1987 Richey Ascent Homecoming

Thanks to all for the kind words ☺️ I really enjoyed this one and very happy with the finished product. Had a chance last weekend to get out on a proper ride in fairly dry conditions and it did not disappoint. I really could notice a difference in the feel and ride. These bikes from 87' and older being longer wheelbase geometry, bit slacked steering. The chainstays are only about 1/2" longer but the steering/trail is about 1" longer compared to my 90s bikes. My circuit includes two very steep climbs which I managed to pull off. My early to mid 90s MTBs handle the climbs a bit better but the Ritchey really shines on the (smooth) downhills and flowy stuff. Super happy its back in my stable and will go into my rotation. Here's a couple pics. Note the beautiful views of Burrard inlet/North Vancouver around Confederation Park and Capitol hill in Burnaby 😁
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Extremely nice build. Well done.

Are the headset and seatpost clamp NOS?

What pedals are you using in the last pictures?
 
Extremely nice build. Well done.

Are the headset and seatpost clamp NOS?

What pedals are you using in the last pictures?
Thanks Jaychen! Headset looks NOS from the outside but it's seen some miles. It came off the Diamond Back Arrival I used for a lot of the donor parts along with the wheels, etc. Unfortunately the headset races are a little pitted but not too bad, feels plenty smooth while riding.
The seatpost QR is not Shimano except for the aluminum nut. Note that all QR nuts have new O Rings sourced from ebay that are slightly big but a pretty good fit, a thin layer of vinyl electricians tape underneath keeps them from rotating while I ride :LOL:. The XT QR pulled from the DB has a bolt that is way too short for that cool Ritchey fast back seatstay arrangement. I'm sure there are longer bolt versions but I had a same period copy version that looks almost the same with a long enough bolt which I used after trying to source one with no luck.

Pedals are Suntour XC II
 
Don’t mind the black tape in place of a handlebar grip which is temporary while I wait on the stem. It’s built up as far as I can go with it.

I’m super happy with the paint/decals. I can’t wait to ride it again. Also, it’s great to have a late 80s MTB to add to my (2) steel & (3) aluminum vintage 90s MTBs.
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Here is the build detail:
FRAME: Tom Ritchey 4130 (Tange), Double-butted seamless Chrome-moly, ovalized seat tube at the bottom bracket, reinforcing seat collar with cold forged vertical dropouts. Weight: 5 lbs 2 oz (2325g). Price: $600. Year: 1987.

Threads
English​
24​
36​
46​
Wheelbase
107.2 cm ; 42.2 in.​
13​
X​
72​
92​
Seat tube
(center-to-center) 45.5 cm ; 18 in.​
15​
42​
62​
80​
Top tube
56 cm ; 22 in.​
17​
37​
55​
70​
Head angle
70 degrees​
20​
31​
47​
60​
Seat angle
73 degrees​
24​
26​
39​
50​
Chainstays
43.3 cm ; 17.4 in.​
30​
21​
31​
X​
Bottom Bracket height
29.2 cm ; 11.5 in.​

FORK: Tom Ritchey 4130 (Tange) rigid unicrown Chrome-moly. Weight: 780g. Rake: 1.87 in.

WHEELS: Weight: 2096g - Rear wheel (1159g) Front wheel (937g)

HUBS
Front: Shimano Deore XT HB-M730 (140g), Rear: Shimano Deore XT FH-M730 (356g)​
SPOKES
36 - 3X Stainless Steel 14 gauge spokes, brass nipples​
RIMS
Araya RM-20, 27 mm wide (970g)​

DRIVETRAIN:

REAR DERAILLEUR
Shimano Deore XT RD-M735 (250g)​
FRONT DERAILLEUR
Shimano Deore XT FD-M730 (111g)​
CHAIN
KMC (300g)​
CRANKSET
Shimano Deore XT FC-M730 175mm ; 58 - 94mm bolt spacing (734g)​
BOTTOM BRACKET
Shimano Deore XT BB-UN71 (244g)​
REAR COGS
Shimano Deore XT CS-M730 six speed 13-30T (287g)​
PEDALS
Suntour XC II (439g)​

COMPONENTS:

FRONT BRAKE
Shimano Deore XT BR-M732 (170g w/ brake shoes)​
REAR BRAKE
Shimano Deore XT BR-M733 U brake (265g w/ brake shoes)​
BRAKE LEVERS
Ritchey Logic (180g)​
SHIFT LEVERS
Shimano Deore XT SL-M730 (185g)​
HANDLEBAR
Zoom (161g)​
STEM
Ritchey Force 130 mm (370g)​
HEADSET
Tange Falcon (190g)​
SADDLE
Selle Italia Turbo 1980 (310g)​
SEATPOST
Kalloy Uno 26.8 (220g)​
TIRES
Panaracer – 26 X 2.1 Smoke (rear) Dart (front) (1194g)​
TUBES
(293g)​
SKEWERS
Shimano Deore XT (193g)​
CRANK BOLTS
Titanium (20g)​
HANDLEBAR GRIPS
Ritchey WCS True (45g)​
SEATPOST BINDER BOLT
Shimano Deore XT (76g)​
GEAR/BRAKE CABLES & HOUSINGS
(176g)​
WEIGHT: 25 lbs 10 oz
Hi there. Ed from Burnaby also, writing to ask who you ordered the ARAYA RM20 decals from ? I could use some to for an upcoming build. We may have met before in person too, btw. The swap meets or from buying parts off you maybe through Craigslist. Thanks for your time. Cheers !
 
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