The Ridley Raft Trail is the more capable, short-travel interpretation of the Raft carbon full-suspension platform. Rather than building a completely separate frame for XC and trail use, Ridley uses the same chassis and alters the bike’s character through suspension configuration: the Trail version gets a 190x45 mm rear shock for 120 mm of rear travel and a matching 120 mm fork, compared with the shorter-stroke 100 mm XC setup. That makes the Raft Trail a clear downcountry bike: lighter-duty and more efficient than a conventional trail bike, but notably more composed on technical descents than a pure race-oriented XC machine.
What distinguishes it is how Ridley combines that intent with practical frame details and geometry that leans progressive for the category. A 66.6° head angle is notably slack for a 120 mm bike aimed at efficiency, and Ridley’s APG positioning suggests a fit meant to balance climbing posture with descending confidence. The carbon Elite Series frame uses current standards including SRAM UDH compatibility, Boost 12x148 spacing, internal routing with remote-lockout provision, and unusually generous mounting options for bottles, tools, and light bikepacking use. In the market, the Raft Trail sits among modern downcountry 29ers that try to cover marathon riding, fast trail loops, and technical singletrack without moving into heavier, longer-travel territory.
| Stack | 601mm |
| Reach | 436mm |
| Top tube | 597mm |
| Headtube length | 100mm |
| Seat tube length | 440mm |
The Raft Trail’s geometry reflects its downcountry brief. Across the size range, the head tube angle is 66.6°, paired with a 75.1-75.3° seat tube angle, 435 mm chainstays, and a 40 mm bottom-bracket drop. In size L, the bike has a 459 mm reach, 608 mm stack, and 1189 mm wheelbase; the size M comes in at 436 mm reach and 1160 mm wheelbase. Those numbers point to a bike that is longer and slacker than a traditional XC bike, giving it more front-end stability and composure on steeper descents while keeping the rear center short enough to preserve responsiveness.
The consistent 435 mm chainstay length across all sizes should help maintain a familiar handling balance regardless of frame size, while the moderate seat angle keeps the rider centered for seated climbing without pushing the position as aggressively forward as some newer trail bikes. The result should be a fit that feels efficient for long rides but not cramped, with handling that favors stability and confidence over razor-sharp XC steering. For riders coming from race-focused 100 mm bikes, the Raft Trail’s longer wheelbase and slacker front end will likely feel calmer and more forgiving on rougher terrain.
Frameset
Frame
RAFT Full Suspension 7E8/Size M/RAF02As (Elite Series), Carbon, max tire clearance 29" x 2.4"
Fork
RockShox SID Select Charger, RL, 29er, 120mm, TA 15x110
Rear shock
RockShox Deluxe Select+, 190x45, 2-position manual adjustment
Weight
Weight limit 110 kg (bike included)
Groupset
Shift levers
SRAM X01 Eagle, 12-speed
Rear derailleur
SRAM X01 Eagle, 12-speed
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
Front brake
SRAM Level TL DB, Flat Mount
Rear brake
SRAM Level TL DB, Flat Mount
Front rotor
SRAM CenterLine (size unspecified)
Rear rotor
SRAM CenterLine (size unspecified)
Wheelset
Front wheel
DT Swiss X1900 Spline, 29", tubeless ready
Rear wheel
DT Swiss X1900 Spline, 29", TA 12x148mm, 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 Aeffect R, 50mm, 35mm clamp
Handlebars
Race Face Aeffect R, 10mm rise, 760mm
Saddle
Selle San Marco Shortfit 2.0
Seatpost
Ridley Dropper post, 31.6mm, 125mm travel
Ridley lists the Raft Trail in several SRAM-based builds, including a top-end Trail version 120 mm - Sram X01 1x12sp, a Sram X01 mix 1x12sp, Sram T-X0, Sram GX-X0 EAGLE Trail, and Sram Transmission GX option. That spread suggests a range from premium mechanical Eagle-style builds through mixed-spec configurations and into SRAM Transmission-equipped versions, giving buyers a choice between lighter, higher-end conventional drivetrains and newer direct-mount transmission hardware.
Because no prices or full component lists are provided here, the clearest distinction is the drivetrain tiering. The X01-based builds are the likely choice for riders prioritizing lower weight and higher-end spec, while the GX/X0 and GX Transmission options should appeal to riders looking for a more cost-conscious package or the durability and shifting consistency associated with SRAM’s Transmission ecosystem. Across the range, the common thread is that Ridley positions the Raft Trail as a carbon short-travel platform with modern SRAM-oriented build options rather than a budget-focused entry model.
Sram GX-X0 EAGLE Trail
Price TBD
Sram T-X0
Price TBD
Sram Transmission GX
Price TBD
Sram X01 mix 1x12sp
Price TBD
Trail version 120mm - Sram X01 1x12sp
Price TBD