Ridley Trail Fire 2 (27.5) (2017): ChooseMyBicycle.com Expert Review

The Trail Fire series of MTB’s from the Ridley India range seem to have a strong frame build. Same is the case with the Trail Fire 2 27.5 2017. This bicycle comes with a 6061 Aluminium alloy hardtail frame. This frame is full of chunky tubing making it strong and ready to take any battering from the trails.

This hardtail MTB comes with a threadless front suspension forks. The SR Suntour suspension fork with a large 100mm travel performed exceptionally well during the test ride. Be it mounting or descending from rocks or urban curbs, this suspension definitely makes the process easier by absorbing most of the vibration and impact. To go faster on flat surfaces this suspension fork also comes with a hydraulic lockout, which was easy to use.

Ridley have made sure that the made for India range looks as impressive as any of their other Belgian bikes available all around the world. This Trail Fire 2 27.5 2017 comes in a full forest green primary colour with black graphics and at a few places including the brand and the model name. This hardtail frame look stylish with its down and top tube disconnected from each other. The colour coded saddle and enhances the aesthetic appeal of the Trail Fire 2 27.5 2017.

Gearing to an MTB is actually as important as its frame strength and suspension travel. The Ridley Trail Fire 2 27.5 2017 comes with Shimano Acera at the front and Shimano Alivio at the rear as derailleurs. These are mid-level gearing from Shimano and worked seamlessly during the test ride. I tried quick shifting while climbing and on downhills and did not have any discomfort with the gear transmission. A bit noisy at the rear derailleur but nothing, which affected the gearing performance. The Shimano Acera 27 speed shifters were perfect hand position and were easy and comfortable to use.

The importance of having a perfect braking component is one of the most important aspects of a hardtail MTB is the Tektro M290 hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors. During the test ride on the Trail Fire 2 I had an instance when I was declining on a skiddy mud surface at a good speed and had to use both brakes to halt enough so as to change my direction. The quick reaction time and the balance of both the front and rear brakes were on point and I felt in total control. The Tektro M290 brake levers required only 2 fingers to engage and was in easy reach from the handlebar grips.

The Zoom alloy handlebar on the Trail Fire 2 27.5 2017 was the same as seen on the younger sibling, the Trail Fire 1 2017. This handlebar was 680mm wide and that made sure the riding posture was aggressive enough to tackle the trails and be in control at all times.

The wheel sets on the Trail Fire 2 27.5 2017 is the exact same as the Trail Fire 1 2017. The Kenda 27.5 inch x 2.10 inch MTB tires are well supported by the alloy double walled rims. Even though the wheel sets are heavy, these tires are heavily treaded to keep the rider on the saddle at all times in a trail.

The high density foam Vader saddle on the Ridley Trail Fire 2 27.5 2017 is another component which is right on par with what can be found on the Ridley Belgium made International model bicycles. The tech and engineering which has gone into designing such an ergonomical saddle is shown on the trail when I felt my sit bones where placed perfectly on the widest points of the saddle and I did not feel like I was slipping at any point during the rigorous test ride. The overall ride quality was aggressive and balanced on rough trail and trail like surfaces.