Any bike builders? Here my first new bike build: 2021 Ritchey Ascent!

[aigel]

This just came out in August. The famous ascent frame, updated with modern boost axle spacing.



I am not a big impulse buyer, but with the recent shortages in all things biking, I figured I MUST jump on this frame before it is out of stock! Well, I had the frame a couple weeks later, but getting the rest together was no small feat due to parts availability!

It was a ton of fun finding everything and even more fun putting it together. I like working on bikes already but building it all from new, in my living room, with clean hands, even better! I built this for my wife, so we can do some bike packing together. I already have a Salsa Marrakesh touring bike. That said, we have the same frame size and I hope she hates the Ritchey and wants to trade!

Here a summary of my build:
- Ritchey all steel frame "L" - comes with Ritchey headset and fork.
- All from Ritchey: Cyote 27 degree handlebar, competition 100 mm stem, locking grips & competition seat post
- Bontrager saddle - to be replaced with a black women's brooks B17
- Shimano Deore shift group: 10-52 cassette, derailleur, shifter and cable, chain, crank with 32T chainring
- Shimano BB52 bottom bracket
- Avid 180mm / 160mm brake discs with Avid BB7 mechanical brake calipers and jagwire cables
- Giant XCT 29” Al wheels with sealed bearing shimano hubs, sapim spokes, boost spacing (110x52 / 148x12)
- Maxxis Recon Race tires - 29x2.25, TLR, EXO, set up tubeless

I just got done today took it for a spin and I have to say, NOTHING beats a steel bike!!! I thought the tires were a bit overkill but they are nice and quiet on the pavement and this bike handles just great. Stiff but not a harsh ride at all. Nice to have a rigid fork. My first 1x drivetrain too. It shifts very very well. I think I will upgrade my other MTB with a 1x now too! The seating position I chose is relaxed and the bar adds even more wrist comfort. Maybe it is too much of a ladie's bike for my wife and she will refuse it!? Finger's crossed!

What bikes have you built during the pandemic?

[look 171]

None during the pandemic. As a matter of fact, I stop riding all together only started up serious riding again about 3-4 weeks ago and I am still getting my butt kicked. I have been looking at a Bianchi with Dura-ace. Dang, those are sure pretty. I kinda want disc brakes after ridding my friend's road bike down the hill.

[herr_oberst]

I used to have a steel frame Breezer Jetstream mtn bike that I kept in excellent shape. I sold it too cheap.

This bike reminds me of that; I really like the discs and the 1x drivetrain. Nice job.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I used to have a steel frame Breezer Jetstream mtn bike that I kept in excellent shape. I sold it too cheap.

This bike reminds me of that; I really like the discs and the 1x drivetrain. Nice job.

Thanks Herr Oberst.

The frame retains the old geometry but lets you use today's components. I'd go build up a classic frame but you can't do a 1x12, disk brakes or larger wheels on those. I would have loved to build it with silver metal components but that got expensive quick, especially on the wheels. When I found new take-off wheels and tires to use for the build, that decision was made.

The bike got a raving review from my wife after the maiden voyage tonight. The mechanical disk brakes got a thumbs down (they do require more force than hydraulics) but the shifter and the 1x setup got a big thumbs up along with the handlebar and seating position. I can always change the brakes but my thought was that I wanted something super reliable and easy to fix out on a trip. Maybe my wife won't be there for the entire trail, but the continental divide mountain bike trail is calling my name and hopefully she can do sections at least with me.

G

[upsscott]

Ritchey is all class. Is this frame front suspension compatible?

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Cool stuff. I like the underside downtube water bottle mounts and the 3 points for fork mounts.

Bars also look like a hoot

[vash]

WTF is Boost?



i do want a steel road bike.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by vash

WTF is Boost?

Axle spacing increased, I guess that's what got 'boosted', so it is a quick way of saying that without quoting numbers. Get this, now there is also 'super boost' for the latest increase.

What year is your MTB, Vash?

It is challenging to update an old bike with these changing axle widths. Even my 2014 MTB, I have issues with chainline if I want to go to a 1x12 drivetrain because I can't get a crank that's made for the old axle spacing geometry.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by upsscott

Ritchey is all class. Is this frame front suspension compatible?

I am not sure, it would make no sense to have a suspension on this bike. The size of the head tube etc. is all laid out for a steel fork and the compliance in this system has quite some give.

[ErVikingo]

Very cool bike! I prefer Carbon on mine but your use seems to be different than mine. However, your choice of tires makes me think your use is similar to mine..........

I use DHF and Aggresor on my XC bike (Orbea Occam LTD) with Exo protection due to the coraline rock we encounter here. I could post a pic of my left shin right now......

On my race bike, every ounce counts. I'm at 22lbs with Race Exo tires and Shimano PD-M9120 which are heavy. With the Egg Beaters is way lighter but I'm waiting for replacement axles

[aigel]

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

Very cool bike! I prefer Carbon on mine but your use seems to be different than mine. However, your choice of tires makes me think your use is similar to mine..........

I bought the wheels with tires as new take offs which were on a Giant XCT hardtail which is a pretty aggressive bike and comes with these tires. I thought they were too aggressive for our riding, but am actually quite happy, especially considering the price point. I figured I can always change tires once they are worn down. If I had not found these wheels, I would have built up some wheels with a set of Stan or Velocity rims and installed Maxxis Pace tires.

[upsscott]

Originally Posted by aigel

I am not sure, it would make no sense to have a suspension on this bike. The size of the head tube etc. is all laid out for a steel fork and the compliance in this system has quite some give.

I didn’t realize the head tube was smaller. Steel is real and Tom Ritchey knows that better than just about anyone.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by aigel

I bought the wheels with tires as new take offs which were on a Giant XCT hardtail which is a pretty aggressive bike and comes with these tires. I thought they were too aggressive for our riding, but am actually quite happy, especially considering the price point. I figured I can always change tires once they are worn down. If I had not found these wheels, I would have built up some wheels with a set of Stan or Velocity rims and installed Maxxis Pace tires.

I ride them tubeless with very low pressure (20 and 22 - my race weight is 175 - not these days ha ha ha).

I had Stans on my Old Intense. Now WTB Ci24 on the XC with Onyx hubs and DTs on the race bike.

[rattlsnak]

Where will you primarily ride it? Beach cruiser? Looks like you were going for a retro 70s bike.. If so, cool, but no way I would take a steel bike without suspension on any MTB trails!! Suicide!!

[ErVikingo]

Have tried the Lauf forks? Interesting concept for limited travel. My brother had one on an Ellsworth.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Where will you primarily ride it? Beach cruiser? Looks like you were going for a retro 70s bike.. If so, cool, but no way I would take a steel bike without suspension on any MTB trails!! Suicide!!

More of a retro '90s bike, with a modern gruppo. 29's and disc brakes and 1x drivetrain will make this bike sustainable as the supply of usable 90's parts continues to dwindle.
The lack of suspension definitely limits its useability on modern trails that've been designed around long travel, but as a fun toy this can't be beat, plus, it's a damn Ritchey frame! Way cool.

[rattlsnak]

I actually meant to type "80s", but you're right, probably more of a late "90s" style.. And looks like cable activated disc brakes?

[aigel]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Where will you primarily ride it? Beach cruiser? Looks like you were going for a retro 70s bike.. If so, cool, but no way I would take a steel bike without suspension on any MTB trails!! Suicide!!

Main duty is riding on gravel roads and light single track trails close to home, with asphalt to get there. Main purpose is having a touring capable bike for similar terrain. As I mentioned before the continental divide MTB trail is something we'd like to tackle in the future. Much of that is fire and dirt roads and people even bring trailers.

That said, there are plenty of people riding serious trails here in CA on rigid steel mountain bikes and if they are really serious, they have a single speed setup to boot. These are not weekend warriors, these are usually hardcore cyclists with the physique and endurance to be able to pull it off!

[aigel]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

I actually meant to type "80s", but you're right, probably more of a late "90s" style.. And looks like cable activated disc brakes?

Yes! I wanted manual brakes to keep it simple when touring. I have the same avid brakes on my touring bike in 160mm front and back rotors and they do quite well and they are inexpensive to boot. The Ritchey I set up with a 180mm in front and 160mm rotor in back.

[David]

Nice build! I do build all mine, seems more fun that way. Plus I rarely do a whole bike at once, I just do random replacement of components with a new frame every few years when I find a deal.

I finally got around to getting my old steel road bike out of the garage and into the house:


I don't know how they got away with putting "turbo" on the seat back then? Who would put turbo on something that has no turbo?