Calling all Ritchey experts

[Tomac23]

Hello all. Happy new year.

I recently traded for this frame and want to know more about it. I think its an Ultra based on the frame number but the colours, decals and top tube cable routing make it a bit of a mystery (to me at least),

The frame number is 0U398, which based on the frame number advice (see image) would make it a 20 inch from 1989 but its not a perfect match.

There is a similar frame that has appeared on Facebook recently (see the photos at the end) which looks very similar colours, decals and cable routing.

So is it an Ultra or not?

Is it a team bike? I thought the team rode the P series from 1989 onwards?

Any help would be appreciate£.

 

[7Speed]

Hi - Lovely frame!

the Indi Ritchey website you got the frame numbers from is the best source for using the frame number to ID the model - but as they say there - not much consistency in how these were used by Ritchey. Sometimes the P- series frames had a P in front of the serial - sometimes not.

The decals put this pre-92 if they are original. The other way to get a better idea is by checking the frame geometry which was different between the frame specs with the racier P- series frames being steeper and more agile vs stable longer distance riders. The frame geometry is in the brochures on the same site you got the frame numbers - check the 91 or 90 bike brochure.
If it is an early frame - those forks will be throwing out the handling a little but probably not that noticeable until you get your head down and push on a bit on some technical trails.
Lastly - dropout design etc with give an idea of frame age too…
7Speed.

 

[7Speed]

Taking another look - it does look like an Ultra with TIG welding? I know there is a known date when TR starting working with Japanese TIG welded frames, final braze-one and frame alignment in the US prior to painting. Given the serial number it’s hard to think it’s anything other than a late 89, early 90s Ultra?

 

[Lhatch4]

Taking another look - it does look like an Ultra with TIG welding? I know there is a known date when TR starting working with Japanese TIG welded frames, final braze-one and frame alignment in the US prior to painting. Given the serial number it’s hard to think it’s anything other than a late 89, early 90s Ultra?

Japanese TIG welded frames started in 1985. In 1986 production ramped up. Those early frames had roller cam/ U-brake mounts on the chainstays.

 

[Tomac23]

Taking another look - it does look like an Ultra with TIG welding? I know there is a known date when TR starting working with Japanese TIG welded frames, final braze-one and frame alignment in the US prior to painting. Given the serial number it’s hard to think it’s anything other than a late 89, early 90s Ultra?

Thanks for the reply. Some good advice there. I think it’s an Ultra too but was the cable routing different?

 

[dirttorpedo]

So here is the link to my 80's Ultra. Its T7K00194 in the vintage Ritchey database. I'm not sure what the T7K signifies - possibly Japanese construction.

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/scabby-ritchey-ultra-dirt-drop-build.446415/

Some similarities with your bike, but mine has a UII rear brake and different cable routing although I have seen examples of about the same vintage with cantis in the back.

*Updated to note the serial number information from the Ritchey site*

"TIG Welded Frames
These frames follow the scheme: LNLNNNN or NLNNNN
where N=number and L=letter, and the trailing numbers can be 4 or 5 digits

Examples: 5L00079, 6D00168, A8C00071

These serial numbers provide less information. The first digit (above: 5, 6, and are the year the frame was built (above: 1985, 1986, and 198. The letter after the year is very likely the month of manufacture, with A = January and L = December. So, "5L" is December, 1985. The remaining digits are the build order, apparently for the year and likely for all Ritchey TIGed frames.

The leading letter, most often/always an "A," is not on the all of the frames. I'm unsure what is means."

So based on that I would guess my frame was the 194th frame made in November of 1997. No idea what the T means. Elsewhere on the site he suggests that T could stand for Tom in the road bike serial number discussion. If he fillet brazed the rear triangle that could make sense. Anyhow the U in your suggests an Ultra. Its possible that someone took an Ultra to a builder, had the cable stops changed and then repainted it in team colours as an upgrade. You probably wouldn't know for sure about that unless you remove the current paint. Other thoughts is to weigh the bare frame and compare to an Ultra - the P series should be lighter. Since they used different tube sets could there also be a difference in seat post diameter that could be an easy check?