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Spotted: Ridley Helium SL

  • By Caley Fretz
  • Published June 26, 2012
  • Front end of the Ridley Helium SL. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
  • UCI approved. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com The Helium SL is designed for easy swaps between mechanical and electronic drivetrains, without the need for extra holes in the frame. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com The Helium SL fork is 310 grams, claimed. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com Big head tube. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com Jelle Vanendert and Jurgen Van den Broeck will have Helium SL bikes available to them at the Tour de France. Vanendert had a model for testing at the Dauphine as well. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com Vanendert's spare Helium SL on top of the team car before stage 4 of the Criterium du Dauphine. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com A squared-off, wide downtube and bottom bracket area should keep things stiff. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com Jelle Vanendert's backup Helium SL. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com Ultra-thin seatstays on the new Helium SL. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com Ridley Helium SL. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com Tapered head tube. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com 3 of 14 Lotto-Belisol riders Jelle Vanendert and Jurgen Van den Broeck will each have the option of tackling this year’s Tour de France aboard Ridley’s brand new Helium SL, a lighter, sleeker version of their current climbing-oriented Helium model. Unsurprisingly, Ridley claims the new frame is stiffer, lighter, and more comfortable than the current version. All three attributes are well and good, but we’re just as pleased to see that Ridley has made a few small but important modifications that make the Helium much more user friendly — more on those below. We spotted the new frame at the Criterium du Dauphiné in early June, where Vanendert had one available for testing, but have only just come by the full details. The bare frame is a claimed 780 grams for a size medium, setting it among the lightest currently available. Fork weight is a claimed 310g, for a 1,090g package. That’s about 200g lighter than the old Helium. However, much of that weight loss comes from the switch from an ISP seat mast to a traditional 27.2mm seatpost, which is not included in frame weight. The switch is intended to decrease weight, increase comfort, and increase serviceability, according to Ridley. While seatmasts offer opportunities for ride tuning not found with traditional seatposts, the possible increase in comfort is almost always overcome by issues with resale value (once the post is cut, you can only sell to someone shorter) and packing any ISP frame for travel (try packing your bike with the seatpost on; it doesn’t work so well). Stainless steel dropout sleeves have been added for easy wheel changes and better dropout durability, despite the resultant modest increase in weight. Ridley went with the BB30 Press Fit bottom bracket standard, which allows for the use of the lighter BB30 versions of most cranks. In a nod to comfort, Ridley has put the seatstays on a serious diet relative to the old Helium; the tubes are now pencil-thin and designed to provide extra flex and comfort, Ridley says. Cable routing is all internal, and is designed to be easily swapped between mechanical and electronic drivetrains without the need for extra holes in the frame for electronic routing. The cable stops simply turn into wire holes. Availability is set for late fall, and price will likely fall just under that of the current Helium model: $2750 for frame and fork. FILED UNDER: Bikes and Tech / Tour de France TAGS: Ridley / Tour de France Caley Fretz Caley came on board with the VN tech department in September 2010, and is now based in Annecy, France as VeloNews.com's European tech reporter. Beyond his journalistic pursuits, he is a category 1 road, 'cross and track racer, and pro mountain biker. Follow @caleyfretzAll articles by Caley Most ReadPopular Now Rating the Tour de France favorites, from W(iggins) to Z Armstrong asks review board to dismiss USADA allegations Ask Nick: Clear coat touch-up, riding with a tailwind and the Tour menu Gallery: The best and worst national champion kits Bruyneel to sit out Tour de France over USADA allegations Garmin, Saxo Bank introduce new title sponsors Spotted: Ridley’s new 1090g Helium SL Lazer updates helmet line, breaks new optics ground 2012 USA Cycling elite men’s road race national championship results Tour de France 2012 confirmed riders list Also Recommended Lazer updates helmet line, breaks new optics ground Rating the Tour de France favorites, from W(iggins) to Z Hushovd to miss the Tour de France Noticed: Saying ‘No’ to Picture Perfect (The New York Times) Ridley Helium SL [?]
  • UCI approved. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
  • The Helium SL is designed for easy swaps between mechanical and electronic drivetrains, without the need for extra holes in the frame. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
  • The Helium SL fork is 310 grams, claimed. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
  • Big head tube. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
  • Ridley Helium SL. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
  • Jelle Vanendert and Jurgen Van den Broeck will have Helium SL bikes available to them at the Tour de France. Vanendert had a model for testing at the Dauphine as well. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
  • Vanendert's spare Helium SL on top of the team car before stage 4 of the Criterium du Dauphine. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
  • A squared-off, wide downtube and bottom bracket area should keep things stiff. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
  • Jelle Vanendert's backup Helium SL. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
  • Ultra-thin seatstays on the new Helium SL. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
  • Ridley Helium SL. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
  • Tapered head tube. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com


Lotto-Belisol riders Jelle Vanendert and Jurgen Van den Broeck will each have the option of tackling this year’s Tour de France aboard Ridley’s brand new Helium SL, a lighter, sleeker version of their current climbing-oriented Helium model. Unsurprisingly, Ridley claims the new frame is stiffer, lighter, and more comfortable than the current version.

All three attributes are well and good, but we’re just as pleased to see that Ridley has made a few small but important modifications that make the Helium much more user friendly — more on those below.

We spotted the new frame at the Criterium du Dauphiné in early June, where Vanendert had one available for testing, but have only just come by the full details.

The bare frame is a claimed 780 grams for a size medium, setting it among the lightest currently available. Fork weight is a claimed 310g, for a 1,090g package. That’s about 200g lighter than the old Helium.

However, much of that weight loss comes from the switch from an ISP seat mast to a traditional 27.2mm seatpost, which is not included in frame weight. The switch is intended to decrease weight, increase comfort, and increase serviceability, according to Ridley. While seatmasts offer opportunities for ride tuning not found with traditional seatposts, the possible increase in comfort is almost always overcome by issues with resale value (once the post is cut, you can only sell to someone shorter) and packing any ISP frame for travel (try packing your bike with the seatpost on; it doesn’t work so well).

Stainless steel dropout sleeves have been added for easy wheel changes and better dropout durability, despite the resultant modest increase in weight. Ridley went with the BB30 Press Fit bottom bracket standard, which allows for the use of the lighter BB30 versions of most cranks.

In a nod to comfort, Ridley has put the seatstays on a serious diet relative to the old Helium; the tubes are now pencil-thin and designed to provide extra flex and comfort, Ridley says.

Cable routing is all internal, and is designed to be easily swapped between mechanical and electronic drivetrains without the need for extra holes in the frame for electronic routing. The cable stops simply turn into wire holes.

Availability is set for late fall, and price will likely fall just under that of the current Helium model: $2750 for frame and fork.

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