Ridley ASTR Rival XPLR 1x13 / Empress Grey Metallic/Anthracite Metallic XS / Empress Grey Metallic/Anthracite Metallic

A Class Above the Base: The Ridley ASTR Rival XPLR in Grey Metallic

The ASTR carries the full heritage of the ASTR RS on shoulders that are distinctly more accessible in price – from aerodynamic refinements to a modern gravel geometry. This build pairs the HM-carbon frameset with the radio-controlled SRAM Rival XPLR and presents itself in elegant grey metallic.

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The ASTR arrives with the complete inheritance of the ASTR RS but stays markedly more accessible in price: aero tube profiles, the fork-crown diffuser and the modern performance geometry are fully retained. The frame is made of HM carbon with a low bottom bracket, a steep seat tube and short chainstays; behind them, tyres up to 47 mm in twin-ring or 52 mm in single-ring operation find room. Propulsion comes from the SRAM Rival XPLR – a fully wireless 1x13 groupset that mates a 42-tooth chainring with a 10–46 cassette: 13 well-stepped gears cover climbs and fast stretches without ratio gaps. No lighting is fitted; racks are deliberately absent too, so bikepacking remains possible in the form of slim aero frame bags over the provided mounts. Highlights of this build are the integrated Forza Cirrus Pro cockpit with a 16-degree flare, the wide 50 mm Schwalbe G-One Evo tyres for plenty of grip, the tubeless-ready DT Swiss G1800 wheels as well as the Selle Italia Novus Boost Superflow saddle and the round 4ZA Cirrus seatpost. The two-tone Empress Grey Metallic/Anthracite Metallic paint looks elegant; the XS frame size addresses more compact riders.

Definition of the name: ASTR, Rival, XPLR and 1x13 in detail

ASTR is the series' own family name for the platform, pronounced "ASTor" – acoustically related to the Latin word "Aster" for star; no official long name exists. Rival names the groupset tier of the supplier between Apex and Force or Red – the hinge between entry-level wireless and high-end. XPLR stands for the gravel line "Explore". 1x13 marks the arrangement of one chainring and thirteen sprockets – the widely spread, deliberately simple drivetrain concept. Empress Grey Metallic/Anthracite Metallic describes the two-tone grey metallic paintwork, XS the smallest available frame size.

Ordering in the ASTR line: what sets the Rival version apart

The ASTR series spans three fundamental directions: the base model with HM carbon, the RS flagship with elite carbon and the E variant with an electric motor. Within the base programme this Rival build represents the wireless 13-speed solution: the GRX600 variant works mechanically with a double chainring, the GRX800 Di2 version shifts electronically with twin rings, the Apex XPLR model rides single-ring with an 11–44 cassette, and the Classified variant conceals a further step in the hub. The Rival XPLR marries the reach of a widely spread cassette with the finesse of a digital shifting system and, moreover, carries the integrated Cirrus Pro cockpit – a noticeable step above the conventional Deda setup of the more affordable siblings.

All-round chassis: uses and boundaries against the touring segment

The intended use of this ASTR lies in the sporting gravel segment: brisk rides, training loops and races on changing terrain. The 50 mm tyres provide comfort and grip, the 13 gears a wide ratio spread, and the wireless technology clean shifts even under strain. It thus appeals to ambitious riders seeking more performance than the tour-oriented Kanzo Adventure with rack and lighting, without needing the radicalism of a pure-bred race gravel bike. Against the older Kanzo Fast it shines with a newer aero generation and a larger tyre window; the everyday-oriented Grifn RS remains the better choice for the city. In short: a balanced partner for everyone who wants to move fast and calmly on gravel.