Ridley X-Trail vs. Jamis Renegade vs. Specialized Diverge

49 replies · 7,914 views

admccrea
2 posts
#21Feb 17, 2016, 3:29 PM
aellis28 wrote:
Thanks again everyone for the support. I ended up going with the Ridley X-Trail in a large and should have it in the next week or so. I'm now looking at some pedals, any suggestions to go with this bike?

Thanks!

Congrats - what made you decide on the Ridley over the others?
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aellis28
21 posts
#22Feb 17, 2016, 3:53 PM
Hi admccrea - There was a few reasons on why I finally ended up going with the Ridley.

(1) I was never fully considering the Specialized Diverge but a couple bike shops I visited to check out the Niner RLT and Renegade always tried putting me in the Diverge, so I thought I should give it a proper review and and do my research and also see what folks on here thought. I'm fairly sure the bike shops were always trying to steer me that way because they had them in stock at the shop and wouldn't have to order them like they would have with the Niner and Renegade. Since no one really mentioned the Diverge on here and the fact that I wasn't sold on them anyways, it was removed from the list.

(2) The renegade was originally my first choice, but I was having major issues in my area being able to see one and test one out. Once I was finally able to see one (though not the version I even wanted or the right size), I wasn't sold on them compared to the Ridley and the only bike shop in the area for which I could get one from didn't have the quality of customer service that I would like when spending that much money.

(3) Once I was able to find a Ridley to look at (while not my size, at least the model and components I was looking for) I loved the look and feel of the bike compared to the others I checked out. I also felt the price was competitive from Performance Bicycle (along with the 10% store credit on top of it to pay for my pedals, bags, and part of my bike computer) and also the customer service was excellent. The only issue came from the store not having any in my size and Performance Bicycle only having one of the X-Trail CR1's in a large in the whole country, so they had to agree with the San Francisco bike shop and have it shipped to Chicago (had to pay $25 shipping fee though).

I have been doing my research for about three to four months on this purchase and while at times it was a headache because there are so many choices, I'm very happy with my choice (just wish I had it now!).

Hope that helps.

Now who can tell me which pedals to get and which bike computer...???! I'm thinking of the Shimano Deore XT M8000 SPD Trail Pedals from Performance Bicycle and potentially the Garmin 520 (but that seems like a lot for a bike computer!!).

Here are the pedals:
https://www.performancebike.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&langId=-1&productId=1186157&storeId=10052&krypto=pQkNegUSBN5hX3Cqqsyayb1sp1g0uq%2F1E0TwuKfACvOSSYhgKoGNyEoTZSKnELQW&ddkey=http:Logoff

Thanks.

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alembical
57 posts
#23Feb 17, 2016, 4:47 PM
Congrats on your purchase.

I love the XT pedals. I have some XTR and some other lower pedals labeled as just Shimano that are great as well. Hard to go wrong. I do like MTB style shoes and pedals for bikes like this though. Other people will have other preferences, but no one can fault the decision to use those.

Regarding computers, you should at least take a careful look at the Edge 25. Unless you are training heavily and analyzing your heart rate and power or really like the navigation and route finding of the 520, it should be something you consider. Small size and cost are both nice tradeoffs. I ended up with the 520, but I like all the anyltics, longer battery life, mapping and navigation, and seeing who is calling or texting me enough to justify the big price premium for it. If I had more energy, I would have also really looked at all the deals on the older units, both on the new and used markets.

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jmart
30 posts
#24Feb 21, 2016, 8:30 PM
just curious what you did not like about the RLT? Which model did you test ride? It seems to get the lowest reviews on this forum, but other forums love it.

that said, the Ridley is getting lot's of love right now, and I appreciate your posts.

Shimano XT's are great. Get the XTR if you can afford them. Either way a solid pedal that allows you to clip in and out easily and works great for this style of riding.
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aellis28
21 posts
#25Feb 22, 2016, 12:31 PM
I liked the RLT and like I mentioned before it was my top choice for a long time. I was having major issues being able to find a store that carried them in my area, let alone having the ability to test ride one, as my local bike shops that did carry Niner didn't have my size and most were getting out of carrying the brand (said they were having some distribution differences with Niner...). The only way I could test one out was to buy it and if I didn't like it I had to pay a 10% restocking fee. Because of this, and the fact that some people suggested the Niner was better for more hard-core adventures, once I saw the Ridley and was able to ride around on it I was sold.

I still like the Niner, but in this case the Ridley fit more into what I was looking for and the ease of getting it (which still wasn't easy) made it the right choice for me.
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The Masher
8 posts
#26Feb 23, 2016, 9:39 AM
Bought the specialized diverge (expert) about a month ago. I live in Wisconsin so have only logged about 300 miles so far, most have been on the road. The bike rides really nice, I am a heavy guy as cyclist go and have been riding with the stock tires at about 75 to 80 psi. I have signed up for some gravel rides in the coming months and plan on putting on some bigger tires with more off road traction, maybe even go tubeless for better ride comfort. I chose the Diverge over the Boone or Crux because of the vertical compliance (I am 55) so ride comfort was my top priority. The other bikes have a more race geometry, something I didn't need. If I was a little younger, the Crux EVO would of been my first pick for an all around bike.

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Talabardio
34 posts
#27Feb 26, 2016, 2:57 PM
Hello all, can anyone confirm what they suspect the right X Trail frame size for someone 177.8 cm tall with a 32 inseam would be?
I currently ride a Salsa warbird size 53cm. I put a 100mm stem on to replace the 80mm it came with. Actually it fits nicely now but steers a touch slow. Perhaps I should have gone for the 55 - since they are so rare in my area (and can't be mail-ordered) it was impossible to actually test one beforehand. I got mine as a fluke from a guy who bought the frameset and then injured his knee. This bumped off the other potential bike I was interested in, the X Trail.
Now I'm looking at a possible X Trail as a more dialed-in fit down the road but this confusion over the effective top tube is bewildering. Looking at the reach for the Small, it is more comparable to the 55cm Warbird, so I'm not sure what to make of it.
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Talabardio
34 posts
#28Feb 26, 2016, 9:09 PM

This is a chart from slanecycles.com that looks pretty reasonable. If this chart is correct, then it bears out the general sentiment that Ridleys run a bit large.
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Talabardio
34 posts
#29Feb 26, 2016, 10:21 PM
One more image that someone may find of interest.
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GP
13 posts
#30Apr 10, 2016, 11:48 AM
Also interested in the X-trail but concerned about size. 5'10" with a 31.5 inseam probably going for the medium. Thanks for the charts above.
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DrSpoke
272 posts
#31Apr 10, 2016, 12:58 PM
I'm 5'8" and ride a 52 or 53 x 53 cm on my road bikes. I've been riding an XS Ridley since last November and think it's a great bike. Normally I purchase bikes based on effective top tube length - c. 53 cm in my case. For the Ridley, I was fortunate that my local Performance shop had a couple of Fenix models built up in XS and S for me to try. The Fenix is road only but is their fondo model and has very similar geometry to the X-Trail. The XS X-Trail has an EFF slightly shorter at 52.5 cm but like that better as it has a lower standover and shorter head tube than the next larger model.

As you can see the Ridley sizes run large, at least as far as the S, M, L designation - a couple of sizes in my case. That said, I would get a size, based on actual measurements, that is most similar to a road bike that you like if possible. If you are in between sizes, and you may be, then it's personal preference. Some like a slightly smaller bike and some larger. A smaller bike will put your seat up a bit relative to the bars and the larger frame will get you long and low. Based on your chart, it seems that the Ridley S is closest to the Salsa 53. And the EFF at 54.5 splits the difference between the Salsa 53 & 55. As stated previously, stack and reach are two more very useful measurements to compare bikes or to match to a bike that fits you.

See prior posts of mine on this thread re my experience w/Salsa and Ridley geo charts. A carbon Warbird was my first choice but my experience w/them and my local shop was horrid. A few months ago the Ridley geo charts were incorrect as they transposed the effective top tube length with the actual. But it appears they have finally corrected that. The Performance site was also incorrect also but have not checked to see if they corrected sizing on their site.

Performance is having a 20% points incentive this weekend. Also, I talked to someone at Performance and they will soon be having a 30% points incentive. That would be worth $840 on a the $2,800 CR1. That's worth an extra set of wheels/tires, some upgrades (seat) and some other gear. They couldn't tell me when but I've heard around Memorial Day. Sign up for there newsletter if you want to get into the loop.
1
Talabardio
34 posts
#32Apr 11, 2016, 6:25 PM
Thanks DrSpoke. I'm leaning towards the size S X-Trail rather than the M - the Reach is actually greater than the 55cm warbird. as the 53 warbird is really just a touch small for me, I'm thinking that the S X-Trail should just about nail it.

For the X-Trail, I can go up the street and check out at least an aluminum model X-Trail, I believe, at Performance and actually make a determination on something other than numbers on a chart. That's pretty cool.

If I could have ridden a demo bike I most likely would have gotten the 55cm warbird, but the local dealers just didn't stock them - and this is in rapidly gentrifying Seattle, WA where neither bicycles nor the funds to buy them are uncommon.

I don't know about QBP distribution - they emphasize doing business with the local shops but I have never found a local shop that seemed interested in building any kind of relationship greater than what I might have with an online bike shop. In other words, none at all other than to ring up goods at the register.

1
jpegwun420
6 posts
#33May 22, 2016, 11:57 PMedited
Kind of off topic, but not really since 2 bikes i'm considering are being debated about in this thread. So may I have some help please? I currently have a carbon cdale synapse 2015 road bike, and even before I bought it i kind of knew I wanted disc brakes, the option for big tires(30 minimum), drop bars, and I sort of debated myself about choosing aluminum vs carbon, rack & fender mounts(although rack mounts not as important as fender mounts), and I've read a lot of people Love Thru Axle on disc brakes, but having both front and rear aren't a deal breaker for me.
I want 80+% road riding, but with the option to go on, almost, any off-road path I find. Granted, I won't bring this bike to a path that is MADE for MTB and has boulder sized rocks LOL

I've read horror stories about the Diverge fitting certain non-scs wheelsets, but then read that since the Elite DSW is front TA only then this isn't an issue with this model, correct or incorrect?

I've narrowed my list to these: (all 2016 models)
Budget: 1600$ USD being the max I want to spend on another bike.
Specialized Diverge Elite DSW (I tried this the other day, but it just felt really awkward, not sure if it's the really beefy bartape or the fact that the shop didn't care and didn't even adjust the seat height to fit me
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Nubster
462 posts
#34May 23, 2016, 10:23 AM
I went from a Cannondale Synapse carbon myself.

My first purchase was the Cannondale SuperX CX1 Rival. Great bike and felt better to me than the Synapse. Quick handling, faster feeling bike overall, room for 35c tires and probably 38's. Disc brakes. Carbon frame. Where it falls a little short is no thru axles. But at $1750 retail I don't think there's a bike that can beat that deal right now. I did sell it though because I decided I wanted more of a dedicated gravel grinder rather than a fast super fun to ride bike. But I didn't try any long rides so for all I know the SuperX would have been perfectly fine.

I ended up on a Jamis Renegade. I'd be more than happy to tell you about it but the lower priced option, the Expert, is still $1000 over your budget. But give the word or check out my mini-review if you want to know more.

But at your budget...I'd seriously try to find a SuperX to demo if you can. It's a serious bike at a killer price.
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jpegwun420
6 posts
#35May 23, 2016, 7:18 PM
Nubster wrote:I went from a Cannondale Synapse carbon myself.

My first purchase was the Cannondale SuperX CX1 Rival. Great bike and felt better to me than the Synapse. Quick handling, faster feeling bike overall, room for 35c tires and probably 38's. Disc brakes. Carbon frame. Where it falls a little short is no thru axles. But at $1750 retail I don't think there's a bike that can beat that deal right now. I did sell it though because I decided I wanted more of a dedicated gravel grinder rather than a fast super fun to ride bike. But I didn't try any long rides so for all I know the SuperX would have been perfectly fine.

I ended up on a Jamis Renegade. I'd be more than happy to tell you about it but the lower priced option, the Expert, is still $1000 over your budget. But give the word or check out my mini-review if you want to know more.

But at your budget...I'd seriously try to find a SuperX to demo if you can. It's a serious bike at a killer price.
\n \nThank you for the input and your opinion. However I really don't want a 1x crankset xD I love the idea, and it looks pretty cool, but I need those gears haha I won't be CX racing or anything so its not crucial that I have a 1x setup. As for carbon. Idk. I'm kind of steering away from carbon. Maybe cause I feel like an alloy bike can take more abuse? Not really sure. But yeah..I did look into the Jamie Renegade but you're right...Way out of my budget even for the lowest model. \nDo you have any experience with the other bikes on the list I provided?
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Nubster
462 posts
#36May 23, 2016, 7:34 PMedited
After riding carbon for the last few years...I'd take it over alloy every day of the week. Stronger. Lighter. Rides better in most cases. Though alloy has come a long way and it can be made to be quite compliant...it's still not carbon. Of course there's bad carbon too. But buy a bike from any good bike company and that won't be an issue.

As far as 1x....I could climb as well on that bike as I could my 2x bikes. It's all in the gearing spread. But there is the 105 equipped SuperX too that's not too far off the budget and is 2x.

The other bikes you listed...no experience with them.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xreZdUBqpJs[/video]
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jpegwun420
6 posts
#37May 24, 2016, 12:24 AMedited
Nubster wrote:After riding carbon for the last few years...I'd take it over alloy every day of the week. Stronger. Lighter. Rides better in most cases. Though alloy has come a long way and it can be made to be quite compliant...it's still not carbon. Of course there's bad carbon too. But buy a bike from any good bike company and that won't be an issue.

As far as 1x....I could climb as well on that bike as I could my 2x bikes. It's all in the gearing spread. But there is the 105 equipped SuperX too that's not too far off the budget and is 2x.

The other bikes you listed...no experience with them.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xreZdUBqpJs[/video]
\n \nSo even an alloy bike from a good company will be a great bike, you're saying? Or were you referring to carbon? See, Idk if I'd want carbon for this all-in-one bike because I would be kind of abusive towards it. Not in the intentional sense , but just the nature of the beast. Going on gravel paths, rocks, rough roads, etc etc.
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Nubster
462 posts
#38May 24, 2016, 9:03 AMedited
No...carbon will be good from a reputable company. Start getting into the discount brands or the Chinese knock offs and that's when you start getting not great carbon frames. Not saying they will break but the layup and quality of carbon is not great so the ride characteristics are lost. Companies like Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, Giant and a host of others including many of the European bike companies, take a great deal of time with R&D to figure out the best materials to use and how to lay out the carbon and the shapes of the tubes to give maximum strength, least amount of weight, and the best ride.

I'm a big guy on a carbon gravel bike and a carbon mountain bike. I don't have an ounce of fear that my frames will fail. And I've crashed my mountain bike quite a few times and several times hard...never missed a beat.

Now I'm not trying to convince you to buy carbon although I think you should...lol...but rather trying to dispel the "myth" that carbon is a fragile easy to break frame material which it's not. But if it does break...carbon can usually be repaired unlike aluminum which cannot be repaired. Once you crack or brake alloy...either figure out how to turn it into some cool piece of furniture for you home or bike shop area or send it to the recycler because it's done.

Of course there's also the old standby...steel. Steel is real so they say. Strong. Repairable. Compliant when made correctly. Of course it's heavier but not extremely. A good steel frame will be maybe 2 pounds heavier. I mean 2 pounds is 2 pounds but for most unless you are racing and need the lightest rig possible...it's not going to be much of an issue. Of course a good steel frame will end up cost nearly as much and often times more than a carbon frame.
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jonz
62 posts
#39May 25, 2016, 6:40 PM
Just to let you know, I broke my Jamis Renegade carbon fiber seat stay when I fell over just wrong, landed in some rocks, and the seat stay hit a rock. I just talked with the shop and the repair is $350. I should have it back in a week and a half. I like the ride of carbon fiber (I also have a carbon road bike) but I'm a little nervous about it's crash resistance.
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Nubster
462 posts
#40May 25, 2016, 8:31 PM
But if it was alloy you could have just as easily dented the seat stay and the frame would be trashed. No repairing alloy. I've crashed...and crashed hard as in my bike keeps going, bouncing down the trail, while I'm laying in the dirt more than once and the frame (carbon) hardly got as much as a chip or scratch.
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