Early Tom Ritchey Frameset Timeline
 

I have been trying to timeline early Ritchey Road/Touring framesets because I can not find anything clear and understandable online. Below is the timeline I have come up with so far. I am requesting you good members take a look at this and post what you think and I will check changes/additions as we go. Note that I have also posted this same message on the Classic Rendevous list (forum).

* 1st lugged frameset 1972 (1972-1974 total of 70 framesets)

* 100% lugged framesets until 1974

* 1975 70-100 framesets, mostly lugged

* T. Ritchey graphics were used on many framesets until 1975?

* Custom framesets had "Custom Built For XXXX" along the top side of the downtube

* 1972 - 1975 numerous framesets T. Ritchey decals, no serial #s

* 1st fillet frameset 1975, made for Jobst Brandt

* Jobst Brandt/TR designed the TR headtube and downtube decal 1975

* Ovalized seat and down tubes started 1975Park bench chainstay bridge started 1975

* Campagnolo Portacatena dropouts used from 1977

* By 1979 over 1,000 framesets made total

* Serial numbers start 1978

* Palo Alto Bicycle started selling Ritchey framesets in 1978 until (when?)

* No twin plate fork crowns after 1981

Thank you,

Guy Apple

Redwood City CA

I've been wishing for something like this too. A Ritchey frame is on my shortlist, but only if it was built by Tom himself. There are some decent resources I've found before, I'll search again.

Mystery of mysteries
 

I have an early Ritchey and I spent a lot of time looking for details on his early work so that I could sell it. There just isn't much out there. He saw photos of my bike and all he said was "that's an early A bike." No elaboration.

I think he was just happy to make frames and wasn't really focusing on a style or distinctives. He certainly didn't think he'd be a brand.

Would you mind posting some pictures of your bike if you still have it? I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Guy

There's a thread here: https://m.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=22136052

Newer photos here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/40400179367...mis&media=COPY

Updated 11/18/2022

* 1st lugged frameset 1972 (1972-1974 total of 70 framesets)

* 100% lugged framesets until 1974

* 1975 70-100 framesets, mostly lugged

* T. Ritchey graphics were used on many framesets until 1975

* Custom framesets had "Custom Built For XXXX" along the top side of the downtube

* 1972 - 1977 numerous framesets T. Ritchey decals, no serial #s

* 1st fillet frameset 1975, made for Jobst Brandt

* 100% of fillet frames were made by Tom Ritchey

* Jobst Brandt/TR designed the TR headtube and downtube decal 1975

* Ovalized seat and down tubes started 1975

* Park bench chainstay bridge started 1975

* Campagnolo Portacatena dropouts used from 1977

* By 1979 over 1,000 framesets made total

*Palo Alto Bicycle started selling Ritchey framesets in 1976 – 1980

As per catalog – Columbus double butted tubing throughout, Campagnolo dropouts, Prugnat lugs, options: downtube shifter boss, pump peg, rear derailleur cable stop

* No twin plate fork crowns after 1981 on roadbikes, but continued on mountain bikes

* Ritchey stopped making lugged framesets in 1980 or 1981

* By 1985, only 12 roadbikes were made that year, production totally taken over with mountain bikes

* Serial numbers start 1987