Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025: Test Ride, Review, Pros, Cons, Issues, Performance, Opinions – Everything You (Really) Need to Know
Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025: Test Ride, Review, Pros, Cons, Issues, Performance, Opinions – Everything You (Really) Need to Know
Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 Test Review: Build Quality
The Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 boasts excellent overall build quality, in line with Ridley's tradition.
It can be assembled and customized with various groupsets, wheels, and components, with a base price just over €3,000 for the simpler Shimano 105 version. For the sophisticated Classified hub and Shimano GRX electronic groupset, prices start from just over €6,000. These prices might seem high, but they offer customized, top-tier paintwork, a personalized build, good size availability, and excellent overall quality. It's worth noting that no decals are used; everything is hand-painted.
The quality of the components used is very high, featuring the exclusive Classified hub, which provides the convenience of a 2x drivetrain with the simplicity of a 1x setup. The build shown in the photo weighs approximately 8.0 kg (17.6 lbs).
While not an inexpensive bike, especially with the Classified hub, carbon wheels, and electronic groupset pushing it over €7,000, the Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 offers more than good value for money. Nobody gives anything away for free, but the quality and reliability of Ridley bikes are a benchmark for all, highly appreciated in Belgium, perhaps less so in Italy.
Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 Test Review: Frame
The Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 frame is an excellent product, well-crafted, with a wide range of sizes and solid overall build quality.
The frame weight is not excessive, allowing for an 8.0 kg (17.6 lbs) road bike. This is certainly not light, but it's by no means high when considering the GRX Di2 groupset and that the entire frame is designed to handle unpaved roads as well.
It's a high-quality "all-road" bike, perhaps expensive with this particular build, but also unique in many details, such as the Classified hub, the paintwork, the customization options, and the meticulously assembled components. Ultimately, when all features are analyzed, it costs less than other more industrial and mass-produced standard bikes that offer no customization possibilities.
Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 Test Review: Component Builds
The range of component builds is extremely comprehensive, with very good build and assembly quality in every version. Prices cater to all budgets, with the base version offering a very competitive price for its overall quality. In general, the price-to-quality ratio is competitive even in the more expensive versions.
As always, the performance difference between the entry-level and top-tier models is significant, but from an aesthetic and quality standpoint, there are no differences; the functionality remains the same. Weight decreases, and thus performance increases, especially on climbs. However, the enjoyment and pleasure of riding are consistent across the range.
Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 Test Review: Comfort
The Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 sits halfway between a gravel bike and a road bike. It's considered a light gravel bike, but perhaps it's better described as an endurance bike that isn't afraid of white roads. In fact, it's not uncomfortable at all, and there are no negative differences compared to other gravel bikes.
Among endurance and gravel bikes, it offers excellent riding comfort, achieved without complex technical sophistications that are often expensive and prone to breaking. The seatpost's ability to absorb bumps and vibrations is effective, the included saddle is excellent, and the integrated handlebar is good. Overall, the riding comfort of the Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 is outstanding, making it one of the best bikes in its category. Long rides on rough roads are perfectly feasible, and it also performs well on white roads.
Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 Test Review: Handling
The Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 features very balanced geometries, designed for maximum safety, stability, and ease of riding. It's one of those bikes that feels like you've always ridden it because it's stable, easy to handle, intuitive, and always easy to control, even when riding on white roads.
On fast sections and long descents, it tracks as if on rails, with reassuring stability. It's not fazed even by rough asphalt, continuing to ride securely and precisely even on unpaved descents. Braking stability is also excellent, with easy, intuitive, almost exemplary bike control. Perfectly stable and precise on winding roads, it's competitive even with much more established road bikes on long mountain descents.
It's less sensitive to crosswinds and very easy to ride on long, exposed straightaways. Perhaps it's not the most nimble bike, but it compensates with enviable riding confidence, allowing even less experienced riders to be fast on descents or off-road sections.
It's not a pure gravel bike, not an MTB with 28-inch wheels, nor a cyclocross bike. However, it's equally effective on off-road routes with hard, compact, and fast surfaces: white roads or farm tracks are its ideal terrain, where it runs fast with very few rivals. Ultimately, it's an easy-to-ride, safe, all-around bike that satisfies both experienced, fast cyclists and simple tourists who don't stop when the asphalt ends.
Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 Test Review: Performance
The new frame of the Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 is undoubtedly a high-performance product that combines stiffness, riding comfort, and a non-excessive weight.
It's a very fast road bike on flats and rolling hills because its weight is not high, while it holds its own on more difficult climbs. This is in comparison to "pure" road bikes, because among Endurance, Gravel, and All-Road bikes, it stands out as one of the fastest overall, thanks to its low weight for the category and excellent frame stiffness.
We highlight the excellent functionality of the Classified hub, which provides a 2x drivetrain with the simplicity and reliability of a 1x system. Excellent off-road, in rain or mud, the Classified hub improves the bike's reliability and overall performance, without compromising anything (it just costs a bit more... but it's worth the extra money...).
With the build shown in the photo, this bike might even be overkill for the simple enthusiast, but it makes the bike even more competitive both on-road and off-road, enhancing its performance and making it even more "all-around" or, better yet, a 360-degree bike, excellent for touring, adventure, or racing. Ultimately, the Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 is a true 360-degree road bike; its limit is only in its owner's mind. This is no small feature.
Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 Test Review: Pros and Cons
The Ridley Grifn RS Shimano GRX Di2 2025 has proven to be a top-of-the-market all-around bike, very competitive, comfortable, and truly a 360-degree road bike.
It performs well and is competitive on every type of terrain; it fears no rivals among other bikes of its level and category. In many aspects, it's better than many Endurance and Gravel bikes. On descents and flats, it has very few rivals; it defends itself on hills and climbs.
It has no real weaknesses. Fast like an Endurance bike, it can also tackle off-road sections. It doesn't push as far as some gravel bikes, but it's excellent on white roads and ultimately perfect for a 50% paved road and 50% white road usage. It has everything needed to be equipped with fenders and bags, making it a capable touring bike.
In the end, it has no true flaws. It's currently a unique or near-unique bike for its type and how it performs on-road and off-road. It's not a bike for everyone; it's not a mass-produced item, but it is a bicycle for connoisseurs, of whom there are few...
If you have other questions, feel free to write to: salvatelliluca @ hotmail.com
Editor's Note: The photo does not depict the specific bike that is the subject of this test.
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