Maybe it’s my mountain bike background. It could be the brand’s long association with Thomas Frischknecht, one of my all-time favourite riders. It’s more likely that they are light, look great and don’t cost the earth. Whatever the reason, there’s something about Ritchey 4 Axis stems that just does it for me when it comes to attaching my bars to my steerer.
My first Ritchey was acquired around 2001, when an original WCS 120mm model, accompanied by a matching bar and seatpost, found its way onto my magnesium Merida (notorious for their strange choice of frame material, prone to cracking, but that’s another story). Those parts found their way onto my next two bikes, but after a few years of service, the graphics were starting to look a bit dated, and they were sold off. When my next build was undertaken, there really was only one choice for the cockpit components.
Over the last two years, my collection of Ritchey stems has grown to cover the gamut of sizes; I ran a 100mm on my mountain bike, but it has been replaced by an 80mm (not a Ritchey, but that will no doubt be rectified soon). My road bike and my ‘cross bike have seen service from 110, 120 and 130mm units. The two longest examples are presented in the sweet ‘Wet Black’ finish, and currently a ‘Wet Red’ 130 graces my Roubaix. I’ve also got a hankering for a ‘Wet White’ option, and teaming it with the white seatpost tickles my fancy too. My indulgence knows no bounds.
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Oh how I long for a Cinelli bar and stem combo once again becoming de rigueur.
Can't help but feel somehow responsible for this. My new 130 stem is for the track bike: I'm not going to be nice to it. In fact most of the time I'm going to be trying to rip it off the thing, it seems like a poor use for such a nice stem...
DOOOD. I've TOTALLY been toying with the idea of having a wet-white stem on the R3. It would look totally sweet, I'm certain of it. I have never, however, placed any American-made parts on a road-bike. It doesn't seem right, you know? I mean, once you've gone down the "Specialized" route already, all bets are off, but I have to admit, I'm very tempted to give 'er a whir.
Shit, I think this article is going to make me try it, at least.
Well yeah, I'm on a Yank bike, so it's no big deal. The Lampre Wiliers sport Ritchey parts, hasn't bothered them.
I like the MTB connections of Specialized and Ritchey too, keeps it close to my roots.
@Brett
My Baum has a Ritchey WCS stem and seatpost. Nice one Brett.
Oh my, Baum! We need pictures, NOW!
@Marcus
Just checked out your blog mate, that Merckx is sick! How can a paint job so wrong, be so right!
Also linked to your blog... nice one.
Thanks - but in the interests of honesty, that bike isn't mine. It is the boss of that blog - who is a stinkin' kiwi. Whilst the Merckx is a nice bike, the paintjob is putrid. It is a really difficult bike to ride next to.
Will do something about the Baum pictures. washed it on saturday and of course Sunday involved riding on a wet dirt road...
@Marcus
Oh well, if it belongs to a Kiwi, I hate it!
Who am I kidding, this place (and that bike) is pretty fucking cool (except for all the Kiwis)...
Ah Ritchey. One of my all-time favourite brands. Count me as another fan of Frischknecht as well.