Ritchey Wheels: Redefining the Greatest Invention with Master-Built Excellence

If the greatest invention of all time isn’t the wheel, then we beg to differ. We think that our master-built wheels could compete with fire or the lightbulb for the top spot, and if that seems bold, what do you really know about Ritchey wheels?

Wherever you go in the world, you’ll find that the combination of rims, spokes, nipples, hubs, and bearings are still the best system for efficient forward momentum because wheels made this way are simple and highly serviceable. It would be contrary to Tom Ritchey’s ethos to engineer wheels that keep the rider from going even farther off the beaten path. Self-sufficiency is part of the adventure; your wheels should be the least of your worries whether riding near home or in some far-flung destination. There are reasons why Ritchey wheels are highly engineered and tested in specific ways. Here’s why:

1. MASTER-BUILT EXCELLENCE

Every Ritchey wheel has been designed around the concept of master-built, which has been a cornerstone of the brand for many years. Ritchey’s wheel builders need to have a commitment to being a high-quality builder, and they need to demonstrate consistency in accordance with Tom’s standards and requirements for a wheel – everything from prestressing to tensions to materials. Each wheelset is built by hand, from the spoke lacing to tensioning and truing, a master wheelbuilder applies their expertise to comply with Tom’s high demands for quality.

2. RIGOROUS TESTING WITH THE JOBST WHEEL TESTING MACHINE

Ritchey’s commitment to high quality product performance is exemplified by the JOBST wheel testing machine. Tom Ritchey designed the machine himself and called it JOBST in homage to his mentor, Jobst Brandt. All bicycle products must meet minimum safety standards under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 4210 Safety Requirements for Bicycles. As the owner of the brand that bears his name, Tom has set testing standards that are at least twice as rigorous as those laid out by the ISO.

To simulate “real world” forces acting on wheels in a lab environment, JOBST tests wheels under various loads, resistances, speeds, and road conditions to monitor performance during a wheel’s development process, and to test wheels to their limits in a controlled environment. It ensures that every Ritchey wheel meets the highest standards of durability and reliability. Unlike any other testing equipment, this machine embodies Tom Ritchey’s design principles, as well as his personality.

3. OFF CENTER RIM (OCR): BALANCE AND DISH

Ritchey was one of the first — if not the first — companies to adopt the OCR (Off Center Rim) design. OCR means that spoke holes have been drilled into the rim off of the centerline of the rim’s width. Ritchey chose this design to provide more balance between right and left spoke tension. The resulting wheel is stronger and easily dished (centered to the midplane of the bike), and less likely to go out of true with regular hard use.

4. J-BEND SPOKES: THE BEST CHOICE

Tom has always championed the use of J-bend spokes. These spokes feature a hooked shape where the spoke connects to the hub. Simple, reliable, and repairable, J-bend spokes are easier to lace, tension, and true, but more than that, J-bend spokes are easier to find no matter where you are in the world, which is in line with Tom’s belief in self-reliance and one’s ability to get oneself home safely after a ride.

There are many steps to making a perfect spoke, which also means that there are many opportunities to cut corners and produce a substandard spoke. Ritchey uses DT Swiss spokes because the company maintains a level of quality that other spoke manufacturers have so far failed to rival.

Spoke count is also important to Ritchey, where 28 for using off-road is the minimum. If one of the 28 spokes fails, the rest can cover for the absence of that spoke.

5. PHANTOM FLANGE ON QR WHEELS

Unique to Ritchey, the Phantom Flange concept hides the forged spoke bed where J-bend spoke heads securely rest in the hub body. This accomplishes a couple things. For one, the forged in — or bedded in — shape reduces stress on the spoke head, thus eliminating the prestressing step when building a wheel. It also creates a natural straight line from the bed to the eyelet in the rim.

This design saves weight and creates a more suitable interface between the hub and the spoke to reduce stress on the spoke while resulting in a stronger wheel. Phantom Flange hubs provide the sleek profile of straight-pull spokes while maintaining the strength and reliability of traditional J-bend spokes.

6. RATCHET DRIVER ENGAGEMENT SYSTEM

Featured on Ritchey’s WCS wheels, this system ensures smooth and efficient power transfer, which has proven ideal for competitive and recreational cyclists alike. The Ratchet Driver engagement system gives the rider 36 points of engagement in 10° increments to optimize pedaling force. The benefit here is that the entire system is engaged under pedaling force. Whereas in comparison to a pawl system, despite the number of pawls — whether four or six — only one or two pawls may be engaged at a time and will therefore be less efficient.

7. PREINSTALLED TLR TAPE

Ritchey WCS wheels spare their owners the hassle of applying tubeless rim tape by doing it for them. Ritchey wheels come with preinstalled TLR (Tubeless Ready) tape, which simplifies the conversion to a tubeless setup and saves the time and effort it takes to make sure the wheels are airtight.

8. BRASS NIPPLES FOR DURABILITY

The nipples are what hold your rim to each spoke. The threaded end of the spoke is screwed into the threaded interior of the spoke nipples. Ritchey uses brass nipples because of their strength and resistance to corrosion. This deliberate choice is to ensure that Ritchey wheels remain reliable and long-lasting, even in challenging conditions.

THE FINAL WORD

There are no shortcuts to crafting master-built wheels. Ritchey wheels combine superior craftsmanship, rigorous testing, and innovative — yet practical — design features like OCR, Phantom Flange, and J-bend spokes. These elements prioritize smooth performance and durability – wheels by Ritchey have been known to stay true and run smoothly even after years of use. Whether riding locally or exploring distant trails, Ritchey wheels provide unmatched performance and ease-of-maintenance, making them an essential companion for any adventure.