Thoughts on a new 'best-bike' project: Ritchey Logic + Open Pros on Ultegra

[ianrauk]

Ahhh, it was where I started looking. I have been speaking with Paul Smith at Corridori. Did you remove the decals yourself? Didn't User10571 do the same? I'd welcome a quick spin if I make it to Sarf'end .

Yup, removed them myself (thanks to User10571's instruction)....
And more then welcome to have a quick spin .

 

[Fab Foodie]

[QUOTE 2610634, member: 30090"]A recumbent.[/quote]
Nnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[Spoked Wheels]

Further to my earlier post on Titanium frames to replace my 2004 aluminium TCR1:

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=72963.msg1505913#msg1505913

I've been doing more thinking... and researching.
Firstly there is sooo much choice that it's quite mind blowing and I'd find it hard to get round testing many due to free-time limitations.
Secondly for the price of a basic Titanium frame I could have a good steelie and some whizzy wheels for a small weight penalty easily remedied by shedding 2 stone of aerobelly.

Then there's too much choice again, so I was honing my list down to the Condor Accacio + one other. And then I read some reviews about the new Ritchey Logic frame which seems to tick all the boxes. Not only that but our newish LBS (Giant main dealer) is also starting to stock them and the owner has one (his own choice of ride) which I can borrow for a bit longer than the average test ride.

http://cycletechreview.com/2013/reviews/ritchey-road-logic-review/

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/tech/bikes/129591/1/ritchey-road-logic-2-0.html

I like the single-minded attitude of making his own tubes for his own bike. It looks great, is well made and a good price is possible.
The savings over Titanium would allow Open Pros on Ultegra 10spd hubs from Harry Rowland plus all the Ultegra/DA bits canabalised from the Giant which are in good order.

I know there are many good UK builders of steelies and some European, but I don't have the time unfortunately to make lots of visits for testing. So right now if after a test ride the Ritchey suits my needs and feels as good as it looks, I may just go for it with LBS support.

Am I loosing it?

I like steel frames a lot but i also love my Ti frame. If Ti is the preferred choice then a lifetime warranty is a good idea because of what other people have experienced in the past. I have a Van Nicholas which comes with a lifetime warranty.

I got the frame and built the bike to my own specifications and that saved me a few £

I did register the frame with VN (just in case)

Open Pro on Ultegra hubs - nothing wrong with that but maybe there is an opportunity to be more adventurous here

Ultegra hubs cost twice the price of 105. There is no difference in performance and they are both great hubs.
Open Pro has been around forever and most people rate them. There are lots out there and your wheels would not stand out in any way.

The new wider type of rims has been very well accepted by many riders. I built myself a pair of Archetype and I love them. Lot's of club members like the look of them and they follow with the usual questions, how they ride, etc.

In the thread you pointed out some people were recommending 25mm tyres, well, archetypes paired with 25's tyres and 95 - 100 psi you get a pretty comfortable ride.