Ritchey 1999 Road Logic

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at Excel Sports Boulder

Favorite Ride:
Any velodrome

Bike Setup:
1997 Ritchey Road. DA cranks, Ultegra 9 speed with some 105 parts. Tiny road SPD pedals.

Summary:
I bought this bike in 1997, and have been riding it exclusively for the last 10 years. I was quite pleased with this bicycle. Since I have short legs, I wanted a small frame with a long top tube, and the 52cm frame (center to top) was 50.5 center to center with 54 cm top tube, so fit me perfectly. I also needed a more relaxed seat tube angle due to my long femurs. On my previous bicycle, a custom Marinoni I had to push my saddle as far to the back as possible, it ended up being the worst fit I've ever had, so much for custom frames.

After 10 years, I feel that the major advantage of this bike is its comfort, I love to ride on cobbles (I live in Paris where there are a lot around), and the bike just floats over them, except for the rare large chunky Paris-Roubaix style ones which no bike can dampen. On my old Marinoni, I would be bouncing around on rough roads.

Otherwise, I believe it is fairly lively, at least compared to the 1996 Trek OCLV, which I test rode for 5 minutes which was enough for me, as it was way too stable, and felt like a truck. From everything I've read, the bike should have about the same ride as the typical Merlin titanium frame, e.g., the 41 cm chainstays.

I finally weighed the bike for the first time and was surprised to find that it was 9kg, which is pretty good for a steel frame with mostly Ultegra and 105 parts.

I believe that the frame is not too stiff, because in some gears I can hear the chain rub when I apply force to the pedals, which may be due to bottom bracket flex (this did not happen on my previous bike).

There are big problems with the frame. The first is front wheel overlap, which I don't consider acceptable in a road bike (in fact, there should be a warning because I almost crashed when I discovered this). I don't have particularly big feet and my foot is not particularly forward on the pedals. This is consistent with the second problem, which I discovered on the first descent on my first ride. The front seems so short that I almost fell over the bars. To descend correctly, I have to sit way back on the saddle. I believe that I am going as fast as on my previous bike, but my Marinoni felt a lot better descending.

Finally, I am going to have to get another bicycle, because this one is rusting all over the place. First, the cable which touch the frames have worn through the paint and there is exposed steel. There are also exposed parts on the dropouts. I also didn't realise that my pump had worn through the paint and caused it to rust there. Since the frame is incredibly thin at the center of the tubes (.2 mm) it is unclear whether it will survive the sanding process to get it repainted. I will wait till I get a new bike to do this.

Strengths:
Very comfortable and lively. Very good price. Lightest steel bike? Titanium ride at half the price.

Weaknesses:
Pedal overlap. Front end too short. Cables wear paint down. Rust (true of all steel frames). Perhaps too much BB flex.

Similar Products Used:
Custom Marinoni (standard Italian geometry).

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Chainwheel

Bike Setup:
Ritchey 2x9 system - 1/2 pound lighter than a triple setup. Offsets the "weakness" detailed above. Mavic Reflex wheels, Michelin tires, Ritchey components.

Summary:
I got the Road Logic in 1995, and now, 8 years and 16,000 miles later, I still LOVE this bike! I didn't really believe the 1994 article, in Bicycle Guide, that said that this was the best steel bike they had ever ridden, but I took the chance and bought one. It was all true and is the best bike I have ever ridden. If I could only have one bike for the rest of my life this would be it. Superb!

Strengths:
Light, comfortable for century rides or fast training over varied terrain. Climbs very well, descends very well, fantastic do-it-all bike.

Weaknesses:
Not really a weakness but carbon/Ti/Al is lighter. Other than the extra 1/2 lb - none.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5000, Klein Quantum, Litespeed Tuscany, Specialized Epic (90's road bike)

Price Paid:  $995.00 at big Swinging Cycles

Favorite Ride:
Fairfax/Nicasio loop currently

Bike Setup:
50 cm frame, Campy Chorus shifters, Proton wheels, Athena rear derailuer, Suntour Superb Pro Crank and Front derailuer, Diacomp BRS400 brakes, Ritchey seatpost and stem, ttt forma sl bars

Summary:
(Price paid is for frame only)

WOW!!! This bike absolutely amazes me. I climb better, descend faster and corner quicker than I ever have. Feels like it is on rails but is NOT slow steering. The thing my friend and I both noticed is how solid it feels, like it is all one piece with a direction conection between the front and rear and top and bottom.
I have read many reveiws of this bike and none have been bad and some, like the 94 Bicycle Guide, stating it is the best steel frame they had ever ridden. It is the best frame I have ever ridden.

Strengths:
Light, stiff but smooth, and solid. Great seat post clamp, excellent geometry, even in my small 50cm size. GREAT LOOKING!! I have the dark blue with white panels. Found an old -17 ritchey stem in speed blast that looks better than the ubiquitous black!

Weaknesses:
...I'm thinking...well on my bike the top tube slopes and I wish it was straight. Just comes with small frames I guess. Oh, and I wish the fork was threaded so I could use some of my cool quill stems.

Similar Products Used:
1988 and 1990 Bridgestone RB-1, Gios Compact pro, Rivendell Road, Marin Argenta plus test rides on Trek OCLV and Klein road bikes.

Price Paid:  $2300.00 at Two Wheel Drive, Alb

Favorite Ride:
Hyalite Canyon, Bozeman MT

Bike Setup:
Campy Choros Triple components, Campy Proton wheels, Forma bars, America Classic seat post, Ritchie

Summary:
This bike is incredible. I purchased it in 1998 and put about 1500 miles on it in the first season. Since then I have not had the opportunity to ride as much (busier job, colder climate), putting on only 1500 miles since then. However, with 3000 miles on the bike, I can say without hesitation that it is a comfort to ride in pretty much any conditions, from flat to extremely steep, and from very slow to nearly 60mph. The handling is incredible in corners, and the acceleration is amazing. This bike feels like it goes without me having to pedal. If I were given the opportunity to choose any other bike out there, I would probably still pick this one. In addition to the wonderful ride qualities, it is also fun having a bike that very few others have, as indicated by the low serial number (254) on the bottom bracket. These factors all come together to point out that this bike is a steal at the going rate, and would still be a great bike if priced much higher.

Strengths:
Acceleration, handling, comfort.

Weaknesses:
The ONLY weakness is the routing of the rear brake cable across the top of the top tube. The cable occasionally rattles on rough roads.

Price Paid:  $2400.00 at Western Reserve Cycles,Chardon, Ohio

Bike Setup:
Ultegra Triple with Flight Deck,Easton EC70 Fork with a Carbon steerer tube and CT2 Seatpost,Spinergy Carbon Hub Spox Wheels,Ritchey WCS Stem,Biomax Bar and Fuzzy Logic Aheadset,Terry Fly Seat And Full SRP TI Bolt Kit.

Summary:
What a great frame. It inspires me to ride everyday. Ohio roads do not compare to those out west or south,but this bike makes you feel like you are riding the glass highway.The original fork gave me to much feedback . So I switched to the carbon one.The only negative I could point out is the old style brake route on the top side of top tube.I think they have since moved it underneath.

Strengths:
It's fast and light. It corners like it's on rails.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
None