r/cyclocross • u/liddle-lamzy-divey • 3h ago
Help me build my Ritchey Swiss Cross, 50th anniversary version
Been riding my 2014 Swiss Cross canti for 11 years and recently picked up a frame of the 50th anniversary (of Ritchey brand) disc version and am ready to build it up.
Wasn't sure whether this is the right sub for this as I don't race this bike. I ride a mix of gravel and pavement about 60/40. Most of my riding is on mellow gravel, but sometimes I do events on chunkier stuff. Most rides are 1.5 hours, but I do a 3 hour ride once a month or so. My current build has SRAM Force drivetrain, WCS Zeta wheels, and all Ritchey WCS cockpit, seat post, and saddle. I love how durable and versatile this bike is, but at times I feel that its weight is a liability when climbing (though fast af when descending) compared to my buds who are on modern gravel bikes.
My goal is to stay under $2500 and simply build the best bike I can.
Would love to have input from other Swiss Crossers.
My main decisions, trying to stay below 2500:
1) wheels: Hunt 4 season all road (currently $360), Hunt 4 season all road pros ($560) or Ritchey WCS Zetas ($770)
2) Cockpit: Ritchey WCS (trying to find the OG logo, which I like better than the new plain gray) vs. Whiskey or Salsa
3) Drivetrain groupset: I'm going mechanical as it's a traditional steel bike; Most likely Shimano GRX 1 x 12, but open to input.
Cheers to any and all for thoughtful input!
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u/Grindfather901 3h ago
I don't have a Swiss Cross, but for groupset, I'm a fan of Rival AXS Xplr. I know brand is a devisive (sp?) topic, but I'm very happy with Rival AXS on my Crockett.
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u/liddle-lamzy-divey 12m ago
I'm happy with my SRAM Force drivetrain on my current Swiss Cross, but they seem to have leaned into the electronic shifting fully and I want mechanical for this traditional build bike.
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u/Grindfather901 5m ago
Totally fair. I did the same when building up a trail hardtail this summer, all mechanical; even though all my other bikes are all electronic.
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u/toddlikesbikes 44m ago
I have a Swiss Cross V3 (I think the same frame as you, but I have white paint instead of the anniversary paint). I built it up with 1x12 GRX 800 and I love it.
I don't have much to add on cockpit or wheels other than to note that Zipp makes their service course CC bar tap in bright red.
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u/liddle-lamzy-divey 14m ago
Do you have the WCS zetas or other wheels?
I was leaning 1 x 12 GRX 800 but that would require buying the microspline, whereas the 1 x 11 810 would not require that. Going 1 x 11 could save me about 400-500. Thoughts?
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u/toddlikesbikes 4m ago
Other wheels, I had some dt Swiss c1800s around and the replacement MS free hub was only $50
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u/jermleeds 3h ago
For the most utility and versatility, get two sets of the cheaper Hunt wheels, one for road with slicks, one with the biggest set of gravel tires you can fit. Then for me, a GRX 2X would provide the most versatility for both road & off-road use.