1987 Ritchey Ascent Restoration

[DrDaveTampa]

Was kind of hoping for a campy seatpost binder but couldn't pass up this NOS XT binder. The Suntour brake thing was a thought but I don't think the U brake will fit and the cantis are missing a piece (!). Some campy goodness up front. Magura levers, so Ritchey. Gotta do something with that anodizing, gonna try one of those cold anodizing repair kits I think. Final assembly this weekend. Thinking about location for photo shoot. Probably at Blackbeard the Pirate's old hangout on the Carolina coast. Seems appropriate. Arrrgh!

 

[DrDaveTampa]

Have the brakes working, to my astonishment. Does the cable routing look funny to you?

 

[27motorhead]

Have the brakes working, to my astonishment. Does the cable routing look funny to you?

Assume you're UK based with Front brake on the right?

Usual for the rear thumbshifter to run down the LHS of the downtube. Do the gear cables cross each other under the downtube. I know some people run their cables like this for smoother lines/less tight bends on the outers around the handlebars. This was more in the 90s when we cut the crap out of our bars and had our barrel adjusters almost touching in the middle!

Looks like you've got nice wide bars so this shouldn't be an issue. Also check the cable guide under the bottom bracket and make sure the cables are running where they should.

Keep up the great work, it's a lovely looking machine with some great old components!

 

[DrDaveTampa]

Thanks! Nah I'm in the US, I used to always wire my brakes up like that. Was never all that serious about MTB but was really into motorcycles for a while there, didn't want to mess up my muscle memory. Makes for a good cable run here

As for the shifters, I've been doing 1x for years, only recently have begun to appreciate fd's... Last two builds had a better cable run crossing the cables but not this one, I don't think

 

[DrDaveTampa]

Behold

 

[DrDaveTampa]

Rebuilt an XT derailleur for it too. That was fun. Ever notice how much easier it is to take a derailleur apart than to put it back together?

12.4 kg as pictured. No lightweight but fun to ride and very plush feeling.

Nice ride through the outer banks today. The U brake does suck. But, who's stopping anyway

 

[27motorhead]

Behold
View attachment 858095

Rebuilt an XT derailleur for it too. That was fun. Ever notice how much easier it is to take a derailleur apart than to put it back together?

12.4 kg as pictured. No lightweight but fun to ride and very plush feeling.

Nice ride through the outer banks today. The U brake does suck. But, who's stopping anyway

Bet you that's lovely to ride!

I do have a soft spot for U brakes, but understand not everyone likes them, especially when it gets really muddy.

 

[DrDaveTampa]

Bet you that's lovely to ride!

I do have a soft spot for U brakes, but understand not everyone likes them, especially when it gets really muddy.

Haha this thing will never have a molecule of mud anywhere near it. I have a bike for that

Not sold on that cassette. Found an old Shimano 13-30 on eBay. Not many of those out there. Also gotta get some rings, the granny ring is all jacked up. Now I know what "chain suck" is. Wish I didn't.

 

[27motorhead]

Haha this thing will never have a molecule of mud anywhere near it. I have a bike for that

Not sold on that cassette. Found an old Shimano 13-30 on eBay. Not many of those out there. Also gotta get some rings, the granny ring is all jacked up. Now I know what "chain suck" is. Wish I didn't.

100% an older chrome plated cassette will look a lot better.

Sorry to hear about the chainsuck, the first marks are always the worst! I guess this is why we moved away from triple chainrings and moved to a single narrow/wide chainring and clutch derailleurs. The main thing for me, is that it's getting ridden and it looks like a gorgeous bike to ride! U-brakes are awful in thick mud, but I still love them!

 

[DrDaveTampa]

New cassette, new chainrings. Much better in every way.