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Ritchey Ascent returns with modern spec, more mounts, classic adventuring spirit

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There are a lot of bikes out there. But if you want a bike that simply is up for adventure, the refreshed Ritchey Ascent is worth a look. Over the years, the bike has always kept that adventurous spirit, but now the frame has been updated for use with bigger tires and offers the ability to carry more gear to get out there and get lost.

Ritchey Ascent Ritchey Ascent rear axle

For frame updates, two of the biggest changes start at the axles. Now fitted with Boost spacing, the wider hubs allow for bigger tire clearance as well. The last Ascent frame also allowed you to choose from 27.5 or 29″ wheels and tires, but the 29″ options were limited to just 40mm wide tires. Now, you can run a full 27.5 x 2.6″ or a full 29 x 2.6″ for tons of options.

Ritchey Ascent frameset

Built from heat treated, triple butted Ritchey Logic steel tubing, the TIG-welded frame has a ton of mounts including a three pack on the downtube and one on each fork leg, in addition to the rack, fender, and dynamo mounts on the steel fork as well. Able to run 1x or 2x chainrings, the frame runs a 73mm threaded bottom bracket, a 27.2mm seat post with an external and replaceable seat post collar, and includes a replaceable derailleur hanger as well.

Frame weight it claimed to be 2400g for a large without the 12x148mm thru axle and 1125g for the fork with an uncut 1 1/8″ straight steerer tube and without the 15x110mm axle.

Ritchey Ascent complete bike

Ritchey Ascent 2021 2022 geometry

Offered in four sizes, the Ascent will be sold as a frameset for $1,299 which includes a WCS headset and thru axles. Available now.

Frame

  • Material: heat-treated, triple-butted Ritchey Logic steel tubing – TIG welded
  • Rack and fender mounts
  • Ultra-light forged and machined straight 1-1/8″ headtube
  • WCS headset included (upper IS42/28.6 – 16mm stack height | lower IS42/30)
  • BOOST 148mm spacing (12mm alloy thru-axle included)
  • Replaceable stainless-steel derailleur hanger
  • 27.2mm seat tube with replaceable seat collar (max torque setting: 6Nm)
  • Front derailleur clamp size: 28.6mm (max torque setting: 2.5Nm) – not included
  • Bottom bracket: 73mm – English threaded
  • Can accommodate 1X or 2X chainrings (Side Swing front derailleur required for double)
  • Crankset min/max ring size – single: 38t / double: 36/24t
  • External cable routing (continuous housing)
  • Bottle mounts: 2
  • Multi-purpose mount underside of downtube

Fork

  • Ritchey steel fork with multi-purpose, rack, fender and threaded crown port
  • 1-1/8″ straight steerer
  • BOOST 110mm spacing (15mm alloy thru-axle included)
  • Steerer length: 300mm
  • Axle-crown: 435mm
  • Rake/Offset: 52mm
  • Fork max payload: 3kg per side

Tire Compatibility

  • Wheel and tire compatibility: 27.5″ x 2.6″ or 29″ x 2.6″ (depending on tire/rim manufacturer)
  • Frame max spacing: 78mm
  • Fork max spacing: 78mm

Brake Compatibility

  • Post-mount brakes: 180mm max front rotor / 160mm max rear rotor

Details

  • Sizes: S / M / L / XL
  • Frame weight: 2400g (size L – w/o thru-axle)
  • Fork weight: 1125g (with uncut steerer / not including axle)
  • Color: Sierra Red

ritcheylogic.com

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14 Comments
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None Given
None Given
2 years ago

Love me some Tom Ritchey. But, how many more years are retro-grouches like me going to buy these? To that, in the past over 20 years I have never known anyone who paid MSRP for any Ritchey. They are purchased on close out from one vendor or another as a “beater” or what ever verb is used to describe it.

I used this same exact scenario to explain why we needed to sell my other halfs spare bike….simply, in no situation would she want to ride a 35lbs (XS) Alu Dual Suspension as opposed to new 23lbs RockyMountain Element with AXS…would be a quite outlandish scenario….

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  None Given

Bikes on closeout, I kinda remember when that was a thing.

carbonfodder
carbonfodder
2 years ago

instead of the “long. low and slack” approach, this bike appears to be “short, high and steep”. Marketers, start your engines. the next iteration of the next big thing is here!

Fewg8
Fewg8
2 years ago

If I remember correctly, Ritcheys have always been like this

None Given
None Given
2 years ago
Reply to  Fewg8

You remember correctly…but, thru axle….

David
David
2 years ago

It’s like they made a Trek 1120 frame out of steel.

Tim
Tim
2 years ago

Looks a lot like a mid-2000s XC 29er with a rigid fork, attachment points and Boost spacing. Not sure how many people want to go on a loaded adventure with a bike that steep.

Brian B
Brian B
2 years ago

I thought that was Pineapple Bob at first. Wait, am I dating myself here?

ap
ap
2 years ago
Reply to  Brian B

Ha, yes you are…and me as well! I still ride an MB-2, though it is heavily modified with track dropouts and now runs 700C wheels.

FrankTheTank
FrankTheTank
2 years ago

Looking at that geometry, it must be intended to be a drop-bar bike. Reach is about 75mm shorter than the bike packing bike I just bought Why El Jefe, which is coincidentally roughy the reach of many drop bars. Steeper HTA works better with drop bars too.

IB
IB
2 years ago

Im into it and am biased because I impulse bought one 🙂

It’s like a retro mtb (and there is nothing wrong with that!) with modern touches. Not everything has to be long and slack

JD
JD
2 years ago

Paint it orange and put “Ritchey” on the frame and I am sold. Now to actually find one.

David
David
2 years ago

Over 3.5kg for the frame and fork though!? Ouch!

Mathias
Mathias
2 years ago

This must be a joke. No assymetric rearstays (to accomodate TRULY wide tires like 3.25″) and symmetric lacing of the wheel. This also applies as well to front fork. Symmetric lacing offers more stable, stronger wheels. I own steel bikes and I always wonder why producers are so resistant to make truly unique frames.

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