When Ridley Bikes first introduced its Noah model two decades ago, it was a statement piece. Now the model is getting its most modern touch yet with a deceptively quiet twist: an electric drive unit that turns it into the E-Noah.
Unlike the heavy, bulky e-bikes we’re used to seeing pitched at commuters and delivery riders, this is a purpose-built road bike meant to give cycling enthusiasts just a bit of assistance. For those who might not have the stamina they once did, or who could be recovering from an injury, the E-Noah still offers a good workout but with a bit less sweat involved.
The bike takes Ridley’s aero race DNA and blends it with the compact TQ HPR 40 drive unit, which was billed as the world’s lightest and most efficient e-bike motor when it was released last year. The concoction aims to extend range and flatten climbs without sacrificing the feel of a proper road bike. Whether an electric assist belongs on a Sunday group ride is still a spicy debate for cycling purists, but Ridley clearly did everything it could to make the motor disappear into the experience. And these days, all but the saltiest of riders have begun to accept that e-bikes, even in the fitness space, can help riders better match their more capable or experienced riding buddies, which ultimately adds to the fun instead of detracting from it.
The TQ HPR 40 is quickly becoming the drive of choice for high-end, ultra lightweight e-bike makers thanks to its ability to all but disappear into the bike, leaving designers with more ability to retain the accoustic version’s lines and avoid screaming, “I’m an e-bike!”
Visually, it’d be hard for most people to even spot that the E-Noah is an e-bike, at least, not at first glance. The 292 Wh battery is tucked into the downtube so cleanly that you’d be forgiven for mistaking the E-Noah for a standard Noah at a glance. That slim battery profile helps preserve the aero shapes Ridley is known for, and the entire system remains impressively light. The HPR 40 motor weighs just 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) and delivers 200W and 40 Nm, while the battery adds about 1.42 kg (3.13 lb). All in, the E-Noah tips the scales at around 11 kg (24 lb), which is downright svelte for an e-road bike.
Controls are equally discreet. There’s no screen cluttering the bars or top tube. Instead, small LED indicators are hidden in the bar ends, with controls tucked under the bar tape. Geometry is a touch more relaxed than the Noah Fast, with slightly slacker head and seat tube angles and a longer overall fit, likely making it more approachable for longer rides. The smallest XXS size is notably absent, though.
The E-Noah is available through Ridley dealers and the brand’s online configurator. Pricing starts at €7,099 (roughly US $9,500) for a Shimano 105 Di2 build, while an Ultegra Di2 version climbs to €9,099 (roughly US $12,250). It’s not cheap, but no one gets into high-end road biking as an affordable hobby.
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