HDB was mocked by one expert, for sporting outdated '90s looks.
Vibration, causing discomfort, was also reported by this expert on the Carbon Ultegra HDB.
This reviewer also found that the Carbon Ultegra HDB’s tires didn’t grip so well.
A20 105 and A55 models only used mechanical disc brakes. Experts felt they’d fair better with hydraulics.

Bottom line

The Ridley X-Trail comes in four build-options, three carbon and one alloy. All of them have received consistently positive reviews from most experts and owners. In this price range, bikes can be judged harshly. However, the X-Trail was frequently labeled as a rig that performed very well both on-road and off-road, while not being a dedicated expert in either department. If you are looking for a dedicated adventure bike to add to your quiver, you might find more committed options. But if you want one bike to rule them all, the X-Trail might be your champion.

Expert Reviews

76/100 based on 3 rated expert reviews

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Fiets

Level 5 expert

Review: Ridley X-Trail C

Level 5 expert

Why would you have three different bikes in your garage if you can have an X-Trail?

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78.6

Velo

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Reviewed: Ridley X-Trail Alloy

Level 5 expert

Good luck finding a bike that will cover more ground — on any surface — for your dollar than Ridley’s X-Trail Alloy.

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BikeRadar

Level 5 expert

X-Trail Adventure Review

Level 5 expert

Purposeful looks and a hoot to ride, just be prepared to spin up big hills. Buy if you want a tough bike that’ll shrug off luggage or rough surfaces with ease.

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BikeRadar

Level 5 expert

Ridley X-Trail – First Ride

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The Fat Gravel Rider

Level 1 expert

Long Term Review Ridley X-Trail Gravel Bike

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Cycling Weekly

Level 5 expert

Ridley X-Trail Carbon SRAM Force1 HDB

Level 5 expert

One of the best framesets I’ve ridden brings this bike a high mark, but in a twist of irony its claimed versatility could be its undoing, as those in the market for a new bike may want to go for something more specific rather than a bike that straddles several camps.

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Eat Sleep Cycle

Level 1 expert