Folding Bikes - Ritchey Break-away

What are the current thoughts here about the Break-Away Bike?

Anyone have any positive, or negative thoughts on them?


I see the road frame available at a pretty good price.

I already own two S&S coupled bikes, so not sure I need (!) it, but .......

Anyone know if a 56 Ritchey would fit in the S&S hard case???

Coming from knowledge rather than direct experience....

AFAIK the Ritchey frames run around $1200 new. A cheap steel touring frame (Surly, Salsa) might set you back $400, a higher end frame will be $800 and up. S&S frame will be around the same cost.

The Ritchey looks nicer than S&S, but you'll be limited to your choice of 2-3 frames and packing time is pretty much the same.

Since you already have a couple of S&S bikes, clearly you don't need one. The only reason to pick one up is if you don't like the looks of the couplers, or if you are certain the geometry will suit your needs better.

Coming from knowledge rather than direct experience....

AFAIK the Ritchey frames run around $1200 new. A cheap steel touring frame (Surly, Salsa) might set you back $400, a higher end frame will be $800 and up. S&S frame will be around the same cost.

The Ritchey looks nicer than S&S, but you'll be limited to your choice of 2-3 frames and packing time is pretty much the same.

Since you already have a couple of S&S bikes, clearly you don't need one. The only reason to pick one up is if you don't like the looks of the couplers, or if you are certain the geometry will suit your needs better.


or ........

3) it's a shiny new toy...... :p

Pretty much what I thought.


Thanks.

I think Ritchey sells cases specifically for the breakaway frame, but given that the fold is nearly identical, I don't see why a breakaway frame wouldn't fit in an S&S case.

Also, just a heads up, Ritchey licenses the breakaway design to Dahon, who also makes a few bikes with it. Their breakaway road bike is touring-oriented, called the "tournado." Might be worth a look...

I think Ritchey sells cases specifically for the breakaway frame, but given that the fold is nearly identical, I don't see why a breakaway frame wouldn't fit in an S&S case.

Maybe not. The Breakaway case is 8.5" x 26.5" x 31", thus exceeding the airline limits for not-oversized baggage (62" length + girth) by 6". The S&S case is 26" x 26" x 10", exactly at the limit.

had a breakaway and i loved how it rode. getting the couplings tightened just right, esp. the seat tube coupler, was a little hinky. sometimes it would make a thud sound when out of the pedals. was it too tight? too loose? anyway, it was always a slight concern. to pack it was probably about the same as an S&S coupled bike. i didn't have a wheeled case, unfortunately, so it was kind of a nightmare to get around airports etc. plus it had a big rounded section on one side which made it a big awkward. def. need to use a lot of padding so it doesn't get damaged in transit. mine did a little.
i rarely packed it though and it was great bike. i sold it, however, when i got a pocket rocket, which, by the way, takes about the same amount of time pack and unpack. however, it fits into a much more convenient package, and is more versatile in terms of using it for touring, or fast riding, or the ability to fold it, put it into a bag and carry it onto a TGV.
i would love to buy a ritchey steel road frame that was actually NOT a breakaway.