Tell me about Ritchey carbon fork

[cyan]

Looking at Ritchey carbon forks (specifically https://us.ritcheylogic.com/us_en/bike/forks/wcs-carbon-road-fork), can anyone share their experiences with it or their carbon forks in general in terms of handling, ride quality, and robustness? I assume they're all made in Taiwan?

This (https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=63056) and this (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/932616-advice-enve-2-0-ritchey-wcs-carbon-schwalbe-tire-question.html) claimed that Ritchey forks are not as stiff as Enve 2.0, but am not sure how much truth there is about that. One significant difference I think is the warranty length, 1-yr (Ritchey) vs. 5-yr (Enve)

[MikeD]

Looking at Ritchey carbon forks (specifically https://us.ritcheylogic.com/us_en/bike/forks/wcs-carbon-road-fork), can anyone share their experiences with it or their carbon forks in general in terms of handling, ride quality, and robustness? I assume they're all made in Taiwan?

This (https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=63056) and this (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/932616-advice-enve-2-0-ritchey-wcs-carbon-schwalbe-tire-question.html) claimed that Ritchey forks are not as stiff as Enve 2.0, but am not sure how much truth there is about that. One significant difference I think is the warranty length, 1-yr (Ritchey) vs. 5-yr (Enve)



They came on my Ritchey Logic road frame. Been riding it for several years. No complaints. Nice fork.

[oldpotatoe]

Looking at Ritchey carbon forks (specifically https://us.ritcheylogic.com/us_en/bike/forks/wcs-carbon-road-fork), can anyone share their experiences with it or their carbon forks in general in terms of handling, ride quality, and robustness? I assume they're all made in Taiwan?

This (https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=63056) and this (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/932616-advice-enve-2-0-ritchey-wcs-carbon-schwalbe-tire-question.html) claimed that Ritchey forks are not as stiff as Enve 2.0, but am not sure how much truth there is about that. One significant difference I think is the warranty length, 1-yr (Ritchey) vs. 5-yr (Enve)

Sold bunches of them, used one for about 18 months on my Moots. Yes, Asian made but like all Ritchey stuff, very close QC by the big boy and his team. First quality, just not a ton of $..great fork. Just not a pretty standard Asian fork with a $100 decal on them, like some.

[clyde the point]

Came on my Swiss Cross I am 240 and this fork and bike are one of the best riding combo's I have ever ridden. Would recommend based on my experience, likely the 'cross fork is burlier than road. A Ritchey road bike is on my bucket list (59cm).

[cmg]

had one on a Litespeed Tuscany i owned. Took about a pound off the frame fork combo, much lighter than the litespeed fork and much stiffer than the Easton ec70-90 fork that i tried to use. If the Ritchey and ENVE are close in price get the ENVE. If your getting because of desired fork rake get the Ritchey.

[cyan]

Thanks all.

One problem though, it seems that the Ritchey fork has issue with the crown race: here (https://www.reddit.com/r/bikewrench/comments/5b3c74/seemingly_compatible_headset_fork_arent_compatible/), here (https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=153353), and here (https://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/f40/gap-between-lower-headset-fork-47194.html), so that there may be a 2-3mm gap between the headset bottom cup and the 45mm-diameter crown, esp. with CK 1 1/8" Nothreadset HS?

[stev0]

Thanks all.

One problem though, it seems that the Ritchey fork has issue with the crown race: here (https://www.reddit.com/r/bikewrench/comments/5b3c74/seemingly_compatible_headset_fork_arent_compatible/), here (https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=153353), and here (https://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/f40/gap-between-lower-headset-fork-47194.html), so that there may be a 2-3mm gap between the headset bottom cup and the 45mm-diameter crown, esp. with CK 1 1/8" Nothreadset HS?

Ritchey makes a specific part for this: Ritchey Part No. 55050007025 - Used this to mate a Ritchey WCS Disc fork to a CK nothreadset
(Ritchey told me this about a month ago, and I just installed last week, so info is up to date)

[jtbadge]

My Crustacean has the previous version of the WCS fork. It has ridden nicely (even at 200+ lbs), is lightweight, looks pretty nice (when painted, at least), and has plenty of clearance for 28c tires.

I don't really think that the crown race gap mentioned above is that noticeable once you have the bike built up. In fact, I never even thought twice about it until I read those posts.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7884/47212560241_87ff0ebb6a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2eW1Hik)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7885/46489200964_4d7e32b42d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dQ6iME)

[nmrt]

had a ritchey carbon fork. the wcs model.
i was vain and swaped it for an enve 1.0.
the bike looked a lot better with the all blacked out enve fork.
but in terms of handling, steering, stiffness, the difference between the two were...
nada! :)

[false_Aest]

They ride well but not as stiff as an Enve 2.0
I've certainly never thought they resulted in a vague or noodley feel.

[stev0]

photo as requested (a bit dirty already...)

https://i.imgur.com/D5KcTc6l.jpg?1

[Ralph]

I ride a steel frame bike with Enve 2.0 fork. If I could go back to when I made that decision, would have got the Ritchey. The Enve fork is very stiff, would not mind a little more compliance. I weigh 158 BTW.

I also ride a Cannondale CAAD 10 a lot. The CF fork tube on that CAAD 10 fork is much thinner than the 2.0 Enve. And I really like how the CAAD 10 rides.

The Enve has impeccable workmanship BTW. Imagine Ritchey also.....I'm always impressed with top end Ritchey stuff. They are probably all made by the same couple Taiwan producers. I would think both excellent.

[cyan]

photo as requested (a bit dirty already...)

https://i.imgur.com/D5KcTc6l.jpg?1

Thanks! How does it ride? More compliant than Enve 2.0 as others say?

[stev0]

I haven't yet spent enough time on it to say with much confidence, but it seems less stiff/more compliant than my enve 1.0 (haven't ridden a 2.0). Seems nice so far, but I haven't really put it through its paces, just around town.

IIRC from some Ritchey interviews, their carbon forks very deliberately were designed to be more compliant rather than stiff for the sake of ride quality, so take that as you please..
I've never ridden a carbon fork that felt squishy, including the Ritchey, but my sample size is admittedly pretty small. Not sure that stiffness, or stiffness above all else is desirable :confused:

only way to find out whether it's right for you is to try it!