After almost five years since the bike’s production debut, Tom Ritchey’s classic steel road bike gets an update for 2018. Most of the classic tech remains, as do the small unique Ritchey touches on the TIG welded frame. But the new steel Road Logic frame and matching full carbon WCS-level fork both get slightly expanded tire clearances for even more versatility. The new Skyline Blue frameset is available on its own so you can build it as you wish, but Ritchey has also added a new Comp 105-level complete build to make it even more affordable to get on a modern steel classic. Check the details & pricing for both frameset & complete bike after the break…
Road Logic steel road bike frameset
Inside the frame itself Tom Ritchey designed a completely new heat-treated & triple-butted steel Ritchey Logic tubeset (bringing this up to the 3rd iteration of the tubing) that incorporates shorter butted sections at the joints. Ritchey says this has both lowered the overall weight of the frameset and imparted an even more lively ride, all while not affecting costs. The bike carries over the forged, then machined headtubes that let them directly drop in a set of 1 1/8″ WCS bearings while maintaining the classic small diameter tubing look (and trimming off 80g of headset cups.)
Besides updating the tubing, tire clearance was a driver of the design overhaul. The old Road Logic was already generous clearing most 28mm tires, but the new bike gets extra room for true 30mm rubber, when used with brakes that match the clearance.
Comp Road Logic complete steel road bike
The complete bike was built up to satisfy direct feedback from shops looking for a more affordable finishing kit then the previous generation’s Ultegra. With a new Shimano 105 group & compact road gearing, paired with a set of Ritchey Comp Zeta II wheels and 27mm Tom Slick tires, it should be plenty capable for all road surfaces & budgets. Ritchey finishes out the bike with their Comp-level alloy cockpit components that do a solid job of matching the performance of their WCS kit at a relatively small weight penalty. The complete bike opts for slightly narrower tires to stick with Ritchey offerings since their road tires essentially jump from 27mm up to 35mm. The standard 105 dual-pivot brakes though will comfortably clear a 30mm tire, so many riders will end up sticking a little fatter rubber in there.
The new Road Logic is rim brake only, and is available six standard frame sizes from 49-59cm. (Those looking for disc brakes and even more clearance will find both in the Ascent or Swiss Cross, although curiously we don’t see the Outback available?) The frameset including the 1770g (55cm) frame, fork, headset & integral seatpost clamp retails for $1180/1300€. You can even add a Heritage fade or camo paintjob in the US for an extra $450.
The Comp Road Logic complete bike at a claimed 8.7kg/19.2lb (55cm) with its 105 groupset & Ritchey Comp cockpit sells for $2200/2400€ (EU pricing, including VAT.) Both have already made their way out to dealers, so check in with your local shop to get one today.
