New School Ritchey

The Ritchey Comp frame was the "full circle" for the P-series frames. Introduced as the P-23 in 1990, the P-Series bikes were the high-end TIG-welded racers of the 1990s. As time passed the bikes became lighter and the model names changed to reflect the approximate weight of the fully built bikes - i.e. the P-23 was supposed to have weighed just over 23 pounds when built. The P-23 was replaced by the P-22, which was replaced by the P-21, and then the P-20. The "Comp" was a throw back to the early days of the run. It was one of the later models made during the P-21 and P-20 run, however it was made of the heavier tubes, that at one time would have been called the P-23 (and for a year it was called "Crazy Pete" which is the name of a trail above Palo Alto, CA). It's a more stout, durable frame that was "good enough" to race.

Being a fan of Ritchey frames, I wanted a P-series bike that I could use as a rider. After lots of looking I found this frame in my size (finding my size frame was an unexpected challenge), and the more durable tubes seemed like a good idea. The catalog says that the Comp was available in red or blue, but I guess if you asked, you could get a half-and-half, which is what I have. I built the frame mostly from parts stripped from a Bontrager bike that I've owned for many years - a new seat post and front derailer were required, but otherwise the swap was straight forward.

-el 6/5/09