Ridley E-ASTR Rival XPLR AXS 1x13 / UD Carbon / Silver S

Dove Grey Meets Tech: The E-ASTR Rival XPLR Is Immediately Reachable

Restrained in appearance, forward in performance - that is the best way to describe this E-ASTR. While many electric gravel bikes stand out with bulky battery boxes, the Rival configuration in dove grey stays discreet and is moreover directly available: it waits in the warehouse for its next owner.

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Beneath the surface hides the usual foundation: an HM-carbon frame built specifically around the TQ mid motor, with 52 millimetres of tyre clearance and the brand-typical race geometry. The TQ HPR40 motor weighs only 1.2 kilograms and delivers up to 200 watts of peak value at 40 Nm of torque; the 290 Wh battery sits integrated in the downtube; for more stamina the optional 160 Wh extra battery serves on a mount inside the front triangle. The system requires no more than a discreet LED strip in the bar plug; a screen is left out. Shifting runs via SRAM Rival XPLR 1x13: the Praxis Type-5 crank carries a 42-tooth chainring, and behind it the wireless derailleur hands the power to a 10–46 cassette – thirteen gears in total, radio-controlled. The DT Swiss G1800 Spline wheels (25 millimetres high, 24 internal) are tubeless-prepared and stand on Schwalbe G-One Evo R tyres with 50 millimetres width. The 4ZA CIP integrated bar 2.0 guides all cables hidden; the Forza Aero seatpost (six millimetres of offset) carries the Selle Italia Novus Boost Superflow with manganese rails. Without factory lighting but with mounts for bottle and extra battery in the triangle – even minimalist bikepacking plans thus remain feasible. As a special feature this model rests in stock and is available in size L and further sizes up to XL.

What the Name Tells: E, ASTR, Rival XPLR AXS, 1x13 and UD Carbon/Dove Grey

The prefix E points to the electric assistance; ASTR is the name of the model family, pronounced "ASTor" and derived from the Latin term "Aster" for star. Rival denotes the middle component class of the SRAM range – above Apex, below Force and Red. XPLR is the gravel series named "Explore", AXS the digital transmission system of the shifting. With 1x13 the gearing is named: one chainring up front, thirteen sprockets at the rear. UD Carbon/Dove Grey, finally, stands for the unidirectionally woven carbon with dove-grey hints.

Its Place in the Range: Electric, Sporty, between Apex and Reserve

Compared with the Apex entry within the E-ASTR range, the Rival model brings one more gear (thirteen instead of twelve) and a higher-quality component choice: the 4ZA CIP cockpit, Schwalbe tyres and the Selle Italia saddle. The distance to the analogue ASTR RS is, by contrast, fundamental, because there everything revolves around lightweight engineering with Ultra-HM carbon, while the E-ASTR integrates motor and battery and thus favours range over lightness. An additional special feature of this combination: it is available from stock and does not have to be produced via preorder.

Its Purpose: Extensive Gravel Tours with a Tailwind Feeling

The E-ASTR Rival XPLR suits everyone who loves their trails but does not want to depend on their stamina: the drive balances out efforts in the longitudinal and transverse sense, depending on the chosen mode, and fades out step by step beyond the 25 km/h mark. The riding feel always stays natural, as if a constant tailwind were pushing. Fields of use are long gravel loops, day trips and the occasional after-work sprint. If instead it should be equipped with a headlight, rack and everyday usability, the E-Grifn and E-Kanzo Adventure lead the field – this model remains the sporty electric gravel bike with fresh-from-stock appeal.