Good-bye Wicked. Well, hello Commando!

[GoldenEraMTB]

Last week I bid my beloved 88 Wicked farewell. It was the old bike I rode the most. Hell, it was the only bike I rode. I didn't know what would take it's place as my favorite. I've been through dozens of bikes, and not many suit my riding style.

Enter the 83 Commando, which I bought from a fellow member here on RB. It was kind of him to offer it to me, and after today, I especially appreciate it, as it has become my beloved old bike. This would be the second time I rode it, after a couple changes, and the first time I opened it up on an off-road trail. It went where I wanted it to go, every time; it cleared a couple logs and couple steep quick ascents. Objects I didn't clear on the Wicked, at least not in the same manner. Confidence inspiring and a blast, while being a bike I can ride all day.

I'd like to know why this is, as I never thought I'd pick a Ritchey over a Fat. Perhaps someone on here can chime in with why one might ride better than the other: is it sizing? is it geometry? or something intangible?

In the meantime, a couple shots of my commando from today's ride

 

[andrewl]

Perhaps someone on here can chime in with why one might ride better than the other: is it sizing? is it geometry? or something intangible?

It's the moustache factor. Facial hair just works better on a Ritchey frame

 

[andrewl]

Looking at things more seriously it could be any number of factors including the intangible.

My riding of both brands is limited to what I own and to me Ritchey is no nonsense business like ride whether it’s a blast on the local trails or at the front of a World Cup race. Fat on the other hand while really nice bikes, suffer a little from trying too hard to be counter culture and thus the ride (for me) is sometimes a little quirky.

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

thanks for the input, Andrew. I'm a Fat City Cycles fan; that isn't changing, as I've had many great rides on my Yo Eddys over the years, but I don't consider the Yo's old. I'm mainly talking 80's.

I don't think I've owned an 80's Fat that has been the right size/fit for me; they were always too small or too large. This Commando is just right.

It feels longer than my Wicked, and less twitchy, without being slower. The Twinstrut (bullmoose) handlebar is awesome; combined with the fork, it tracks well, while keeping me at just the right height. Wish the 88 wicked was still around so I could take measurements and compare. It was probably a bit small for me in the toptube.

 

[andrewl]

thanks for the input, Andrew. I'm a Fat City Cycles fan; that isn't changing, as I've had many great rides on my Yo Eddys over the years, but I don't consider the Yo's old. I'm mainly talking 80's.

Yep understand you are talking 80s and I know you are a big Faty City fan too and hey a Ritchey shouldn't chnage that. The impression I have on both is that they are aimed at slightly different riding styles and thus one may suit your style over the other - not that I'm seen you ride...

Or...

I don't think I've owned an 80's Fat that has been the right size/fit for me; they were always too small or too large. This Commando is just right.

... it could just be you haven't found the right size for you yet. By the same token the perfect 80s Fat may not actually exist for you. The slight geometry changes could just mean that one size feels too small and the other too large, whereas the Ritchey could be in between and hence fit like a glove.

Anyway it's always nice to be pleasently suprised by a different bike to highlight the good and bad in something owned previously

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

Good points again, Andrew. Guess we should've discussed this over PM

 

[john]

Really nice Rob, something very special. Have to say I'd find it hard to move on the Fat though.

Out of interest have you done some photoshop work on the last two pics? Or did I have one pint of mild too many over lunch?

 

[Tazio]

Careful where you park it when you're in the woods. You might lose it.

 

[Stylus]

nice ride Rob, i have no input other than that.

 

[al]

Put simpley, Tom Ritchey built the best riding MTB frames known to man.

Stop thinking and start riding!!

al.