Frameset
Frame
Probe RS, Elite Made in Europe series, carbon, UDH, Boost 12x148 (max tire clearance 29" x 2.4")
Fork
RockShox SID SL Rush, 100mm
Probe RS Sram XX Transmission
The Ridley Probe RS is Ridley’s modern carbon XC hardtail, introduced as an all-new platform rather than an update of an older frame. It sits at the top of the brand’s hardtail range and is built around an Elite Series carbon frame with a claimed unpainted weight of about 760g in size M, which places it firmly in the lightweight race category. What distinguishes this generation is that Ridley did not pursue a purely old-school, razor-sharp XC race bike; instead, it combines very low frame weight with geometry intended to keep the bike composed on steeper and rougher contemporary cross-country courses.
Ridley’s stated Advanced Position Geometry defines the character of the bike: a steeper seat tube, longer top tube, and slacker front end than traditional XC hardtails, aimed at balancing efficient seated climbing with more front-end stability at speed. The frame is designed around either a 100mm or 120mm fork, so it can be built as a pure race hardtail or pushed slightly toward downcountry use without changing the underlying chassis. Practical details reinforce that broad race-to-marathon brief, including dropper compatibility via a 31.6mm seatpost, SRAM UDH, Boost 148 spacing, BB92, Flat Mount brakes, and room for three bottle positions. In the market, the Probe RS fits as a premium European-made carbon hardtail for riders who want low weight and direct power transfer, but with geometry that better matches current XC and marathon riding demands.
Price TBD
Image pending
Build
Size
| Stack | 606mm |
| Reach | 430mm |
| Top tube | 604mm |
| Headtube length | 100mm |
| Standover height | 770mm |
| Seat tube length | 430mm |
Fit and geometry
The Probe RS uses geometry that is clearly more progressive than a traditional cross-country hardtail, but it stops short of becoming an out-and-out downcountry bike. Across the size range, the head tube angle is 68.5 degrees, paired with a 430mm chainstay and a 63mm bottom bracket drop. That combination suggests a bike that should feel planted and predictable on descents for an XC hardtail, while the relatively short rear end keeps acceleration and line changes sharp. Reach figures of 405mm (S), 430mm (M), 455mm (L), and 480mm (XL) are in line with a modern long-front-center layout, while wheelbases from 1089mm to 1176mm point to stable handling rather than twitchy, old-generation XC behavior.
The seat tube angle varies notably by size, from 74 degrees on S to 77 degrees on XL, with 75 degrees on M and 76 degrees on L. That size-specific approach should help keep rider weight centered for seated climbing across the range, especially on the larger sizes where front-wheel wander can otherwise become an issue. Stack numbers are fairly generous at 606mm in both S and M, 620mm in L, and 634mm in XL, which should make it easier to achieve an efficient but not excessively low race position. Overall, the geometry points to a hardtail intended to preserve XC responsiveness while giving riders more confidence on technical climbs and faster descents than a more conservative race frame.
Full specs
Groupset
Shift levers
SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
Rear derailleur
SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed, Lunar
Cassette
SRAM XG-1275 Eagle, 12-speed, 10-52T
Chain
SRAM Eagle 12-speed
Crankset
SRAM Stylo 7K Eagle, 175mm, 32T
Bottom bracket
SRAM DUB (type unspecified)
Front brake
SRAM Level TL DB, flat mount
Rear brake
SRAM Level TL DB, flat mount
Front rotor
SRAM CenterLine rotor (size unspecified)
Rear rotor
SRAM CenterLine rotor (size unspecified)
Wheelset
Front wheel
DT Swiss X1900 Spline, 29", tubeless ready
Rear wheel
DT Swiss X1900 Spline, 29", 12x148mm, tubeless ready (Clincher-TLR), 25mm internal width
Front tire
Vittoria Barzo, 29x2.25, XC Race, G2.0 OEM HP (brown/black/black)
Rear tire
Vittoria Barzo, 29x2.25, XC Race, G2.0 OEM HP (brown/black/black)
Cockpit
Stem
Race Face Turbine-R, 70mm
Handlebars
Race Face Next Carbon, 760mm
Saddle
Selle Italia Model X, Black
Seatpost
4ZA Cirrus, 31.6mm, 400mm
Builds
Ridley offers the Probe RS in a wide spread of SRAM-based builds, ranging from a GX 1x12sp option up through GX Transmission, GX-X0 Eagle, X0 Eagle, XX Transmission, and T-XX SL-level configurations. That lineup indicates a clear progression from more attainable mechanical or conventional Eagle setups to premium electronic Transmission builds aimed at riders who want the newest SRAM drivetrain standard. Even without detailed pricing or full kit lists, the structure of the range shows Ridley positioning the same lightweight flagship frame across both serious enthusiast and top-end race builds.
The most obvious dividing line in the range is between the conventional Eagle builds and the newer Transmission models, with the latter likely appealing to buyers who prioritize drivetrain robustness and current SRAM ecosystem compatibility. Lower-tier GX-based versions should represent the practical value point, giving riders access to the same Probe RS chassis without the cost of XX- or SL-level parts. At the top end, the XX Transmission and T-XX SL builds are clearly aimed at weight-conscious racers looking to maximize the potential of the sub-kilogram frame.
