As road cycling has gone to wider tire spacing, thru-axles, and disc brakes, the change in capabilities mean road bikes, with true road geometry can handle more, are more forgiving, and offer new riding experiences for cyclists who love to follow racing, but have zero plans to do so themselves. Enter the Ritchey Road Logic Disc Frameset, featuring a proven steel road frameset heritage with disc brakes and ready for a lifetime of pleasurable riding.

Much has been written and said about steel frames, and for those who grew up with them instead of aluminum or carbon, the nostalgia factor is high. One should keep in mind that for over 100 years, steel was essentially the only frame material used, so generations grew up with steel bikes as the only option known. Just as there are numerous grades and quality levels of carbon bikes, steel frames also featured different material blends and construction methods. So while "steel is real", steel is not a monolithic entity. Why else does the Road Logic frame system, decades after it's development, produce subtle ride qualities and unexpected performance that still sells frames today and brings smiles to faces.

The Ritchey Road Logic Disc tubeset is known for it's strength and elasticity, which may seem contradictory and potentially bad for riding, but there is more to it. The newest version of the frame features heat-treated and triple-butted tubes. The heat treatment strengthens the steel without damaging or weakening it. The butting process utilizes hot rolling and cold drawing to create internal multi-thickness tubes that reduces material where you don't need it, keeping full wall thickness where needed- generally at junction zones. Tom spec'ed aggressively short-butted sections optimized for TIG welding. The process and technique saves weight and improves ride quality. Tubes can react and respond to surface inputs, but the welded joints are stable and strong, with no flex. There is minor torsional movement in the main triangle, but it feels natural and provides compliance. The tubes seem to sing, on some emotional level with the effort and input of the rider, as well as from the road. It does feel like music- music you feel but can't hear. Augmenting the tube system and construction, the proprietary forged-and-machined integrated head tube adds stiffness and incredible strength. It is precise and stiff, allowing the use of drop-in headset bearings. The stiffness translates to the full carbon fork steerer tube, which is in and of itself can flex as necessary, but is precisely positioned and controlled at all times. Ritchey's WCS drop-in headset bearings carry the steerer load and in the Road Logic, we almost never see a worn or damaged bearing. The system works- exceptionally well.

For the rear triangle, the Road Logic Disc, capable of accommodating 700x32 tires, employs the classic Fastback design. This feature uses the seatstays and seattube junction to create a seatpost clamp. It is a great way to lighten up the frame while providing extra clearance for wider tires, yet is also strong, and has a clean, defining look. The seatstays are subtle and have some mild shaping that offers clearance, comfort and vibration damping. A stout bridge adds some lateral stability. The chainstays again change shape as function dictates, narrowing with thicker internal walls back to the dropouts. Ritchey's rear dropout is for a 12/142mm thru-axle and has a replaceable hanger. The assembly for the hanger is replaceable.

Simple and eloquent cable routing with brilliant welds and a stellar paint job complete the Road Logic Disc frame. A painted-to-match straight 1⅛" Ritchey WCS Carbon Disc Road fork with matching frame-size rake rounds out the package. Like the frame, it accepts 700x32 tires, and features a Flat Mount disc caliper interface (for a 140mm rotor set-up, but can be adapted for 160mm use) and a 12/100mm thru-axle dropout. Ritchey also supplies the WCS quality headset.Taken as a whole, the Road Logic Disc Frameset offers a smooth, precise ride that is ideal for the smoothest pavement or hardpack dirt roads in your search for inspiration, or coffee, on the horizon.