Ridley ASTR GRX600 2x12 / Rich Orange Metallic/Black XS / Rich Orange Metallic/Black

Signal Orange and Solid Shifting: The Mechanical ASTR with a GRX Twin

With its GRX600 equipment this ASTR brings the complete race platform without electronic gimmicks: classic cable shifting, proven geometry and a powerful orange-red that stands out from afar. Riders who value simple controls, manageable costs and the familiar shift feel find the pragmatic variant here.

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The frame is made of HM carbon with a diffuser fork crown, deliberately short chainstays, a low bottom bracket and tyre clearance of 47 millimetres in twin-ring and 52 millimetres in single-ring operation. This model is driven by Shimano GRX600 in the mechanical 2x12 configuration: the 46/30 crank with 172.5 mm arms pairs the GRX 800 front derailleur with a GRX 800 rear derailleur and an 11–36 Shimano 105 cassette – resulting in 24 steps that arrive purely via cables, without any electricity. That is the real advantage: no recharging, no pairing, only straightforward levers with a proven grip. The DT Swiss G1800 Classic wheels with 25 mm profile depth carry Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres in 700x47c with a light sidewall. Cockpit and stem come from Deda (Superzero bar with a 16-degree flare, Super Box stem), joined by the zero-offset 4ZA Cirrus seatpost and a no-frills Selle Italia Model X saddle. Lighting and racks are absent; the provided mounts allow aero bags for light bikepacking adventures. The vivid orange over black looks compact yet playful in size XS.

The parts of the name: ASTR, GRX, 600, 2x12 and Rich Orange Metallic/Black

ASTR names the entire gravel platform, pronounced "ASTor" and echoing the Latin "Aster" (star); no official long version exists. GRX is the gravel-specific equipment line with road looks and offroad touches; at Shimano, 600 marks the mechanical mid class within it. 2x12 names the principle of two chainrings and twelve sprockets. Rich Orange Metallic/Black, finally, describes the rich orange metallic tone with black trim areas – a colour name that matches the model's bold presence.

How this ASTR stands out from its series colleagues

Within the ASTR line this is the simplest and cheapest Shimano model: while the GRX800 Di2 version relies on electric shifting and the XPLR builds run a single ring, this variant uses the proven mechanical twin set-up with two derailleurs. That means more spread for steep climbing under load and thus a dose of robustness away from the workshop. Compared with the RS siblings, the aero cockpit is understandably missing here – yet the foundation, the HM carbon scaffold with its race geometry, is identical.

The purpose: an all-rounder between sport, commuting and touring

This bicycle is a balanced companion for daily life and training alike: the wide 24-gear range masters ramps comfortably, the 47 mm tyres defuse rough paths, and the quality basis also carries fast weekend outings. For months-long expeditions with luggage, in contrast, the Kanzo Adventure is in better hands, offering a lighting system and rack options from the factory; those tuning purely for maximum speed could turn to the Kanzo Fast but would give away the larger tyre clearance there. In the middle of these demands – sporty, uncomplicated, everyday-ready – stands this orange ASTR.