Ritchey Swiss Cross Canti finally done

22 replies · 4,136 views

bobknh
794 posts
#1Oct 26, 2016, 7:37 PM
I've finally finished building up my new Ritchie Swiss Cross Canti frameset. I was running out of time, and let a good local mechanic finish the cabling. The cables were tricky because of Ritchies CX design, and because I decided to use Paul's Minimoto linear pull brakes. I also decided to go with an Ultegra 6800 drive train, instead of re-using an old 10 speed Durace kit. Except for a quick test ride on my dirt driveway, I haven't had a chance to put the bike through it's paces; but I'm very impressed with the looks and feel of the bike already -- and the brakes are awesome.
I plan to take some photos the next few days with my Canon digital Elf camera. What is the best way to post photo's to this forum. Typically, I upload pic's I want to share, then post a link to them.

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nalax
84 posts
#2Oct 26, 2016, 9:40 PM
Sounds good! Looking forward to it.
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RoverAl
489 posts
#3Oct 27, 2016, 5:08 AM
bobknh wrote:What is the best way to post photo's to this forum.

To insert photos in the actual thread versus hitting a link. Once you upload them to your PC just click insert photo icon above and choose my computer instead of web link then upload. I like thread photos better.
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bobknh
794 posts
#4Nov 4, 2016, 4:12 PMedited
Took some photos today: https://goo.gl/photos/mASv1V1Yg6x1nt7s5 . I have 2 wheel sets I'm currently running- Durace C24 with 28mm Conti 4000 II S tires with Vittoria Latex tubes, and Ultegra TR's with 35mm Panracer Tubeless Gravel Kings setup tubeless. The photos are of the bike are with the Durace semi-carbon wheels. Note the Pauls Components Mini-Moto linear pull brake sets which are designed for short pull road levers. The drive train is mostly Utegra 6800 with a Chris King external threaded BB. The rear derailleur is the mid-cage 6800 with a Wolftooth Roadlink which allows me to run an 11-40 11 speed cassette also pictured. Cables for rear der and brakes run on top of the top tube. I had to install a clamp on cable stop for the rear brake -- there is a rear cable stop -- but it is designed for regular canti. brakes. The sharp eyed among you may notice that the front der. cable is a cut a bit long. I did this to allow the installation of a 50 or 53 tooth chainring when riding this winter in the SC Low Country -- max elevation 24 ft.
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bobknh
794 posts
#5Nov 5, 2016, 3:57 PMedited
Some pictures without link:
With "road" wheels -- 28 mm Conti 4000 II and Vittoria latex tubes.

Well designed quick release on Pauls Minimoto's make wheel changes very easy. Salmon Kool-stop pads setup easily and give excellent braking of a linear pull brake. Very quiet and note the Pauls spring tensioning system for easy brake adjustment with 15mm wrench.
Plenty of room here for up to 40mm gravel tires.

Seat cluster with add on cable stop for rear brake. The small stop on the seat clamp is designed for standard canti' brakes.

Front cables a little different from the norm. Could have cut the outer cables shorter; but I wanted some wiggle room for a longer or higher stem, should I decide to go more "aero". Much easier to shorten, than lengthen a cable. To really clean it up, an Etap may be in my future.

Rear brake setup was very neat -- using clamp on cable stop. These brakes are awesome with the Durace carbon wheels with machined alloy brake tracks. If I go for the Etap ( the conversion kit cost more than the frameset!), then I'll run the rear brake cable through the rear der. cable stops.

11-40 11 speed cassette works well with the Wolftooth Roadlink and 6800 medium cage der. Note the CX style top tube cable path which runs along the rear seat stay. Not my favorite design --- but this is a CX bike!

Stubby stem and high mount aren't pretty; but they make for much less stress on my 73 year old back. I may gradually go for a longer , lower stem. But, maybe not. Note the front canti hanger, which is integrated with the drop-in head set.

Plenty of room for 40mm gravel tires in the back as well.

I have a second set of gravel wheels with 35mm tubeless Gravel Kings that I've been alternating with these road wheels. I've only done a few short rides on both wheel sets. While my first rides have been delightful I want to wait awhile before saying more about the bike. I plan to post a ride report and evaluation in a week or so, after the "new bike" effect have worn off. So far, I've been delighted with both setups. Love the 28mm road tires on pavement; and the 35mm Gravel Kings have performed very well on unpaved roads.
jwiner
13 posts
#6Nov 5, 2016, 8:46 PM
Cool build! Always loved the Swiss Cross. Classic.
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shoota
91 posts
#7Jul 17, 2017, 9:39 PM
bobknh wrote:I've finally finished building up my new Ritchie Swiss Cross Canti frameset. I was running out of time, and let a good local mechanic finish the cabling. The cables were tricky because of Ritchies CX design, and because I decided to use Paul's Minimoto linear pull brakes. I also decided to go with an Ultegra 6800 drive train, instead of re-using an old 10 speed Durace kit. Except for a quick test ride on my dirt driveway, I haven't had a chance to put the bike through it's paces; but I'm very impressed with the looks and feel of the bike already -- and the brakes are awesome.
I plan to take some photos the next few days with my Canon digital Elf camera. What is the best way to post photo's to this forum. Typically, I upload pic's I want to share, then post a link to them.

So what's the long term review?
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bobknh
794 posts
#8Jul 18, 2017, 7:24 AM
shoota wrote:

So what's the long term review?

Glad you asked. I installed a SRAM eTap Wifli gear set this winter. It removed the cable clutter. Just 2 brake cables. I ran the rear brake cable through the cable stops on the top tube. Of course; wireless "never worry" shifting is a delight. It's a real game changer. I also switched to 35 mm Compass Bon Jon's with Challenge latex tubes, and to Ritchie Venturemax bars. The bike in this set up is do everything for me. From high speed group rides on pavement, to muddy dirt and gravel roads in rural NH. No complaints about the Paul's Minimoto's either. The bike is agile, rugged, light weight. My only reservation about the bike is soft and deep stuff - for example, newly graded dirt roads with about 3" of lose dirt. But, this is more a comment about the 35mm smooth tires, than it is about the bike. 40mm Maxxis Ramblers barely fit. I suffer a bit when I hit anything deep and lose. If that's on your regular ride menu, then you might want to look for something that can accommodate wider knobby tires. BTW, one of the reasons my tire clearance is limited, is the Wifli front der. battery protrudes into the rear triangle. You can improve the Swiss Cross's by going Di2, mechanical, or 1x. The bottom line: the Swiss Cross Canti is a great, if all-be-it retro, choice for a gravel bike.
Truth in advertising: I'm currently working with a local frame builder "44 Cycles" on a new gravel bike, which will use new tech.- disc brakes, thru axles, etc. I'll be swapping out parts from my Swiss Cross but I have all the old mechanical Ultegra parts to re-build the Swiss Cross as a lighter weight alternative to my new 44 mud fighter. Some pic's of the updated Swiss Cross to follow.
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shoota
91 posts
#9Jul 18, 2017, 10:52 AM
bobknh wrote:
Glad you asked. I installed a SRAM eTap Wifli gear set this winter. It removed the cable clutter. Just 2 brake cables. I ran the rear brake cable through the cable stops on the top tube. Of course; wireless "never worry" shifting is a delight. It's a real game changer. I also switched to 35 mm Compass Bon Jon's with Challenge latex tubes, and to Ritchie Venturemax bars. The bike in this set up is do everything for me. From high speed group rides on pavement, to muddy dirt and gravel roads in rural NH. No complaints about the Paul's Minimoto's either. The bike is agile, rugged, light weight. My only reservation about the bike is soft and deep stuff - for example, newly graded dirt roads with about 3" of lose dirt. But, this is more a comment about the 35mm smooth tires, than it is about the bike. 40mm Maxxis Ramblers barely fit. I suffer a bit when I hit anything deep and lose. If that's on your regular ride menu, then you might want to look for something that can accommodate wider knobby tires. BTW, one of the reasons my tire clearance is limited, is the Wifli front der. battery protrudes into the rear triangle. You can improve the Swiss Cross's by going Di2, mechanical, or 1x. The bottom line: the Swiss Cross Canti is a great, if all-be-it retro, choice for a gravel bike.
Truth in advertising: I'm currently working with a local frame builder "44 Cycles" on a new gravel bike, which will use new tech.- disc brakes, thru axles, etc. I'll be swapping out parts from my Swiss Cross but I have all the old mechanical Ultegra parts to re-build the Swiss Cross as a lighter weight alternative to my new 44 mud fighter. Some pic's of the updated Swiss Cross to follow.

I'd love to see the eTap on there before you take it off. Just so I have this straight, you say the 40mm Ramblers won't fit because of the battery, NOT because of chainstay clearance correct? Because earlier you said there would be no problem fitting 40s in there.
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bobknh
794 posts
#10Jul 18, 2017, 12:14 PMedited
shoota wrote:

I'd love to see the eTap on there before you take it off. Just so I have this straight, you say the 40mm Ramblers won't fit because of the battery, NOT because of chainstay clearance correct? Because earlier you said there would be no problem fitting 40s in there.

I'll answer question. Photo's to follow. I haven't tried the 40mm Ramblers on my Swiss Cross. But, 38mm Gravel Kings fit, with a little room to spare. If I recall however, JOM of Gravel Cyclist was able to fit the Ramblers on his Swiss Cross travel bike; as well as on another bike equipped with the eTap gear set. Anything wider than a 40 mm gravel tire probably wont fit. Ritchey only claims the Swiss Cross can handle up to 38 mm. I'll mount my Gravel King wheel set before taking pic's., so that you cam judge the clearance on the eTap front der. It's not optimal; but OK fro me.
Here is the review of the Ramblers on the travel version of the Swiss Cross: http://www.gravelcyclist.com/bicycle-tech/review-maxxis-rambler-40mm-tires/

And here is a review of the Swiss Cross Canti with eTap like mine, running 35mm GK's (the GK's measure at least 38mm on most rims) . As you can see, the 40mm Ramblers might be too close to the eTap front der: http://www.gravelcyclist.com/bicycle-tech/featured-bike-ritchey-breakway-ti-cx-gravel-travel-bike-with-sram-etap/

Any problems with the 40mm Ramblers, would be due to the eTap front der., not the bike or brakes.

1
shoota
91 posts
#11Jul 18, 2017, 1:10 PMedited
bobknh wrote:
I'll answer question. Photo's to follow. I haven't tried the 40mm Ramblers on my Swiss Cross. But, 38mm Gravel Kings fit, with a little room to spare. If I recall however, JOM of Gravel Cyclist was able to fit the Ramblers on his Swiss Cross travel bike; as well as on another bike equipped with the eTap gear set. Anything wider than a 40 mm gravel tire probably wont fit. Ritchey only claims the Swiss Cross can handle up to 38 mm. I'll mount my Gravel King wheel set before taking pic's., so that you cam judge the clearance on the eTap front der. It's not optimal; but OK fro me.
Here is the review of the Ramblers on the travel version of the Swiss Cross: http://www.gravelcyclist.com/bicycle-tech/review-maxxis-rambler-40mm-tires/

And here is a review of the Swiss Cross Canti with eTap like mine, running 35mm GK's (the GK's measure at least 38mm on most rims) . As you can see, the 40mm Ramblers might be too close to the eTap front der: http://www.gravelcyclist.com/bicycle-tech/featured-bike-ritchey-breakway-ti-cx-gravel-travel-bike-with-sram-etap/

Any problems with the 40mm Ramblers, would be due to the eTap front der., not the bike or brakes.

Thanks man. I'm not so much interested in the eTap getting in the way because that's more coin than I have anyway. I was just wondering how big a tire you could fit without eTap, since I'm thinking about going 1X.
As an aside: I'm amazed at your computer/bike/photo skills at 73. I don't know a single 70+ year old that can do any one of those things much less all of them well. Keep rocking dude, you're an inspiration.
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shoota
91 posts
#12Jul 18, 2017, 1:15 PM
Second thought: I wonder if there is a way around having to use the canti hanger/headset cap when using v-brakes up front. It's not aesthetically pleasing. But if there is no other option I could see fabbing up a bracket thingy to hold a light or some other accessory, that would be pretty cool.
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bobknh
794 posts
#13Jul 19, 2017, 7:43 AM
shoota wrote:Second thought: I wonder if there is a way around having to use the canti hanger/headset cap when using v-brakes up front. It's not aesthetically pleasing. But if there is no other option I could see fabbing up a bracket thingy to hold a light or some other accessory, that would be pretty cool.

Yes - I e-mailed Ritchie with the same concern. The nice folks at Ritchie sent me the cap used on the Swiss Cross Disc - sans hanger. Both bikes use the same headset. You'll see it -whenever I get around to posting the promised pic's. BTW, the Paul's Minimoto brakes are linear pull (AKA "V" brakes). The advantage of the Minimoto's are that they are designed for short pull road levers. You can use standard long pull V- brakes however, but you'll need to use a pulley style cable adapter like the Travel Agent http://www.jensonusa.com/!MfUxsr5gatfnzmjnenvOiQ!/Problem-Solvers-Travel-Agent?utm_source=FRGL&utm_medium=organic&pt_source=googleads&pt_medium=cpc&pt_campaign=shopping_us&pt_keyword=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhrzLBRC3ARIsAPmhsnXJqbxXjCovQ2ALXeTOxr0iDJUU3JkkaGKpGDXkiTCGucfghzzMpfgaAjr6EALw_wcB . I've been using mountain bike V brakes with the Travel Agent for years on my road tandem. They are a bit tricky to install, but once installed they work exceptionally well.
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bobknh
794 posts
#14Jul 19, 2017, 9:12 AM
shoota wrote:Second thought: I wonder if there is a way around having to use the canti hanger/headset cap when using v-brakes up front. It's not aesthetically pleasing. But if there is no other option I could see fabbing up a bracket thingy to hold a light or some other accessory, that would be pretty cool.

Here are today's photo's. https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOfEtVFQcw7lUyBzCWqTdmyYluUQiNWws6ThJUr
eTap Wifli
Venturemax Bars
Compass Bon Jon's
Berthoud Aspin leather saddle
New headset cap without canti hanger

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shoota
91 posts
#15Jul 19, 2017, 11:11 AM
bobknh wrote:
Here are today's photo's. https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOfEtVFQcw7lUyBzCWqTdmyYluUQiNWws6ThJUr
eTap Wifli
Venturemax Bars
Compass Bon Jon's
Berthoud Aspin leather saddle
New headset cap without canti hanger

Link is broken.
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bobknh
794 posts
#16Jul 19, 2017, 11:33 AM
shoota wrote:

Link is broken.

Sorry - I forgot to change the share permissions. Try it again. Should work now,
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shoota
91 posts
#17Jul 19, 2017, 12:40 PM
bobknh wrote:
Sorry - I forgot to change the share permissions. Try it again. Should work now,

"404. That’s an error.
The requested URL was not found on this server. That’s all we know."
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nalax
84 posts
#18Jul 19, 2017, 12:49 PM
The Swiss Cross is a very nice bike. It's been on my radar in both the canti and disc versions. Yep, not running Ritchey's hanger is an easy fix. Consider that the disc version doesn't use a hanger so...

And while we're on the subject of swiss cross, I wonder if the disc will take 650b x 47.

Nice bike Bob!
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chas
1,305 posts
#19Jul 19, 2017, 1:06 PM
yep, linkie brokie. 404

The ramblers should work. Mine ran 2-3mm less than advertised, so if you can fit 38mm you should be OK. (fingers crossed).
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bobknh
794 posts
#20Jul 19, 2017, 1:59 PM
shoota wrote:

Link is broken.

I guess my IT chops aren't that good after all. Try this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/DNd1rsdARqIdvlR02
Hope this works
1

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