How the Kanzo Fast 2.0 Came to Life: Behind the Scenes of a New Gravel Racer
The new Kanzo Fast 2.0 is a hit, but there is no element of luck behind it. This award-winning bike is the result of years of experience in gravel, aerodynamics and race development. In this blog, we go back to the beginning of the project and follow how Ridley’s engineers developed an entirely new gravel platform.
When Ridley launched the first Kanzo Fast in 2020, the gravel world looked very different. Gravel was largely about adventure, long distances and comfort. Yet Ridley already saw opportunities for a different approach. If gravel racing became faster, aerodynamics would also play a more important role. The first Kanzo Fast was developed with that idea in mind. Six years later, it is clear that the sport has indeed moved in that direction. Average speeds are higher, races have become more competitive and the courses have changed as well. At the same time, gravel racers have increasingly started using larger tyres. That evolution formed the starting point for the Kanzo Fast 2.0.
When Ridley launched the first Kanzo Fast in 2020, the gravel world looked very different. Gravel was largely about adventure, long distances and comfort. Yet Ridley already saw opportunities for a different approach. If gravel racing became faster, aerodynamics would also play a more important role. The first Kanzo Fast was developed with that idea in mind. Six years later, it is clear that the sport has indeed moved in that direction. Average speeds are higher, races have become more competitive and the courses have changed as well. At the same time, gravel racers have increasingly started using larger tyres. That evolution formed the starting point for the Kanzo Fast 2.0.
A New Generation of Gravel
Within the development team, the question arose of what a gravel race bike should look like if it were to take all these changes into account. The engineers had plenty of experience to build on. The Kanzo Adventure taught Ridley a great deal about wide tyres and the demands gravel places on a bike. With the ASTR family, that knowledge was further translated into a sportier and lighter gravel platform. The ASTR RS was then also used to experiment with very wide MTB tyres for gravel. Since February 2025, the development team had been riding such tyres during gravel rides and races and continued to use them afterwards.
That testing led to an important finding. On rough surfaces, wide tyres can offer advantages in terms of rolling resistance, traction and comfort. Those gains can outweigh the aerodynamic disadvantage of a larger tyre. This created an interesting starting point for the new Kanzo Fast. Why develop a gravel race bike around one specific tyre size if the course can present so many different demands?
The engineers therefore opted for much greater tyre clearance. The Kanzo Fast 2.0 accommodates tyres up to 58 mm, comparable to a 29 × 2.3-inch MTB tyre. Riders tackling rough surfaces can use that clearance for a high-volume tyre. Those riding narrower tyres, on the other hand, retain more clearance for mud.
That testing led to an important finding. On rough surfaces, wide tyres can offer advantages in terms of rolling resistance, traction and comfort. Those gains can outweigh the aerodynamic disadvantage of a larger tyre. This created an interesting starting point for the new Kanzo Fast. Why develop a gravel race bike around one specific tyre size if the course can present so many different demands?
The engineers therefore opted for much greater tyre clearance. The Kanzo Fast 2.0 accommodates tyres up to 58 mm, comparable to a 29 × 2.3-inch MTB tyre. Riders tackling rough surfaces can use that clearance for a high-volume tyre. Those riding narrower tyres, on the other hand, retain more clearance for mud.
The Knowledge Behind the Noah Fast
The second important building block came from another part of Ridley’s development team: the aerodynamics of the Noah Fast. The latest generation of the Noah Fast was developed around the demands of WorldTour racing. According to the engineers, that knowledge did not have to remain limited to the asphalt. After all, a gravel race bike also spends a large part of its time travelling at high speed.
The challenge had only become greater because of the choice of wide tyres. A wide gravel tyre creates more aerodynamic drag. That is why the Kanzo Fast 2.0 was not developed by looking only at the frame, but at the way the complete bike moves through the air. The aerodynamic knowledge from the Noah Fast was translated into a gravel platform with an oversized aero downtube, an extended head tube and revised frame profiles.
This also led to a significant change in the frame design compared with the first Kanzo Fast. The aerodynamic elements are more pronounced and the frame was designed around the combination of high tyre volume and efficient airflow. That sounds simple on paper, but the two objectives work against each other at various points. The engineers therefore had to constantly find room for the tyre while simultaneously aiming to keep the airflow around the frame and bottles as efficient as possible.
The challenge had only become greater because of the choice of wide tyres. A wide gravel tyre creates more aerodynamic drag. That is why the Kanzo Fast 2.0 was not developed by looking only at the frame, but at the way the complete bike moves through the air. The aerodynamic knowledge from the Noah Fast was translated into a gravel platform with an oversized aero downtube, an extended head tube and revised frame profiles.
This also led to a significant change in the frame design compared with the first Kanzo Fast. The aerodynamic elements are more pronounced and the frame was designed around the combination of high tyre volume and efficient airflow. That sounds simple on paper, but the two objectives work against each other at various points. The engineers therefore had to constantly find room for the tyre while simultaneously aiming to keep the airflow around the frame and bottles as efficient as possible.
Kanzo Fast 2.0
Gravel Racing RedefinedThe Kanzo Fast 2.0 is Ridley’s pure aero gravel racer, developed for a new generation of gravel racing. With advanced aerodynamics, clearance for tyres up to 58 mm and progressive race geometry, it combines speed with control and versatility. On fast gravel roads, the bike benefits from its aerodynamic efficiency, while wider tyres provide additional grip, comfort and speed on rough surfaces. The progressive geometry delivers stability as speeds increase without sacrificing the direct and nimble character expected from a true race bike. The Kanzo Fast 2.0 is built to race, but not exclusively for professional riders. Anyone who simply enjoys riding fast gets a bike that adapts to different courses and conditions. A pure gravel racer that never loses sight of speed.
Read moreGeometry That Adapts to the Tyres
A bike with 58 mm tyres behaves differently from one with 40 or 42 mm tyres. The larger tyre increases the wheel diameter and therefore also changes the position of the bike relative to the ground. That is why the geometry of the Kanzo Fast 2.0 was completely reconsidered. The development built on the race-oriented geometry of the ASTR family. The bottom bracket was lowered to compensate for the larger wheel diameter. The fork offset was also adapted to the larger wheel radius. The aim was to retain precise and agile handling. The seat tube angle was made steeper. This places the rider slightly further forward and makes it easier to maintain an efficient position during long efforts.
The rear end of the bike also received a great deal of attention. The Kanzo Fast 2.0 was designed around electronic 1x drivetrains. This choice gave the engineers the freedom they needed to make optimal use of the space around the tyre and chainring while keeping the chainstays as short as possible. It is precisely in areas like these that much of the development work takes place: not in one spectacular innovation, but in finding the right solution when different technical requirements come together.
The rear end of the bike also received a great deal of attention. The Kanzo Fast 2.0 was designed around electronic 1x drivetrains. This choice gave the engineers the freedom they needed to make optimal use of the space around the tyre and chainring while keeping the chainstays as short as possible. It is precisely in areas like these that much of the development work takes place: not in one spectacular innovation, but in finding the right solution when different technical requirements come together.
The wind tunnel doesn’t lie
Aero Engineer Daan Teugels is one of the people behind the aerodynamic development of the Kanzo Fast 2.0. For the new gravel platform, Ridley deliberately built on the knowledge gained over recent years with the Noah Fast. “The same aerodynamic tube shapes have therefore been applied in different areas of the frame. The deep head tube is directly based on the Noah Fast, while the shape of the down tube was designed to guide the airflow around the bottles as efficiently as possible. The rear triangle also retains the aerodynamic design previously developed for the Noah Fast. That solution had already proven itself there. The fork also plays an important role in the bike’s aerodynamic performance. Several developments came together here. The fork combines knowledge from the FALCN RS and the Noah Fast: the diffuser from the FALCN RS was combined with the airflow management developed for the Noah Fast 2.0. This resulted in a combination specifically tailored to wider tyres and the characteristics of a gravel race bike.” During the development process, Daan also saw that the first Kanzo Fast had far exceeded expectations. Even today, it remains an exceptionally fast bike. “The Kanzo Fast 2.0 adds an important advantage to that, however: the ability to run much wider tyres. This makes the new generation, according to the development team, the logical choice when speed needs to be combined with the versatility that gravel demands.” To evaluate its aerodynamic choices not only on paper, Ridley uses the Aero Performance Lab (APL) wind tunnel during product development. Different frame and bike configurations are tested there under controlled conditions. For Daan, this is an essential part of the development process: “The wind tunnel doesn’t lie.” In other words, ideas and designs may look promising behind a computer screen, but ultimately, the airflow in the wind tunnel has to show which solution actually works.
Testing with Real Tyres, on Real Gravel
During development, the Kanzo Fast 2.0 was tested in various ways. The Aero Performance Lab tests were an important part of the process, but real-world testing also played a major role. The aerodynamic performance of different tyre and wheel combinations was assessed. For example, testing showed that a 38 mm tyre produced 6 watts less aerodynamic drag in the wind tunnel than a 55 mm tyre when both were tested on the same Skiron wheels. On rough gravel, however, the lower rolling resistance of a wider tyre can more than compensate for that difference. That is an important reason why the Kanzo Fast 2.0 was not developed around a single tyre size. The fastest choice depends on the course.
The previous Kanzo Fast was also included in the test programme. With the same wheels and 38 mm Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres, the new bike was 2 watts faster in a test involving the bike alone. With rider and bike, the difference increased to 13 watts. The first race kilometres came relatively early in the process. Pieter Potters, Head of Product at Belgian Cycling Factory, used the bike during The Traka 2026. This brought a project that had been developed within the development department for a long time into the real world, alongside other gravel racers, for the first time.
The previous Kanzo Fast was also included in the test programme. With the same wheels and 38 mm Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres, the new bike was 2 watts faster in a test involving the bike alone. With rider and bike, the difference increased to 13 watts. The first race kilometres came relatively early in the process. Pieter Potters, Head of Product at Belgian Cycling Factory, used the bike during The Traka 2026. This brought a project that had been developed within the development department for a long time into the real world, alongside other gravel racers, for the first time.
Small Details
During development, the focus was not only on the big picture of frame, tyres and geometry. Practical considerations also found their place in the design. The Kanzo Fast 2.0 therefore features internal frame storage. The opening is located at the bottom of the downtube, underneath the bottle cage. This position was chosen deliberately. Because the bottle cage is not mounted on the storage door itself, the door is subjected to less stress. Any potential issue with the storage mechanism therefore also has no impact on the ability to carry a bottle. In addition, the extra weight of the stored items is positioned as close to the bottom bracket as possible.
The bike comes with two padded storage bags, allowing the rider to decide how much equipment they want to carry. Integrated mounting points for a bag were also provided on top of the top tube. For winter use, a specific mudguard system was developed together with Belgian company Curana. With these mudguards fitted, there is still clearance for tyres up to 47 mm. Electronic 1x systems were deliberately chosen for the drivetrain. This allowed the frame to be designed around the available space for the tyre and chainring. Chainrings of up to 56 teeth fit the bike.
The bike comes with two padded storage bags, allowing the rider to decide how much equipment they want to carry. Integrated mounting points for a bag were also provided on top of the top tube. For winter use, a specific mudguard system was developed together with Belgian company Curana. With these mudguards fitted, there is still clearance for tyres up to 47 mm. Electronic 1x systems were deliberately chosen for the drivetrain. This allowed the frame to be designed around the available space for the tyre and chainring. Chainrings of up to 56 teeth fit the bike.
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.
Pieter Potters CTO Belgian Cycling Factory
The Forza Skiron RS wheels are also part of that story. During the development of the Kanzo Fast 2.0, the need arose for a wheelset that matched the character of the bike. The Skiron RS therefore features a 50 mm deep hookless carbon rim with an internal width of 27 mm, VONOA carbon spokes and CeramicSpeed bearings. The complete wheelset weighs 1,350 grams.
Ultimately, many of these choices come together in a single bike. The generous tyre clearance, aerodynamic design, new geometry, short rear end, internal storage and various practical solutions can all be traced back to the same development question with which the project began: how do you create a gravel race bike that fits the way gravel is ridden and raced today?
In summary, the Kanzo Fast 2.0 is the result of a development process in which different areas of expertise came together. The gravel experience from the Kanzo Adventure and ASTR, the aerodynamic development of the Noah Fast, thousands of test kilometres, wind tunnel testing and real-world feedback all came together in a new platform.
And perhaps that is ultimately the most interesting thing about this bike: you can see the development process reflected in almost every part of the frame.
Ultimately, many of these choices come together in a single bike. The generous tyre clearance, aerodynamic design, new geometry, short rear end, internal storage and various practical solutions can all be traced back to the same development question with which the project began: how do you create a gravel race bike that fits the way gravel is ridden and raced today?
In summary, the Kanzo Fast 2.0 is the result of a development process in which different areas of expertise came together. The gravel experience from the Kanzo Adventure and ASTR, the aerodynamic development of the Noah Fast, thousands of test kilometres, wind tunnel testing and real-world feedback all came together in a new platform.
And perhaps that is ultimately the most interesting thing about this bike: you can see the development process reflected in almost every part of the frame.
