Restoring a Vintage 1991 Ritchey Ultra Mountain Bike

[@thomaseisen304]

This never gets old , you see an old part full of dirt , grime and stuff , clean it up and it's good to go for the next 20 years ! Then you know that those parts were made with heart and soul ! Just seeing the old Shimano STX RC steering bearing bring back so many memories . So for all the folks out there who think it's not worth it to restore a bike like this ...YOU are missing out ! THX Oldshovel for this video and have fun with that old beauty !

[@miltono.1152]

Last year I bought a cheap bike because I didn't know better. I started watching you fix and restore bikes and decided to invest in tools, and upgraded my bike, I swapped almost everything because they were just low quality parts, making a bunch of different noises and wanted to experience doing it myself. Now I use it more than ever, super smooth riding, and I'm even fixing bikes for people at my Church, please keep making this kind of videos, it gives much more than you think, God bless you!

[@josephhertzberg2734]

I love my Ritchey Logic cranks!!

[@marshallaver693]

Agree painting this would be crazy it has a beautiful light patina that shows its history... Refinishing it would wipe all that away.......survivors like this will be rarer than full restorations.

[@felixjackson2670]

One of the nicest steel framed MTB’s ever made. Built a Cannondale with Campagnolo Centaur groupset in late 1980’s. Very well engineered. The XT stuff was far better back then than now! Love your passion for these wonderful old bikes.

[@alfredneuman7665]

to clean bottom bracket threads, I take a 12 gauge brass cleaning brush in an electric drill, and run it both directions, works really well (with solvent)

[@matt_squires_og]

It's a beauty - cant believe you took it out in the snow and muck =)

[@gilerd77]

Ahh the flite saddles of old. With the old school riding geometry and saddles like that back in the day, it helped being 100 lbs lighter 😁

[@bjoernbrandt5497]

Thank you for your great work and thank you for not playing much background music in your video and just letting the pure mechanics speak!

[@JoshuaYoungsma]

what a great find! I love that you kept it original for the most part and just wanted to ride it. Great winter riding footage too!

[@ride_of_a_life1830]

Nice job! Recently found the channel and love watching. I am a bike shop owner and have been a bike mechanic for 31 years. Still love anything bike, both new and old. If my memory serves me correctly, that Alsop Suspension Stem would be period correct, and was a staple parts on Team Ritchey bikes in the early 90's!

[@MrSchattka]

Thanks for another awesome video. My steel-frame MTB from the same era has the same bullet-proof 3X7 shifters. They're 30 years old but work flawlessly.

[@badger67]

Me too mate, and I wouldn't change them for the world.

[@thingsilike7341]

I love that no matter the project you put true effort in and you do the process right. It is truly a pleasure to watch

[@komoonkh]

New Oldshovel video = instant like before even watching it.

[@isaachazim3589]

I'd take that bike ! as is, over a $5,000.- carbon monstrosity any day ! Awesome ! 👍👍👍

[@scotthughes29]

I’ve got two Bridgestone MTB’s from this same era, same forks…and I absolutely love them. Great find!

[@jakefinnegan1932]

It would be cool to see the original stem in action! It really ties this bike together. Love your music choice, btw.

[@garymoen930]

I love this. I've got a 87 Ritchie Enduro that I still love to take out and ride. True classics. Thanks for reminding me again why I'm glad I've kept it all these years.

[@johnthemainguy9059]

Fantastic! Those Ritchey's are almost as special as Bontrager's. 😉 Thank you for not putting 3' wide bars on it and saving it for another generation of riders.

[@marcelocastrolapocha]

You kept the TRIPLE!!!!

[@johnnydoe66]

Once again another fantastic opportunity to give something "old" new life....good job keeping it "original"

[@quantumskg4742]

Your channel makes me a little happier. Thanks.

[@jamesrigby2271]

Another wonderful find! I agree with Hassler and others... keep and protect the original paint/pattina. I'd say its worth a gentle polish of the crank, a better condition Flight saddle and that STX part on the headset is out of place. Best video in ages, old school Old Shovel - 🙂

[@RyansuBike]

Oh that stubborn non drive side bb cup! I have struggled with those on old bike refurbs, gorgeous Ritchey and great parts. Fun!

[@8827180]

So much love and passion for this great vintage bike.

[@michaelhaney3388]

I have a 1984 Competition fillet brazed Tom Ritchy handmade frame. Will build it up 2024.

[@oldshovel]

Wow awesome. I’m still on the hunt for a fillet brazed Ritchey. Awesome

[@michaelhaney3388]

@@oldshovel Mine is a 21inch frameset I bought from a pro 10 years ago, He said he won 3 races back in 85,86. I can keep my eyes out for a fillet brazed Ritchey, Here in socal I've seen Ritcheys.

[@Fallington]

Awesome, and that’s quite a location for the test ride too!

[@Mikemalone7873]

Awesome Rob! Pre-hyper glide and all. Those XT derailleurs we’re looking for those thumb shifters. It’s only original once and I think you got it as close as possible. Thanks for sharing!

[@abhaychoudhary2790]

Thanks!

[@bozstitch]

Another great job. Man, you are so lucky to live where you do. That scenery is awesome!

[@ilves6664]

Awesome! And Spring is coming..Even here in Finland ..

[@saipuakivikaupias]

Love that you kept the paint original on this one Rob. Early 90s bikes are my personal favorite. Love the rigid simple bikes. Love Eme & Gary

[@iQuincyboy]

Please do not paint this one, keep it well-maintained just as it is. As always - a stellar job!

[@BICIeCOMPUTERconGabriele]

Our just paint it like the original color

[@nightkids4687]

Agree. This is awesome bike. Make it original as possible...

[@GABRIEL_CRAFT]

Please don't paint this one 🙏

[@evanbyrne4433]

Its only original once@@BICIeCOMPUTERconGabriele

[@lukehendrickson3669]

I just sold my 2014-ish Ritchey Swiss Cross Canti and bought a Japanese-made Ritchey Ascent from 1985. Damn dude. I get the hype about these older mountain bikes. I also love ditching the 1x drivetrain and using a mountain triple. This rips up steep stuff and is super fun to cruise around on here in San Francisco. Stoked to hit Marin with it soon, too.

[@fasterducky]

The 90s were the best years for mountain biking.

[@byrondot]

As always, an amazing work! I think that there are a couple brands that their frames has a soul,and Ritchey bikes is one of those brands.All that this beauty was needing is a coat of love, and will be ready to meet the mountain as you showed us. Great video, and thatks for share it with all us. Big hug!

[@vernerjuliussen2071]

Truly a significant upgrade for the brake and gear levers. A perfect mix of old and new components on this bike. Fantastic build.🤙

[@WantonSoup192]

Beautiful. I have a slightly older Ultra also in Black with stock deore xt. Same m732 you put on. Bulletproof shifters. Brakes down low like your Ascent. Such fun bikes. Lightweight, agile. Lively without punishing you. Nice to see you do the resto to close to original parts. Yes go ride it.

[@paolocarta8075]

Great video great bike and awsome ride landscape.i own a 2023 rigid singlespeed ultra.i m in love with her.my very first Ritchey bike.a dream came true.un abbraccio dall italia.grazie per il tuo lavoro.CIAO! Paolo

[@thegrommechanic6265]

nice too see that you kept the 3x it really gives a wild look to the bike

[@Simtar123]

Bikes are just so nice! Simple and efficient! Easy to fix and maintain.

[@mountainsnmoore256]

Crazy how things like this work out...I have been restoring my dad's mountain bike that he bought in the early 90's, when he retired, for his upcoming 77th birthday. It uses this same type of brake pad, and I had been having trouble finding this exact type. I get up this morning and decide to watch your latest video, rather than continue my search for the pads...and BAM! There they were. Went through the link in your description and found them on Jenson USA's site in no time. Will be placing my order soon. Thanks!

[@caesar2164]

NICE! That's a Campagnolo Euclid crankset. (Campagnolo made MTB groupsets in the 90s) It's rare and cool! (It's also quite valuable!)

[@caesar2164]

Those brakes are very interesting. They're obviously Campagnolo as well, but they don't look like the Euclid geometry...

[@MrJonas2255]

Anything mountain from campy is pretty rare, they didn't stick with it very long

[@BrianSJoe21]

Really nice bike, love the old bikes.. would love to get one

[@Jaydad4701]

I had the same stem on my 89 Specialized S Works back then it was a game changer! Yes I’m old

[@jasondunlap9823]

Awesome. Back in the day. What a great find. Enjoyed!

[@LeFrere72]

That was a blast from the past! Tom Ritchey knows how to build a frame (riding a road logic myself). I'm amazed you got the BB bearings up and running again - well done 👌🏻

[@underacheiver2000]

Another Sunday morning well spent watching Old Shovel breathe new life into old steel.

[@kimdavis5522]

Back in the day I always wanted a Ritchey bike.

[@aaronwaderides7209]

Man you sound just me all the time deep rooted love for bikes .

[@jackiegammon2065]

That was about the time frame that I started working at bike shops, and I've always wanted a Ritchey frame!! Just loved watching this video and had never seen the Campy mtn bike group, thanks for sharing!!

[@noelbrown6771]

I have a bike exactly like this bike without the Ritchey graphics. An original KHS team with the Ritchey logic tubeset ( decals intact) only tig welded instead of brazed. Rides wonderfully. Perhaps you could look for one of these to experience the Ritchey ride on the cheap as I've done. Just a thought.

[@GABRIEL_CRAFT]

So glad you kept the original paintwork. Coming from auto detail background you can do paint touchup / correction and the ceramic coating and maintain this original paint work. It really is in too good of condition to start over and lose this original paint work. Would really be a shame in my humble opinion.

[@MorryB]

Yeah, its sometimes painful to see vintage paint being stripped only to be replaced with spray can coatings. Would be more interesting to see someone fixing the chips and scrapes and then sealing the old coating like you said.

[@eucalyptusregnans7741]

I agree. I would prefer the original paint and decals preserved.

[@philjungels7617]

I love your "Project" bikes. As always, a real treat.

[@Jinedan]

I need to ride a 90s steel hardtail again ... what a terrific bike you scored!

[@cbh76]

Wow. This brings back memories. Always loved these.

[@badger67]

What a gorgeous bike.

[@williampike5173]

I really enjoy these videos from the music to the build. I have been doing some bike builds myself, but they take more than 20 minutes..haha. keep up the great work! love to see these old classics back on the road. thanks again old shovel.

[@walterpierowski7976]

I used to have a softride stem on a 92 trek 830, loved it. So much fun!

[@p1010paul]

I love how you joined that chain old school, keep it real!

[@marcpauly8699]

What a find! Dream bike!

[@nickmassey9104]

Great bike ,patience and time pays dividends when offering new life to old things 😀

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

I really like that you kept the old paint and what a fun bike. Yesterday I bought a 26" Doritos mtb. Yes, Doritos. Bahahaha, it's a total cheap piece of crap but I'm going to do the same you have done with this one. I'm going to have so much fun with it. ✌ COME ON SPRINGTIME

[@davedelarosa319]

Right before the world went sideways, I found a Gary Fisher Aquila that I picked up for $40. It was the 2nd bike I tore down and rebuilt complete, plus a retromod update. That frame rode a dream and the Genesis geo was a playful blast. Granted it's not the same vintage, but vintage nonetheless. And I wholeheartedly endorse riding older bikes. I sold it last summer and somewhat regret letting it go, but I was able to apply the funds to a Specialized Fatboy which I dearly love, so emotional and financial equity moved forward.

[@shawnwakeman6324]

Absolutely fantastic! What a great video. I do enjoy a nice clean up that still showcases that the bike has lived a life.

[@malcolmjcullen]

Titanium Flite, still the coolest saddles available. Got one on my Ritchey P650B, got one on my Salsa Vaya, got one on my Colnago Tecnos. Still got a couple more lying around in boxes for future use!

[@lcollingwood5959]

Reminds me a lot of my 91 green and yellow rocky mountain equipe. It has ritchey dropouts on it. Nice video

[@mjjohn7715]

Loved watching this video was thinking the same thing about painting the frame. Look forward to that video when it comes out.

[@Abandon7d]

Thank you!!!! No repaint :-)

[@johnsonjay60]

1991 is vintage now where did all the time go !? I was born in 85 but still 😆 ty for another sunday upload

[@jaimegomezgarcia7599]

A fantastic restoration! That almost complete Campagnolo set brings back wonderful memories. To keep the 3x7 drivetrain is a great idea. Also, that 48T? chainring is a beauty. (You can guess my age from the comments... :) )

[@dominichui8280]

Thanks for sharing this beautiful restoration, great bike👍

[@sonalmalhotra07]

LOVELY VIDEO. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

[@donaldfranklinjr7087]

The old bikes were made to take a abuse and keep on going great build old shovel

[@sylvol]

Very good job! The oldschool Ritchey ride better than some new bikes. Your movies and job its awesome! Ths and enjoy!

[@markanthonyespiritu3023]

Watching from Philippines!

[@jbaillie]

Your last few have been just insane 🔥🔥🔥

[@mattharding7649]

I like the videos with more commentary! Great build as always.

[@derekneumann]

You are so lucky to live next to such a plethora of bikes in the SLC area Collective. That must be awesome..... I would have bought that Ritchey on site.

[@daledubose3032]

Love it. I really want a new Ritchey Ultra

[@frog-spit-182]

beautiful bike. what a find

[@simonecozzini3318]

Hai fatto tornare in vita un pezzo di storia Complimenti 🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝👋

[@johnwilmott8063]

Really a nice classic bicycle, an excellent clean up and reconstruction. Though you might do that paint job, it certainly deserves it!🚴‍♂️

[@Basement_CNC]

agree , il love to see a raw(clearcoat bcause steel) and black decals

[@Basement_CNC]

agree , il love to see a raw(clearcoat bcause steel) and black decals

[@GrAYvTrAnE]

I have a 91' Diamond Back Sorrento in that mean teal color :). Its a lower spec, it uses a shimano GS drivetrain, but i was completely amazed that it has oval chainrings. It gets complimented by anyone who rides it.

[@СергейГромов-ю1п]

Спасибо за видео. Велосипед получился хороший, особенно переключатели на руле понравились. Смотрю все ваши видео Сам недавно собрал old mtb MARIN 1992-г

[@YuriKuzyk]

Beautiful! I think that this bike harkens back to the era where everything could still be fixed - unlike now where, if it breaks, you need to go buy a new bike...

[@drewsenthused6079]

What is the difference between your BB grease and headset grease?

[@dazzasp3]

Love these kind of builds 👍🏼

[@kleinking364]

Loving those campy record or brakes, yum

[@hardware4computer]

XT thumbshifters 👍

[@sagehiker]

I like the balanced approach you take whether to restore a bike 🚲 or to take one into this decade. Just cleaning and greasing and tuning the bike to get it a rolling test is great. Sadly some don’t survive that deep inspection. Love the enthusiasm.

[@colincurtis633]

Amazing what some cleaning, time and a bit of TLC can do to an old bike. Great work! Really love tuning in and watching these videos. How was the ride?

[@kiltymacbagpipe]

I was literally thinking the same thing as he cleaned up that drivetrain.

[@jacobskees1365]

Never underestimate the power of a clean bike

[@gerdhermannwinkelhaus9879]

Looks like my Stevens with xt and Ritchey Parts.

[@enricofaraco]

Perfect! Great back then, great now!

[@CrossFitProject]

Preserving History!!!!

[@thepedallerdoc1763]

Love the bike. 👍

[@prozacforall]

I'd never seen those campy brakes before. Crazy how much they look like Paul components style brakes. If they were anodized I would've just assumed they were.

[@petersmedley459]

Thank you for telling me what they are! I thought they looked like a Grafton Speed Controller look alike...

[@jullyanoaf]

Seu trabalho é sensacional e inspirador! 👏🏼🇧🇷

[@Papieck37]

Loving the bike and eager to see how she looks with a pair of period correct Gumwall Tires like the Terraone's

[@robertgrell486]

You have a lot of space in America 😎👍

[@RichardKrakora]

Excellent content here...those thumbies look fresh!

[@martinwakawaka5265]

Awsome Bike, very difficult to find in Germany. Love your channel , i have a bikeshop with many restaurations, bikerecycle