The only somewhat fiddly quirk of the frameset I uncovered was a lack of any stops at the dropouts to assist in positioning of the wheels – something Ritchey says allows them to accommodate the myriad of different axle diameters on the market – but which nonetheless adds a minor complication when fitting the wheels as they skate freely around in the dropouts.īoth the standard and Break-Away versions of the Outback are designed around mechanical drivetrains, while the regular Outback accepts hydraulic disc brakes routed externally. This fork is new to Ritchey, comes in a 50 mm rake, and is also available aftermarket in a simple black finish.Īll fittings on the bike are with an eye on practicality and serviceability, with an English-threaded bottom bracket, a 27.2 mm seat post, and all cabling routed externally. There are now rack and fender mounts, two bottle cage mounts inside the main triangle, plus one on the underside of the down tube.Ĭontinuing this theme are the cage and fender mounts on the 450-gram full-carbon fork. Where the previous Outback cut off at 700c x 40 mm, the new version accommodates at least 700c x 48 mm tyres with the option to run 650b wheels as well (with a width up to 2.0”). One of the most obvious differences is in tyre clearance. But before I get into why, let’s take a few steps back to talk a bit about what’s new in the latest version. In April 2020, the new Outback first emerged into the light, the result of a substantial makeover that gave it a different character, a lot more practicality, and a broadened appeal. A few months later, Ritchey revealed a Break-Away variant, featuring an identical geometry and tube-butting but with the ability to pack it down into a suitcase.Īt the recent CyclingTips Field Test in Bright, I took the opportunity to test the new Ritchey Outback Break-Away on some of the region’s glorious gravel roads, getting lost among the pine plantations and remembering the simple joy of riding a bike. Meanwhile, a carbon-framed Outback Break-Away was also launched – although that featured a notably different geometry that tilted towards being too aggressive, especially in smaller sizes.Īs the gravel market continued to evolve, it became clear to Ritchey that the Outback could do with an update. That bike, in teal-painted steel, was a little late to the party and, in hindsight, a bit conservative in its tyre clearance and carrying capacity. || Lows: A little heavy, dropouts lack guides to assist in wheel placement.ĭespite being fond of the saying “every bike is a gravel bike”, Ritchey felt the need for a dedicated gravel bike in the company’s range, and in 2017 the brand launched the Outback. Standard version is a few hundred less in each currency.|| Highs: Sublime ride quality, excellent handling, fair value, uncompromised by Break-Away system. || Price: US$1,799/EU€1,899/AU$2,899 (Break-Away frameset, headset, travel case and assorted padding). || Weight: 10.2 kg (22.48 lb) as tested (size large, with pedals and cages) 2,280 g (5.02 lb, frame only, with hardware) 450 g (0.99 lb, fork only, uncut). || Key features: Triple-butted ‘Logic’ chromoly tubing, full carbon fork, generous tyre clearance (700c x 48 or 650b x 2.0”), rack and fender mounts, and it fits into a suitcase. What: A classic-looking steel gravel bike … with a trick up its sleeve. After having helped pioneer what we now call ‘mountain bikes’, Ritchey has spent the last four decades curating a shifting line-up of bikes and components – from road frames to tandems to stems and wheels. Ritchey’s a brand with a long and rich history under the careful guardianship of Tom Ritchey, a living legend of the cycling industry. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!
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