通勤・通学にもピッタリくる手の届きやすいロードバイク「ANCHOR RL3 DROP.2025」

The "ANCHOR RL3 DROP.2025" is an affordable road bike perfect for commuting and school.

October 5, 2024

The 2025 model year brings new colors to the "RL3 DROP," a road bike from Japanese brand BRIDGESTONE ANCHOR, lauded as the best "entry-level model for everyday use"!

The RL3 DROP is a road bike whose components are mostly made by Shimano, making it a reliable choice for users who ride hard every day!!

- Table of Contents -

"About the model, price, and sizes"
"About frame performance"
"About component configuration"
"Test ride impressions"
"Summary of RL3 DROP"

2025.ANCHOR RL3 DROP

[Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price] ¥112,000 (tax included)
[Colors (all 4 colors)] Ocean Navy, Haze White, Midnight Black, Stream Turquoise
[Sizes (approximate height)] 390 (146-157cm), 440 (155-168cm), 490 (165-179cm), 540 (176-190cm)

About the RL3 DROP frame performance

The RL3 DROP frame is an aluminum frame created with BRIDGESTONE ANCHOR's unique "PROFORMAT (Propulsion Force Analysis Technology)."

The new color for the 2025 model is "Stream Turquoise." Its refreshing hue and not-too-serious casual impression are great! It looks good with everyday clothes, making it perfect for daily use ◎

The front fork uses a curved carbon fork that excels in vibration absorption and lightness.

Frame Geometry

Frame Size	390	440	490	540
HA	71	72	72	73
SA	75	75	74	73
TT	495	515	535	555
HT	120	130	150	170
FC	578	580	590	585
RC	415	415	415	415
BB	70	70	70	70
FO	-	-	-	-
WB	983	984	995	990
SH	646	690	733	777
SK	518	533	552	577
RH	361	372	377	379
Recommended Height	146-157cm	155-168cm	165-179cm	176-190cm

The geometry is designed to focus on control performance, suitable for both city riding and long-distance rides.

The upright position, with ample head tube and steerer tube length, combined with a gently curved, sloping top tube design, contributes to excellent vibration absorption.

The rear triangle is not too short, ensuring stable straight-line performance.

The RL3 DROP is based on the concept of "comfortable and long-lasting riding," and I feel that the frame design faithfully reflects this◎

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About the RL3 DROP component configuration

The basic specifications use Shimano CLARIS (2x8 speed), a stable entry-level specification ◎

While CLARIS is a lower-tier group set among Shimano road components, it offers more than enough performance for daily use, recreational rides, and casual cycling.

Unfortunately, the crank adopted is the FC-RS200, which is an even lower grade than CLARIS. However, it's often the case that other brands in the same price range don't even use Shimano components, so having a Shimano crank is actually a welcome feature◎

Furthermore, Shimano CLARIS grade brake calipers are used. Other brands often use lower-grade components for these, so the RL3DROP is excellent in this regard!

In addition, the RL3DROP comes standard with sub-brake levers. This is a reassuring feature for users who are not yet accustomed to drop handlebars.

The wheels are ANCHOR's own aluminum wheels. The hubs (axles) also use Shimano SORA hubs (one grade higher than CLARIS), offering excellent durability and rotational efficiency.

Additionally, the RL3 DROP comes standard with pedals, a front light, and one year of theft insurance, which is another great perk. For those considering buying their first road bike, having essential items that would otherwise incur separate costs included as standard is a great deal!

Specifications

Tire Size	700c
Gears	2×8speed
Pedals	BRIDGESTONE Ergonomic Pedals
Specifications	Frame	PROFORMAT, ALUMINIUM A6061, Caliper Brake, OLD130mm, Threaded BB (JIS68mm)
	Fork	PROFORMAT, CARBON, Bent Type, Rim Brake, OLD100mm, Tapered Column 1-1/8 to 1-1/4
	Crankset	SHIMANO FC-RS200 50-34T 390-490mm:165L / 540mm:170L
	BB	SHIMANO BB-UN300 110L 68W
	F Derailleur	SHIMANO CLARIS FD-R2000 Direct Mount Type SM-AD91 (φ31.8 Adapter)
	R Derailleur	SHIMANO CLARIS RD-R2000-SS
	Shifters	SHIMANO CLARIS ST-R2000
	Cassette	SHIMANO CS-HG41 8S 11-32T
	Brake Levers	SHIMANO CLARIS ST-R2000 *Includes Safety Brake Levers
	Brakes	SHIMANO CLARIS BR-R2000
	Tires	Semi-slick Tires 700×28C
	Wheels	Rims: JALCO DRX20 28H Hubs: SHIMANO SORA F:HB-RS300 OLD100mm/R:FH-RS300 OLD130mm Spokes: #14 Black
	Handlebars	ANCHOR-NITTO M101F φ31.8 390mm:380W/440-490mm:400W/540mm:420W *Center to center
	Stem	ANCHOR ALUMINIUM STEM, φ31.8 390mm:70L / 440mm:80L / 490mm:90L / 540mm:100L
	Headset	TANGE IS227EP Direct-in Type Top:1-1/8 Bottom:1-1/4
	Saddle	ANCHOR COMFORT BLACK
	Seatpost	ANCHOR ALUMINIUM SEATPOST, φ27.2×300L

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Test Ride Impressions of the RL3 DROP

While feeling the acceleration characteristic of a road bike, it offers stable riding performance with easy steering.

For those who find drop handlebars a bit daunting, this model is quite easy to ride.

On the other hand, the RL3 DROP is designed with stability and durability in mind rather than speed, so the impression of a lightweight and fast road bike is somewhat diminished.

It can be said that it is a road bike for relaxed long rides, based on the concept of "comfortable and long-lasting riding."

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Summary of the 2025 BRIDGESTONE ANCHOR RL3 DROP

A reliable road bike produced by a Japanese brand
Durable specifications with plenty of Shimano parts
A long-ride model perfectly designed for city commuting to recreational riding

For those who feel a bit intimidated by road bikes, the RL3 DROP is an easy-to-handle model. You can start by using the sub-brake levers to ride it like a hybrid bike, and once you get used to it, you can challenge yourself with long rides! That's perfectly fine!

I believe this model embodies the essence of a Japanese brand!

From its frame design to its component configuration, it focuses on durability and has specifications that entail low maintenance risks. I'm confident it will perform well in daily use!

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