IN BRIEF
Ridley launched the Kanzo Fast 2.0 in late August, the second generation of its aero gravel race bike. The carbon frame now takes tyres up to 58 mm, the equivalent of a 29 × 2.3in mountain bike tyre, against 42 mm on the previous version. The Belgian brand carries over the third generation of its aerodynamic technology, developed on its Noah Fast road bike, and has entirely redrawn the geometry around those wide tyres. The entry-level model, in SRAM Rival XPLR, is listed at €5,499 on the French shop. Ridley says BikeRadar named it best gravel bike and best bike overall of its 2026 vintage.
| Price (SRAM Rival XPLR) | 5 499 € |
| Frame | Carbon |
| Tyre clearance | Up to 58 mm (equivalent to 29 × 2.3″) |
| Maximum chainring | 56 teeth |
| Mudguards | Ridley system developed with Curana |
| Storage | Internal, plus top tube bag mounts |
Gravel racing is getting faster, and over increasingly rough terrain. Ridley’s answer claims the aerodynamics of its Noah Fast and tyre clearance close to a mountain bike’s.
The Kanzo Fast 2.0 swallows 58 mm tyres
This is the figure that shapes the whole bike. The Kanzo Fast 2.0 « combines advanced aerodynamics with unprecedented tyre clearance of up to 58 mm and a progressive race geometry », Ridley writes in its presentation. The original Kanzo Fast topped out at 42 mm, Cyclist points out.
The word « unprecedented » is Ridley’s own: according to Tour Magazin, it is « a slight exaggeration: there are gravel bikes with similar or even greater tyre widths ». The German magazine notes, however, that « within the current group of resolutely aerodynamic 700C gravel racers, the Kanzo Fast 2.0 is indeed one of the most generous ».
According to its presentation, the geometry has been redrawn to take those wide tyres. According to Cyclist, Ridley has lowered the bottom bracket and adjusted the fork rake. The brand explains for its part that « the steeper seat tube angle places the rider further forward on the bike », a position meant to stay aerodynamically sustainable over long efforts.
The Noah Fast’s aerodynamics carried over to gravel
Ridley says it is carrying over here « the third generation of its aerodynamic technology, derived from the Noah Fast », with an oversized down tube and a lengthened head tube meant to manage the airflow around the frame and the bottles.
The claimed gain remains measured. According to Cyclist, the brand states that « the new bike is two watts more aerodynamically efficient than the first-generation Kanzo Fast, with the same wheels and 38 mm tyres, tested on its own », the gap rising to 13 watts with a rider aboard. Still according to Cyclist, the frame also sheds 150 grams.
That gain is obtained on a narrow tyre: according to Cyclist, « aerodynamic testing showed that a 55 mm tyre generates six watts more aerodynamic drag than a 38 mm at 36 km/h ». Still according to Cyclist, Ridley « also claims that the lower rolling resistance of the wider tyre on rough terrain more than offsets the aerodynamic disadvantage ».
A race bike that accepts mudguards
Ridley presents the Kanzo Fast 2.0 as « first and foremost a pure gravel race bike », but has equipped it to go beyond race day alone: the French product page announces internal storage, top tube bag mounts and compatibility « with Ridley’s dedicated mudguard system, developed in collaboration with Curana ». On the drivetrain side, the brand announces « chainrings of up to 56 teeth ».
That maximum chainring comes with a restriction, however: according to Cyclist, the Kanzo Fast 2.0 « is only compatible with single-chainring electronic drivetrains ». Tour Magazin adds that « mechanical drivetrains and double chainrings are not supported ».
Price and awards
Ridley’s French shop lists the Kanzo Fast 2.0 in SRAM Rival XPLR at €5,499 in size M; the three colourways consulted share that price. Elsewhere in the range, Cyclist reports a frameset at €4,499, a Force XPLR version at €6,999 and a top-end Red XPLR at €11,699; Tour Magazin quotes the same figures.
Ridley states, finally, that « at this year’s BikeRadar Awards, the new gravel racer was voted Best Gravel Bike and, even more impressively, Best Bike Overall ».
