Ritchey Break-Away Ti Travel-friendly Mountain Bike Frame

Every folding bike I've seen has been a sorry excuse for a real bike... more like something out of the back pages of Popular Mechanics magazine. Heavy, awkward and questionable durability all come to mind when I think of travel-friendly, folding bikes--not something I would spend money on or even think about actually riding. Thanks to the engineers at Ritchey (who know a thing or two about bikes), those negative perceptions are about to change. Their Break-Away line of travel bikes are built to match the ride characteristics of non-travel bikes. What's amazing is that these frames can be disassembled in minutes and stuffed into a 9 x 26 x 29-inch travel bag! At that size, it's TSA-friendly and also compact rental-car friendly. For spring 2008, Ritchey has introduced the first mountain bike in the Break-Away lineup. Tipping the scales at a scant 3.6 lbs, this titanium wonder promises performance equal to the best titanium bikes on the market--all in a travel-friendly design. On business trips, I typically resort to a run on the treadmill or local trails. With one of these babies by my side, a trip to the local singletrack would definitely be part of my travel plans. Here's a little more info on the new Ritchey Break-Away Ti mountain bike frameset: Custom drawn 3/2.5 aerospace grade titanium tubing 100% full size bicycle can be split apart mid-frame and packed into 9"x26"x29" case Patented locking compression coupling system adds less than 100g to complete frame Custom TR designed dropout w/ replaceable derailleur hangar Suspension corrected for 100mm travel fork Disc or V-Brake compatible Includes travel case and WCS headset Available in 5 sizes 14"-21" 3.6 lbs (frame only, Large) The secret to this frame lies in the strategically-placed release points and overlapping tubesets. Using the seatpost for reinforcement, the seat-tube is locked down by two bolts. Then, the downtube is also locked into place with a clamp. Well thought out, this lightweight and comfortable frame can handle day-to-day abuse and be your new best friend on trips. I'm anxious to see and ride one of the Ritchey Break-Away Ti mountain bike frames. Hopefully I can and will bring you a first-hand review of it. More Info: Visit RitcheyLogic.com to See the Break-Away Ti MTB Frame