Named after the legendary Bow Ridge trail in Lynn Woods, Lynn MA, the Ridge is the ultimate trail bike. Whether you're ripping off that drop, hopping up that ledge or climbing up that rock garden, the Ridge is your best weapon of attack. Constructed out of 6061 series aluminum, the Ridge is 100% made in the USA.
Standout features include:
A new 1.5 headtube
Proprietary one piece ISCG (International Standard Chain Guide) bottom shell
Oversized chainstay and seatstay yokes
Proprietary bolt-on rear dropouts, which can be converted from a fixed vertical dropout (standard) to an optional horizontal dropout with built-in chain tensioner
Submitted by
Goldstar78i
a Downhiller
from Westfield MA Date Reviewed: April 18, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Drake Mt.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
New England Bicycle
Strengths:
Stiff
Strong
light
short chainstays/great handling
incredible craftsmanship
very high quality aluminum
Weaknesses:
Price
availability
Similar Products Used:
Kona Cowan
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Z1 lowered (don't laugh it feels great), Onyx/Rhyno Lite rear, XT/singletrack front, Ride DH crankset with 32 special chaingude, Hayes Mag front/Hayes MX rear, Maxxis & Specialized tires.
Bottom Line:
I got this frame in trade for my Kona Cowan frame. Best thing I've ever done. This bike is a league above the Kona in terms of stiffness and build quality. Everything is overbuilt to just the right degree, making it all very stiff and yet reasonably weighty. Mine is a size small yet I'm not a short rider, I just like my bikes maneuverable. It handles DH very well and climbs too, the only problem being the small size of my frame does hurt after a while on the long climbs. The bike can fit any assortment of tire/fork sizes, so it's really up to you what you want to do with this thing. Sinister advertises it as a "do anything" hardtail, and that is the only way to describe it. If you are a hardcore rider who wants one of the best built and best handling hardtails, buy this frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SuperbMan
a Cross Country Rider
from The Wooded Hills of Western, MA Date Reviewed: October 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
The Hannah Swarton
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Boutique level construction (made right in Vermont by the best welder in the business-Frank The Welder Waddleton!). Laterally, the stiffest bike I've ever ridden, yet, somehow, suprising vertically compliant. Perfect east coast angles and top tube lengths for aggressive xc (non-racing). Massive tire clearance!
Weaknesses:
Weakness has no meaning on this machine
Similar Products Used:
Banshee Scirocco, Jamis Komodo, Marin Attack.
Bike Setup:
XC Rugged: Deus Cranks, Pike 454, Spinergy Enduro Wheels, Avid 7's, USE SUMO SEATPOST (really good roduct), XO twister shifters, usually good stuff.
Bottom Line:
I'm not sure you can buy a better hard tail than this-even custom, you might be able to match it's quality (certainly Sherwood Gibson makes a fine Alu Hard Tail and all the Top Custom guys make great bikes)-but you won't exceed it's ride characteristics and weld quality...and even at full msrp (750.00) it's hundreds to many hundreds of dollars cheaper than those options! I've led several very long Epic rides on burlier terrain on this bike, I've climbed our nastiest climbs, descended ski-slope steeps, ridden it to school to pick up my kids, done driveway wheelies, there is just nowhere where this bike doesn't just feel right, balanced, stiff, strong and responsive. The all-mountain hard tail is getting to be a hot category-this is well and by far the best iteration of the breed. Buy it and don't look back.
Thanks, Frank.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aman
a Weekend Warrior
from MA Date Reviewed: May 7, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Sinister
Strengths:
Excellent welding, bike does not flex, very comfortable fit, Very versitile - a trait it shares with the Chameleon. Well balanced - nice paint job.
Weaknesses:
There can be several different versions of the Sinister produced in the same year. They vary slighlty in many ways like minor modefications to the geometry. In my case it was a plus becuase the slighlty longer tube tube made the bike fit better, but it could have been shorter then advertised. That would be the down side - your not quite sure what your gonna get - but it will be quality.
Similar Products Used:
Chameleon is the most similar, other hard tails include Avalanche, Cdale chase, Banshee Scratch
Bike Setup:
Marz Z1 Light, White Diety bars, Race face diabolos, Chris King headset, Avid juicy sevens with 180 rotors, gravity dropper turbo, Sram x-7 trigger shifters, x9 derailers, White Outlaw rims, Crossmax tires, cranks are some crappy FSA mega something, pedals are DMR Mag V12 in black, the bike is white with black letters!
Bottom Line:
Solid, handles well, is a scream to ride, and looks sharp. This is by far my lightest bike, yet it is heavy duty enough to have fun without worries. As a general purpose (All mountain/cross country/adventure)bike it is the balls. It is the only bike I have a front derailer on. Although I admit having the added gears is nice its cost in terms of reliability is still being evaluated. All my other bikes have chain guides/bash guards up front. Its only when I add front derailers that I get chain drop. BOTTOM LINE: THIS IS A GREAT FRAME.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Downhiller
from Geneva, Switzerland Date Reviewed: October 1, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Pleney. you know it makes sense.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Direct from Sinister
Strengths:
Amazingly confidence-inspiring and polyvalent geometry. Hurtles downhill like a 8" bike, climbs like a mountain goat. Begs for more no matter what you throw at it.
Weaknesses:
leaves oil-marks on my sheets after Bedtime Cuddles.
Similar Products Used:
Orange P7 (tested), GT Bravado (owned since '98), but to be honest nothing can really be classed as similar.
Bike Setup:
Custom Ridge adjusted for 120mm forks, Marathon '06 XC, Shimano 9spd XT, DT 4.2d rims on Hope Pro IIs with onZa racing Porcs, King headset, Titec Hellbent carbon bar, Thomson 90mm X4 stem, Gravity Dropper post, Mono M4 183mm on the front with Mono Mini 160mm on the back.
Bottom Line:
I have lost count of the number of times I've forgotten I'm not actually riding my DH bike and inadvertently found myself in mid-air. No worries, I'm on a Ridge - it can handle it. No other bike has ever put a smile on my face like this one - it just felt "right" ever since the first ride and keeps on getting better the more I push it. Frank has worked miracles with this frame, it has all the rigidity and power transfer of aluminium without any of the discomfort at the back end. Adjusted to 120mm it's the perfect tool for all-day alpine riding. Frank, Bruce, Skye and everyone else at Sinister - thank you!
Lots of people say they're riding the best bike in the world: I actually know I am.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sam diddley
a Downhiller
from dubenshville, co Date Reviewed: July 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
the bike path
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
demo'd at bitterbrush cycles
Strengths:
great bike, stiff, had a great fork, great great great seat
Weaknesses:
seat, kinda large but that was just frame size
Similar Products Used:
stp, one 25
Bike Setup:
fox vanilla, nice, crap seat,bb5 or 7, xtr der, xt cranks
Bottom Line:
sheeznite, nice bike, sweet setup
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nathaniel Williams
a Weekend Warrior
from Massachusetts - USA Date Reviewed: June 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Anything in LYNN WOODS - The trail this bike was named after...Bow Ridge
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
Sinister Bikes Booth / Tent
Strengths:
Feels like it has a rear shock, even with 2.3ish tires. Price is not too bad. Goes up hill insanely well and downhill almost as well as my 7 incher. Just from 1 hour of riding, I could tell that it could be a very versitile bike. Simply a beautiful bike that makes me feel tingly inside just from thinking of it. When I rode it, I felt like crying. Simply beautiful.
Weaknesses:
Maybe a bit heavey, but I'm sure it's as light as it can be without compromising too much strength.
Similar Products Used:
Squishies and lower end XC hardtails
Bike Setup:
145mm Nixon fork,X9, Stylo...Green
Bottom Line:
I love it. You will to. Ride one asap. Then buy it.
Only two bikes have left this kind of impression on me...Cannondale Scalpel team replica and the Sinista Ridge.
F*** you, I'm from Glousta! <-- Do some research if you don't know what this means.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nyal
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK Date Reviewed: March 27, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
CRC
Strengths:
Engineering - perfect welds and CNC machined chainstay yokes Geometry - designed for 6" travel fork
Weaknesses:
Weighs a lot...6 or 7lbs for a hardtail! Paint not that durable That workmanship and small manufacturing quantities don't come cheap
Similar Products Used:
Old Orange Clockwork, Cannondale Rush
Bike Setup:
Marz Z1 Light, SRAM X7 / Deore LX Crankset / Single Front Chainring, Mavic 217s shod with WTB Motoraptor / IRC Trailbear, Race Face Evolve DH Stem / Riser, Thompson Seatpost, SDG BelAir RL Saddle
Bottom Line:
A hooligan of a frame - this thing handles and corners like nothing I have ridden before.
I can't ride it slowly - everything has to be done with balls out at Mach 10.
Takes no prisoners!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ahren
a Downhiller
from Truckee Date Reviewed: August 6, 2006
Favorite Trail:
the one I am riding at the moment
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
750
Strengths:
Welds are perfect, hand made by a legendary bike builder/designer Frank "God's gift to bikes" Wadelton. Strong, stiff, burly, tough..... etc,etc.
Weaknesses:
Was too heavy for me 2 years ago. Now it is purrfect, and all other bikes seem too light. This probably has something to do with my build spec however.
Marzocchi 66 RC. Race Face Diabolous cranks and stem, Mavic D321 wheels, hadley hubs with shot bearings again. Chris King Steelset, Blah Blah, 40 Lbs.
Bottom Line:
This bike is the best bike I have ever had. Better than any full suspension or hard tail, period. It jumps like a Kangaroo, turns like a F1 car, plows over stuff like a new housing development, and climbs very well for the ammount of mass that it is blessed with. I'd say like a goat, but...like any 40 LB bike really climbs like a goat. It just makes me stronger anyway. This frame has killed too many components to list and just shrugged it off. The most impressive was a Fox 36 vanilla that died after 3 months with a creaky steer tube/ crown. If you are looking for a good strong hardtail to be your one bike...... this is it hands down.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lou Gout
a Downhiller
from UK Date Reviewed: April 23, 2006
There are none except that it perhaps wont climb as well as high end xc hardtails, but then again thats not its intended use. Far more fun to ride than any other hardtail or full sus, and who the hell likes climbing anyway????
Similar Products Used:
All of em
Bike Setup:
Medium ridge frame, woodman saturn solution headset(no reducer cups needed with this baby), hope m4 discs, Rock shox pike 454, sram 9.0, mavic 729's
Bottom Line:
Ive always dreamed of building a bike like this. Having raced xc many years ago, and hammering out daily extreme cdn downhilling made a bike choice difficult for me. I wasnt willing to go full sus. Decided against another cross country rig as the limited strength and scope of use isnt really an attractive option. The answer was delivered by Sinister, and the way I ride will never be the same again. This bike can be used for anything. It descends, it jumps, it turns, it drops jaws. Can handle up to 8" of travel up front. Pike at 5.5 inches is plenty though. Best bike Ive ever owned no contest
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chance Farwell
a Downhiller
from Maine Date Reviewed: January 20, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Holy Chute
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$697.00
Purchased At:
ride-this.com
Strengths:
Craftsmanship, geometry, strength, looks, and handleing
Weaknesses:
Some people don't like the 1.5 headtube but both my Ridge and downhill bike have it and I've had nothing but good luck with both bikes. I guess I like to keep my options open.
Similar Products Used:
Banshee Morphine
Bike Setup:
'05 Small Ridge, '03 Sherman Firefly, X-Drive Crankset, Sun Rhyno-Lite XL wheels, Avid BB7 breaks, Shimano drivetrain.
Bottom Line:
What I like the most about the Ridge is that I have never before had a bike that felt so good the first time in the saddle. Usually it takes me a few ride to warm up to frame but the Ridge has felt good since the first pedal stroke. It seems to be the perfect blend between freeride and XC, yet it is built rugged enough to withsand a massive beating and then keep coming back for more. Yes, the price is hard to get by but like anything else in life, you get what you pay for. Also when buying a Sinister you're supporting American craftsmanship which to me is becoming more and more important every year.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Steed
a Downhiller
from Santa Cruz Mts. Date Reviewed: January 7, 2006
Favorite Trail:
any 20 mile loop
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
Evolution Bike Shop
Strengths:
exceptional build quality, good balance of strength & weight, geometry works very well with the fork I have chosen, F.T.W. & the guys at sinister have awesome cust. service,(thanks Skye)
Weaknesses:
1.5 headtube
Similar Products Used:
santa cruz chameleon, B.M.W. park bike, specialized p3
Bike Setup:
small '05 ridge frame w/fox talas 36, 26" wheels front and rear, 50mm stem, answer pro taper bar, thompson lay back seat post, race face northshore cranks,(170mm), flat pedals
Bottom Line:
This is the hardtail I've been searching for. It rails corners, climbs like a goat, jumps smooth. I have never gotten on a bike that did everything so well, for me, from the get go. At first I thought the price tag was a little steep, even with the obvious, meticulous attention to detail and quality, then I rode it. I would pay even more for this bike now that i have ridden it! One note, the fox talas kicks a$$ on this bike. I dial it down to 4" for a little dirt jumping, dial it up to 6" for everything else. Magic... I am so stoked
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john maco
a Weekend Warrior
from calgary,AB,canada Date Reviewed: September 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
gillard, kerplop
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
calgary cycle
Strengths:
It very stiff, jumps well, and can take almost any beating
Weaknesses:
the rear dropouts loosen up every 3 monthes or so but, easily fixed
Similar Products Used:
kona stuff (crap)
Bike Setup:
ridge frame, 66rc, diabolus cranks, single track rims, block 8 pedals.... etc.
Bottom Line:
if your looking for a good hardtail frame and this one pops up, break open the old piggy bank and get it you will not be disappointed uless you get a kona.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John McClay
a Weekend Warrior
from El Paso Texas Date Reviewed: April 14, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Wyne County Backs
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
everything, this bike is what freeride hardtails should be all about. it lacks in no areas and stands up to any and all abuse
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
turner 5 spot
Bike Setup:
888 RC 170mm, all diablous/saint/deity
Bottom Line:
if you ride hard, and need a bike that is as crazy and strong as you are, remember the Ridge. Hands down to frank the welder in designing this badboy
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex Acosta
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX Date Reviewed: January 17, 2005
Favorite Trail:
anthills
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$674.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Indestructible Wicked Color (orange) :-p Thick Dropouts Geometry
Weaknesses:
Dropouts were loosening on me... Easily fixed with some loctite.
Similar Products Used:
none - first mtb (was considering ellsworth specialist)
If you want a badass looking bike that is meant to fly, fall and be built up like crazy, this is it. Don't look any farther than this frame if you want an FR hardtail.
P.S> Would have liked to try a ellsworth though
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a
from North Kakalaka Date Reviewed: July 19, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
dropnzone
Strengths:
Indestructable Tracks remarkably Jumps better than anything I've ridden
Weaknesses:
Rear dropouts seem to loosen every once and a while
Bike Setup:
Manitou Breakout, Sun 8-track wheels, Sram x-9, Evil srs guide...
Bottom Line:
This bike was born to jump... Dirt jumps, stunts, it doesn't matter, the ridge just eats it all up. Its expensive for a hardtail, but you get what you pay for. Its pushed me to ride faster and better than any FS bike has. This bike is only limited by my ability, which has grown a tonne since I've been riding it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Darien, CT, USA Date Reviewed: July 18, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1650.00
Purchased At:
Northeast Bicycles
Strengths:
Such a strong frame, so stiff. Geometry is awesome. Great in the air.
Weaknesses:
i actually havent found any yet. This thing is sweet
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Chase, Azonic Steelhead Frame, Sinister DNA
Bike Setup:
'04 Drop off II, Raceface components, Sun Ringle SUV wheelset, SRAM shifters/r.derailleur, Chris King
Bottom Line:
I strongly suggest anyone to build up one of these babies. Its so much fun to ride this. At first i thought it would be a hassle riding this cuz the weight, but you really cant tell. Climbs pretty well, easy for wheelies and manuals. Drops and jumps. All in all, thios bike is meant to be abused, and ask for more. Its also a little expensive, but handmade and welded by FTW. Sinister put a lot of work into perfecting the ridge and i think you get what you pay for here.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris eichele
a Weekend Warrior
from new york, ny Date Reviewed: July 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
blue or ninham
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
welds, stiffness, geometry, 1.5 h tube,
Weaknesses:
none worth mentioning
Similar Products Used:
gemini, klein,
Bike Setup:
rs psylo, hayes mag, mammoth rims, etc
Bottom Line:
this bike rocks. it is so easy to wheelie and get the front up. ideal for drops and jumps. i am so comfortable in the air on this thing it is unreal. i find myself doing the same drops and rolls on this thing that i am on my fs bike. it pedals ok, better than my gemini but this is obviously not a xc htail. it dominates singletrack where terrain is sketchy and turns are tight. this bike never ceases to amaze me. ideal for someone looking for an aggro htail. i'll write another review after the summer once i've had more time on it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ahren
a Downhiller
from Truckee, California Date Reviewed: June 11, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$750.00
Strengths:
Strong, Stiff, Burly construction, made in the U.S.A. by Frank the welder. Can double as an Olympic weight lifting set.
Weaknesses:
Heavy!! 6.5 Pound Frame, HARDTAIL! But for what it's designed to do it is perfect.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Scab, Kona Roast, Intense Tazer HT, Specialized P3
This frame is not messing around. It is the stiffest frame I have ever ridden, also the heaviest, but who cares? If you are looking for a trailbike that goes up hill as well as it does down, then this bike is not for you. However, if you want a BURLY hardtail that can Jump, do big drops, come up short on gaps and laugh it off, then this is it. The welds are immaculate, construction is absolutely top notch. One word of caution, wear a helmet. If this bike lands on your head you will die for sure and the last thing you will hear is a SINISTER laugh coming from your frame. I'll do another review after it kicks my a$$ for a while.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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