Early Tom Ritchey Frameset Timeline
11-16-22, 02:15 PM
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Early Tom Ritchey Frameset Timeline
I have been trying to timeline early Ritchey Road/Touring framesets because I can not find anything clear and understandable online. Below is the timeline I have come up with so far. I am requesting you good members take a look at this and post what you think and I will check changes/additions as we go. Note that I have also posted this same message on the Classic Rendevous list (forum).
* 1st lugged frameset 1972 (1972-1974 total of 70 framesets)
* 100% lugged framesets until 1974
* 1975 70-100 framesets, mostly lugged
* T. Ritchey graphics were used on many framesets until 1975?
* Custom framesets had "Custom Built For XXXX" along the top side of the downtube
* 1972 - 1975 numerous framesets T. Ritchey decals, no serial #s
* 1st fillet frameset 1975, made for Jobst Brandt
* Jobst Brandt/TR designed the TR headtube and downtube decal 1975
* Ovalized seat and down tubes started 1975Park bench chainstay bridge started 1975
* Campagnolo Portacatena dropouts used from 1977
* By 1979 over 1,000 framesets made total
* Serial numbers start 1978
* Palo Alto Bicycle started selling Ritchey framesets in 1978 until (when?)
* No twin plate fork crowns after 1981
Thank you,
Guy Apple
Redwood City CA
* 1st lugged frameset 1972 (1972-1974 total of 70 framesets)
* 100% lugged framesets until 1974
* 1975 70-100 framesets, mostly lugged
* T. Ritchey graphics were used on many framesets until 1975?
* Custom framesets had "Custom Built For XXXX" along the top side of the downtube
* 1972 - 1975 numerous framesets T. Ritchey decals, no serial #s
* 1st fillet frameset 1975, made for Jobst Brandt
* Jobst Brandt/TR designed the TR headtube and downtube decal 1975
* Ovalized seat and down tubes started 1975Park bench chainstay bridge started 1975
* Campagnolo Portacatena dropouts used from 1977
* By 1979 over 1,000 framesets made total
* Serial numbers start 1978
* Palo Alto Bicycle started selling Ritchey framesets in 1978 until (when?)
* No twin plate fork crowns after 1981
Thank you,
Guy Apple
Redwood City CA
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11-16-22, 03:24 PM
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I've been wishing for something like this too. A Ritchey frame is on my shortlist, but only if it was built by Tom himself. There are some decent resources I've found before, I'll search again.
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11-17-22, 10:20 AM
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Mystery of mysteries
I have an early Ritchey and I spent a lot of time looking for details on his early work so that I could sell it. There just isn't much out there. He saw photos of my bike and all he said was "that's an early A bike." No elaboration.
I think he was just happy to make frames and wasn't really focusing on a style or distinctives. He certainly didn't think he'd be a brand.
I think he was just happy to make frames and wasn't really focusing on a style or distinctives. He certainly didn't think he'd be a brand.
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11-17-22, 11:47 AM
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Bikes: 57 ExpressWerke, 58 CinelliB, 62 CinelliB Altenberger, 70 Cinelli SC, 76 Masi, 77 Colin Laing, 78 Ritchey, 80 Jack Taylor, 82 Appel, 82 Davidson, 85 Ironman, 92? Andy Gilmour, 04 Peter Johnson, 91 Ed Litton, 11 Bianchi
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I have an early Ritchey and I spent a lot of time looking for details on his early work so that I could sell it. There just isn't much out there. He saw photos of my bike and all he said was "that's an early A bike." No elaboration.
I think he was just happy to make frames and wasn't really focusing on a style or distinctives. He certainly didn't think he'd be a brand.
I think he was just happy to make frames and wasn't really focusing on a style or distinctives. He certainly didn't think he'd be a brand.
Thanks,
Guy
11-17-22, 11:52 AM
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Newer photos here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/40400179367...mis&media=COPY
Last edited by gravelinmygears; 11-17-22 at 12:16 PM. Reason: More photos
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11-18-22, 06:01 PM
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Bikes: 57 ExpressWerke, 58 CinelliB, 62 CinelliB Altenberger, 70 Cinelli SC, 76 Masi, 77 Colin Laing, 78 Ritchey, 80 Jack Taylor, 82 Appel, 82 Davidson, 85 Ironman, 92? Andy Gilmour, 04 Peter Johnson, 91 Ed Litton, 11 Bianchi
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Updated 11/18/2022
* 1st lugged frameset 1972 (1972-1974 total of 70 framesets)
* 100% lugged framesets until 1974
* 1975 70-100 framesets, mostly lugged
* T. Ritchey graphics were used on many framesets until 1975
* Custom framesets had "Custom Built For XXXX" along the top side of the downtube
* 1972 - 1977 numerous framesets T. Ritchey decals, no serial #s
* 1st fillet frameset 1975, made for Jobst Brandt
* 100% of fillet frames were made by Tom Ritchey
* Jobst Brandt/TR designed the TR headtube and downtube decal 1975
* Ovalized seat and down tubes started 1975
* Park bench chainstay bridge started 1975
* Campagnolo Portacatena dropouts used from 1977
* By 1979 over 1,000 framesets made total
*Palo Alto Bicycle started selling Ritchey framesets in 1976 – 1980
As per catalog – Columbus double butted tubing throughout, Campagnolo dropouts, Prugnat lugs, options: downtube shifter boss, pump peg, rear derailleur cable stop
* No twin plate fork crowns after 1981 on roadbikes, but continued on mountain bikes
* Ritchey stopped making lugged framesets in 1980 or 1981
* By 1985, only 12 roadbikes were made that year, production totally taken over with mountain bikes
* Serial numbers start 1987
* 1st lugged frameset 1972 (1972-1974 total of 70 framesets)
* 100% lugged framesets until 1974
* 1975 70-100 framesets, mostly lugged
* T. Ritchey graphics were used on many framesets until 1975
* Custom framesets had "Custom Built For XXXX" along the top side of the downtube
* 1972 - 1977 numerous framesets T. Ritchey decals, no serial #s
* 1st fillet frameset 1975, made for Jobst Brandt
* 100% of fillet frames were made by Tom Ritchey
* Jobst Brandt/TR designed the TR headtube and downtube decal 1975
* Ovalized seat and down tubes started 1975
* Park bench chainstay bridge started 1975
* Campagnolo Portacatena dropouts used from 1977
* By 1979 over 1,000 framesets made total
*Palo Alto Bicycle started selling Ritchey framesets in 1976 – 1980
As per catalog – Columbus double butted tubing throughout, Campagnolo dropouts, Prugnat lugs, options: downtube shifter boss, pump peg, rear derailleur cable stop
* No twin plate fork crowns after 1981 on roadbikes, but continued on mountain bikes
* Ritchey stopped making lugged framesets in 1980 or 1981
* By 1985, only 12 roadbikes were made that year, production totally taken over with mountain bikes
* Serial numbers start 1987
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