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Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich Lee
a Cross-Country Rider
from La Honda, CADate Reviewed: September 7, 1999
Strengths:
1.Incredible Lightness .
2 More agile than a drop-handlebar cross bike due to the Flat bars & MTB shifters/brakes.
3. VERY FAST on local hardpack trails and most singletrack.4. Very supple/responsive frame.Weaknesses:
1. Not Intended as a gonzo downhiller.
2. Might be fatigue-prone on long, rough rides.
3. May be misunderstood as just another cross bike.
4. Will be hard to explain why you must have it when you already own a road bike and a mountainbike.Bottom Line: I've been loaned the bike for 2 weeks and it is phenominal! In an era where more bikes look (and sometimes ride) like motorless motorcycles, this bike is new way of getting back to the good old days of simple light bikes....only better! Many who used to ride our local trails on road bikes, back in the era of Jobst Rides will remember how agile and fast they rode, even with 51 low gears and sew-up tires. Most of uss are now 20 years older and 20 lbs heavier. I thought I would never again be able to feel the agility and acceleration I used to have while blasting over local trails on my road bike years ago. Think Again! With the VERY grippy speedmax cyclocross tires (even at a narrow 30mm) this bike gives up very little in the corners on local singletrack. True, they might be more prone to lose grip when ridden at 9/10ths, but the bike can be so easily danced back into a corrective line that it doesn't matter. Most of the trails in my area (about 5 miles from where Tom Ritchey built the bike) are not that rocky and suspensions are more an issue of comfort than speed or safety.On local climbs and steep Rolling terrain, I have NEVER ridden anything so fast as this bike! There is no loss for traction and the lightness of the bike, combined with the narrower pedaling stance of a road bike and agility of flat handlebars all translate into pure speed. I am in nowhwere near the shape I was as a racer in the 80s, but my best times on all my local trail rides are now 2 or more minutes faster with this bike!
It is also amazingly fast off-dirt.This does not mean that you will have the same impression. I grew up riding many of the local mountainbike trails on road bikes and learned to use my boty as an active suspension long before I ever rode fat tires or RockShox. I still can't explain why this bike is so much faster for me. I can only guess that Tom has come up with a combination of frame and components that rides far better than any specs (or speculation) might indicate. I will be very sad when I am asked to return it.Disclaimer: I am neither an employee of Ritchey Design or a Relative of Tom Ritchey
I do have a long history of experience with his products (and some others) and can only comment on how this bike rides in comparison to others that I have owned, or been loaned.
Favorite Ride:
Central Santa Cruz Mts. Skeggs Pt. to Saratoga Gap
Similar Products Used:
Nothing like it ! Even though I've owned or ridden nearly every model of Ritchey road, mtn (including softails) or cyclocross bike since 1977.
Bike Setup:
Rigid Logic WCS Frame & Fork.
Flat Prolite Handlebars
2x9 Drivetrain, 30&44t chainrings
11-33t cogs
700c OCR wheels
700cx30mm Speedmax (310 gm) tires
Ritchy V-Brakes & blue pads.
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