Unless you fixate on 'cross podiums every weekend during the fall and winter, it's time to ask yourself if you really need a traditional Euro 'cross frame. Ridley certainly has the X-Night that's up to that task, however, if the lure of gravel and the thought of dust kicking up from your wheels as you seek out cycling adventures across mixed terrain is tickling your fancy, there are other options worth your consideration. Better suited to weekend-long wanders over gravel, singletrack, and chip-sealed tarmac than ultra-aggressive 'cross courses, comes rides like the X-Trail Carbon Xtreme Rival 1 Complete Allroad Bike from Ridley. Its geometry and build kit promise versatility and comfort, a characteristic often overlooked by their high-strung racing counterparts. Don't make the mistake of thinking that a focus on comfort leads to sacrifices in snappy, responsive handling in the case of the X-Trail. It just so happens to be nimble and agile for railing around switchback turns and eagerly surges forward when pouring the power into the pedals at the base of a climb. This is in part to its pressfit bottom bracket, high modulus carbon fiber frame and fork, and tapered steerer tube yielding a lightweight build that is stiff both laterally and torsionally. That carbon layup also works to smooth road vibrations for a compliant, rather than harsh, ride, and the asymmetrical fork keeps the bike tracking correctly on winding descents and under heavy braking. Going out on a loaded weekend bikepacking adventure with the X-Trail truly lets its more relaxed geometry and less aggressive stack and reach really shine, as it orients you in a more comfortable body position on those long days spent in the saddle often while full-laden. Ridley also blesses the X-Trail with clearance for tires up to 38mm wide up front and 36mm in the rear, granting you access to a whole new playground of off-road terrain on days you want an adventure, and smooth tarmac on training days. Furthermore, y...