In late 2011, we took a ride on the Ritte Steeplechase Disc, a frame with an eclectic mix of steel and carbon that appeared to defy convention: A bike that wanted to push the envelope for cyclocross riders across the United States.
Over three years later, Ritte is back at it again with their aluminum Crossberg, and today we offer Clifford Lee’s full review of the frame and build from Issue 28. For extensive reviews just like this one, be sure to order your backcopy today, which is also available on Uberflip, in the App Store on iTunes, and on Google Play for Android.
Use the slider below for impressions and detailed specs on the frame, build and ride, as well as our final verdict. More Info: rittecycles.com
by Clifford Lee
The Ritte Crossberg is an accumulation of design refinement for the company Ritte Bicycles, a five-year-old bike purveyor based out of Los Angeles. Ritte produces carbon and stainless steel road bikes, a carbon time trial machine, an aluminum track bike and the Crossberg.
The Ritte Crossberg Cyclocross Bike. © Clifford Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
Ritte decided on 7000 series aluminum for the update to this cyclocross machine to strike a balance between low weight, durability and value. Using aluminum also allowed for easy geometry refinement as the company gained feedback from its sponsored riders, and the final result was the Crossberg. Who knows what the next steps will be? Perhaps a clay model based on this geometry, crafted by Ritte founder Spencer Canon, will be sent for engineering review before a carbon mold is made. For now, Ritte doesn’t offer a carbon cyclocross bike, but we want to find out if such an offering might not even be necessary with the performance of the aluminum Crossberg.
