The return of "Designed by Tom Kellogg"

[merckxman]

https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear...-phantom-news/

[IJWS]

Was anyone else really disappointed by these bikes? I loved the Ritte brand, but after the ownership change, there is less vim and, tbh, the vim was all that ritte had to offer.

[Blue Jays]

My anticipation is the new bicycles are likely absolutely terrific.
Tom Kellogg is a living bicycle framebuilding legend.
He would undoubtedly only affiliate himself with a great product.

[dbnm]

It's my understanding that Ritte was nothing more than "off the shelf" kind of bikes. They got some internet fame with fancy paint jobs. I saw nothing special about them other than the stainless Snob bike.

[ibis]

I know someone who used to race for them...said the bikes felt terrible. That was back in 2012 though so take that with a grain of salt.

[avalonracing]

All I have to say is that I've had some nice bikes but the Merlin Works CR 3/2.5 (size large) was the best riding bike I have ever ridden.

The reason I mentioned size large is that Tom spec'd the large and XL bikes with a bigger Ti downtube.

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by avalonracing

All I have to say is that I've had some nice bikes but the Merlin Works CR 3/2.5 (size large) was the best riding bike I have ever ridden.



The reason I mentioned size large is that Tom spec'd the large and XL bikes with a bigger Ti downtube.

Same here. Works 6/4 was impeccable.

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[Gummee]

Originally Posted by dbnm

It's my understanding that Ritte was nothing more than "off the shelf" kind of bikes. They got some internet fame with fancy paint jobs. I saw nothing special about them other than the stainless Snob bike.

I've owned a custom Russ Denny frame. He's the real deal.

The Pedalforce frames re-branded? Probably meh.

I do miss the irreverent marketing of the original guys.

M

[mickey.d]

I rode one of the gravel protos at d2r2 this year. Geo was dialed. Production bikes have better tubing and machine parts than the mule I rode.

[ergott]

I would give anything with Tom's name on it the benefit of the doubt. He always has pride in his name associated with a bike and is a killer bike handler himself. Makes super coffee too!

Hope this works out well for Ritte, I'm sure they'll have many happy riders with these.

[soulspinner]

Originally Posted by ergott

I would give anything with Tom's name on it the benefit of the doubt. He always has pride in his name associated with a bike and is a killer bike handler himself. Makes super coffee too!

Hope this works out well for Ritte, I'm sure they'll have many happy riders with these.

Have to agree.

[Clancy]

Any idea where these are made?

Curious, why the large chainstay bridge? Added for stiffness?

Really like the paint on the Phantom.

[simonov]

Originally Posted by ergott

I would give anything with Tom's name on it the benefit of the doubt. He always has pride in his name associated with a bike and is a killer bike handler himself. Makes super coffee too!

Hope this works out well for Ritte, I'm sure they'll have many happy riders with these.

Totally. TK is the real deal, a great guy, a great bike rider, and a master designer. If he's involved, these will be good.

[Hilltopperny]

Originally Posted by Clancy

Any idea where these are made?



Curious, why the large chainstay bridge? Added for stiffness?



Really like the paint on the Phantom.

These are made in Taiwan according to the article. The chainstay bridge allows internal shift routing through the chainstay.


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[merckxman]

Originally Posted by Clancy

Any idea where these are made?

Curious, why the large chainstay bridge? Added for stiffness?

Really like the paint on the Phantom.

"Brake hose and shift housings are full-length and run internally through the frame—the frames may also be provisioned for wired-electronic shifting. A bit of trickery was needed around the bottom bracket to execute the all-internal run: The BB shell is bulged in the center to create space, with a unique chainstay bridge creating an enclosed pathway from the BB into the stays."

"they’re hand-welded at a factory in Taiwan"