Ignite A
The current Ridley Ignite A is the aluminum hardtail in Ridley’s Hydro Series, built around a 6061 triple-butted frame that uses hydroforming and the brand’s stated double-pass flat weld treatment in key areas. That construction focus tells you where this bike sits: it is not presented as an exotic, ultra-light race chassis, but as a modern alloy XC platform with cleaner frame shaping, internal cable routing, and contemporary axle standards. Ridley pairs the frame with a Boost rear end, 29in wheels, and a 100mm fork in complete builds, which places it squarely in the mainstream cross-country and marathon category.
What distinguishes the Ignite A is that it follows current XC hardtail conventions without pushing into especially aggressive or radical geometry. Ridley’s own positioning around an updated race geometry is borne out by the numbers: a 70-degree head angle and 73.5-degree seat angle point to a bike intended to balance efficiency, predictable steering, and day-long usability. In the market, that makes the Ignite A a practical recreational XC and marathon hardtail for riders who want a straightforward alloy bike with modern standards and clean frame execution, rather than a purpose-built elite race machine or a more trail-oriented hardtail.
Geometry & fit.
4 sizes published.
The Ignite A’s geometry is conservative by current hardtail standards, and that strongly shapes how it will ride. Across the size range, the frame uses a 70-degree head tube angle, 73.5-degree seat tube angle, 435mm chainstays, and 58mm of bottom bracket drop. Those numbers suggest neutral, predictable handling rather than especially aggressive descending behavior. The front end is not especially long either: reach figures run from 400mm in S to 460mm in XL, with 418mm in M and 440mm in L, which keeps rider positioning fairly traditional for an XC bike. Combined with the 100mm fork spec, the result should be a bike that feels responsive at moderate speeds and efficient on smoother terrain, without the stretched-out, ultra-slack feel seen on more progressive hardtails.
Fit-wise, stack is fairly generous for the category at 614mm in S and M, 623mm in L, and 642mm in XL, which should make it easier for many riders to achieve a less aggressive cockpit setup for longer marathon or recreational rides. The 435mm chainstay length and wheelbases from 1086mm to 1157mm reinforce that middle-ground approach: stable enough to track well and climb consistently, but still compact enough to retain the direct steering and quick acceleration expected from a 29er XC hardtail.
Where the handlebar sits relative to the bottom bracket — the single most important fit pair.
01Fit geometry5 values
03Handling geometry5 values
Which size should I buy?
Slide your height to see the recommended size. GearWise's fit algorithm works from the published stack, reach, and ETT — the brand's own recommendation may differ.
→Calculated from GearWise's own stack / reach / ETT algorithm — the brand's size chart may recommend a different size, and a proper bike fit beats any calculator.
The lineup.
2 builds.
The Ignite A is offered in two complete builds, both centered on 1x12 SRAM drivetrains: a Sram SX 1x12sp model and a SRAM NX 1x12sp model. That gives buyers a simple step-up structure, with the SX build serving as the more entry-level option and the NX build moving to a higher-tier drivetrain within the same overall format. In both cases, the frame platform remains the same modern alloy hardtail with Boost spacing, internal routing, 29in wheels, and a 100mm fork layout.
Because the available build information here is limited, the main distinction that can be stated with confidence is drivetrain level. Riders prioritizing lower upfront cost will likely look to the SX version, while the NX model should appeal to those wanting a more refined SRAM 12-speed setup without changing categories or moving away from the same core frame and XC-focused package.
