Originally Posted by
carpediemracing
I was in the same situation, Ritchey or ENVE 2.0. I decided for no other reason than my illogical paranoia to go with the ENVE. I've trusted Ritchey stems for forever but I'm also extremely impressed with ENVE's design approach. I spent twice as much on my fork and got the 2.0 instead of the Ritchey, and I'm not one to buy something just because it's more money. In fact the 2.0 is on a frame that cost only $750.
For me I have to have absolute confidence in my bars, stem, and fork (and front wheel/tire unit, but those tend to be a bit more predictable). I would consider any failure in those components to be unrecoverable, i.e. if your stem breaks you're going to hit the deck hard. Therefore I spend whatever I need to feel comfortable with what I bought.
I didn't think saving $150 on the fork was worth any imagined or real deficiencies in the fork. Nor is it worth it to me to spend money on, say, a carbon stem to save a few grams, or a carbon bar, if I feel like they have a higher chance of failure compared to an aluminum or steel version of the same thing. In a related vein I wouldn't want to trust my life on some knockoff or potential counterfeit stuff so no eBay weirdness for me, it's just not worth it.
Yes, but you give no clue as to why you were suspicious of the Ritchey. Why did it cause you anxiety. Just because its name wasn't Enve? You say you are not one to throw go for the more expensive item just because it is more expensive, but you say nothing of why you actually do it. Ritchey has a much longer history of solid quality and dependability even just in forks than Enve does. Please don't be offended, but I think you threw a lot of money down the toilet. Not of course it if was necessary for you to be comfortable, we all have to do what we have to do! But you haven't said anything of why that was the case. You mention real or imagined deficiencies, but what real ones do you know of, OR why are you imagining any? More money does not mean safer here IMO.
I have ridden Ritchey forks on three different bikes (Pro model, one level down) for years. IMO perfect performance. Not a single cause for complaint. I have also had a Ritchey Breakaway frame that I thought was the best made steel frame I have ever ridden. Ritchey is just plain solid. They have a stellar reputation that is completely well deserved.
Once again, just to be clear: my opinions as a long time user. No personal experience with Enve. But I am not saying Enve is inferior, just that there is no reason to think it is superior.