Ridley ASTR RS Red XPLR 1x13 / UD Carbon/Dove Grey XS / UD Carbon/Dove Grey

Grey Elegance over Showmanship: The ASTR RS Red XPLR

In this build the ASTR RS deliberately understates itself: Dove Grey describes a lighter grey tone that forms a discreet two-note look with the dark carbon surfaces. Under the quiet paintwork, however, works the maximum – the Red XPLR top groupset, an integrated power meter and deep carbon wheels.

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The frame is made of ultra-HM carbon and weighs only around 890 grams as a bare chassis; the tube shapes come from the factory's aero-to-weight study of the FALCN RS, and the fork carries an integrated diffuser in the crown. A longer wheelbase, a slacker head angle and a lower bottom bracket provide stable, trustworthy handling at speed, while the 52 mm tyre clearance is designed to be future-proof. Shifting is handled by SRAM Red XPLR 1x13: the complete top-tier group – a 42-tooth crank with factory-fitted power meter, AXS derailleur and 10–46 cassette – yields thirteen wirelessly actuated gears that work via radio without any cable runs. On the 50 mm deep DT Swiss GRC 1400 Dicut carbon wheels run 50 mm wide Schwalbe G-One Evo tyres. Joining them are the Nimbus Pro handlebar (Stealth Black), the Forza Aero seatpost with six millimetres of offset and a Selle Italia Novus Boost Superflow saddle on carbon rails. You will search in vain for lighting just as for racks; if you want to bikepack, use the approved mounts with aero bags. Thus the Dove Grey machine stays deliberately reduced – and that is exactly what makes its unobtrusive charm.

The meaning of the name blocks: ASTR, RS, Red, XPLR, 1x13, UD Carbon and Dove Grey

ASTR is the name of the gravel platform, pronounced "ASTor", inspired by the Latin "Aster" (star); no official long version has ever been published. RS abbreviates "Racing Sport" and denotes the performance-oriented elite tier with lightweight technology. Red stands for the highest electronic groupset class, XPLR for the gravel line ("Explore"). 1x13 names a single chainring with thirteen sprockets. UD Carbon describes the visible unidirectional fibre lay-up; Dove Grey names the light, dove-grey tone that largely covers the carbon weave.

The difference from the other models of the ASTR range

Within the ASTR family this model marks the absolute summit: the Red group surpasses the Force equipment just as it does the Shimano ranks, and the built-in measuring system supplies data that other offshoots do not carry. The 50 mm carbon rims and the wide 10–46 spread likewise remain reserved for the upper RS builds. In contrast to the plain ASTR, the foundation also rests on elite carbon with a separate aero post instead of a round tube – altogether the full race offer on the gravel platform.

The intended use – and the classification against Kanzo Adventure and Kanzo Fast

This bicycle is designed for serious gravel competition: modern gravel racing with increasingly rough courses and rising speed demands exactly those qualities that aerodynamics, low weight and an efficient drivetrain address here. If you instead travel with full expedition gear, you belong on the Kanzo Adventure with its lighting and rack compatibility; those preferring aero-focused road use find a predecessor in the Kanzo Fast, which, however, sets signs in tyre clearance – namely less. The Dove Grey ASTR RS positions itself as the unexcited powerhouse among gravel racers.