Cycling goes mainstream

A few years ago in a previous introduction, I wrote that cycling seemed to be everywhere I looked. With hindsight, cycling's more mainstream public presence was in its infancy back then. Today it’s firmly established. Cycle cafes, cycle Fridays, kids training schemes, Boris bikes, maps, apps, superhighways, British world champions, media coverage. The list goes on. It really is a welcome sight to see cyclists and cycling being given serious consideration.

After all, cycling is a simple pursuit which for a relatively small outlay can provide many benefits. As well as improved health and offering a cost-effective alternative to high fuel and ticket prices, riding a bike allows you to accurately manage your journey time. It’s fast, efficient and provides freedom that other modes of transport just can’t offer.

At Ridgeback we continue to look at everything cycling to make sure each new range meets the varied needs of today’s cyclists.

There’s much that’s new this year.

Flight gets a semi-hydroformed frameset and all models now have hydraulic disc brakes. The new Advance series is a range of quick yet comfortable road bikes ideal for commuting and weekend touring. If you want a versatile all-rounder, take a look at Dual Track. They’re easy to ride and handle well under load whether you're carrying luggage or using a child seat.

Toby Howes
Head of Product Design

Other new arrivals include the World series Tour. At £599.99 it's a great first tourer or robust commuter. Finally, we're now offering a 20" wheel boy's and girl's bike with a simple steel fork. RX20 & Cherry are slightly lighter than their suspension fork equivalents and are aimed at a more tarmac orientated rider.

There’s never been a better time to be cycling, so whatever your riding style, we’re sure you’ll find a Ridgeback that’s right for you in this year’s brochure and online at ridgeback.co.uk.

Making History

Since 1983 Ridgeback has been building bikes for UK riders and has an unmatched reputation for innovation and quality. From high performance flat bar and touring bikes to comfortable commuters and children’s bikes, Ridgeback leads the way.

The first Ridgeback

Nearly 30 years ago in 1983, Ridgeback launched the UK’s first mountain bike.

The first Ridgeback

Roxy

1990 saw the arrival of the Ridgeback Roxy, an early forerunner of today’s Rapide series - the benchmark by which all other commuter bikes are measured.

2002: Genesis Day 03

Something totally new

In 2001 we created the flat bar road bike. Originally named Genesis, this new breed of fast commuter sports bike is seen as one of the last significant developments in cycle genres.

Despite having undergone significant evolution, Ridgeback’s award winning design continues today in the Flight series.

2003: Switch Storm

Mountain or street bike?

Ridgeback’s Urban series were another trend setter. In 1998 these slick tyred, street mountain bikes were not only lots of fun to ride but provided a serious alternative to the more traditional commuting bike. Becoming the Switch series in 2003, they ran right up until last year

2006: Dual Track Advance

Big wheels keep on rolling

Other milestones include, Dual Track, a robust all rounder with 29” wheels aimed at riders looking for a more comfortable off road experience. Originally designed as a mountain bike, today’s Dual track is more off-road hybrid than mtb.

Using 700c road rims instead of traditional 26 inch wheels, the Dual Track’s larger tyres give the bike a longer contact patch for improved traction whilst rolling over lumps and bumps more smoothly.

2008 R25: 25th Anniversary

25th Anniversary

In 2008, to mark our 25th anniversary, the R25 was launched. This was a limited edition of one hundred very special flat bar road bikes. Based on a prototype bike I was riding at the time, the R25 was Ridgeback’s most advanced flat bar bike to date.

Five years on and it’s now clear that the R25 was a precursor of the future of braking on performance flat bar bikes, as it was equipped with Shimano Deore XT hydraulic discs, capable of awesome stopping power. Today, all Flight series bikes are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes.