Ritchey is launching a new 27.5"-wheeled steel hardtail for 2013 called the P-27.5.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ritchey is switching the stem bolts on its C-260 models from 3mm heads to more durable Torx ones for 2013.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ritchey's new Trail stem is now the stiffest alloy model in the range. The revised C-220 clamp provides more handlebar support than a standard 180-degree clamp but is easier to install than the C-260 setup of the company's latest road stems.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ritchey wisely prints flip-flop graphics on its new Trail flat handlebars so the logo always looks correct. The 5mm drop in this configuration might look a little funny at first but it's just the thing for shorter riders trying to drop the hand positions on 29ers.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ritchey's new Trail flat bar features a generous 720mm width and a clever flip-flop design that provides +/- 5mm of rise or drop.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ritchey's new Trail cockpit components put a bigger emphasis on stiffness and strength in keeping with how people actually ride mountain bikes these days.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ritchey claims the new Superlogic molded carbon fiber stem is nearly as stiff as PRO's Vibe Sprint but at roughly half the weight.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ritchey says the new Superlogic road cockpit is ultralight but yet still remarkably rigid.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ritchey's new Superlogic carbon road handlebar features a subtle backsweep up top.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Offset steerer clamp slots on Ritchey's new three-bolt Superlogic stem and the two-bolt Trail stem are intended to reduce stress on carbon tubes.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ritchey has revamped its long-running two-bolt seatpost head, replacing it with a much sleeker version (center) that's both lighter and better looking. An even more evolved version (right) is set to land sometime next year and there's also an optional add-on for Selle Italia Monolink compatibility.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ritchey's new Paradigm mountain bike clipless pedals sport a combination of needle and cartridge bearings plus inboard bushings, forged chromoly steel axles, a claimed weight just over 200g, and a retail price of just US$159 per pair.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Thinner seat stays and a kinked configuration supposedly lend a little extra comfort to the new Ritchey P-27.5's rear end.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The integrated head tube on the new Ritchey P-27.5 is borrowed from the P-29 and SwissCross - both of which can't be kept in stock according to Ritchey.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
One difference between the new Ritchey P-27.5 and the current P-29 is the rear dropouts. The P-27.5 switches to fixed vertical dropouts with chain stay-mounted brake tabs instead of the P-29's geared/singlespeed sliders.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
New for 2013 from Ritchey is the Vantage range of mountain bike alloy clinchers, which sport 28mm-wide (external) tubeless-ready rims for use with higher-volume tires. Interestingly enough, Ritchey is only producing the Vantage in 27.5" and 29" sizes.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Ritchey fills out the family with a new middle child
Ritchey is undergoing a frame renaissance as of late with available options that include road, cyclo-cross, 29er hardtail, and even travel options in both steel and titanium. Adding on to the pile for 2013 is a new P-27.5 hardtail built around – you guessed it – 27.5" (aka 650b) wheels for riders looking for a classic steel ride but with the greater maneuverability of the medium-sized hoops.
The P-27.5 expectedly draws much of its DNA from the existing P-29er, including a similar triple-butted Logic steel tubeset, the same forged and machined 1 1/8" straight steel integrated head tube, and even the classic red, white, and blue fade paint job.
Ritchey has also moved away from the P-29's versatile slider dropouts for the P-27.5 in favor of more conventional socket-style vertical drops for geared applications with IS-style brake caliper tabs welded on to the chain stays. This saves some weight but according to Ritchey marketing manager Sean Coffey, it also makes for a softer ride since the seat stays can now be a little thinner and smaller.
Claimed weight for a medium frame is 2.02kg (4.47lb) and retail price is set at US$1,100.
Going along with the new P-27.5 frame are new WCS Vantage II Alloy wheels with 20mm-wide (internal measurement), tubeless-ready alloy rims and aluminum hubs that are convertible between 9mm and 15mm fitments up front and 135mm and 142mm standards out back. Claimed weight for 27.5" size is 1,587g per pair while the 29" version is 1,768g – there will be no 26" option.
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Retail price is US$799 per pair while the matching low-knob WCS Shield tires will add another US$69 apiece.
Rounding out the 27.5" package is a new rigid all-carbon fiber fork with a one-piece carbon crown and steerer, bonded-in round legs, carbon dropouts, and carbon fiber post-mount brake tabs. As with the Vantage II Alloy wheels, there will also be a 29" version but no 26" variant. Claimed weights are just 615g (1.36lb) for the 27.5" fork and an extra 10g for the 29er. Retail price is US$499 and all of the new 27.5" bits will be available beginning in November.
Heaps of new components
Naturally, Ritchey has bolstered the 2013 range with gobs of other new components, too.
Highlighting the range is the new Superlogic collection for the road, which includes a new molded carbon fiber stem and lightweight handlebar. According to Coffey, the Superlogic stem's large-diameter extension makes it nearly as stiff as PRO's monstrous Vibe Sprint model but nearly half the weight at just 125g for a 110mm length. Retail price is an expectedly heady US$299 and Ritchey will offer it in 90-130mm lengths.
The new 125g Superlogic stem
The matching Superlogic carbon fiber drop bar is now the lightest in Ritchey's road range at just 195g, utilizing the familiar Evo-Curve semi-anatomic bend with its slightly backswept tops, relatively short 75mm reach, and shallow 128mm drop. Retail price is US$319 and it will be available in 38-44cm (c-c) widths.
Ritchey is finally addressing recent trends in the mountain bike market with a new Trail collection, which focuses more on strength and stiffness than absolute light weight. That being said, the new WCS C220 Trail forged aluminum stem is still quite light at a claimed 115g for a 70mm length but with the extra beef required of 5-6"-travel rigs. Ritchey has also tweaked the 31.8mm-diameter handlebar clamp with a 220-degree wraparound instead of the road version's 260-degree layout for easier installation of riser bars.
Available lengths will range from 60-110mm and retail price is US$99.
Pairing with the new Trail stems are new carbon and alloy Rizer and 2X flat bars with widths up to 740mm and weights ranging from 180-276g depending on model. The 2X flat bars will feature a clever flip-flop design that offers 5mm of drop or rise depending on the orientation in order to provide more sizing flexibility.
Prices for all of the Trail bars vary from US$85-170 while the 2X family will stretch from US$65-200.
Rounding out the Trail range are new seatposts, too, with updated reversible two-bolt heads with 5mm or 25mm of offset and optional Selle Italia Monolink compatibility that will carry across most of the Ritchey family. Tuned flex patterns on the carbon version supposedly make for a smoother ride, too.
The US$109 alloy model will be available in 27.2mm and 31.6mm diameters while the US$220 carbon version adds an extra 30.9mm size. Both are offered exclusively in 400mm lengths.
