The Ratchet is a carbon road frame by offered the folks at Foundry Cycles. Those unfamiliar with the brand are more likely to have heard of QBP, the powerhouse bicycle parts distributor that powers many of the independent bike shops across the country. QBP created the in house brand as a high performance, understated no-nonsense line to compliment their popular workhorse line Surly. All Foundry models are made of carbon fiber in one color: black. The range covers 29er and 650b MTB rigid frames as well as road, cross, cross utility (I’m guessing this is their gravel specific model) and road endurance models.
It speaks volumes when a brand as tapped into the market as QBP discontinues a model because of its cantilever brakes. Apparently they feel the traditional road frame’s time is done, since it doesn’t look like they’re going to be making it any more. From all appearances, they’re phasing it out in favor of the Riveter, a disc-specific model.
The road specific Ratchet features a Pressfit 30 bottom bracket, tapered headtube and is listed at 950grams for the frame. Framesets are listed at $1900, but are currently offered at a steal while supplies last. Noel Kopp of Timbuk2 took advantage of the opportunity to build up a sweet new ride at a fraction of the price and shares his new build with us; with an 11 Speed Ultegra drivetrain it’s a pretty nice whip for cranking up the local hills around SF.
Check out more bikes from Foundry Cycles