Ritchey Septimer: The Ultimate All-Road Bike Arrives After 40-Year Quest

Tom Ritchey, a legendary figure in the cycling world, has finally unveiled what he considers to be the pinnacle of bike design: the new Ritchey Septimer Frameset. This innovative all-road bicycle, crafted from carbon fiber, represents the culmination of a 40-year journey dedicated to conceptualizing and perfecting the ultimate riding machine. Designed to offer unparalleled versatility, the Septimer integrates advanced features that cater to both adventurous touring and robust off-road excursions, promising a superior experience for riders seeking to explore diverse terrains.

A standout characteristic of the Septimer is its ingenious Break-Away system. This allows the frame to be effortlessly disassembled into two distinct parts, significantly simplifying transport and storage. This modular design is particularly beneficial for cyclists who travel frequently, as it fits neatly into a specialized travel case, circumventing the logistical challenges often associated with transporting full-sized bicycles. Unlike Ritchey's traditional steel constructions, both the frame and fork of the Septimer are meticulously crafted from lightweight yet durable carbon fiber. This material choice not only reduces the overall weight of the bike but also enhances its strength and responsiveness. Furthermore, with generous clearance for tires up to 48mm wide and equipped with flat-mount disc brakes, the Septimer is engineered to handle challenging landscapes with exceptional stability and control.

The inspiration behind the Septimer traces back to 1987, when Tom Ritchey embarked on a journey through Europe in search of pristine, motor vehicle-free cycling routes. His explorations led him to the ancient stone pathways of the Swiss Alps, remnants of old Roman military roads. The Septimer Pass, one such historic route that has remained largely untouched by modern development, profoundly influenced Ritchey's vision, lending its name to this new bicycle and embodying the spirit of enduring adventure and exploration.

Beyond its innovative split-frame design, the Septimer is built for practicality and adaptability. The frameset is robustly constructed to support additional loads, featuring multiple mounts for water bottles, top tube bags, and a rear rack. The fork alone provides three distinct luggage mounting points, making it an ideal choice for bikepacking and extended tours. It accommodates both 1x and 2x crankset configurations, and its external cable routing simplifies maintenance and reassembly after travel. While modern electronic groupsets further streamline these processes, even with a Shimano Di2 system, only a minor adjustment of unplugging the battery is required. The option to remove the front derailleur mount for 1x setups adds another layer of customization, allowing riders to fine-tune their bike to their specific needs and preferences.

Available in four sizes ranging from small to extra-large, the Septimer Frameset comes in a sleek black finish accented with white logos. A size large frame weighs approximately 1,360 grams, complemented by a 440-gram Ritchey WCS Gravel fork. The package includes 142/100mm 12mm thru-axles, though components for mechanical groupsets, such as stops and guides, are available separately. The frameset is priced at £2,958, with an optional Break-Away bike travel bag available for an additional £331. This contemporary design, with its emphasis on disc brakes and wider tire compatibility, significantly enhances the bike's versatility compared to earlier models, making it perfectly suited for endeavors like pedaling towards a distant destination or conquering an ancient mountain pass, as Tom Ritchey himself envisions.