New carbon Ritte Esprit aims to epitomize the modern road bike
Light, fast, aero, comfortable, stable, quick. If the new Ritte Esprit delivers on its promises, you can pick six of those features and receive a reasonably solid representation of each, all in one bike.
Teased for months, the Esprit is open for orders with a bold list of performance characteristics. With a sub-800g frame (size medium, claimed), aero nods and fully integrated cockpit, size-specific layups and tube shapes, and modern geometry, it wants to the perfect road bike for any rider.
Esprit Features
Up front, it uses full internal cable routing with their own one-piece OTHR Integrale handlebar/stem cockpit unit, but is compatible with traditional stems and bars, too…brake hoses would just run into the headset cap. And only brake hoses, as it’s designed for the latest electronic drivetrains only, there are no shift cable ports up front.
This, plus some generally aero shaping on the headtube and downtube give it a bit of aerodynamics, but as with all of the features, it’s about balance. It’s not an aero bike, and even though it’s light, it’s not just a climber’s bike. It’s simply a road bike, albeit one that looks like it’s a very good road bike.
Tire clearance is rated up to 700×35, and the fork’s dropouts have swappable thru-axle mounts so you can adjust the rake based on tire size.
It uses a T47 threaded bottom bracket and standard round 27.2 seatpost for maximum compatibility.
Esprit Geometry
Inspired by classic stage race bikes, which had to be good at everything, the Esprit’s geometry was designed by custom frame builder Tom Kellogg. BB height and angles and chainstay length are based on more modern cockpits, hand positions, and 28mm+ tires, and those numbers vary by frame size to fit each rider better.
The carbon layups and tube shapes are also size specific, and they offer three different fork rakes that combine with varied head angles across the size range.
Prices & Options
Two complete bikes are available, both with their bar/stem, Fizik R3 saddle, and stainless headset and BB. The Level One with house brand OTHR carbon wheels and SRAM Force AXS or Shimano Ultegra Di2 runs $7,900.
The Level Two gets ENVE SES 3.4 or 4.5 wheels, and SRAM Red AXS or Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 Di2 for $11,900. Powermeter upgrades available on both builds for an additional $400-$495.
Framesets are $3,950 and include the frame, fork, headset, hardware, and thru axles. Add their bar/stem and seatpost for $350 more.
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