Ridley Kanzo FastvsNoah Fast
Ridley’s 'Fast' designation signals high performance, but the Kanzo Fast and Noah Fast carve out distinct paths to speed, each demanding different commitments from your wallet and your physiology. For the gravel racer, the Kanzo Fast blends road-aero efficiency with dirt capability, offering a strong value in its niche. Meanwhile, the Noah Fast pushes pure road aerodynamics to the extreme, delivering a blistering ride at a premium that’s competitive only among a rarefied class of hyperbikes.
Overview
The Ridley Kanzo Fast is unapologetically an aero gravel race machine, a direct descendent of the Noah Fast road bike, infused with gravel DNA. Ridley's ambitious claim of it being "the fastest gravel bike in the world" points to its core purpose: to excel at speed on compact dirt roads, fire trails, and even tarmac connecting those segments. It’s a bike built for efficiency, allowing riders to "convert every single watt into maximum speed," as Gravelcyclist observed. In stark contrast, the Ridley Noah Fast 3.0 is a hyper-modern road racing bike, designed to push the boundaries of aerodynamic efficiency under new UCI rules. It's a machine built for Tour de France athletes, or anyone seeking to maximize speed on smooth tarmac. While both bikes share a philosophy of cheating the wind, the Noah Fast's focus is singular and absolute, leading to an extremely aggressive rider position and a ride quality tuned for outright velocity over all-day comfort for the average rider. The Kanzo Fast, despite its race focus, still makes concessions for mixed-surface riding, like slightly more relaxed geometry and greater tire clearance, creating a more versatile, albeit still fast-paced, platform.
Ride and handling
The Kanzo Fast delivers a stiff, responsive ride, a characteristic repeatedly noted by reviewers, who found it "goaded me into pushing hard constantly" on gravel. While firm, its lowered seatstays and D-shaped carbon seatpost do offer a degree of compliance, effectively dampening high-frequency vibrations on compact dirt and well-maintained gravel. However, this comfort has its limits: "moderate to large vibrations are noticeably passed on to the rider," and its "stiff and direct character quickly reaches its limits" on truly rough or technical terrain. The Noah Fast, surprisingly, offers a buttery smooth frame despite its aggressive aero profile. After swapping to less compliant 'house wheels' with skinny tires, CADE Media found the frame "remarkably smooth," a testament to Ridley’s engineering in isolating road chatter. Yet, this inherent frame compliance is overshadowed by an extraordinarily aggressive rider position. The "hyper-modern racing position" and narrow integrated cockpit mean comfort is largely dependent on the rider's flexibility and strength. It's an "astronomically long" bike that demands a specific body type to ride comfortably for extended periods. Handling-wise, the Kanzo Fast excels in high-speed stability on compact surfaces. It's "intuitive and predictable," forgiving small rider errors on fast descents, and feels "planted and stable through corners." Its agile, direct steering encourages tightening corner radii, but it does require "a firm hand" in rougher conditions and can feel
Specifications
The drivetrain choices across these two Ridley models clearly underscore their divergent intentions. The Kanzo Fast, represented by the selected build, comes with a Shimano GRX 800 1x12 groupset (despite the build name suggesting Classified Sram Rival AXS). This 1x setup, typically with a 42T chainring and a 10-45T cassette, is purpose-built for gravel, offering a broad range for varied terrain while prioritizing chain retention and simplicity. Reviews highlight the optional Classified 2-speed rear hub as a "game-changer," effectively giving a 2x gear range without a front derailleur, enhancing versatility and aerodynamics. The Noah Fast, conversely, is equipped with a SRAM Force AXS 2x12 groupset, featuring a 48/35T crank and a tight 10-33T cassette. This is a pure road racing setup, geared for close-ratio shifting and maximum speed on tarmac, including an integrated power meter for performance analysis right out of the box. Wheelsets also reflect their respective domains. The Kanzo Fast's DT Swiss G 1800 Spline wheels, with a 25mm depth and a 24mm internal width, are appropriately chosen for gravel, offering good tire support and robustness. However, earlier reviews noted some builds suffered from narrower internal rim widths (17-21mm), which could compromise the performance of wider gravel tires at lower pressures. The Noah Fast features deep-section DT Swiss ARC 1400 Dicut wheels (50mm deep, 20mm internal), paired with Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 700x30c tires. These are unequivocally aero road wheels, designed to slice through the wind, though the 20mm internal width is narrower, limiting optimal tire profiles to road-specific widths like 28-30c, despite the frame's 34c clearance. This means that while the Noah could technically run wider tires, they might not sit as well on the stock rims. The cockpits are another area of functional divergence, though both feature integrated aero designs. The Kanzo Fast uses a Forza Cirrus Pro integrated cockpit with flared handlebars (400mm c-c at hoods / 465mm c-c at drops, 16° flare), which reviewers praised for providing comfortable hand positions and better control on gravel. The Noah Fast sports a Nimbus Aero integrated cockpit with narrower bars (360mm c-c at hoods / 400mm c-c at drops). While it offers 15 stem/stack options, all consumer models have this fixed, narrow width. This narrow setup is an aero choice, but it can be restrictive for rider comfort and less stable at slower speeds. Reviewers of the Noah Fast also pointed out a
| Fast | Fast | |
|---|---|---|
| FRAMESET | ||
| Frame | Ridley Kanzo Fast, 30T HM/HR UD Carbon, F-Tubing, F-Steerer head tube, TA 12x142mm | Noah Fast 7E8 / size M / D1179Bs (Elite Series carbon, glossy) |
| Fork | Ridley Kanzo Fast, 30T HM/HR UD Carbon, F-Steerer, integrated cables, TA 12x100mm | Noah 7E8 45mm / D1179Bs |
| Rear shock | — | — |
| GROUPSET | ||
| Shift levers | Shimano GRX800 1x12-speed shifters | SRAM Force eTap AXS (2x12) |
| Front derailleur | — | SRAM Force AXS, 2x12 |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano GRX 800, 12-speed, Medium Cage (45T) | SRAM Force eTap AXS, 12-speed |
| Cassette | Shimano XT, 12-speed, 10-45T | SRAM XG-1270, 12-speed, 10-33T |
| Chain | Shimano 12-speed chain | SRAM Force AXS 12-speed |
| Crankset | Shimano GRX 800, 172mm, 42T | SRAM Force AXS crank incl. spindle power meter, 172.5mm, 48/35T (2x12) |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano GRX / Hollowtech II bottom bracket | SRAM DUB (road) |
| Front brake | Shimano GRX800 hydraulic disc brake, flat mount | SRAM Force AXS hydraulic disc, flat mount |
| Rear brake | Shimano GRX800 hydraulic disc brake, flat mount | SRAM Force AXS hydraulic disc, flat mount |
| WHEELSET | ||
| Front wheel | DT Swiss G1800 Spline, TA 12x100mm, tubeless ready, 25mm deep, 24mm internal width | DT Swiss ARC 1400 Dicut, 50mm deep, 20mm internal, tubeless ready, TA 12x100mm |
| Rear wheel | DT Swiss G1800 Spline, TA 12x142mm, tubeless ready, 25mm deep, 24mm internal width | DT Swiss ARC 1400 Dicut, 50mm deep, 20mm internal, tubeless ready, TA 12x142mm |
| Front tire | Vittoria Terreno Dry TLR, 700x38c, folding, tan wall | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR, 700x30c, tubeless ready, black/black |
| Rear tire | Vittoria Terreno Dry TLR, 700x38c, folding, tan wall | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR, 700x30c, tubeless ready, black/black |
| COCKPIT | ||
| Stem | Forza Cirrus Pro integrated cockpit (stem/bar one-piece) | Nimbus Aero cockpit (integrated), stem stack 75mm, stem reach 115mm |
| Handlebars | Forza Cirrus Pro Integrated Flared, 110mm - 400mm (c-c shifters) / 465mm (c-c drops), 16° flare, drop 120mm, reach 70mm | Nimbus Aero cockpit, 360mm (c-c at shifters) / 400mm (c-c at drops), drop 125mm, reach 75mm |
| Saddle | Selle San Marco Shortfit 2.0 | Selle Italia SLR Boost, manganese rails, black |
| Seatpost | Forza Aero, 6mm offset, 350mm | Noah Fast 3.0 aero seatpost, 350mm |
| Grips/Tape | — | — |
Geometry and fit comparison
Reliable geometry data for the Ridley Kanzo Fast is unfortunately unavailable, preventing a direct numerical comparison. However, review insights consistently describe its geometry as "gravel-specific" yet "somewhat aggressive" for the category, featuring a "shorter reach, taller stack and a longer wheelbase than what you would typically find on a road bike" (buycycle). Typical head tube angles for the Kanzo Fast range from 71.0° to 72.0°, and chainstays are around 425mm. This setup aims for stability on varied terrain while maintaining a fast, forward-leaning feel. In contrast, the Noah Fast in size S presents a highly aggressive road race geometry: a low stack of 521mm, a long reach of 410mm, a steep 73.0° head tube angle, and an exceptionally steep 75.5° seat tube angle. The chainstays are a tight 407mm, contributing to a compact 996mm wheelbase. Reviewers found this geometry "astronomically long" and "weird," demanding "the longest arms in the world" for proper fit for many riders. CADE Media noted that while the steep seat tube angle pushes the rider forward, Ridley smartly compensates by effectively moving the bottom bracket backward, maintaining the body-to-wheel relationship for sharp handling. This translates to two very different riding positions. The Kanzo Fast, with its generally taller stack and shorter reach for a given size, positions the rider more upright than a pure road race bike, enhancing comfort and control over rougher gravel surfaces. It’s designed to be stable at speed on loose terrain. The Noah Fast's extreme geometry forces a very long, low, and aerodynamic position, optimized for power output and minimizing drag on flat, fast roads. It's a fit for "flexible, strong riders" who can comfortably maintain this demanding posture for sustained efforts, making it less approachable for the average rider seeking comfort or versatility. The Noah Fast's geometry is a calculated compromise for speed, prioritizing an open hip angle for power over a more relaxed, accessible fit.
| FIT GEO | Fast | Fast | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 613 | 565 | -48 |
| Reach | 393 | 428 | +35 |
| Top tube | 587 | 585 | -2 |
| Headtube length | 197 | 160 | -37 |
| Standover height | 835 | 900 | +65 |
| Seat tube length | 545 | 560 | +15 |
| HANDLING | Fast | Fast | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headtube angle | 71.5 | 73.5 | +2 |
| Seat tube angle | 72.5 | 74.5 | +2 |
| BB height | — | — | — |
| BB drop | 70 | 70 | 0 |
| Trail | — | — | — |
| Offset | — | — | — |
| Front center | 868 | — | — |
| Wheelbase | 1044 | 1023 | -21 |
| Chainstay length | 425 | 407 | -18 |
Who each one is for
Ridley Kanzo Fast
The Ridley Kanzo Fast is for the gravel racer who prioritizes outright speed on compact surfaces and mixed-surface routes. This rider is comfortable with a slightly aggressive position and wants to feel fast, whether chasing podiums in a gravel race or setting personal bests on their local fire roads. It’s an ideal choice for road cyclists venturing into gravel who appreciate aero gains and a stiff, responsive ride, and might even use it as a high-speed commuter or winter road bike with a wheel swap. If your definition of gravel involves more blasting along wide, fast dirt paths than technical singletrack, and you value efficiency above all else, the Kanzo Fast is a strong contender.
Ridley Noah Fast
The Ridley Noah Fast 3.0 is built for the uncompromising road racer or the highly fit enthusiast obsessed with marginal gains and pure speed on smooth tarmac. This rider lives for blistering pace, crit racing, or setting records on flat, open roads. They are flexible, strong, and willing to adapt to an extremely aggressive, aerodynamic position, valuing every watt saved over all-day comfort. The Noah Fast appeals to those who demand a purpose-built tool for maximizing velocity, even if it means sacrificing some low-speed maneuverability or comfortable ergonomics for more casual rides.
