Like most bike brands in the world, Ritchey was established based on a passion for bike riding and producing products that improve the riding experience. Ritchey bikes, parts, and components have continued to raise this standard again and again.
For more than 45 years, Ritchey was considered the pioneer and leader in the cycling industry when it comes to the most competitive, expedition-ready, and race-ready, and champion-proven bike parts and accessories at prices that don’t even require a professional contract. Moreover, their bikes are equipped with the latest, most innovative technologies to ensure the best quality and experience possible.
Table of Contents
- Overview of Ritchey Bike Company
- Ritchey Bike Categories
- Most Popular Ritchey Bikes
- Ritchey Bike Price Range
- Are Ritchey Bikes Any Good?
- Ritchey Vs. Surly
- Ritchey Road Logic Frameset
- Ritchey Road Logic Disc Frameset
- Ritchey WCS Road Logic Bike
- Ritchey Break-Away Carbon Road Frameset
- Ritchey Break-Away Road Frameset
- Ritchey Outback Frameset – Gravel
- Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc Frameset
- Conclusion
Overview of Ritchey Bike Company
History of Ritchey Bike Company
Among various bicycle brands in the United States, Ritchey seems to resemble royalty. It was founded in California in 1974 by Tom Ritchey. The company has been a go-to word for innovation and quality ever since. Besides, Ritchey is always proud to say that tailor-made thin-walled tubes, trackless forks, and specific front and rear tire patterns are all Ritchey’s inventions.
A competitive road racer racing on the United States national road team, Ritchey applied the riding knowledge to make the bike design a standard again. The very first steel frame was manufactured by Ritchey in 1972, and by 1979, he had produced more than 1000.
Tom Ritchey has been provided additional inspiration thanks to his bicycle rides with Jobst Brandt, author of the popular book The Bicycle Wheel, in the 70s and early 80s. It was also the key factor that forged Ritchey’s founding design philosophies: strong, durable, fast, and lightweight. After that, Ritchey looked for different solutions that made it possible for riders to ride long on mixed terrains.
In order to provide the cycling market with the best quality possible, every product at Ritchey goes through hours of sitting in the saddle. And it is Mr. Ritchey who paves the way to become the company’s lead designer and scores more than 10,000 miles per year.
Where Are Ritchey Bikes Made?
Ritchey is recognized worldwide as one of the bicycle industry’s leading innovators for high-end bike components. Accordingly, Ritchey bikes and components are manufactured in its homeland, San Carlos, California.
The Technologies of Ritchey Bikes
As you might know, Ritchey is best well-known for engineering with great attention to detail right from its product design stage. Moreover, it combines with stringent fatigue tests to create premium, high-quality mountain and road bike components.
Following the FIT Logic philosophy, Ritchey provides the riding market with a large array of cockpit components, including headsets, stems, seat posts, and handlebars. These superior components will enable cyclists to custom their bicycles for a better fit, more comfortable, and efficient ride.
In addition to the above bike components, Ritchey also offers complete bicycles, framesets, and a full line of other products, including carbon forks, carbon wheels, pedals, tires, and saddles. These products are typically designed for different riders, from serious weekend cyclists to professional racers. What’s more, the brand designs, promotes, and sells Break-Away travel bikes for riders on the go.
For those who don’t know, Tom Ritchey was the first bike frame builder to offer tailored-design ultra-lightweight steel tube sets to meet his own needs for a brand-new model in mountain bike frame construction. As a result, he created Logic Tubing, which was typically built for fillet plywood without lugs, and featured a long, thin-walled center to reduce weight.
Tom Ritchey also improved the single bending chainstay with an oval seat tube in the lower rack to increase rigidity in this area for better power transmission.
Performance of Ritchey Bikes
Ritchey is considered one of the premium bike riding industry’s leaders when it comes to premium-grade bike parts and components.
Founded in 1974 by Tom Ritchey, the brand actively designs a stable line of new products while continuously enhancing its existing components, perfecting their lightweight and durability. That is called “relentless innovation”, according to Ritchey.
In terms of premium bike cockpits, Ritchey stems combine it all with accurate performance and unquestionable reliability. Anything except for standard, Ritzy stems are among the best stems available on the market at a reasonable price.
Another excellent component from Ritchey that should be mentioned is the road bike handlebars. These are unmatched, delivering class-leading performance, dependable comfort, and confident handling for riders of all riding styles, skill levels, and budgets. More importantly, reach, sweep, ergonomics, drop, and aerodynamics are all enhanced for every single series – SuperLogic, Comp, and WCS.
Ritchey Bike Categories
Nowadays, Ritchey is still considered the leader in manufacturing and providing steel bike design for the cycling market. It is also recognized as the “king” when it comes to the “all-road” range. In addition, the company manufactures drop-bar bicycles that surpass on different surfaces. This also prompts it to update and expand its categories in recent years.
Now, let’s take a look at the current Ritchey bike range.
- Gravel Bikes/Frames
- Road Bikes/Frames
- Mountain Bikes/Frames
- Cross Bikes/Frames
Most Popular Ritchey Bikes
As you might all know, Ritchey is famous for its frames and components. However, the company also provides some of the greatest bikes. Here are several popular Ritchey bikes and frames that you can consider to build your perfect model.
- Gravel Frames: Ritchey Outback Frameset
- Road Frames: Ritchey Road Logic Disc Frameset
- Mountain Frames: Ritchey Ultra Frameset
- Cross Frames: Ritchey Swiss Cross Frameset
- Road Bikes: Ritchey Road Logic Bike
Ritchey Bike Price Range
Basically, you will find a lot of frames for different riding styles, from road to gravel, mountain, and cross. Below is the price range of the most popular and available frames and bikes from Ritchey:
- Gravel Frames: $1,723
- Road Frames: $1,533 – $1,723
- Mountain Frames: $1,128
- Cross Frames: $1,723
- Road Bikes: $3,209
Are Ritchey Bikes Any Good?
It could be said that Ritchey offers incredible bike frames that deliver phenomenal riding quality. In addition, Ritchey bikes are famous for their stiffness yet durability and versatility. When it comes to riding quality, Ritchey bicycles definitely can compete with any other handcrafted or custom models out there. More importantly, their steel road frames are perfect for any adventure awaiting while offering prices to suit most budgets.
Ritchey Vs. Surly
Ritchey Bike Review
When it comes to riding quality and comfort, Ritchey bikes and framesets offer incredibly great compliance on every ride. It could be said that Ritchey bicycles are a perfect mix of stiffness and comfort.
Among different lineups, the Road Logic is considered the best one with a remarkable value. It is really hard to find such a top-level quality at such an affordable price. When compared to other carbon bikes, you can really save lots of money. And more importantly, you can get upgraded components and parts, such as wheels.
Even though Logic tubing is produced by Tange, it still meets Tom Ritchey’s specifications. The butting, diameters, and alloy composition are completely special to Ritchey. To offer the market with such a great model, Ritchey has gone through more than four decades of experience.
In addition, each set of tubes features its own characteristics typically designed to optimize riding performance. What’s more, you will feel a really different feeling when riding a Ritchey bike, particularly the Logic frame line. It could be said that Ritchey bikes and frames offer a phenomenal riding quality.
Pros
- Come in a beautiful design
- Allow for confidence and smart handling
- Offer some of the best frames in the market
- Can customize your own bike with good-quality components
Cons
- Some models don’t have fittings to deal with inclement weather
Surly Bike Review
It could be said that Surly bikes are a great choice for riders of most riding styles and budgets. This is because their bicycles are made of good-quality materials but at a more affordable price.
Surly also provides the cycling market with a large range of bikes in different disciplines, from pavement to long-distance hauling and conventional fat bicycles. Nevertheless, almost all Surly bikes are typically designed with the aim of recreational and fun riding.
Having said that, you can still pick a suitable model for your purpose. For instance, Surly pavement bicycles are an ideal option for commuters or riders who want to get some leisure rides in their free time or on the weekends. While Surly signature fat tire bikes are perfect for anyone who loves to glide on snow, gravel, and sand on winter days with ease. Nevertheless, Surly bikes might not be a great pick for those who need speed.
Pros
- Feature comfy suspension seat posts
- Amazing drop-bar construction for various hand positions
- Provide a comfortable feeling while riding all day long
- Integrated with larger and better-quality Schwalbe tires
Cons
- Not a great option for riders who don’t like drop bar
Verdict
In general, Surly bikes are a perfect choice for different riding purposes. But they are more geared toward leisure and fun riding. Their bikes are also great for winter days, thanks to the unique fat tires.
However, if you need a bike with steady anticipated handling, a refined design, amazing road feeling, and ultimate comfort, then you can choose any model from Ritchey. For those who want to get a disc brake model, the Ritchey Road Logic Disc is an incredible option.
Ritchey Road Logic Frameset
Originally released in the late 80s, Ritchey Road Logic is not a normal race frame, but it is a road frame typically manufactured for paved roads and long distances of different quality. Even though the current model still keeps the classical lines of the initial ones, the company features it with some modern-world enhancements. In other words, the new Ritchey Road Logic frameset comes in a modern classic style.
The company uses its exclusive triple-bitted Logic tube set to produce the Road Logic frameset. As a result, it helps reduce weight, thanks to the short-butted parts and TIG-welding construction. What’s more, the new head tube design incorporates the headset cups directly into the frame. This leads to the 80g more lightweight than a standard head tube style.
You can also find other great components, including a 68mm threaded bottom bracket and a straight 11/8-inch head tube. The geometry remains the same as the traditional one, while cable routing is on the outside.
Even though this latest Road Logic is a kind of a rim-brake frame, it still accommodates tires up to 30mm wide. Besides, a carbon fork is included to decrease weight and support tire clearance.
Ritchey Road Logic Disc Frameset
The new frameset model, Road Logic Disc, is a mix of the Road Logic frameset with the same quality but offers a better fit for modern standards, which is to accommodate disc brakes. In order to achieve the flat-mount brake goal, Ritchey has redesigned the carbon fork and chainstay.
In another place, you will also find the tire clearances and 12mm thru-axle front and rear improved to provide for 32mm rubber.
Ritchey WCS Road Logic Bike
In fact, Ritchey has provided the Road Logic as a complete bike since 2012. This is a rim-brake version and is equipped with Shimano’s tried and tested 11-speed Ultegra Gruppo transmission.
It uses a series of Ritchey road parts and components to finish the construction. Besides, the cockpit combines the WCS C220 stem and the WCS Curve handlebar. In addition, the wheels are from Ritchey Zeta hoops and are wrapped in 27mm Ritchey rubber. To be more exact, it is the WCS Tom Slick. Nevertheless, the complete bicycle is now only available in the United States, coming in two different colors: blue/white and grey/yellow, at $2,999.
Ritchey Break-Away Carbon Road Frameset
Ritchey was inspired to produce the captivating Break-Away road frameset when Mr. Ritchey was traveling around the world and begging tired of outrageous baggage fees. Therefore, he decided to create his latest steel road frame in 2012. This frame allows for splits in 2 and put away in its unique design case.
The current Break-Away models are constructed out of CrMo butted steel tubes and have a carbon fork. In particular, it uses a split downtube that is fastened together near the bottom rack by a locking ring. At the same time, the frame also splits at the seat tube’s top side. The double seat clip holds it firmly here.
As stated by Ritchey, it only takes around 20 minutes for this locking system to split and pack away. Moreover, it only adds about 100 grams to the overall weight of the bike.
When you finish assembling this bike, it will look like a normal steel road bicycle with rim brakes. What’s more, it is equipped with a 68mm threaded bottom bracket and 1-⅛-inch headtube, just like the Ritchey Road Logic model. However, it will be a bit cheaper, retailing at $1,699, and the cable disconnects, padding, and couplers are all included.
Ritchey Break-Away Road Frameset
Although Ritchey is best well-known for its premium steel designs, it still provides the cycling market with products made of other materials. For example, the company offered the Break-Away road frameset constructed out of titanium a couple of years ago. Today, Ritchy has added a full carbon version to its frameset collection.
This frame uses “Right-Sized” carbon tubing, creating the perfect balance between compliance and stiffness. Just like any other Ritchey framesets, this one is equipped with a straight headtube and a threaded bottom bracket.
Accordingly, the carbon Break-Away’s announced weight for the big frame and fork version is 1.75 kgs, which is 0.6 kgs more lightweight than 2.35 kgs for the steel version. This is a high saving for those who care for weight.
Ritchey Outback Frameset – Gravel
If you are looking for a frame that can tackle all that gravel coating, the Ritchey Outback steel frameset is a perfect one to go. Using the company’s Logic triple-butted tubing, this frameset is typically built to be responsive and compassionate on various types of terrains.
In addition, the Outback frameset is equipped with fenders and rack mounts along with the up-to-date carbon adventure suspension fork. This design even provides the rider with more mounts, making it a perfect frame that is ready for bikepacking.
The latest version has a slacker headtube and more fork rakes. At the same time, the wheelbase is also longer for extra stability. Of course, it features a disc brake that is compatible with the frame. And you can also ride it using both 650b and 700c wheel sizes, while the tire clearance allows for 650b x 2.0-inch and 700c x 48mm.
There will be two options of materials for you to choose from, carbon and steel, with the retail price at $1,399. Another attractive feature of this Outback frameset is the lightweight, which is less than 2.0 kg, making it a great choice if you are preparing for your next gravel event across the globe.
Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc Frameset
Just like the Road Logic frameset, the Swiss Cross Disc frameset has also been a part of Ritchey for over several decades. In fact, this frame is initially named after Thomas Frischknecht, a factory rider at Ritchey from the 80s. It is considered the supporter of various improvements and tweaks.
The current Swiss Cross Disc model is a perfect blend of tried-and-tested experiments with several new additions. It features the Logic’s steel tubing and is also equipped with an external cable routing and threaded bottom bracket.
But today, the brand offers a new model with a higher-volume tire clearance of up to 40mm, flat-mount brakes, and 12mm thru-axle. These additions make the Swiss Cross Disc not only a legal cross-race bicycle but also more flexible to adventure and gravel races.
Conclusion
You can see that most Ritchey frames are designed to become a bike with a modern classic look. Since the brand is famous for producing high-quality framesets, you will have a large number of options of different types of frames for your purposes and budget. All in all, Ritchey frames and bikes are stable, durable, and easy to handle for everything from city streets to gravel and dirt singletrack.