somebikeguy 

Hi all, looking for a small-ish (5'-8") Ritchey Swiss cross. Pref earlier canti brake frame but open to anything including built up later disc bike model. I'm in CT but shipping should be okay too. Open to other cool steel high end cross frames, looking to net minimum 38mm tires, prefer 40mm.

If any interest - have a Lemond Alpe D'huez beater single speed and real nice Ellsworth Truth (recent 1x conversion, XTR etc) as trade(s). Both nice made-in-usa steeds!

Spaghetti Legs 

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...hlight=Ritchey

Over on Paceline, bike is located in LA. I know the seller; good guy.

somebikeguy 

Thanks for the tip! I made an account there but I'm not able to post yet. If you would be so kind as to direct the seller over to my thread?

cgolvin

Hey there, I'm the seller on Paceline, Spaghetti Legs alerted me to your post. I wrote a detailed response that included the link to the posting on Paceline, but after I submitted it the forum software informed me that I didn't have enough posts to include an outside link (I've been a member here for more than a decade, just not very active). If you copy the following and replace the underlines with slashes you should get the URL on Paceline: forums.thepaceline.net_showthread.php?t=294724 (I think you still are able to browse the classifieds even though you can't post or send private messages).

I can't send PMs here but feel free to post your Paceline username and I'll talk to the mods there about enabling PMs, otherwise just post here and I'll try to be attentive. Cheers

somebikeguy 

Ha we are on opposite sides of the ModWall. I found I needed to make 10 posts before my privileges here were increased... but there is a max post per 24h so it slows things down. Thanks I found your thread and it's all clear. I'll take a closer look and be back to you.

ps - My paceline username is the same as here.

cgolvin

As is mine.

mhespenheide 

I can vouch for cgolvin, either here or over on Paceline.

somebikeguy 

Cglovin - can you tell me how tall you are and how the bike fits? I’m a bit perplexed that so many SwissCross seem to be either 51cm or 57 cm… with relatively few seen inbetween. I feel like 51 is on the very small end of what may be appropriate for me, using my existing road bikes and Ritchey’s sizing guidance.

mosinglespeeder

for what its worth, my swiss cross is a large/57, TT is 56 and is very much closer overall to a 55 Ritchey road logic geometry which I have and I am 5'9" w/32 inseam. My theory of late is we have ridden too small of a frame for years, mine being 54cm typical traditional race geometry, but lately I am riding more comfortably without speed reductions (relative to age/grandpa rides) and am riding 56-57's. So, may be worth doing a bike fit and see what your really looking toward

cgolvin

Sure, happy to. In my opinion Ritchey's designation as a 51 is a bit misleading. Most of the bikes I have owned measure more like a classic square 53. You can find Ritchey's geometry sheet linked in my Paceline listing; since I can't yet post images I'll just type in the numbers here:I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam. I position the top of my saddle 70cm from the center of the bottom bracket, adjusting according to crank length. Bikes that fit me best generally have an effective top tube between 525 and 535mm inclusive. I have the Ritchey set up with a 100mm, -6 degree stem, with a single 1cm spacer under the stem (there is 2cm of space on the steerer above the stem). This is a slightly more relaxed setup than on my road bike, which has an ETT only 2mm shorter but uses a 110mm, -17 degree stem. I set up the Ritchey this way because, for gravel, I prefer a slightly more upright position. As you can see from the build photos in my Paceline gallery thread, I have a decent amount of drop (15cm of seatpost exposed between the clamp and the top of the seat tube).

You didn't ask about tire clearance but, as long as I'm here … I'm currently running 40mm Schwalbe One tires on Shamal C15 rims. There is plenty of room to go bigger in the front, the limit in the rear is at the chainstays. There are still several mm of clearance on either side but not a lot of room.

Happy to answer any other questions. Cheers

somebikeguy 

Incredibly helpful, thank you! I am talking to a few folks, looking for the right bike, location etc and will be back in touch either way.

merziac

Wow, can't imagine trading out an Ellsworth, even for a Ritchey.

Although they are a pretty serious version of what they are.

I didn't have them firmly on my radar until it was too late, now they're gone from Vancouver.

somebikeguy 

The Ellsworth is a real cool bike, my first full suspension mountainbike. I have never bought a new car or bike in my 42 years, until this year when I got a Cotic Flaremax, so the responsible thing to do is pass the Ellsworth on. https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3543351/

somebikeguy 

Thanks for the help all, I found a 55cm that ought to be on its way to me today...