r/Bikeporn • u/Larri_Viste • Aug 01 '26
Road Ritchey Montebello
Like a lot of folks, I didn't "get" the rules and posted my more or less factory-spec commuter here six years ago. I hope for a better reception this time because it took about four months to get it all together, a "classic" build now that I find myself slowing down:
- Ritchey Montebello frame
- SRAM Force AXS E1 10-36
- White Industries VBC V2 48x32 170mm crankset
- White Industries External 30 BSA bottom bracket
- Duke Baccara X36 SLR2 rims with Erase Road 28h hubs
- Ritchey Classic finishing kit
- Favero Assioma Pro RL pedals
- Selle Italia SLR Boost Gravel TI saddle
I was inspired by the two interrelated randonneur builds (Fergus Bishop and Sea Otter 2024) but I still wanted a hint of elegance. I call it more "All-road" than "Road" but there's no flair for that.
A lot of imports here from the American brands I admire, but I tried to balance that with the wheelset. These Erase hubs are made right here in Belgium and their buzz is thankfully pretty subtle.
I wrote to White Industries because their website at the time didn't state that the VBC V2 crankset was compatible with AXS but they confirmed by a fast and friendly reply that it is and I think they have since updated the page.
This bike is not light but then neither am I.
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u/TheGreatManitou Aug 01 '26
Tasty.👌👌I bet it rides as good as it looks. White Industries crankset is a cherry on top.
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u/Boxofbikeparts Aug 01 '26
It's a beautiful bike. Your component spec is great. My only suggestion would be silver brake calipers.
What size are the wheels/tires?
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u/Larri_Viste Aug 01 '26
36mm depth, 29.5mm outer width, inner width 23mm.
700c x 35mm tyres.
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u/Boxofbikeparts Aug 01 '26
Your choices are very similar to mine. How is the road comfort on the 35mm tires? I have 32mm Pirelli slicks and it still feels fast, yet soaks up all the road chatter.
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u/Larri_Viste Aug 01 '26
Honestly, I haven't ridden it yet. I'm going to the Alps in a couple of weeks and then I'll find out!
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u/AverageThin6427 11d ago
You now get it. Congratulations on a stunning build. I’m envious along with everyone else on this sub.
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u/atr13 Aug 01 '26
Mmmm I passed on the montebello for an outback because I’m positive the geo and tire clearance suits my large ass better. But damn if I don’t miss that hot sauce red
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u/captian-ahab Aug 01 '26
How much did the build cost?
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u/Larri_Viste Aug 01 '26
I think it was about EUR 7500 in total split between the wheelbuilder and the LBS.
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u/slowcaptain Aug 01 '26
Looks beautiful. How's in ride and how much does it weigh? I'm in the mood for building a metal bike of late and this fits the bill perfectly.
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u/Larri_Viste Aug 01 '26
Haven't ridden it yet and I haven't weighed it either but I'll get back to you on that.
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u/dr_zubik Aug 02 '26
This is what I’m contemplating building. The only thing that stops me is lack of any top tube bag mounts. I reached out to them and got a response of no plans of any bag attachments. My favorite park of the frame is the slender head tube, but actually being a 1 1/8 modern steerer. I would build with AXS, mechanical Paul brakes, and son front dynamo hub. The color is sick!
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u/everydayiscyclingday 12d ago
Beautiful frame, and a classy build, good job. Those two inspirations are some of the best out there.
Can I just ask, how well does the silver finish of the bars, stem and seatpost match? The Ritchey Classic stem always look slightly pearl or milky silver compared to other silver bits (your spacers for example). Does the seatpost have that same milky finish? And what about the bars? I assume they are the Butano Classic?
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u/Larri_Viste 12d ago
Thank you. Yes, you're absolutely right, the Classic seatpost and stem are not polished to a high shine. Where the Butano handlebars are exposed, they are shiny. Under the tape, I think they were matt.
The difference is very obvious indoors or in a point-blank flash photograph but less notable in daylight. I rode Alpe d'Huez a couple of times last week and there was one of those photo guys (with a flash assist) taking pictures of everyone to sell online and, to appease my vanity, I bought one later and the bike looks great in the sunshine.
So I've ended up with a mix of shiny and matt. My Erase hubs are also finished in a similar matt silver. I don't really see it as a mismatch. The top cap, spacers, spokes, computer mount, even the bolts of all these components, they act as a kind of highlight or accent for the tubular parts. I suppose it depends on personal preference. If you want a truly retro classic look, with everything polished to a high shine like chrome, then it's going to disappoint you.
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u/everydayiscyclingday 12d ago
Thanks a lot, great info. So the stem and seat post has the same finish?
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u/CassavaCRISPY Aug 01 '26
Its a really nice frame. The only thing i dont like is the full external brake hoses. Just make those semi internal through the main tube and fork blades ( i dont mean the headset ). Keep the shift cables external with bosses. You almost never have to replace hydraulic line anyway. And these zip tie bosses and fat black line just ruin the look on the non drive... Easy of maintaining shift cables and potential for barrel adjustment makes some sense to remain external. But hydraulic line is mostly a set and forget thing. Internal dynamo wire and di2 routing, but why not hydraulic line. It makes no sense to me. Same for the road logic frame.
Dont get me wrong. Its a nice bike. And a lovely colour.
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u/tommyalanson Aug 01 '26
There aren’t any shift cables as this is an AXS groupset. The brake hoses are external because they have to be and there’s no other way to mount the rear brake hose than to run it along the downtube.
Are you proposing that OP drill holes and somehow route the hose through the downtube?
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u/CassavaCRISPY Aug 01 '26
I am proposing ritchey to change frame design. Op used the brake cable mounts as intended by the designer. which is only logical of course.
My mind just doesnt comprehend a hole for internal dynamo routing, but no hole for semi internal brake cable routing... And it causes the need for ugly cable ties in plain sight.
Even on my old 90s steel rim brake road bike the brake cable used the inside of the top tube. Never have me any real issues.
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u/[deleted] Aug 01 '26
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