Ridley Helium SL

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cwdzoot
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by cwdzoot

This is WW no? Nothing on this frame yet so thought I would get thread started.

800g frame (Size Medium) and it's dual electric or mechanical.
320g all carbon fork

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Looks great and was absolute pleasure to ride. Review on my blog.

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deluxerider
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by deluxerider

Helium's are cool. The only change I would make would be the wheels. That's just me though. Sweet bike.

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jmilliron
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by jmilliron

Sharp!

I miss the ISP though.
2013 Wilier Cento1 SR || 2009 Ridley Crossbow || 2011 Yeti AS-R 5 Carbon

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cwdzoot
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by cwdzoot

Wheels - Yes I threw those on the bike for "dramatic effect" it was more about the tire color than anything. I am not a huge fan of the SLR's but they had a great out the saddle feel on this bike. I could imaging this bike would be ridiculous with the new Mavic R-SYS Tubular!!

As for the ISP it was cool looking and the Helium ISP is still a great bike but the 27.2 makes for a much better ride and its a lot more practical.

New Helium looks really sharp in Red/Black

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jmilliron
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by jmilliron

That's an old one, right? I see an ISP and external cabling...

edit; or are they offering both? I do agree that red/back scheme is sharp.
2013 Wilier Cento1 SR || 2009 Ridley Crossbow || 2011 Yeti AS-R 5 Carbon

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cwdzoot
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by cwdzoot

For 2013 they are offering both. The ISP stays the same, get's a new color and price comes down. Makes it a good option. Also that Black/Red frame will weigh less than the older White because of the amount of paint used for white - about 120g
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kgt
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by kgt

cwdzoot wrote:As for the ISP it was cool looking and the Helium ISP is still a great bike but the 27.2 makes for a much better ride and its a lot more practical.

Can you elaborate on this? Have you tried both? Because IME the ISP is great when well engineered.

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cwdzoot
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by cwdzoot

I suppose it's going to differ with rider weight, frame size and length of extended post but seems the ISP is falling away as it's often too rigid and not very convenient. I have ridden both Helium ISP and the new SL and it's hard to tell how much of the difference can be attributed to the post but the SL with the 27.2 is a much more comfortable ride.

I had an Addict with a ISP and it always felt hard on bumps and dips in the road, I also have a Noah with an ISP and on this bike I think the sleek lines and the aero look are appropriate for the ISP but with that said the Noah is not a all rounder its more of a specialty bike.


My verdict. ISP on the right bike for a well matched rider - cant beat it. RSP better for the other 80%
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jmilliron
Posts: 2012
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by jmilliron

FWIW; my non-ISP Addict R1 was a relatively harsh ride.

Bet shops hate to carry ISP bikes. Hard to demo them. That said, I've only demoed two of the many bikes I've bought.
2013 Wilier Cento1 SR || 2009 Ridley Crossbow || 2011 Yeti AS-R 5 Carbon

Frans
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by Frans

That's gorgeous, great colour matching and nice finishing with the 4ZA parts. Can't help thinking it needs a carbon SP or maybe in in-line one but you're a taller rider so inline might not give you enuf setback.

What's your BB to saddle top? 80.5 or something?

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