Tom Ritchey, mountain bike pioneer and frame building legend from California, recognised early on that gravel bikes would become a species of their own in the bike cosmos and launched the Outback model back in 2018. The steel-frame gravel bike is now a classic in its own right and, according to the company, Ritchey's best-selling model. Reason enough for an update, which the US bike manufacturer is now presenting. In addition to numerous changes in detail, the new XXL frame size for people over 1.88 metres tall is a key innovation.
Ritchey Outback with dropper seatpost
Other new features include internally routed guides for the cables of an optional dropper seatpost and a dynamo system, which can be used to upgrade the Outback into a versatile commuter bike. Ritchey has also launched two new colour variants for the Outback, Aurora and Winter Sage.
The Outback is made from proprietary, heat-treated and triple-butted Logic steel tubes; the revised carbon fork has threaded eyelets for attaching bags or mudguards. This makes the Outback the perfect basis for a versatile gravel, bikepacking, adventure and commuter bike. The base price is 1599 euros.
