Ritchey Outback Break-away review: the zen machine
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- čas přidán 17. 01. 2021
- Ritchey’s a brand with a long and rich history under the careful guardianship of Tom Ritchey, a living legend of the cycling industry. 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.
Despite 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.
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. 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.
As the gravel market continued to evolve, it became clear to Ritchey that the Outback could do with an update. 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.
At 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.
See the full review at:
cyclingtips.com/2021/01/ritch...
Music by Epidemic Sound
Includes paid promotion: Our second Field Test was done in partnership with Ride High Country, the tourism and advocacy group responsible for cycling within Victoria’s North East region. We thank them for their support in being able to produce this series. - Sport
I like the look of the long chainstays. To me, it actually looks proportionate.
i have a reynolds 853 Frame with carbon fork (All City) and the ride quality and the Reliability of steel is something i don't wanna miss anymore. Together with some good light (carbon) wheels and parts its a magic carpet ride - i love it...(+++threaded BB freedom)
So jealous you guys were in Wandi! It has been two years since they let any foreigners in and we are missing our annual fix of Bright and surrounds. The Wandi Pub rules! Great review by the way. My wife has close to 75K miles on her old Ritchie Breakaway ti w/carbon rear triangle setup and it has never given any problems. A few years back we upgraded the components to SRAM Red eTap and that wireless system makes the Breakaway that much cleaner and easier to manage. So the breakaway system does hold up over the long haul. My one recommendation is to pack an extra down tube clamp, cable splitter and rear DR hanger. They cost next to nothing but if you lose a screw, or the entire clamp, or bend a DR hanger, the spares will save your trip.
I just can't get over the adjustments to this frame from the 2019 version ... was going to try and find a first gen outback for that SNAPPY SNAP!
Handy seeing how the bike comes apart. In my town you can order these as a frameset to build up but you can't see the whole set-up and disassembly before you buy.
The lack of drop stops is an homage to the days when we aligned our quick release sweet spot.
Nice one!
I’d love to have something right in the middle of the Outback and the Swiss Cross. A bike with a lower BB than the Cross with a little more utility, shorter chain stays than the Outback and a little more aggressive as well. I feel like the Outback is a pure gravel bike that wouldn’t be great if the wheels were subbed out for narrower road ride duty. I love the look of the Ritcheys, I’m just waiting on that perfect bike for me.
Let me build you one
I was looking for that, too, but decided on a Swiss Cross. It rides like a road bike. I can feel the extra height (+/- 19mm), but it's easy to adapt. Only 5mm of the difference is the BB, the rest is from running fatter 40mm tires. The previous generation Outback had geometry between the two current models, but they're hard to find.
Standert Pfadfinder? Bombtrack Hook?
The new stigmata is what you’re looking for
@@glennreed9764still enjoying the Swiss cross or moved on to a newer gravel bike?
Bike looks great. Put it on the n+1 list.
How did you guys become the first ones to get your hands on a steel Outback Break-Away? The bike is not even up for sale yet??? I guess props for the scoop!!!
Comes with the carry suitcase? That makes the frameset price much more intrigueing.
yep, it´s included!
But it’s such a painful case to drag around😖
What do you think about the BB stop and height. I think the BB seems top high, and it's compasated by the long chain stay. In yourn opinion, would It be even better with a lower BB?
Good to see Ian on the other side of the keyboard
Looks like a great bike 4 travel!
It is! I'm after one. - Dave
Delivery date: May 2092
I noticed you didn't fit the Ritchey supplied coupler for the rear brake, is that because you were running hydraulic and din't want to deal with the mess? I'm using Mechanical TRP on my Outback Brake-Away and plan to build it up using the brake cable coupler.
Top half looks so safe and easy to put faith in but bottom half I would be scared to think something external tightened up likely to far lower nm would keep frame fail safe upon impact when your frame is a safety critical area vs s&s. If anyone owns one of these...please tell me what is securing the lower half besides the external frame clamp
Did the 2017 model come w/ QR dropouts?
I've had some absolutely wonderful bikes.... Unfortunately have never had a Ritchey, and considering I live in the same area, kinda sad.
Thanks guys. Good timing on this one. I have just narrowed down my next bike to this specific model. You didn't mention brakes here. Are there couplers for hydraulic brakes? Is that even an option? what brakes were on this demo unit? SRAM mechanical? Also, I'm assuming you used the SRAM Force AXS Wide variant? Could you say which specific Cassette/Rear Derailleur/Crankset/Chainring was on this unit? Thanks again!
There's a fair bit more detail on the groupset and spec on the written version of the article (linked below), and I get into the packdown pros/cons for the hydraulics in the comments too - worth a read.
I have the bike built up with SRAM Force 1x (mechanical), with a 40t chainring and a 10-42t cassette. I considered AXS and that would be very handy on a travel bike, but then you've got unused cable stops on the frame and it's a fair bit more expensive. I really like it in this particular build. Hope this helps! -Iain
I have chosen the option with mechanical brake levers but hybrid brake calipers. I just wanted to have the choice with encoupling easily.
Based on your comment about the Trail 40 wheel set not being a good match for the tire... You said "squared off" I'm sure I understand what that comment means. So how about recommending a tire width and rim internal width that compliments the bike in both 700 and 650b -- Ritchey wheels please - I like the fact I can remove the hub/cassette without tools for packing the Breakaway
Now Iain, where can i get that nice looking handlebar bag?..
Ian, nice review thanks. Curious I am unable to comment via disqus on the website. Had a question which is slightly offhand. You mention that your height is 180cm and saddle height is 75cm. I am also 180cm and through some trial and error have my saddle height at 73.5cm. May I ask what is your inseam because that seems to be a big difference for same overall height. Also, did you get a bike fit or did it yourself? I always doubt if my saddle height is correct hence the query. Thanks.
Hey Rahul, Disqus comments should be working again! Sorry about that. I'll need to get back to you on the inseam length, but would probably say that my leg length is somewhat on the shorter side relative to my height. My current fit is a consensus of several different bike fits over the years, so I've got a pretty good idea of where I need to be when I get on a new bike. There's no hard and fast formula for saddle height because you also need to factor in seatpost and saddle setback, cleat position, etc. -Iain
@@VeloVeloVeloTV thanks for the reply. Have you had a chance to look at your inseam? I would be quite keen to compare and see. Thanks
Excellent review ,,,,,but where was Dave ?
Busy testing road bikes!
Ian: Great review mate, but at 4:50: 'Segway' makes a different type of two wheeled device - the word you're looking for is 'segue'.. lol. Anyway, I was looking forward to this review most, having owned a Ritchey carbon breakaway for some time [with eTap to reduce the connections]. Well done.
Is this a joke? You know they're pronounced the same, right? The wikipedia entry for 'Segway' even has a disambiguation note for the homophone-that is, the word that sounds the same-'segue'. (That's probably why the transportation method is named the way it is, though I can't confirm that anywhere.)
Will it still fit in the case with 700x48 tubeless knobbies and a 520% dinner plate cassette?
Yes, deflated.
think my name could get me a discount?
Growing an epic mustache would probably help!
Psst...if you sign on Ritcheys newsletter on his website they will ripp off -15% discount on your first order in their shop.
I thought Ritchey only produced frames. Not completely speced bikes. When did that change?
That's right - Ritchey sent the frameset and most of the components for the review, but they don't sell a complete version of this bike.
@7:35 you mention the steerer size, do you mean the head tube diameter instead? Or just calling out that the steerer doesn’t taper and is straight 1 1/8?
Both, I guess? The fork has a straight 1 1/8" steerer, while the inside diameter of the headtube is likewise 1 1/8" to accommodate it. -Iain
How is 1.95" 52mm? Let's talk labeled versus as measured terms please.
How do you get a Ritchey bike in Australia?
Great question. Enlighten us please
In that wee baggie
Bikebug have started selling them.
@@iancreighton1 Framesets.
@@iancreighton1 thanks ian. Who is the distributor. Wondering if my LBS can get them
If Freddy Mercury rode a bike.
Dude how tall are u
180cm. There's some more detail on the sizing and fit in the written version of the review, linked below. -Iain
Ritchey products are GREAT......but, if you happens to have a warranty issue, then be prepare to deal with a mediocre customer service!!!!!
Nice.... But the vocal fry is strong with this one.
Yes, disappointing to hear that making statements in the form of a question has reached down under...
Disc brakes ruined the look, the weight and the aerodynamic of this bicycle. 1 by chain ring is a marketing gimmick.