Ridley X-Trail

14 reasons to buy

• 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.