RockiesDad

Thinking about my next n+1 and was looking into getting a modern steel endurance type bike that can mount some wider tires (~28c). This Ritchey Logic and Comp Logic looks interesting.

https://ritcheylogic.com/frames/road

My questions:

-is this an endurance type of frame that is a bit relaxed? I'm riding a CF CX bike currently which is very comfortable and looking for something similar
-are these triple butted steel tubes fragile? Do they dent easily?
-the Comp and the Road Logic looks similar but the Comp seems to be able to mount 30c tires vs 28c of the Logic. Is this due to 105 brakes vs. Ultegra?

Anyone has this particular bike and what are your thought? I'm sure there are other brands to look at but liked the idea of the pedigree of the brand.

Shuffleman

I wanted to build a new +1 bike last year. I wanted something different and opted for steel. I was going to buy the Logic but came across a Deal on a Kona steel frame that was too good to pass up. I like the bike but still wish I went with the Logic instead. I did go with Ritchey parts everywhere though. Anyway, no they do not dent easily. In fact it would be quite out of the norm to dent any steel or aluminum frame.
I still have my 20 plus years old steel GT mtb that has been through many a ride. It has taken many a bump, fall, tree greet, and etc. There is no dent anywhere to be found.

mstateglfr 

A few thoughts that touch on your post-

This is a great read about Ritchey and history. Just linking since its cool stuff.
Chris Kostman's Rough Riders Blog: Any Bike, Anywhere / Classic Cyclist: Tom Ritchey, In His Own Words

As for the triple butted frame- the Logic tubing used to be made by Tange. He partnered with them and it was a customized version of Tange's heat treated Prestige tubing. That started in '85 and was still the partnership into the 90s. Not sure if Tange Prestige is still the tubing used as the current Tange company isnt the same one as the one from c&v years.

The current tubing is heat treated. It doesnt say how thick the tubing is, but based off the listed weight of the 55cm frameset, its probably something like .8/.5/.7 tubing(general guess based on if you subtract out the headset and fork weight)
I doubt itll be extremely thin tubing, even though its heat treated, since they are general production frames that need to last.

As for denting- there are scores of generic marketed Taiwan built steel tube bikes with .8/.5/.8 or .9/.6/.9 heat treated tubing right now which are reliable and can take a beating. Touring frames, cyclocross frames, and road frames all included.
A .8/.5/.8 tube road bike has low risk of denting since its used on pavement and is hardly abused.
If you drop the bike, yup there is a decent chance it dents if it falls the wrong way. But thats hardly a frame issue and just user mistake, which happens.

As for tire clearance, i wouldn't plan for larget than actual 28mm wide tires because of brake reach. 5800 calipers are also advertised as 28mm max tire.

Hiro11

I've had a soft spot for these frames for a while, it's right up my alley. It's basically a classic steel race bike, executed well. These's no bull**** here: threaded English BB, external cabling, 27.2 seatpost with a simple integrated clamp... all very standard and all easy to live with. The frames have a traditional parallel race geometry in the larger sizes and all reviews say it rides very well. This frame has a reasonably long headtube, which should provide a more upright "endurance" fit if you buy slightly on the larger side of things. Tire fit is likely more driven by calipers than the frame. The frame is supposedly well made and tough. There are other options out there for $1,200, but I'd probably pick the Ritchey if I were buying this type of frame.

For $100 more, you can get the classic rocket-pop paintjob:
https://ritcheylogic.com/2018-herita...meset-rwb-fade

That makes this an even better choice, IMO. They only made 100 of them, though.

Doge

In general, owning several of their bars, seat posts - quality stuff.
If I wanted a[nother] steel frame, I'd give them a serious look.

TimothyH

OP asked if the Ritchie Logic triple butted tubes might be delicate or dent easily.

I'd be interested to know too.

I'm considering a custom build from Rodriguez in Seattle. They offer Reynolds 725, Vari-Wall Thermlx and TrueTemper S3 tubesets. The person I'm dealing with said that the TruTemper S3 tubes are super light and one has to be a little careful with them. They are thin enough to where they are shaped to give additional strength.

I'm leaning toward the Thermlx because of concerns about uber light triple butted tubes like this but I really don't know much about the topic and hope that someone could answer the OPs question about how delicate Ritchie's tubeset specifically and similar triple butted steel tubes might be.


-Tim-

RGMN

I ride the previous (grey) version of the Ritchey Logic 2.0. My Ritchey Logic is a 55cm, built with Campag Chorus, Record hubs/HED Belgium+, and Ritchey WCS bars/stem/post. Right now it is my favorite ride – it never fails to make me smile. I gave into a riding buddy and sold him my Ridley Damocles since I wasn't riding anymore, the Ritchey has pretty much taken over for all the rides I used the Damocles for.

The blue (or Heritage) Logic frame replaces the older grey Logic frame. They fixed a couple of issues on the blue frame - they gave it clearance for 30mm tires (the grey only had clearance for 25mm in back, 23mm in front, at least with Conti SP4000SII) causing a slight increase in wheelbase and a stiffer fork. On my grey Logic frame the bike turns in fine but takes a little more steering input than I like. The new fork apparently fixes this. The older grey frame also had clearance issues with Campag 2015+ UT chainsets, but I’m not 100% sure this was fixed on the new Logic frame.

The tubeset is durable, not at all fragile. Mine is a 55cm, I weigh 82kg, and I don’t baby the bike. I have 14,000+ km on mine, about ¼ of that is on gravel and dirt. I tend to transport this bike by tossing it the back of my Subi, where as all my other bikes get the roof rack. I’d never take the Damocles on some of the roads & trails I’ll take the Ritchey on, and would never transport it outside of a rack. I have barely a scratch on the Ritchey, let alone any dents. This frame is plenty durable.

On the Comp vs. Road Logic, the Comp is the new blue Logic frame built with 105 & Ritchey Comp parts, while the Road Logic is the older grey Logic frame built with Ultegra and Ritchey WCS parts. I’d expect the Road Logic to go away when the frame supply runs out. The 30mm vs 28mm tires difference is due to the changes in the blue Logic frame to accommodate larger tires. 28mm in the grey Road Logic is pretty optimistic in my opinion.

Maaku

I have a lot of experience riding and traveling the past year with a 2018 Road Logic model with the 30C clearance. Easily clears a 29mm (inflated width) tire with latest-gen Campy Chorus brakes. Ride quality and bump absorption is excellent, as i'd expect with a steel frame.


(Photos are shown with 25c tire)

1. I would say the handling is quite stable from the geometry, but with the small headtube it lends itself to a more aggressive fit. On my size 51, it has a 115mm (!) headtube. I generally run a pretty big saddle-to-bar drop but I still use 10mm of spacers on my 51, not including the top cap.

2. It does not feel like a fragile frame whatsoever and it hasn't sustained a dent from pretty rugged use so far.

3. Not sure what difference is as I purchased the frameset only.

Banzai

It's the hotness. It tempts me to sell my current road bike to replace it with this.

TenGrainBread 

If you're looking for a wider tire road bike, why even consider rim brakes when there are tons of great disc bikes around with much better clearance (and better braking...and no need to worry about worn brake tracks down the line...). The Ritchey road bikes are pretty generic for the price, also. Looking for a wide-tired road bike with sidepulls is just an expensive compromise.

If I were going to spend $2-3k on a new road bike, I'd go with an All City Cosmic Stallion. Or maybe get Surly's new Midnight Special as a frameset and put a carbon fork on it. Or I'd just go custom.

noodle soup

If Tom was still building the frames, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a[nother] Ritchey.

TimothyH

^^ Please post the other side of that bike.

noodle soup

RockiesDad

Nice! Do you actually ride this on Sunday mornings or just hang it on the wall as art?

I saw this before and its what get me interested in Ritchey. Still dreaming about my next bike and getting closer everyday to getting one. The blue color of the Comp version looks like the same blue. This with silver components looks classy IMO...

Wspsux

I'd look into the All City mr. Pink too. not as timeless but a great bike

RGMN

Having had a Surly Pacer (which I believe is the same geometry as the Midnight Special but rim brakes) and a Mr. Pink, the Road Logic is a big step above these in ride and handling. They also made me swear off of QBP frames. A bit too much hype and not enough execution IMHO.

rpenmanparker 

I had a Ritchey Breakaway, the take-apart frame for air travel. It is not identical to the Logic in geometry and tubing, but it is extremely similar. Most comfortable frame I have ever ridden. Light, sturdy, reasonably priced, and comfy. What's not to like?

thehammerdog

Tom has not put flame to steel in many many years.....they are all mad in ASIA but I hope to have one very soon

TenGrainBread 

I agree that Q frames are a little overhyped. If you have the money I'd always say go custom over a Q bike. Gunnars are a great option being semi-custom and US made, and you can get a build for around $3k easily. But the Cosmic Stallion is legit. The tubeset (they call it ACE) is actually lighter than an 853 tubeset. In terms of weight and butting profile it can't be heavier than whatever the Logic tubeset is.

In fact I wouldn't be surprised if the Ritchey frames were made by the same manufacturer in Taiwan as the All City frames.

noodle soup

Sadly this is true. Mine was built in 1993.

noodle soup

Of course being manufactured in the same factory, doesn't really mean much.

mstateglfr 

Why 'of course?
I know of a few Taiwan manufacturers who build quality steel frames for US and Euro brands. Thats just from casual reading about steel manufacturers over there thru the years. Im sure there are more than the few i can think of.

noodle soup

Do you really need an explanation?

Caliwild

I have the grey version and I will say I love it! At 17.4 lbs for the bike as pictured, it's almost as light as my carbon bike... The frame is really good at absorbing road shock yet it still handles admirably. I'd buy it again...

Caliwild

And the All City Mr. Pink is nice but I'm pretty sure it would weigh at least a couple more pounds built up the same way...