Ritchey Timber Comp 1989 #0B688

Project in progress

This frame came to my by accident. A guy on facebook was looking for Ritchey Vantage Comp rims, which I had. after a short chat he mentioned he has a new Ritchey frame, of course I was interested, because it was in 20", my size.

After a few weeks the frame made it to me via the customs and I started unwrapping it.

The origin of the frame was again from Ray Schmal, the Brett Steelman partner, see here the story. This was my first contact to the finder, without knowing he has the Steelmans.

The Plan

But a different color

Picture from here

Color from here

The Missing Parts, a search on all channels started

Since this frame was in such a great, nOS condition, I decided to search the original fork and stem. Both fillet brazed masterpieces from Tom Ritchey himselfe:

- Force Directional Fillet Brazed Stem with the ritchey-typical Noodle and

- Tange Prestige Fillet Brazed Unicrown fork.

After many threads and network / community messages, I found the fork on Facebook and the stem was offered to me via a German MTB community , parts and money was involved, even a long shipment from US via Norway to Hamburg, this is Classic MTB enthusiasm foe: Steel Fights Back!