irablumberg
04-14-06, 06:38 PM
(note, also posted in the Road bikes forum)
I recently got this bike (built up from Ritchey in standard form, i.e., with a mix of Ritchey and DA components). I have only ridden it about 70 miles due to a combination of too much work, really bad weather (bummer for both), and a Hawaiian vacation (lots of fun, but way too much wind for me to feel safe riding far).
Nonetheless, I thought I'd share my initial feelings on this bike. My previous ride was a model year 2000 Trek 5200 with all the standard parts (i.e., a mix of Ultegra 9; Trek house brand stem, bars, seat post; and mid-level Rolf wheels). I used to ride that bike about 40-80 miles a week, but got distracted and let my riding fall off for a few years. Now that I am once again focused on riding, I realized that I have lots more time to ride on vacations and even business trips than at home. Thus, my choice of a bike that can be packed into a suitcase that will usually fly without extra fees and (more importantly) fit in the trunk of a standard or even a compact rental car.
I ended up choosing the Ti/Carbon model over the steel model (with Ultegra) for several reasons. First, it seemed likely to be more durable even with rough airline treatment. Second, it isn't painted and thus the finish is unlikely to get badly chipped or scratched in use or travel. Third, it looks cool and I've always wanted a DA bike :p. Finally, as a nod to practicality, I realized that I could not really justify the expense or the storage space for 2 road bikes, so I decided to sell my Trek and I did not want to take a step down with the new bike.
My initial impression of this bike is very positive. It feels much more lively and much lighter than my Trek. The only downside is that I feel more road buzz than on the Trek. I guess this is the difference between an all carbon frame and a mostly Ti frame. This is a small point however, and I am already used to the buzz and it no longer bothers me.
Even though I continue to be very suspicious of the down-tube clamp, I cannot feel any flex or hear any creaking when I mash the pedals and the bike feels just as solid as my Trek did. I'm only about 145 lbs., so perhaps a Clydesdale would be able to tell the difference, but I can't. I am totally paranoid about over tightening the down-tube clamp. From what I have read, it is easy to do and will result in a ruined clamp (but no damage to the frame). I guess Ritchey had this concern as well since an extra clamp is included with the bike.
When I got the bike, I weighed it on a relatively accurate bathroom scale (me alone and then me holding the bike) and as near as I could tell, the bike weighed right around 16.5 pounds without pedals, cages, etc. Mine is a 54 cm frame. Since the frame is listed at various sites as weighing about 1.54 kg (for the 58 cm model), I think most of the light weight can be attributed to very light components (more about these in a moment).
I am quite pleased by the component mix on the bike. The Ritchey website and catalog is a bit vague in this regards, but I was generally pleasantly surprised. All the Shimano components are Dura Ace, except for the cassette which I was surprised to learn was Ultegra (not that I'll notice the extra 100g, but why cheap out here?). Even the chain and BB are Dura Ace. Also, Dura Ace are the cranks, ders., brifters, and brakes. The fork and headset are Ritchey WCS Carbon. The handlebars are Ritchey WCS Carbon Logic. The seat-post is Ritchey WCS Carbon. The stem is Ritchey WCS. Finally, the wheels are Ritchey WCS Protocol.
All of the components are great and work very smoothly. The shifting is quicker and smoother than any bike I have ever ridden. Everything fits and is very comfortable. Even the minimalist Ritchey WCS saddle is surprisingly comfortable.
On flats, I have no trouble averaging over 17 MPH for miles on end. Climbing is a bit tough, but more because I'm out of shape than because of the bike. Also, I have some steep hills in my area and even with a 39-27 gear, I find I just don't have the power to go up long steep hills (but I'm working on it). On down hills, the bike is very stable and sure. I have gotten up to about 36 MPH and felt secure and in good control with no wobbles, shakes, shimmies or other issues. Even at these speeds on very steep down hills, the brakes are strong and modulate well. Overall, the ride is not jarring and is generally comfortable while still giving a good sense of control.
Packing the bike takes a bit longer than the advertised 15 minutes, but I suspect that with practice, I will get it down to about 30-45 minutes. Set up is already down to about 30 minutes, but you need another 15 or so minutes to put away all the packing material and close up the suitcase. I am not that impressed with the padding material that Ritchey supplies to cover the frame tubes. It is thick rubber tubing, but is slit down its length with no way to close it around the bike tubes. I will likely invest is some S&S packing material which seems quicker and better. Other than that, the system works well. The bike survived its first plane trip with no problems. Even the suitcase looks in good shape after the flight.
I hope to have some business trips in Europe this year, so perhaps I will have a chance to bring this bike and ride in some scenic cities. I also go to Asia fairly regularly, but I'm not very comfortable with riding the streets of Tokyo. It just seems too busy and crazy.
Ira
I recently got this bike (built up from Ritchey in standard form, i.e., with a mix of Ritchey and DA components). I have only ridden it about 70 miles due to a combination of too much work, really bad weather (bummer for both), and a Hawaiian vacation (lots of fun, but way too much wind for me to feel safe riding far).
Nonetheless, I thought I'd share my initial feelings on this bike. My previous ride was a model year 2000 Trek 5200 with all the standard parts (i.e., a mix of Ultegra 9; Trek house brand stem, bars, seat post; and mid-level Rolf wheels). I used to ride that bike about 40-80 miles a week, but got distracted and let my riding fall off for a few years. Now that I am once again focused on riding, I realized that I have lots more time to ride on vacations and even business trips than at home. Thus, my choice of a bike that can be packed into a suitcase that will usually fly without extra fees and (more importantly) fit in the trunk of a standard or even a compact rental car.
I ended up choosing the Ti/Carbon model over the steel model (with Ultegra) for several reasons. First, it seemed likely to be more durable even with rough airline treatment. Second, it isn't painted and thus the finish is unlikely to get badly chipped or scratched in use or travel. Third, it looks cool and I've always wanted a DA bike :p. Finally, as a nod to practicality, I realized that I could not really justify the expense or the storage space for 2 road bikes, so I decided to sell my Trek and I did not want to take a step down with the new bike.
My initial impression of this bike is very positive. It feels much more lively and much lighter than my Trek. The only downside is that I feel more road buzz than on the Trek. I guess this is the difference between an all carbon frame and a mostly Ti frame. This is a small point however, and I am already used to the buzz and it no longer bothers me.
Even though I continue to be very suspicious of the down-tube clamp, I cannot feel any flex or hear any creaking when I mash the pedals and the bike feels just as solid as my Trek did. I'm only about 145 lbs., so perhaps a Clydesdale would be able to tell the difference, but I can't. I am totally paranoid about over tightening the down-tube clamp. From what I have read, it is easy to do and will result in a ruined clamp (but no damage to the frame). I guess Ritchey had this concern as well since an extra clamp is included with the bike.
When I got the bike, I weighed it on a relatively accurate bathroom scale (me alone and then me holding the bike) and as near as I could tell, the bike weighed right around 16.5 pounds without pedals, cages, etc. Mine is a 54 cm frame. Since the frame is listed at various sites as weighing about 1.54 kg (for the 58 cm model), I think most of the light weight can be attributed to very light components (more about these in a moment).
I am quite pleased by the component mix on the bike. The Ritchey website and catalog is a bit vague in this regards, but I was generally pleasantly surprised. All the Shimano components are Dura Ace, except for the cassette which I was surprised to learn was Ultegra (not that I'll notice the extra 100g, but why cheap out here?). Even the chain and BB are Dura Ace. Also, Dura Ace are the cranks, ders., brifters, and brakes. The fork and headset are Ritchey WCS Carbon. The handlebars are Ritchey WCS Carbon Logic. The seat-post is Ritchey WCS Carbon. The stem is Ritchey WCS. Finally, the wheels are Ritchey WCS Protocol.
All of the components are great and work very smoothly. The shifting is quicker and smoother than any bike I have ever ridden. Everything fits and is very comfortable. Even the minimalist Ritchey WCS saddle is surprisingly comfortable.
On flats, I have no trouble averaging over 17 MPH for miles on end. Climbing is a bit tough, but more because I'm out of shape than because of the bike. Also, I have some steep hills in my area and even with a 39-27 gear, I find I just don't have the power to go up long steep hills (but I'm working on it). On down hills, the bike is very stable and sure. I have gotten up to about 36 MPH and felt secure and in good control with no wobbles, shakes, shimmies or other issues. Even at these speeds on very steep down hills, the brakes are strong and modulate well. Overall, the ride is not jarring and is generally comfortable while still giving a good sense of control.
Packing the bike takes a bit longer than the advertised 15 minutes, but I suspect that with practice, I will get it down to about 30-45 minutes. Set up is already down to about 30 minutes, but you need another 15 or so minutes to put away all the packing material and close up the suitcase. I am not that impressed with the padding material that Ritchey supplies to cover the frame tubes. It is thick rubber tubing, but is slit down its length with no way to close it around the bike tubes. I will likely invest is some S&S packing material which seems quicker and better. Other than that, the system works well. The bike survived its first plane trip with no problems. Even the suitcase looks in good shape after the flight.
I hope to have some business trips in Europe this year, so perhaps I will have a chance to bring this bike and ride in some scenic cities. I also go to Asia fairly regularly, but I'm not very comfortable with riding the streets of Tokyo. It just seems too busy and crazy.
Ira