The Ritchey Swiss Cross Canti Build, A Retrospective

Описание: I took my sweet time to build this bike. Real life gets in the way, but I also had to do some study to learn about Canti brakes, but man, I cannot describe how much enjoyment I had learning new things, and putting together this fine ride! Every step of the process presented some new wrinkles that caused me to think, study, and resolve how I wanted to do it.

My thanks again to Alessandro Brauns, owner of Challenge Tech tires, my pal, who graciously and generously insists on putting his fine treads on all of my bikes. Also to Khun (Mr.) Jane, head mechanic at the Challenge Tech factory right here in Ban Chang, Rayong Province, Thailand; a short ride from my cliffside hideout and workshop. It's a privilege to have access to someone who knows what's what in the world of cycling, and to be able to pepper with questions. Thanks Alex! Nothing but respect for what you've created and the products you continue to refine.

An upcoming episode of The Unabiker will put together some video I've made the past year; his factory operation, and hopefully an interview, along with Francois Marie, owner and founder of FMB Tires in Bretagne. Together these two make for interesting dinner conversations, not always just bike stuff.

As for Ritchey, Mr Simon Beatson has patiently fielded a zillion questions, and added nuance to my understanding of Ritchey bike tech stuff. He's a treasure chest full of insight, and good advice.

The Ritchey steel frames I'm riding are sweet, sweet rides, and I advise anyone who is not riding bikes professionally or competitively to rethink why they need carbon frames; steel makes such good sense. You will not lose a beat riding a steel frame rig made by well known frame designers. Carbon is cool, no doubt, and I love the carbon frame Yoeleo R11 I built, but the Ritchey ride feel is just way, way too nice. There's no advantage to riding on carbon unless you can put out watts like the pros. Certainly for any normal rider, or even such as myself, lifelong addicts, pretty good, but certainly not comp level, there's not reason to spend more/pay more to ride carbon, none. The only time I notice the weight differential is when I haul my bikes up twenty steps to street level. Otherwise, once I put it in motion, it's just a wonderful feel.
Find out for yourself!
Good Riding,
The Unabiker