Dropbar X Ambition

This bike is amazing! I have a Trek road bike and hybrid and this is my new favorite bike. It’s super comfortable and pretty fast considering the larger gravel tires.

As a former bicycle mechanic, here are my thoughts on my new Interstellar Blue X Ambition. First, frame and fork. A good bike build starts with a good frame and this one is awesome. The hydro-formed tubes give the bike a modern look and the paint is very good on mine, this frame would not be out of place on a bike costing three times as much. The fork is also top notch, what can you say bad about an all carbon fork that weighs just a few grams over a pound and looks beefy enough to take anything you can dole out? Poseidon specs the Microshift Advent X for this bike and it's a very good match. The shifting was buttery smooth and dead accurate out of the box, no adjustment needed. The crankset is the only major component that to me is below average, but I haven't had any problems with it. The wheelset is what you would expect on an entry level bike, they work fine but if you have the know how and can true them up after the first ride they will last a lot longer. I found a few loose spokes on mine and the wheel slightly out of true but five minutes with a spoke wrench fixed that. The Tektro brakes don't work very well out of the box but can be adjusted and set-up to work much better. An upgrade to linear brake cables is something you see done to these brakes on Youtube videos. The OEM Kenda tires are a nice match for the bike, I haven't had them on a trail yet but they roll easy on the street. Seat and pedals are often a personal preference and experienced cyclists will use their favorites, but for the beginning rider the supplied components are just fine. For me the handlebars are a little wide, I would prefer a 44cm bar, but I do like the flares. The build was very easy and I didn't have any problems. I had watched all the assembly videos before hand and the most important take away is to unroll the chain! Don't just take off the shipping foam and let it dangle, grab the rolled up chain and unroll it, this made it very easy to install the rear derailleur.

This is one of the most comfortable bikes I've ever ridden, aluminum frames have a reputation for being harsh but with the hydro-formed tubes, carbon fork, and big tires, you will love the ride. Shifting is easy and hills aren't a problem with the ultra low gearing. If you're on the fence about getting an X Ambition, go ahead and pull the trigger. I love it and think you will, too.