The 2023 Ridley Grifn wants to be the one for everything. With the new all-road bike, the Belgians proclaim to have broken the n+1 rule. We have put it to the test for you and tell you whether the Grifn’s concept really works.
The Ridley Grifn 2023 is the new all-road bike from the Belgians that wants to be neither a classic road bike nor a pure gravel bike – but both! In order to achieve this, Ridley claim to have combined the speed of a road bike with the comfort of a gravel bike. The name of the bike says it all: derived from the griffin, the mythical creature that has the body of a lion with the head and wings of an eagle, combining the characteristics of the king of beasts and the ruler of the air. Find out in our review whether the 2023 Grifn does also reign both – asphalt and gravel. The list of ingredients reads nicely, the unpainted frame in size M weighs under 1 kg and can take up to 40 mm wide tires. Mounts not only allow the fitting of mudguards but also make the Grifn suitable for bikepacking, according to Ridley. The bike’s versatility is further enhanced by the integrated cable routing for a hub dynamo and lights.
The Grifn was developed by Ridley to break the n+1 rule.
Aha: n+1 – what does that actually stand for? n is a mathematical variable that stands for the number of bikes you own, and with the formula n+1 you can calculate the ideal number of bikes – namely always one more than you currently own.
Ridley offer the Grifn 2023 in 5 sizes, from XS to XL, and in 5 pre-configured designs. The entry-level model is the Grifn 105 with the Shimano 105 mechanical groupset priced at € 3,199. At the upper end of the preconfiguration range is the Grifn GRX Di2 1x Classified for € 7,783 that comes equipped with the electric GRX810 groupset in a single-speed version, but with Classified hub gears. Ridley also offer the Grifn as a customisable platform. In the configurator you have all sorts of options to individualize the bike according to your needs and preferences. In addition to different saddles and crank lengths, you can choose between nine paint finishes, which you can then design according to taste in 39 (!) colours. The configurator also shows that Ridley is serious about gravel and road use: In addition to the gravel groupsets from Shimano and SRAM, you will also find their road counterparts, although “only” the ULTEGRA Di2 and SRAM Rival AXS Road – so, for the ultimate road performance, you will have to resort to other models from the Belgian manufacturer.
Racing Green Metallic in a glossy finish
Our test bike of course has been customized in the configurator. It is painted in the original design with the main colour being Racing Green Metallic. In addition, we selected the Shimano GRX Di2 groupset in a 2×11 setup and Forza Levanto carbon gravel wheels. The rest of the bike is standard or at least comes at no extra cost, for example the choice of the handlebar width. Our configuration comes in at € 6,194. Given the features and free configuration, we consider the price reasonable.
Ridley Grifn
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 470 mm | 500 mm | 520 mm | 545 mm | 570 mm |
| Top tube | 525 mm | 545 mm | 565 mm | 585 mm | 605 mm |
| Head tube | 115 mm | 140 mm | 165 mm | 195 mm | 215 mm |
| Head angle | 71.5° | 72° | 72° | 72° | 72° |
| Seat angle | 74.5° | 74° | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73° |
| Chainstay | 420 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm |
| BB Drop | 75 mm | 73 mm | 73 mm | 71 mm | 71 mm |
| Reach | 375 mm | 383 mm | 391 mm | 403 mm | 412 mm |
| Stack | 540 mm | 563 mm | 587 mm | 614 mm | 633 mm |
Fully integrated cockpit and facilities for internal cable routing
Ridley have designed the Grifn with some clever solutions. The fully integrated cockpit looks very tidy and is easy to maintain thanks to the two-piece spacers. The D-shaped steerer tube completes the easy maintenance of the control unit. The front derailleur is screwed to the seat tube with a classic clamp, better solutions can be found on many other carbon bikes. The advantage of the Grifn is, of course, that the seat tube with a 1-speed setup looks perfectly clean. The seat post clamp is a bit cumbersome to use, but very tidy thanks to a rubber cover. On the top tube, Ridley has provided mounting points for a bag. Unused, they are protected by a plain black cover. Ridley also provide a matching spacer for the installation of the top tube bag. Practical: The spacer allows the simultaneous mounting of a top tube bag and frame bag. So that you don’t dry out when the frame bag is mounted, the bottle cages can be attached in various positions, making ideal use of the space in the frame triangle. For the really, really thirsty, there are another 3 bosses to mount bottle cages on the outside of the down tube. Unfortunately, there is no down tube cover that could protect the appealing green of our test bike from stone chips.
The universal design of the Grifn is also suitable for commuters. In addition to mudguards and panniers, a hub dynamo can be mounted, which unobtrusively provides light thanks to the internal cable routing. More mounts on the fork or the possibility to install a pannier rack would add to the bike’s versatility.
Sporty design with minor flaws
The frame design of the Ridley Grifn is spectacularly understated: The diamond frame with low-set seat stays fits well into the zeitgeist and adds a sporty attitude. The slight 16° flare on the handlebar shows clearly that the Grifn wants to master more than perfect asphalt. What we don’t particularly like is the bottom bracket area and the transition to the seat tube. While the wide down tube swallows the transition from the bottom bracket well, the one to the seat tube has a rather functional look. With the possibilities that carbon offers, this could have been made more aesthetically pleasing.
The faster, the better!
The Grifn’s uncluttered cockpit feels comfortable to hold and the geometry is pleasantly sporty. The drops with the slight flare fit well with the character of the bike – after all, it’s neither a road bike nor an adventure bike. Thanks to the flare, the hoods are tilted slightly inwards, completing the ergonomic first impression of the cockpit. The front with the 35 Vittoria Terreno Dry tires on the Forza wheelset is a bit unsteady. After a short period of getting familiar with the Grifn, the bike is easy to control at low speeds and rides smoothly in faster sections. In slow, tight turns or when hitting the brakes in a bend, the Grifn tends to break away, something to bear in mind! The Grifn’s acceleration is a little sluggish and it is not as hungry for speed as a pure race bike, but don’t get us wrong, the Grifn is anything but unsporty, holding speed with it is a breeze.
Tuning-Tipp: One wheelset each with gravel and road tires for better performance off-road and on road.
Despite the sporty seating position and feel, the Grifn offers a good amount of comfort. On gravel, the front and rear work pleasantly together, and small vibrations are significantly dampened. Nevertheless, the bike is not too soft and you get a good feel of the terrain on both asphalt and gravel, making the Grifn at home on hardpack, proper gravel roads and asphalt. With a second wheel set, one with road and one with gravel tires respectively, the Grifn’s range of use can be extended even further, allowing you to adjust the bike’s characteristics on asphalt or off-road with little effort.
Thanks to the configurator, you have almost unlimited possibilities to create your dream bike, at a fair price. Sure, the Ridley Grifn is no bargain, but when it comes to all-road bikes with high-quality features, our test bike is still in the mid-range price bracket.
Specialists define their raison d’être as standing out in a specific field. In other words: Can an all-road bike really replace a road bike and a gravel bike? The answer is: Yes. However, it does not perform like a real race bike on the road and not like a thoroughbred gravel race bike off-road. But the beauty is that you don’t need one or the other to have fun on a bike.
Our conclusion on the Ridley Grifn 2023
Whether the Ridley breaks the n+1 rule is for you to decide. For us, one thing is certain: as an all-road bike, the Grifn is a 1+1 bike. It’s not a real racer nor a fat-tired gravel bike, but it is an all-road bike that you can have fun with on asphalt, hardpack and gravel alike.
Tops
- configurator with almost infinite possibilities
- clever setup for lighting
Flops
- no mounts on the fork
- unsightly transition from seat tube to bottom bracket
More information at ridley.com.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words: Christoph Staudinger Photos: Peter Walker
