The Ritchey Ultra is a steel hardtail frame designed for trail and real-world off-road endurance riding, where stability, reliability and control are essential. It is a modern yet coherent platform, built around a 120 mm fork, compatible with both 27.5” and 29” wheels, and supporting either 1x or 2x drivetrains while keeping a clean, functional layout.
The Ultra is conceived as a versatile hardtail for riders who want a solid, predictable bike for long rides, varied terrain and custom builds, without chasing short-lived trends.
Construction highlights
WCS Logic Tubing
The frame is built using Ritchey’s proprietary WCS Logic steel tubing, triple-butted and heat-treated, developed specifically for the TIG welding process to Tom Ritchey’s specifications. This construction focuses on long-term durability, structural integrity and consistent ride quality—key attributes for a trail-oriented steel hardtail.
Technical specifications
FRAME
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Heat-treated, triple-butted Ritchey Logic steel |
| Construction | TIG welded |
| Head tube | Ultra-light forged and machined tapered head tube |
| Treatment | ED Coat (Electrophoretic Deposition) for corrosion resistance |
| Headset | Ritchey WCS included (upper IS42/28.6 – lower IS52/40) |
| Upper bearing | 41.8 mm OD / IS42/28.6 (S.H.I.S.) |
| Lower bearing | 51.9 mm OD / IS52/40 (S.H.I.S.) |
| Seat clamp diameter | 33.1 mm (2.5 Nm max for derailleur clamps and chain guides) |
| Seatpost diameter | 30.9 mm with stealth dropper routing |
| Seat collar | Replaceable |
| Bottom bracket | BSA 73 mm – English threaded |
| Drivetrain | 1x or 2x |
| Max chainring size | 38T single – 26/36T double |
| 2x note | Shimano Side Swing front derailleur required (11-speed only) |
| Chainline | 52 mm |
| Direct Mount compatibility | Not compatible (including T-Type derailleurs and cassettes) |
| Bottle cage mounts | Two (downtube + seat tube) *size S: downtube only |
| Rear spacing | BOOST 148 mm |
| Rear axle | 12 mm alloy thru-axle included |
| Cable routing | External |
| Derailleur hanger | Replaceable stainless steel |
FORK
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Recommended fork | 120 mm BOOST suspension fork |
| Rigid alternative | 500 mm axle-to-crown rigid fork |
WHEEL & TIRE COMPATIBILITY
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| 27.5" | 27.5x2.4 recommended (2.8 max) |
| 29" | 29x2.25 recommended (2.4 max) |
| Note | Actual tyre size varies by rim and tyre manufacturer |
BRAKE COMPATIBILITY
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Standard | Rear post-mount |
| Rotor size | 160 mm |
| Max rotor | 180 mm with adaptor (sold separately) |
DETAILS
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Sizes | S (15") / M (17") / L (19") / XL (20.5") |
| Weight | 2,380 g (size M / 17") |
| Colour | Honey Mustard |
Size guide (manufacturer reference)
The following sizing is provided by Ritchey and should be considered a general guideline. Final size choice depends on individual proportions, riding style and intended use.
S: 157–170 cm
M: 168–178 cm
L: 175–186 cm
XL: 183–191 cm
At Bikejamming we offer dedicated sizing and build consultation. Share your height and inseam and we will reply within 24 hours.
Spare parts, headsets and build support
With frame purchase we provide access to:
original Ritchey spare parts
compatible Ritchey headsets
support for fork choice, drivetrain compatibility and full build planning
Why buy from Bikejamming
Tracked shipping
Bilingual support (Italian / English)
Fast, clear responses
Real pre-purchase consultation on sizing and setup
If you would like to check compatibility or plan a build that truly matches your riding style, we are here to help.
Iconic routes & real-world use
This frameset can be configured for long, vibration-heavy off-road routes. For a detailed explanation of bike choice criteria on a real-world route, see our guide:
Baja Divide: which bike to choose
