merlinextraligh

I race (not terribly sucessfully) and also travel a lot on business. I'm considering getting a folder to train with while on the road.

My criteria: 1) $2000 budget;
2) easy packing for airline travel, preferably in a single suit case;
3) capable enough to jump in the local training races, fast rides.

I've looked at Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Airnimal Chameleon, and a Ritchie Breakaway.

Any other good canidates?

spambait11

For $2k, you pretty much have it covered. I suppose you could also throw a Swift into the mix as well.

Hopefully soon, this will be a contender as well.

invisiblehand

Except that it might cost more than $2K.

invisiblehand

If you are light enough, you might want to consider the Pocket Rocket Pro. Although it will take you a bit over the top of the $2K budget.

I will add that the Bike Friday bikes ...

(1) Pack considerably quicker than the Breakaway and S&S Coupler bikes. Judging from the local bike club, I essentially can pack/unpack my wife's and my Bike Friday in the amount of time they claim it takes them to do the same procedure.

(2) Are nice for travel since you can easily fit one in a cab or rental car.

I don't know whether (1) applies to the Chameleon. But (2) almost certainly does.

BruceMetras

I like This One.. and the New Version is on the horizon.

tblendell

i have a breakaway and a pocket rocket. granted i hardly travel at all (why do i have these bikes? long story) BUT the Pocket Rocket, although it is unfortunately named, is easier and quicker to set up and ride than is the Breakaway. Its also more versatile should you decide to do some kind of a tour. the suitcase, while large, is still a great deal more convenient to carry and store and sturdier than the Breakaway case. having said all that i love the breakaway and its my favorite everyday bike. I flew with it across the country to ride a century last summer instead of the Pocket Rocket. i'm sure with practice it can be put together and taken apart more quickly in less time (and foul language) than it takes me). If you ever think you might tour, though, i'd probably go with the Bike Friday. the Ritchey has no accommodations for racks etc.

delwong

I WANT THIS BIKE!!!!!! GASP GASP

4cmd3

That looks friggin' awesome.
(And I've never liked the BF look... the typical rounded handlepost always puts me off)

Do yourself a favour and if you haven't... read their page and click the movie link.
https://www.bikefriday.com/node/6056

Wait until you see the profile of the seatpost.

That is a sweet machine. Any details on the gearing? Capreo?
Another pic: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lelebebbel/2256504984/

wheels look like 451... is that typical on the BF models?

Fat Boy

This is _exactly_ what I do with my bike. I used a Downtube last year, but to get it in a case is a little tricky and it takes a lot of disassembly. It's weird, the fold is very quick, but to get it in a suitcase takes quite a bit of disassembly.

A few months ago I bought a Bike Friday Air Friday off of Ebay. It cost about $1200. It fits in a suitcase very easily. From suitcase to a rideable bike takes about 15 minutes in my hotel room and the only tool is a 5mm allen (I think). It's a much better ride and I have no problem putting in some good mileage. The Air Friday fold isn't that great, but it's super easy to disassemble and stick in a suitcase.

As far as gearing goes, I don't think it's necessary to go Capreo. If you're going to spend time in a paceline or group riding, then I understand it, but if you're just rolling alone on your own, then it's just overkill. My bike has 62/52 front chainrings, and I could probably run the entire time in the small one. I've seriously considered changing to a 54/40. That would be good for nearly 30mph at 100 rpm. Honestly, how long can I maintain that on my own? Not too freakin' long! If I get caught on some really steep hills, the 40 small ring would really come in handy.

Let us know what you come up with.

Bacciagalupe

I'd stick with Bike Friday. Accept no substitutes.

Seriously, it's got the best blend of packability and performance. Ritchie is very nice, but takes more time to pack. BF will also be fully custom; tell 'em what you want, what size you want it, and you're set. I believe fabrication takes 30-60 days, much less than a lot of other custom shops.

The Swift will perform as well as the BF and is much less expensive ($700), but it's harder to pack and it's limited to a single front chainring.

The main hitch about the 20" wheels is that the handling is, to put it mildly, "responsive" and you'll get more frame buzz. You may want to skip on the Stelvios. It'll take a few days to get used to it.

LittlePixel

It should be noted that all 20" wheels are not the same and the speedier Fridays use bigger 451 wheels rather than the more common 406 - meaning about 45mm extra diameter for a slightly more big-wheel feel. Tyres for those rims are also more racer orientated. I'd go BF or Airnimal. Airnimal is probably less fun to pack with it's 520 wheels though.

flatlander_48

I've had a Ritchey BreakAway for about 2 1/2 years. It has been to Taiwan 8 or 9 times and to Australia once. It is the only bike that I ride, so it is important to me to be able to take it with me when I travel. Anyway, I love the bike, but the travel case is a bit lame. I guess everything can't be a 10...

If anyone is serious about a BreakAway, I recommend GVHBikes.com. They buy frames and forks and can build it up however you like.