Ritchey to Unveil New Products at NAHBS

Ritchey Design to Show Handlebar Prototypes Using Unidirectional Carbon Fiber

SAN CARLOS, Calif. - Feb. 6, 2008 - Ritchey Design today announced it will show prototypes of road and mountain bike handlebars using hi-strength "UD" unidirectional carbon fiber at the upcoming Handmade Bicycle Show in Portland, Ore., February 8-10 held in the Oregon Convention Center. In addition to the prototypes, Ritchey's sister company, Syncros will also introduce several new products with its new "grunge" style graphics for the 2009 product line.

"More than ever, cycling enthusiasts understand the value of a custom bike with a custom fit." said Steve Parke, general manager and vice president of marketing for Ritchey Design. "Exhibiting at the Handmade Bicycle Show allows us to show framebuilders and consumers how our Fit Logic philosophy and components position a rider optimally on a bike, improving overall comfort and performance while riding."

The Ritchey products on display will include new versions of the Logic II Carbon road bars, Evo SL road handlebars [current version, inset], WCS Carbon Flat and Carbon Rizer mountain bike handlebars, each using a carbon fiber with unidirectional weave. The unidirectional weave provides a better mix of strength and stiffness while reducing weight at the same time. Ritchey's new unidirectional weave products will launch at Interbike 2008 and be available from retailers beginning 2009.

Ritchey 2008 components on display at the Handmade Bicycle Show include:

Bars
Logic II carbon road bars, Evo SL road bars, Pro Matrix road bars, WCS Classic Alloy road bars, Carbon Flat and Carbon Rizer for mountain.

Stems
Carbon Matrix, 4-Axis 44, 4 Axis and Pro 30D

Saddles
WCS Streem White and WCS Marathon

Seatposts
WCS Carbon Single Bolt, WCS Wet Black Alloy, WCS Carbon 2-bolt and Single-bolt Stubby

Pedals
WCS Peloton and WCS Echelon

Forks
WCS UD Road and WCS MTB

For details of the above products, please visit http://www.ritcheylogic.com/.

Syncros Gives Preview of 2009 "Grunge" Graphics
Subsequent to acquiring Canada-based Syncros in 2003, Ritchey maintained the simple black and white graphics and branding for the manufacturer of freeride and downhill mountain bike products.

At the Handmade Bicycle Show, Ritchey Design will introduce the new "grunge" style graphics for its 2009 Syncros line, complete with tattoo style art in bold black, red, white and grey.

There are actually three versions of the graphic to differentiate between Syncros' cross country, freeride and downhill products. They are as follows:

FL = freakin light - meant for the cross country set. It gets the least amount of graphic treatment to appeal to the minimalist associated with the XC set.


AM = all mountain or enduro – meant for the 5" front and rear suspension bikes. Noticeably more graphic elements.


FR = freeride or gravity segment – meant for the bikes hauled up the mountain on ski lifts – think Whistler Bike Park. Has the most graphic elements.


"The Syncros brand has always been a high energy company with a focus on strong and light-weight components for freeride and downhill mountain bikers," said Parke. "The new graphics add to the personality of the product and provide additional flair for a high-quality line of components."

For more information about the Ritchey products on display at the Handmade Bicycle Show, please contact Chip Smith at 801.523.3730 or csmith@soarcomm.com.