This Bike Defies Categories 🤯

[@ritcheydesign]

Glad you enjoyed the ride, Russ! You nailed it with the description as a mountain touring bike. Thanks for take the time with this!

[@ericpmoss]

Totally -- in Europe, with good trains that handle bikes decently, one can take it on the train to the head of a river valley and tour downhill until it's time to train it to the next river valley. In between, there are always lots of "roads" that... aren't exactly that. Lots of camping options open up.

[@yumyumhungry]

If I were building up a different tour divide bike this would be on my shortlist for frame sets.

[@slantedorbit]

Does the curved fork also add compliance or is that more about strength at the crown or something else? I always assumed that a unicrown fork could be straight because there was little if any compliance with that size tubing.

[@agunlogisteam]

Mountain Touring Bike I see what you did there... 🧐

[@innocentiuslacrim2290]

That is a really fun looking bike.

[@trwilliams22]

Always happy to see anything Ritchey. All the respect for Tom Ritchey and his company.

[@bensieber657]

As everyone is discovering through this "gravel" trend, some of the "best" all around, do everything bikes are basically old-school steel mountain bikes. The lesson Surly has been preaching for years.

[@brendenwestin8785]

Agreed. I'd be interested in comparing it to my Surly Ogre with comparable components.

[@tve1964]

Yeah. And I still ride mine 30 years on. I rarely get out on it without having folks eye-ball it with a smile. Of course since I've ridden it a lot during those years I've had to change quite a few parts, but the frame and fork are what makes this bike very versatile today just like when I bought it new. I ride it on almost everything and many different use cases: from good single-tracks (it's not pleasant to ride on rocky/rooted whashed out terrain), urban communtes, to cyclo-camping as a loaded tourer. It ain't slow either on the road fitted with slicks when I ride party pace with other cyclotourists. Steel R531 frame + Tange fork. So if I had the same age I had when I bought mine, I'd bo for one of those Ritcheys. It's undoubtedly better than mine with disk brakes allowing wider choice of rims and tires (mine is 26". Thanks to Rene Herse I can fit it with good tires, which are becoming hard to find on those wheel sizes.

[@fastandcurious]

Yes, exactly. I retromodded my 94 GT Tequesta to exactly that. 1x11, Ritchey Kyote with innerbarends, modern tires, ... I love it. Now it will become a mullet with a longer 28/29 fork, front disc brakes and a 27.5 or 29 front wheel.

[@Abandoned_Brane]

My 1986 diamondback ascent still serves me well. I was doing trails long before any of these young hipsters were a gleam in their pappy's eye.

[@andyballentine9171]

Mine is a 1988 Schwinn Mesa Runner!

[@livinglegend629]

Wow I’m so glad I found this video, this is exactly the kind of frame I’m looking for and had no idea this existed. Thanks for the review!

[@TobinGeorgeWashington]

Another superb qualitative and technical review. Thank you Russ and Laura - for all that you do for us in the non-competitive community of cycling.

[@jerichocruzado]

Got my Ascent frameset because of this video! Time to slowly accumulate the parts. Thanks for the vid!

[@slowwerthensnot]

I think really light casing tires also aggravate that self steer, auto steer feeling

[@snafu0o0o]

I really love the looks of it. Never expected to like a pastel red/orange + anodized purple soooo much. It also just looks so fun and useful that I’d love to ride one of these.

[@mistermatsuda]

I ride a vintage Bridgestone MB right now but in the market for this one to be my final bike purchase (says everyone). Thank you for the review, enjoyed it very much.

[@leehyatt76]

I really like this frame! Flexible enough to do what I want it to do. Also didn’t know that 650B was the same as 27.5 in so thanks for teaching me that!

[@jackiegammon2065]

I thought I was the only one in the universe that still preferred traditional cable routing outside of the frame HA! I also think that this bike would be a good one to add to my stable, thanks for shairng!

[@johnmckenzie5707]

A while back i set up my gravel bike with an alt bar and it remained that way since. Its really an allround kinda set up.

[@astro61362]

I am an All-City guy. But, I sure wouldn't mind taking a look at these Ritchey bikes! They all look pretty sweet!

[@matthewtmcdonough]

Best explanation of self steering I have heard. Thank you

[@markroberts6971]

Very good explanations of geometry, climbing/descent, feel vs equipment/geometries. Very well done. Thank you.

[@velodjk2975]

Great review and I totally agree with the Rivendell comparison. For me as a commuter and sometime bike packer, any bike I can picture with racks and fenders gets my approval.

[@paddyredbeard]

Great review, and I don't think I'd disagree with any of it. I set mine up with the Venturemax originally and used it for bike camping and some all-day riding on steep & rough terrain. Then switched to some Crust Loose bars and rode in the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo mtb race (though I wouldn't say I was really racing 😆). And now I'm feeling tempted to switch back to drops for a little while. It just works so well both ways!

[@vwdiesel101]

I love your channel, the industry is so focused on making us buy new things its un believable. I own a road bike, gravel and mountain. I do not race, have to wonder if I would just be better off with a steel bike with big fat tires!

[@crevasse5396]

Funny you should say that. The other day I took off my 29x2.35s and put some 27.5x2.8s on my bikepacking hardtail and as a shakeout ride rode it on many of the same gnarly trails I usually ride my full suspension. In one of the worst sections I usually tell everyone riding with me that I hate, I was saying to myself this is actually pretty comfortable. Way more hook up, way more cush. Can't wait to take it on a bikepacking trip over the CO high passes where I felt under tired before. I probably could ditch my full suspension as this bike is vastly more versatile.

[@vitoonto]

That build is pretty awesome!

[@ashurany]

I don't think it's confusing at all. I think you defined it in another vid as an ATB. Its versatility makes it good for touring/gravel/mtb/knock around town/fun road riding.

[@he1z]

Every time i see a new video on your channel, im realizing more and more that my 2016 salsa fargo with a 2x10 sram gx setup just managed to get everything right. 28-42 chainrings, 11-36 wheel for unloaded cycling, 11-42 wheel for touring. Cable disc brakes, mudguard and a kickstand. specialized pizza rack at front with small paniers, rando bag and a carradice camper longflap in the back. The sliding dropouts are also great for changing from touring mode to something more suitable for a ride with your roadie friends.

[@kdstoffel7574]

Handling gets weird at low psi because the tire lacks structure. Heavier tires with more robust sidewalls don’t do that.

[@DinnerForkTongue]

That's why I tend to go with the hardest tires I can buy. Last month I went on a ride and the wheels were at half my usual pressure, but the only issue I had was it was harder to pedal.

[@jerry2968]

it reminds of a mountain bike i had back in the 80's

[@davidbee9563]

I once had a Bombtrack Beyond adventure bike. With 700x50's and all the mounts, oversized brakes for loaded touring. But more bike than I could use. I replaced it with a Marin Muirwoods with the Rasta paint job. Similar but not as heavy duty. Good to see some companies thinking outside the box.

[@roadbikecommuter5355]

same thing with my kona sutra ltd, which was an overkill of a bike for my needs...

[@markroberts6971]

Sounds like a great ATB.

[@simonorr594]

I’d love some merch like a cycling t shirt from your channel. I have a couple of technical fabric t shirts, but think a path less pedaled model would be cool

[@ksjogo]

I have been riding mine on some rooty flow trails with 29 and drop bars without any issue (apart from potentially hitting the mud guard on some rolling drops when you don't push enough). With snow and ice on the trails I got some wild looks from MTBers. You (or at least I) definitely can't match the speed of wide handlebar + proper suspension, but I don't think the bike will ever not get me downhill apart from crazy stone gardens. Now using the mounts and a front rack to prepare it for a multiday bikepacking trip.

[@RobertWilliams-ox4hz]

I have the previous version of this. I absolutely love it.

[@JakeLuke308]

That was a great review. Love the idea of a mountain touring bike. In 2011 I had a bike built for just that purpose. The Ascent is lighter, has better tire clearance and has a 1x12. Outside of that we're looking at the same idea, same bike. Love it. And yes the one word to describe it's ride is smooth.

[@jeanjeudi1111]

I totally agree with you, this bike is just right in the first place. You can add panniers is you want, it's just a great platform, the right frame, the right fork, basically nice math.

[@tauncfester3022]

Our shop sold Ritchey , back in 1989, I believe it was the an Ascent, long before the Ritchey Logic with their nonsense rims. It was running a fork with generous fork length and clearance for wider tires front and rear. Cantilevers and Shimano XT 21 speed SP Biopace chain rings. We didn't sell a lot as we also carried Nishiki's and Haro's Cunningham designed high end, elevated chain stay stupidity. The entire Cunningham series of bikes were brutally stiff, and were torture on rough gravel.

[@rubo1964]

Thanks I will just ride my old Rockhopper with fraction of cost! Funny how clock is going backwards.This is basically 90's steel mountain bike.

[@saintless]

Chainstay length ruins it for me.. too bad it didn't have a system like the Soma Wolverine where you have some adjustment to suite preference. The Ascent is feeling like a bit of a touring bike that I wouldn't want to tour on. What an amazing build though... that's a lot of bling.

[@Cloxxki]

I run such bars with around 1-1.5" of rise, as a dropper rather than a riser. The narrow position is ergonomically correct being laterally slanted, to bend the elbow and get down under the wind nicely. It's done great for me in XC racing actually, even with cheap (don't try at home) city bike bars flipped upside down. Similar to road drop bars, depending on your frame, fork and steerer length, you might need a riser stem to get the outer hand position hight enough for all-day cruising. I've felt that being out of shape makes me want to have my bars way higher even on 50 minute flat road rides.

[@soundbites1152]

I own the 2016 version of the Ritchey Ascent. I noticed @ 1:43 that there is a chip in the paint/powder coating on the seat stay. That is my #1 complaint with my Ascent. The finish is way too soft and not durable at all. It scratches and flakes and pits really easily. None of my other steel bikes from various manufacturers have this issue. The Ritchey framesets would highly benefit from a clear coat at the factory. For anyone considering these, clear coat it yourself before you build it up. I wish I had known. My .02

[@crevasse5396]

I've had lots of steel bikes and the best 2 were literally chromed. A 1984 Ross Mt Whitney, one of the first mountain bikes. And a 2004ish Jamis Quest. Neither suffered a chip in the time I owned them. I've since moved to brushed titanium as you can take an SOS pad and rub out any scratch. My ancient Litespeed Arenberg became resurrected into a modernish (10 years ago!) 16 lb road bike after taking the pad to it and made it look brand new. It still does. TI FTW and there are options out there (gotta remove the middleman!) that are similar in price to steel and IMO better by any measure.

[@liamstraub3394]

the geo and style is much like a like a late 80s MTB, no wonder people love it lol

[@zoladkow]

funny how many various brands have/had an Ascent model. i own a 1996 DB Ascent and it rocks bike touring... i mean the frame, because the rest was replaced over the years 😅 but lessons learned - don't go buying a Trek 520 unless in a hurry and desperate need to give away some money - buy and refubrish an old mtb, take your time, experiment - nothing off the shelf will beat such personalization

[@tampabayrider]

This is an absolutely gorgeous bike. But that being said, I can't wrap my brain around spending the same money I have into my Remedy on what's just an MTB from the 80's with a wide range group, disc brakes and boost hubs. I get the appeal of a simple bike, that's why I have an old Cannondale I built up like this Ritchey... But for like $400. I still like looking at the boutique stuff though, hah.

[@OriginalGabriel]

2:18 Hot Shot (and on the seat stay, no less), FTW! My favorite rear light, and my favorite mount point (on my gravel bike at least, since I'm often riding with my Revelate seat bag)

[@glidealong1171]

Nice review Russ. I have a friend who loves and rides his old Paramount lugged steel 80's MTB that has longish chain stays and runs 26 x2.3 tires. He named it DEB for do everything bike and uses it anywhere except real MTB trails and Roadie rides.

[@olik136]

turns out I missed about 20 years of "biking trends" and now a normal-ass bike is something special

[@bimmerbent]

Trends that improved nothing but total weight. If I could buy this frame with a 20 year old dropouts, I would buy two.

[@grayareauk]

This is a really appealing bike, kind of like a disk braked, tig welded cheaper, Rivendell ...

[@grayareauk]

Comment made before reaching the end of the video!

[@SurpriseMeJT]

I have the previous generation Ascent and I run it with the Kyote bars. Your characterisation of it being an up to date Rivendell is exactly what I am thinking when I ride the Ascent. It's a bike simply to enjoy bike riding almost anywhere for any length of time.

[@sertaoexpedicoes]

Amazing bike! Great description.

[@CultureCompassTV]

I like the handlebars. Looks like a slightly more relaxed riding mountain bike.

[@MonoLake02]

Nice review. I wish Ritchey offered this one as a complete build. I have had the Ascent frame in my garage for about 4 or 5 months and I still don’t have any parts. The wheels are due to arrive from Hunt soon, but I can’t find a group set or the proper stem. I have a PNW dropper post though. Some day I will be able to feel that smoove ride, but in the mean time, I will have to take your word for it…

[@SiopaoSauc3]

Imo, it's part of the bike's ethos that Ritchey doesn't dictate a way it should be built. The bike is so versatile that it can handle the different ways people want to build and ride it.

[@MonoLake02]

@@SiopaoSauc3 Understood. No problem with the philosophy or with Ritchey. I just want to ride my new bike ! Bike parts are like toilet paper was at the beginning of the pandemic - very scarce. I am glad that I have a few other bikes to ride while I am waiting. Thanks for the reply…

[@ChrisinOSMS]

I like those north road bars.

[@nationaltrails9585]

Thought it was a "Throwback Bike" at first, has some nice features. Being an older guy, I've been trying out different size riser bars, looking for the comfortable ride.

[@anniebikes7002]

The Kyote bars have made a big difference in comfort on my mb.

[@knife1406]

really trying to decide between this and the outback for my dream bike set up, I might go with this just because of the steel fork though.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Yeah. The steel fork and higher stack are some of the biggest diff.

[@thomaslindblom9905]

Thank you. You made me want one!

[@tornagawn]

My immediate reaction was “that looks like an old school original steel Ritchey MTB” The originals, Rockhopper, Cannondale etc were extensively used for touring as they were great all round bikes. No niche category of downhill, XC,trail, gravel, smooth with some loose stuff, fine gravel etc….. Just roads and tracks.

[@DinnerForkTongue]

Pretty much. That's essentially how I use my hardtail nowadays, as it has a very generalistic geometry. Tarmac, concrete, dirt trail, anything is a go. And if someone asks "why hardtail?", the pavement over here sucks balls.

[@Trehugindrtlvr1]

I've never built a bike in my life, but building out one of these to the specs you have must make it one of the most 'US Made' bikes you can have!

[@charlesblithfield6182]

This bike has almost the same geometry and features as my 86 Rockhopper except spacing is 126/100 it’s cantilever and the tubes are slightly thinner.

[@markowsley4954]

Nice bike and review. It looks similar to the Salsa Fargo which is a bike I love. While looking at touring bikes for sale online today I saw a surly lht for sale that had a party pace sticker on the down tube. Unfortunately the frame was way too small for me. 😎

[@djbayr9516]

Very cool looking bike!

[@atirat7388]

I would say it is what I refer to as cross bike. Mix of trekking bike and MTB. I would find the alt bar pretty weird with it.

[@alextorresphoto]

Sounds pretty supple. I like.

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Great video Russ. Thanks.

[@yamiteru4376]

I have a very similar bike. It's basically something between XC and Gravel. Mine is full carbon tho.

[@danvee4523]

I feel like supppppple tires over 42 you start getting vague and weird handling and a good psi is a smaller window.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I'd say over 48 and things get weird sooner than later.

[@2scoops624]

What a good looker! Baller components is right, Paul components, Phil wood, white industries, made in America goodness. I think I have a bike obsession problem....

[@Dave435l]

I thought the same thing then laughed at the standard deore derailleur

[@TheBikeSauce]

Great to finally watch this! 😆

[@gilerd77]

Sorta reminds me of the VO Piolet, but the Richey appears to have a higher stack. The VO, IMO, is best with a nice wide swept flat bar. That purple velo 🍊 is my besty for life I'm sure this Richey is just as fun!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Testing the Piolet right now. Similar but different. VO is much lower trail.

[@gilerd77]

@@PathLessPedaledTV indeed. I have a big ol "pizza rack" and bag on fork to balance that out. Can't wait to see your review! Thanks for your work.

[@DeanNovi]

Enjoyed your video. Is the frame powder-coated? Made in Taiwan or USA?

[@shaymtbrider7244]

Beautiful bike

[@klarkolofsson]

Good ol' American bike.

[@shawnwakeman6324]

Great review! This is definitely the bike I want.

[@benc8386]

Quite rad yet trad.

[@chungeunkim6262]

Thanks for the great review. I've been binge watching your videos! How would you compare this with Tumbleweed Stargazer or Otso Fenrir? It feels like they belong to somewhat similar category.

[@SeanKWhite-lk5zf]

Cool bike and great review.

[@scottstocking6935]

Gear Ratio's. You very seldom mention gear ratios or gear inches. I realize that tires and gears can be swapped out relatively easily changed but it would be nice to know what the bike comes with from the Factory. Love your channel Russ!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

The bike is sold frame only. Gearing is up to you.

[@dillontanksley5339]

Love the video! I'm considering buying an Ascent, but having trouble deciding between a small vs. medium frame. I'm 5'6. Is there any guidance that you could offer having ridden the bike? Thank you.

[@rorydavis]

How does this bike frame compare to the poseidon redwood? I'm trying to set up a gravel/touring bike and these seem to be kind of what I'm looking for.

[@roberthunter5398]

Hey Russ, hey gues, i just wanted to be a little combative. "Stick with it" .... Come on guys, don't let 26inch die. Russ you must remember the party pace of 26inch. I enjoy the touing community and a lot are stating that 26inch is getting hard to find. Even in the third world. You have even spoken about this. Am i alone in wanting to keep 26inch. Come on guys lets pump 26inch wheels up again.

[@Barry101er]

Wow! Super bike.

[@Joerides7]

Very nice, but yet another bike I'd love to have but can't find.

[@timlagas]

I ride a Ritchey Ascent with the Venturemax since a few months. I rode a Kona ULTD before but I find that bike to slugisch. I am 6.2" / 189 cm and I ride a XL. I am thinking about converting it to a flatbar using the Kyote. I have done some measurements and it seems like the frame is bit so short for me for a flatbar setup. Important to note is that i like to ride a short stem max 70/80mm. I use a 50mm stem with the Venturemax XL. To convert it will be a small investment of about 300 euro / 350 dollars. I am not sure if that price is worth the experiment. Any thoughts on this specific topic?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Get a long stem or use a bar like the Kyote.

[@Exgrmbl]

plot twist: it's an upsized mid 80s- early 90s MTB.

[@chrthiel]

It really is. All it's lacking is a 3x drive train

[@Exgrmbl]

@@chrthiel I'm not even sure that i'm joking. I've known someone that had a rocky mountain bike back then that looked pretty much exactly like this, but in 26 and without the massively oversized clearance. Still would take 2.25" wheels tho.

[@Aubreykun]

Post-credits plot twist: It's a cruiser for people who don't live in flatlands

[@JoeSiegfried]

Do you know of any tire makers who use a surface with small round bumps like on a basketball? It seems to me it would make an excellent type reducing actual surface contact while providing a smooth ride? This bike looks awesome, just what i might be looking for. Thanks for all you do!

[@manwithhair88]

The Diamant 136 is similar to this bike - for the European watchers

[@harrie205]

1:20 As an engineer i can assure you that no one wants „compliance“ anywhere near a bearing (like in the head tube)

[@RayRay-dr7og]

how would you compare this ritchey to a crust gravel/all rounder style bike?

[@briand8862]

Sounds a lot like a Salsa Fargo, maybe just a little lighter, costing a little more, with slightly less mountainbike like geometry.

[@ElDiabl0187]

That’s a nice bike

[@Schlem]

Needs a Jones bar!

[@AlanMairson]

The Ascent’s maximum approved weight capacity - rider, racks & cargo - is 242 pounds (!), per an email I just received from Ritchey. Isn’t that incredibly low? Or is this simply the trade off for a steel frame that’s lighter than, say, comparable Surly bikes?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

That’s the trade off. LHT has more weight capacity but rides dead.

[@martinaxe6390]

Well that writes it off for me. At 230 lbs, water bottles and a large saddle bag would nearly put me there.

[@gillonblank]

How does this bike compare to the Surley Ghost Whisperer?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Complete opposite.

[@paullucas7570]

Excellent review with clear, precise information and yet nuanced! How’d you do that?? 👍

[@cibulino8604]

Thanks for the great review! But how wide are your Kyote Bars?

[@queenkapiolani8994]

How does the Ascent ride compare to Surly Bridge Club ?

[@jefftoonstra5087]

I’m building a BBC Thunderhawk that has shorter chai stays but I hope the B17 saddle and 50 mm tires avoids the punch in the butt sensation 😂😂😂

[@jfspurlin1]

I'd like to try it with VO Crazy Bars on it.

[@bertb3731]

love the review! 😀

[@walkwithmetravel3596]

Tom Ritchey is such a smart guy. I wish I could sell all my bikes to get this bike. I probably could, but I'm too lazy. It looks like an old bike.

[@mandowebster8728]

I left this video and went straight to the Ritchey website to check out frames. That orange is good but the Team Edition in the classic paint scheme is just awesome. How would you build it up?

[@DirtyHairHaloCrowe]

Seriously considering this frame, but I'm not sure about the sizing at 5'10". I'm leaning towards the medium. You said you were riding a medium Ascent. What is your height? And how did you feel the bike fit you in terms of size?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

5’9 29 inseam. Fits great.

[@chrispotts6727]

It's an mtb it's flexible just like many others.

[@paulbigbee]

Thinking of the singletrack switchbacks, how's the toe overlap?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I had no issues with that tire.

[@GeekonaBike]

I wasn't a fan of purple ano the first time around & it hasn't grown me over the last 30 yrs.

[@AndersKeisHansen]

Great video! Just a heads-up your sticker store did not work, when i tried, got a 404 page not found on all i clicked

[@stepantzov]

what is the handle bar here?