WorldTour-proven aerodynamics, progressive race geometry and unprecedented tyre flexibility combine in Ridley’s new gravel race platform.
Gravel racing is becoming faster, more technical and increasingly competitive. As speeds rise and courses become more demanding, tyre choice and aerodynamics are becoming increasingly important performance factors. With the new Kanzo Fast 2.0, Ridley responds to this evolution with a pure gravel race bike that combines advanced aerodynamics, massive tyre clearance and a progressive race-focused geometry.
The Kanzo Fast 2.0 brings Ridley’s latest generation of aero technology, previously developed and validated on the Noah Fast road bike at WorldTour level, into the gravel racing segment. At the same time, the new platform significantly increases tyre clearance, allowing riders to run tyres up to 58 mm wide. The result is a gravel race bike designed to deliver maximum speed on fast and demanding courses, while giving riders the freedom to choose the tyre setup that best matches the terrain and conditions.
58MM TYRE CLEARANCE: REDEFINING WHAT’S POSSIBLE
The most striking feature of the Kanzo Fast 2.0 is its massive 58 mm tyre clearance, equivalent to a 29×2.3” MTB tyre. This allows riders to use high-volume gravel tyres that can offer tangible performance advantages on rough terrain: lower rolling resistance, increased traction, improved comfort and greater puncture resistance.
At the same time, the generous clearance provides maximum flexibility. Riders opting for narrower tyres benefit from additional mud clearance, allowing the bike to be adapted to different course conditions, weather and personal preferences. This approach reflects the evolution of modern gravel racing. Rather than designing the bike around a single tyre width, Ridley created a platform that gives racers the freedom to choose the optimal setup for every course.
WORLDTOUR-PROVEN AERODYNAMICS
Wider tyres typically come with an aerodynamic penalty. Ridley set out to counteract this effec tby applying its latest generation of aerodynamic technology to the Kanzo Fast 2.0. Key features such as the oversized aero downtube and extended head tube are designed to manage airflow around the frame and water bottles, while the aerodynamic profiles help counterbalance the additional drag generated by wider tyres. The result is a gravel race platform that combines the performance benefits of high-volume tyres with the aerodynamic efficiency required for high-speed racing. Detailed wind tunnel testing and performance results are presented in the dedicated testing section in the appendix.
PROGRESSIVE RACE GEOMETRY FOR MODERN GRAVEL
The aerodynamic performance of the Kanzo Fast 2.0 is complemented by a revised geometry based on Ridley’s race-proven ASTR platform. A lower bottom bracket compensates for the increased wheel diameter when running high-volume tyres, providing stability and confidence at speed. The fork rake has been adjusted to account for the larger wheel radius, ensuring agile and precise handling with a consistent steering feel across the size range.
The chainstays are kept as short as possible, enabled by the exclusive use of electronic 1x drivetrains. This contributesto a responsive, race-oriented ride feel, while a steeper seat tube angle positions the rider further forward and makes it easier to maintain an efficient and aerodynamic position during long, high-intensity efforts. The result is a gravel race bike that combines stability at high speed with the responsiveness required when attacking, cornering and accelerating on technical terrain.
THE EVOLUTION OF AERO GRAVEL RACING
When Ridley launched the original Kanzo Fast in 2020, it marked a bold departure from the prevailing gravel norms. At a time when many gravel bikes focused primarily on adventure and endurance riding, Ridley chose to put speed and aerodynamics at the centre of its gravel racing platform. Gravel racing has changed considerably since then. Speeds have increased, courses have become more technical and the discipline has become increasingly professional. The Kanzo Fast 2.0 was developed to meet those new demands.
Compared with the outgoing Kanzo Fast, the new generation increases tyre clearance from 42 mm to 58 mm, reduces frame weight by 150 grams and introduces a refined race geometry. At the same time, aerodynamic efficiency has been improved as a complete system, as confirmed by wind tunnel testing with and without a rider. The result is not simply an evolution of the original Kanzo Fast, but a completely redesigned platform for the next generation of gravel racing.
“On flat and rolling terrain, you can feel that the Kanzo Fast 2.0 always wants to go faster. Its aerodynamic efficiency made a real difference during The Traka, where I was able to close a three-minute gap on a flat section. The possibility of running tyres up to 58 mm gives riders complete freedom to choose the setup that best suits the race. You can go for the widest option on rough terrain, or run 40 mm tyres to create more clearance and tackle the most challenging muddy conditions.” – THOMAS DE GENDT ON THE KANZO FAST 2.0
THE STORY BEHIND THE KANZO FAST 2.0 BY PIETER POTTERS, HEAD OF PRODUCT AT BELGIAN CYCLING FACTORY
“The Kanzo Fast 2.0 is the culmination of our gravel expertise. With the Kanzo Adventure and ASTR platforms, we have already paved the way for wider tyres and established a strong baseline for a highly capable gravel geometry. This deep understanding of gravel riding and racing is complemented by our class-leading aerodynamics, validated in WorldTour road racing. The result is what we consider the pinnacle of gravel race bikes.”
TESTING RESULTS
Extensive testing at the Aero Performance Lab confirms the aerodynamic efficiency of the new platform. In testing, a 38 mm tyre generated 6 watts less aerodynamic drag than a 55 mm tyre when tested on the same Skiron wheels with Vittoria tyres. However, on rough gravel terrain, the reduction in rolling resistance offered by a wider tyre can more than offset this aerodynamic disadvantage.
The testing also demonstrates that the Kanzo Fast 2.0 is faster than its predecessor. With identical wheels and 38 mm Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres, the new bike showed a 2-watt advantage in bike-only testing and a 13-watt advantage in bike-and-rider testing.
This highlights an important principle behind the new Kanzo Fast: aerodynamic performance cannot be considered in isolation. On real gravel roads, the fastest setup is the one that finds the optimal balance between aerodynamic efficiency and rolling performance.
Wind tunnel results are the weighted average over a 24-degree (-12 to 12) yaw sweep with rider and a 36-degree (-18 to 18) yaw sweep for bike-only tests. Testing was conducted at 36 km/h air speed, with bottles in both bottle cages for all tests.
KEY FEATURES
58 MM TYRE CLEARANCE
- Run high-volume tyres up to 58 mm for lower rolling resistance, increased traction, more comfort and greater puncture protection. Narrower tyres can also be used, offering additional mud clearance and setup flexibility.
ADVANCED AERO TECHNOLOGY
- Ridley’s latest generation of aerodynamic technology, developed from the Noah Fast, combines an oversized aero downtube, extended head tube and refined aero profiles to maintain efficiency at high speeds.
PROGRESSIVE RACE GEOMETRY
- A lower bottom bracket, adjusted fork rake, short chainstays and steeper seat tube angle create a stable, precise and responsive race platform, even with high-volume tyres.
INTERNAL FRAME STORAGE
- A discreet storage compartment inside the downtube keeps tools, a CO2 cartridge or a spare tube safely out of the way without compromising the bike’s clean lines or aerodynamic performance. Two padded pouches allow riders to adapt the storage to their needs.
INTEGRATED TOP TUBE MOUNTS
- Integrated mounting points allow for a bolt-on top tube bag while keeping the profile of the frame clean when the mounts are not in use. The Ridley top tube pack sits flush behind the stem.
ELECTRONIC 1X DRIVETRAIN
- The Kanzo Fast 2.0 is designed exclusively around electronic 1x drivetrains. This allows Ridley to combine generous tyre and chainring clearance with short chainstays and a highly responsive race-oriented frame design.
NIMBUS PRO COCKPIT
- The integrated Nimbus Pro cockpit combines a 36 cm width at the tops with 40 cm in the drops, allowing riders to switch between an aerodynamic position and a wider position for additional control on technical sections and descents.
FORZA SKIRON RS WHEELS
- Developed for high-speed gravel racing, the Skiron RS features a 50 mm deep hookless carbon rim with a 27 mm internal width, VONOA carbon spokes and Ceramic Speed bearings. The complete wheelset weighs 1350 g.
CURANA MUDGUARD COMPATIBILITY
- The Kanzo Fast 2.0 is compatible with a bespoke mudguard system developed by Ridley together with Belgian specialists Curana, making the bike suitable for winter training as well as race day.
UP TO 56T CHAINRING COMPATIBILITY
- The Kanzo Fast 2.0 supports chainrings up to 56T, giving riders the option to choose high gearing for fast gravel races and courses where maximum top-end speed matters.
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
The Ridley Kanzo Fast 2.0 is available in sizes XS, S, M and L and can be fully customised through the Ridley online configurator, allowing riders to personalise both the specificationand the colour of their bike.
The Kanzo Fast 2.0 is available in three complete builds:
- SRAM RED XPLR 1×13–€11,699 – DT Swiss GRC1400 Dicut wheels and 4ZA Nimbus Pro cockpit.
- SRAM Force XPLR 1×13–€6,999 – Forza Skiron RS wheels and 4ZA Nimbus Pro cockpit.
- SRAM Rival XPLR 1×13–€5,499 – Forza Skiron CG40 wheels and Forza Cirrus Pro cockpit.
The Kanzo Fast 2.0 is also available as a frameset at €4,499. The frameset is available in sizes XS, S, M and L and includes the frame and fork, Deda aero seatpost, CeramicSpeed SLT headset bearings and 4ZA Nimbus Pro cockpit.
Learn more at the Ridley Bikes Website