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| Frame | Adventure MTB |
| Wheel Size | 27.5/29'' |
The Ritchey Ascent is a frameset designed for off-road adventure riding, bikepacking, and MTB travel on demanding terrain. It is conceived as a solid, predictable, and highly load-capable platform, built to handle long distances, rough surfaces, and fully loaded configurations without compromising control or ride coherence.
Independent reviews often describe the Ascent as a modern “expedition MTB”: stable, reliable, and purpose-built for consistency rather than outright speed. It is a frame that prioritizes real-world functionality over performance-driven extremes.
The frame is built from Ritchey WCS Logic triple-butted steel tubing, heat-treated and TIG welded to Tom Ritchey’s specifications.
WCS Logic Tubing is Ritchey’s proprietary steel, developed specifically for the TIG welding process to achieve a balance of structural strength, vibration control, and long-term durability.
The ED Coat (Electrophoretic Deposition) treatment improves corrosion resistance, a key feature for adventure use in variable weather and harsh environments.
The frame uses a straight 1-1/8" head tube, forged and machined, reflecting a design philosophy focused on simplicity, reliability, and long-term compatibility.
One of the defining features of the Ascent is its comprehensive mounting system:
2 bottle cage mounts on the frame
Multi-purpose mount under the downtube
Rack and fender mounts
Triple mounts on each fork leg, designed to carry cages, bags, or other accessories
This configuration allows the Ascent to support a wide range of setups, from lightweight bikepacking to fully loaded expedition-style builds.
The frame is designed to work with both 1x and 2x drivetrains, with clearly defined limits:
Supports 1X or 2X setups
Shimano Side Swing front derailleur required for 2x configurations
2x setups are compatible only with Shimano 11-speed drivetrains
Not compatible with Direct Mount / T-Type standards (including T-Type derailleurs and cassettes)
Cable routing is external with continuous housing, chosen for reliability and ease of maintenance when traveling.
The frameset includes a Ritchey steel adventure fork, designed specifically for loaded off-road use:
Multi-purpose mounts
Rack and fender mounts
Threaded crown port
Geometry optimized for high-volume tires and stable handling
Built to manage significant front loads with confidence
The steel fork reinforces the Ascent’s focus on robustness, predictability, and field serviceability.
The Ritchey Ascent supports large-volume MTB tires:
27.5" x 2.6"
29" x 2.6"
Generous frame and fork clearance allow riders to tune comfort, traction, and control depending on terrain and load requirements.
Ritchey’s size recommendations are general guidelines:
S: 157–170 cm
M: 168–178 cm
L: 175–186 cm
XL: 183–191 cm
There are no identical riders: proportions, riding style, and intended use matter.
For personalized size advice, send us your height and inseam — we reply within 24 hours.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Ritchey WCS Logic triple-butted steel, heat-treated, TIG welded |
| Head tube | Straight 1-1/8", forged and machined |
| Corrosion protection | ED Coat (Electrophoretic Deposition) |
| Seat tube clamp diameter | 29.8 mm (max 2.5 Nm for derailleur clamps and chain guides) |
| Seatpost diameter | 27.2 mm with replaceable seat collar (max torque 6 Nm) |
| Bottom bracket | 73 mm, English threaded (BSA) |
| Rear spacing | BOOST 148 mm (12 mm alloy thru-axle included) |
| Compatible chainrings (1x) | 24 to 40 teeth |
| Compatible chainrings (2x) | 24/34 to 28/38 |
| Drivetrain compatibility | 1x or 2x (Shimano Side Swing required for 2x, 11-speed only) |
| Chainline | 52 mm |
| Direct Mount / T-Type compatibility | Not compatible |
| Bottle cage mounts | 2 |
| Multi-purpose mount | Under downtube |
| Rack and fender mounts | Yes |
| Cable routing | External, continuous housing |
| Headset included | Ritchey WCS (upper IS42/28.6 – 16 mm stack | lower IS42/30) |
| Derailleur hanger | Replaceable stainless steel |
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Included fork | Ritchey steel adventure fork |
| Fork mounts | Multi-purpose, rack and fender mounts |
| Steerer | Straight 1-1/8" |
| Steerer length | 300 mm |
| Axle-to-crown | 435 mm |
| Rake / Offset | 52 mm |
| Front spacing | BOOST 110 mm (15 mm alloy thru-axle included) |
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Wheel and tire compatibility | 27.5" x 2.6" or 29" x 2.6" |
| Frame clearance | 78 mm |
| Fork clearance | 78 mm |
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brake type | Post-mount |
| Rotor size | 160 mm (front max 180 mm with adapter) |
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Sizes | S / M / L / XL |
| Frame weight | 2,400 g (size L, without thru-axle) |
| Fork weight | 1,125 g (uncut steerer, axle not included) |
| Color | Desert Dust |
Compatible Ritchey headsets and spare parts are available with the purchase of the frameset.
If you want to verify compatibility, delivery times, or plan a build that truly fits your riding goals, contact us before ordering — we’ll help you configure a bike that makes sense for your routes and your use.
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