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The advantages of a ‘one-by’, now available in our configurator

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In recent years, more and more riders in the peloton have been using a so-called ‘one-by’ setup. While this evolution has long been established in the off-road segment, it is still relatively new and innovative on the road. Nevertheless, the system is rapidly gaining popularity. Riders from Uno-X also regularly opted for a single chainring setup this spring, made possible by their switch to SRAM. Do you believe in the benefits of a one-by? Then you can now choose the new SRAM Force XPLR (1x13) or SRAM Red XPLR (1x13) in our Noah Fast configurator.

The one-by story really gained momentum after Mads Pedersen’s victory in Gent-Wevelgem 2025. Since then, the system has appeared more and more frequently during the spring classics. The main advantage is clear: simplicity. One less chainring means one less potential issue. Without front shifting, there’s no risk of the chain dropping or getting stuck between chainrings. You also save time, as shifting between chainrings often comes with a brief hesitation. With a one-by, you can just keep pushing and stay focused on the race.

Wide range, fewer gears

Technologically, the one-by has made significant progress. The SRAM XPLR derailleur is designed to handle the full range of the cassette, while the 13-speed setup ensures you hardly sacrifice gearing options. Many riders opt for a 10-46T cassette, which is also available in our configurator. This allows you to tackle steep climbs like the Kemmelberg or Koppenberg with ease, while still maintaining high speeds on flats and descents. The range comes surprisingly close to that of a traditional 2x setup.

Still, it’s not without compromise. A traditional setup offers up to 24 gears, while a one-by is limited to 13. This results in larger gaps between gears, making it harder to find the perfect cadence. This can be especially noticeable on long climbs. During a tough edition of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2026, this became clear once again. Tim van Dijke struggled on the Muur van Geraardsbergen under extremely harsh conditions. On wet cobbles, a traditional setup seemed slightly better suited.

At Ridley, we strongly believe in innovation and freedom of choice. That’s why we already offer our customers the option to choose a one-by in the configurator. On the Noah Fast, you can select the latest SRAM Force XPLR 1x13, combining simplicity and performance. Of course, a traditional double setup remains available. The choice is entirely yours: stick with what you know, or embrace the future of shifting.

Noah Fast

The fastest bike we’ve ever built

As of 2025, aerodynamics is everything! That’s why Ridley’s product developers started from a blank sheet for the third generation of the Noah Fast. The result is a 100% aero bike. At a speed of 50 km/h, the Noah Fast is 8.5 watts faster than its predecessor. This underlines that aerodynamics is truly embedded in Ridley’s DNA.

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25 mm, 28 mm, 30 mm or wider: how do you choose the ideal tire width for your road bike?

25 mm, 28 mm, 30 mm or wider: how do you choose the ideal tire width for your road bike?

There was a time when road cyclists swore by tires that were 21 or 23 millimeters wide. In recent years, however, that trend has been completely overturned. The standard first shifted toward 25 millimeters and then to 28 millimeters. Nowadays, you increasingly see 30 millimeters and even 32 millimeters in the peloton. We outline this evolution and explain how Ridley responded to this phenomenon early on.