Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Mountain Biking
Reload this Page >

1987 Richey Ascent Homecoming

Notices
Mountain Biking Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Check out this forum to discuss the latest tips, tricks, gear and equipment in the world of mountain biking.

1987 Richey Ascent Homecoming

Old 12-17-21, 10:06 AM
  #1  
retrodude
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
Posts: 167

Bikes: 1984 & 1990 Marinoni Specials - 1990 Bianchi Sika - 1993 Cannondale M800 - 1996 GT Zaskar - 1993 Kona Kilauea - 1987 Ritchey Ascent - 1996 Rocky Mountain Vertex - 2008 Kona Dogma - 1976 Schwinn Suburban - 1994 Kuwahara Makai

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times in 58 Posts
1987 Richey Ascent Homecoming

I posted this in the C&V thread and thought I'd share here as well:

This Ritchey is the 1st high quality bike I owned, purchased as a frameset (fuselage) in 1988. With parents help it was purchased frame/fork/Suntour Rollercam & Ritchey stem for $600. I was already riding an 86’ BRC Sierra. Not a bad bike, probably cost $350-$400 back then.

While riding the BRC (before the Ritchey purchase) and enjoying it the bike bug was slowly starting to take hold. A good friend of mine had gone down the road bike path (rather than MTB) and bought a celeste green Bianchi c/w Super Record. After I rode it, I could not believe the high quality of ride it provided. It was like night and day comparing it with the department store 10 speeds I’d grown up with. This bike test really opened my eyes to what was possible using proper high quality gear.

Back in 88’ I pretty much read every bike magazine I could get my hands on. My riding buddies and I slowly made the transition from that BRC level of bike to the higher end models outfitted with Deore XT, etc. Some had GTs, some had Rocky Mountains, I chose a Ritchey. Some of the best days of my life. The riding was in Calgary Alberta (yes, the Canadian prairies). Fish Creek park is a massive valley system carved out by the Bow river and I have many fond memories riding my Ritchey through some pretty great single track there.

I used my BRC as a doner bike with the Ritchey fuselage purchase and eventually outfitted it with M735 brakes and shifting. Yep, it was my baby.

A couple years later I got myself a very sweet lugged Columbus SLX/Campy C-Record Marinoni road bike which I still have today (I love vintage road bikes too).

Fast forward to 2008. My Ritchey has had thousands of miles put on it many of which were as a winter commuter (I cycled 50km a day to work for two years in the 90s) and is getting ridden here and there up on Burnaby Mountain (I moved to Vancouver in 92’). Up on Burnaby mountain my new riding buddies make fun of me bouncing off everything not smooth while they shred the local mountains on their suspension wonder bikes. I finally cracked and picked up a FS Kona all rounder (6” front & rear), something I could still pedal up hill. It’s an amazing bike and it still gets ridden lot’s.

Okay, so pretty long background story but needed to help justify how I could ever have given my beloved Ritchey away: my Dad was giving his Super Record equipped 84’ Marinoni back to his kids (I helped him buy it in the 90s) and my older brother wanted it. Offering up my Ritchey to my brother was the only way I could secure that 84’ Marinoni road bike which was more important to me at the time. I already had my Kona FS MTB, what did I need this Ritchey for?

I built up the Ritchey to a decent spec and gave it away. At least it was still in the family. My brother enjoyed the Ritchey, it gained some horrible parts over the 10+ years under his ownership. Judging by the lack of wear on the red Kool stop brake pads still on it from before I gave it up it never saw a lot of miles.
retrodude is offline  
Old 12-17-21, 10:07 AM
  #2  
retrodude
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
Posts: 167

Bikes: 1984 & 1990 Marinoni Specials - 1990 Bianchi Sika - 1993 Cannondale M800 - 1996 GT Zaskar - 1993 Kona Kilauea - 1987 Ritchey Ascent - 1996 Rocky Mountain Vertex - 2008 Kona Dogma - 1976 Schwinn Suburban - 1994 Kuwahara Makai

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times in 58 Posts
In 2021 I’ve restored more bikes than ever before (good COVID hobby right?) and it’s helping me hone my skills. After building up a couple mid 90s rigid Cannondales for my son and myself my brother asked me to keep and eye out for one to build up for his son. Cannondale #3 for 2021 was built up for my nephew (M800s and a spruced up M400). My brother then asked me “if you ever come across another one grab it for me”. I found a 4th fully rigid Cannondale (M800) a few weeks ago and suddenly realized: here’s my chance to get the Ritchey back! With all the work I put into these restorations it was a no brainer I’d get it back, the 95’ M800 I built up for him turned out pretty sweet and he was very happy with the deal.

Now finally I can talk about the Ritchey rebirth. I only needed to purchase tires, saddle, grips and stem. I bought a full XT Diamond Back Arrival for $50 this year (M730). Perfect for this build. I kept the newer brake calipers which have been on the Ritchey for 30+ years.

Back in the 90s I ground off the rear rack eyelets from the seatstays and drop outs (no regrets). The paint was pretty scratched up and needed touch ups anyway, I masked the decals and used the closest red rattle can paint I could find to clean things up. Not my best paint work but the start of things to come.

Here are a couple pictures. I do not have pictures of it from the late 80s/early 90s. These start early 2000s and the last one shows how it was given to me brother. I’ve chosen to keep the Ringle Mojo cable carrier.


retrodude is offline  
Likes For retrodude:
Old 12-17-21, 10:09 AM
  #3  
retrodude
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
Posts: 167

Bikes: 1984 & 1990 Marinoni Specials - 1990 Bianchi Sika - 1993 Cannondale M800 - 1996 GT Zaskar - 1993 Kona Kilauea - 1987 Ritchey Ascent - 1996 Rocky Mountain Vertex - 2008 Kona Dogma - 1976 Schwinn Suburban - 1994 Kuwahara Makai

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times in 58 Posts
The build: Stripped it all down and started the sourcing, digging out the parts. I knew it was going with all new paint. I like doing my own paint, partly because I’m cheap and partly because I enjoy it. Maybe one day I’ll get a proper sprayer but for now rattle can it is. The first time I looked through the Velocals website I rushed it and thought they did not have the decals I needed. The original decals were in really bad shape except for the head badge. I’m glad I went back for a second look as they 100% had what was needed. I cannot say enough good things about Velocals. The quality is outstanding. They did not have a decal that was just “Ascent” only “AcsentComp”. I ordered (2) “AscentComp”s but followed up with an email asking them to confirm my yellow color selection was accurate and showed them a picture of my “Ascent” decal telling them I intended to cut their “AscentComp” offering down. They corrected my yellow color choice to Yellow 15 and asked me for dimensions on my orginal “Ascent” decal, they proceeded to make me the correct decal (I now see this decal available on their website).





I was going to go the headset front brake hanger route. I had a Ritchey Force stem the right length, etc with no built-in hanger. My fork threads are barely long enough for the Tange Falcon headset so the extra mm makes a difference. Plus I wanted the same stem my Ritchey came with that has the simple hanger brazed in. Good shape Ritchey stems of this type are not cheap, the below stem is in the mail and set me back $50 with shipping/exchange from Poland. A lick of black paint and few coats of clear it’ll be the cherry on top. Also in the mail are the correct “ARAYA” decals for the RM-20s I’m using which are completely faded.
retrodude is offline  
Old 12-17-21, 10:11 AM
  #4  
retrodude
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
Posts: 167

Bikes: 1984 & 1990 Marinoni Specials - 1990 Bianchi Sika - 1993 Cannondale M800 - 1996 GT Zaskar - 1993 Kona Kilauea - 1987 Ritchey Ascent - 1996 Rocky Mountain Vertex - 2008 Kona Dogma - 1976 Schwinn Suburban - 1994 Kuwahara Makai

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times in 58 Posts
Don’t mind the black tape in place of a handlebar grip which is temporary while I wait on the stem. It’s built up as far as I can go with it.

I’m super happy with the paint/decals. I can’t wait to ride it again. Also, it’s great to have a late 80s MTB to add to my (2) steel & (3) aluminum vintage 90s MTBs.



Here is the build detail:
FRAME: Tom Ritchey 4130 (Tange), Double-butted seamless Chrome-moly, ovalized seat tube at the bottom bracket, reinforcing seat collar with cold forged vertical dropouts. Weight: 5 lbs 2 oz (2325g). Price: $600. Year: 1987.


​​FORK: Tom Ritchey 4130 (Tange) rigid unicrown Chrome-moly. Weight: 780g. Rake: 1.87 in.

WHEELS: Weight: 2096g - Rear wheel (1159g) Front wheel (937g)
HUBS Front: Shimano Deore XT HB-M730 (140g), Rear: Shimano Deore XT FH-M730 (356g)​
SPOKES 36 - 3X Stainless Steel 14 gauge spokes, brass nipples​
RIMS Araya RM-20, 27 mm wide (970g)​

DRIVETRAIN:

REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore XT RD-M735 (250g)​
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore XT FD-M730 (111g)​
CHAIN KMC (300g)​
CRANKSET Shimano Deore XT FC-M730 175mm ; 58 - 94mm bolt spacing (734g)​
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano Deore XT BB-UN71 (244g)​
REAR COGS Shimano Deore XT CS-M730 six speed 13-30T (287g)​
PEDALS Suntour XC II (439g)​

COMPONENTS:

FRONT BRAKE Shimano Deore XT BR-M732 (170g w/ brake shoes)​
REAR BRAKE Shimano Deore XT BR-M733 U brake (265g w/ brake shoes)​
BRAKE LEVERS Ritchey Logic (180g)​
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Deore XT SL-M730 (185g)​
HANDLEBAR Zoom (161g)​
STEM Ritchey Force 130 mm (370g)​
HEADSET Tange Falcon (190g)​
SADDLE Selle Italia Turbo 1980 (310g)​
SEATPOST Kalloy Uno 26.8 (220g)​
TIRES Panaracer – 26 X 2.1 Smoke (rear) Dart (front) (1194g)​
TUBES (293g)​
SKEWERS Shimano Deore XT (193g)​
CRANK BOLTS Titanium (20g)​
HANDLEBAR GRIPS Ritchey WCS True (45g)​
SEATPOST BINDER BOLT Shimano Deore XT (76g)​
GEAR/BRAKE CABLES & HOUSINGS (176g)​
TOTAL WEIGHT: 25 lbs 10 oz
retrodude is offline  
Likes For retrodude:
Old 12-20-21, 06:25 PM
  #5  
veganbikes
Clark W. Griswold
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,278

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4252 Post(s)
Liked 3,866 Times in 2,579 Posts
Hopefully this has more likes in C&V this is rad! Keep up the great work and can't wait to see it when it is finished.
veganbikes is online now  
Old 12-21-21, 09:38 AM
  #6  
Happy Feet
Senior Member
 
Happy Feet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,126
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2236 Post(s)
Liked 1,313 Times in 706 Posts
Great rebuild and great back story. Also nice paint job for a rattle can.
I also biked in Calgary (80's) including a stint as a courier downtown for a blue print company and now ride on the coast
Happy Feet is offline  
Old 12-22-21, 01:49 PM
  #7  
retrodude
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
Posts: 167

Bikes: 1984 & 1990 Marinoni Specials - 1990 Bianchi Sika - 1993 Cannondale M800 - 1996 GT Zaskar - 1993 Kona Kilauea - 1987 Ritchey Ascent - 1996 Rocky Mountain Vertex - 2008 Kona Dogma - 1976 Schwinn Suburban - 1994 Kuwahara Makai

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times in 58 Posts
Originally Posted by veganbikes
Hopefully this has more likes in C&V this is rad! Keep up the great work and can't wait to see it when it is finished.
Thanks!
Yes, I'm anxious to finish it. Since the stem was mailed from Poland I'm guessing the airplane most likely dropped it off on the east coast rather than my back door. Hoping it comes before Xmas.

I have made one change, decided to get the shifting cabled up and good thing I did. The M732 FD I already had was very loose and cable tension pulled the cage downward at a harsh angle into the chainring teeth making it no good to use. I lucked out and found a NOS M735 for $40 CAD on eBay, was out-of-box so a couple minor nics. The seller has (7) more, pretty great deal and rock solid pivots being never used.
retrodude is offline  
Likes For retrodude:
Old 12-22-21, 01:54 PM
  #8  
retrodude
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
Posts: 167

Bikes: 1984 & 1990 Marinoni Specials - 1990 Bianchi Sika - 1993 Cannondale M800 - 1996 GT Zaskar - 1993 Kona Kilauea - 1987 Ritchey Ascent - 1996 Rocky Mountain Vertex - 2008 Kona Dogma - 1976 Schwinn Suburban - 1994 Kuwahara Makai

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times in 58 Posts
Originally Posted by Happy Feet
Great rebuild and great back story. Also nice paint job for a rattle can.
I also biked in Calgary (80's) including a stint as a courier downtown for a blue print company and now ride on the coast
Pretty great riding eh? I'd love to ride there again, I imagine things have changed a bit in 30 years though . We did a loop that involved starting on the east side of the Bow river and heading north to downtown Calgary, cut through the city toward Glenmore reservoir and work our way back to the SE. Was a great city to grow up in. I love it just as much as Vancouver for sure!
retrodude is offline  
Old 12-31-21, 09:43 AM
  #9  
Happy Feet
Senior Member
 
Happy Feet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,126
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2236 Post(s)
Liked 1,313 Times in 706 Posts
Originally Posted by retrodude
Pretty great riding eh? I'd love to ride there again, I imagine things have changed a bit in 30 years though . We did a loop that involved starting on the east side of the Bow river and heading north to downtown Calgary, cut through the city toward Glenmore reservoir and work our way back to the SE. Was a great city to grow up in. I love it just as much as Vancouver for sure!
Sorry for the late reply. I forgot about this.

Calgary and area is pretty cool for an outdoor lifestyle. I could live there again easily. Just the other day I pulled out my XC skis because of all the snow, which around here is a rare event. Used to love doing it all the time in the foothills. They even tore out the weir downtown and put in a white water kayak course... in the downtown area! People river surf and we paddle boarded the Bow several times last summer... always something to do.

But... I do like the mtbing on the west coast better, especially when combined with some areas in the interior like Merritt and Kamloops. You just don't get those long gravity runs out there. I live on a mountain in the valley and we have a pretty well developed trail system 5 minutes ride away.

Ps. You should email Tom Ritchey and show him a picture of your rebuild. It's an early era model and you have done a great job with it. He would probably think it's cool.

Last edited by Happy Feet; 12-31-21 at 09:59 AM.
Happy Feet is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.