This season I’m going to ride the Ritchey P-29ER.  Most of my mountain biking has come on aluminum and scandium hard tails.  The Ritchey P-29ER is a steel hard tail.  The frame itself weighs 4.7lbs.  The bike pictured below weighs 25.6lbs.  In the winter I spoke to several trusted bike friends and the overwhelming consensus was the bike is really stylish, traditional, and I want one, but I can’t get past the weight (especially for any sort of racing).  I really like Ritchey as a company and their customer service is amazing.  This bike just seemed right.  I ignored my friends and went with my gut.  I’ve been on 6 rides now.  As predicted it feels a little sluggish putting power down on the uphill, false flat stuff.  However, I’m pleasantly surprised on the descents.  In Missoula we have a lot of smooth high speed stuff and this is the most stable bike I’ve ever felt.  I’ll do a couple more updates after a race or two, but for recreational riding, loaded touring, I really like this bike.

Carbon Rizer Ritchey bar, aluminum stem and seatpost, Sram X0 10 speed crankset, Sram X9 shifter and rear d, Avid BB7 brakes and levers, American Classic Hubs laced to Stans Crest Rims, 2.2 Specialized Captain Control Tires

Tried to build the bike on a tight budget, but still make it relatively light.  I’ve seen some Ritchey P-29ER builds in the 22lb range.  Using full XO or X1 groupsets, and Stans Gold wheels.

I’m pumped because today we get three Ritchey Swiss Cross’s in stock.  Two 55cm and a 53cm.  These are hard to get a hold of, so if you are looking for one, order now!