Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! I was a little apprehensive about posting another "what bike should I get?" thread.
Originally Posted by
blakcloud
T...Another route might be the Ritchey Breakaway. Not a folder but uses 700c wheels. They will fit into a legal airline suitcase (or close to) but again that derailleur requirement might hang you up.
Any steel or titanium bike with S & S couplers will do the same thing as the Ritchey.
This is another option I'm seriously considering. Ritchey used to make a Breakaway Fixie frame with track ends that would be perfect if I could find a used one my size. It's hard to search for because the searches always return so many of the other breakaway frames.
Originally Posted by
Rick Imby
The Xootr Swift can be bought as a single speed. Ten-15 minutes to pack. It comes as a complete bike but is inexpensive enough to upgrade.
For packing the road bars are more difficult than flat bars with bar ends or bull horn bars. Many folders are very easy to adjust riding position.
The option of riding a single speed really makes a pack bike clean. I just gotta have gears.
This looks like a great option, and is by far the least expensive I am considering. The single speed has track-ends so it can be configured as a fixed gear, which is what I'm looking for. I'm sure i could put drop bars on it or the bullhorns as you suggest to make it easier to pack. Does the Xootr Swift have a regular bike feel similar to what people say about the Bike Friday?