Experience with break-away frames?

[jesper2913]

Does anyone have a break-away bike for easier packing when traveling?

How does the bike ride?

Do you feel, that the frame is breakable?

Does it affect stiffness?

Do the breaks in the frame come lose while riding over potholes?

Are you concerned about descending in the mountains at high speeds with a break-away frame?

For reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz6I95dOSjk

[justkeepedaling]

SS Coupler bikes are completely solid. I would trust it on a 50 mph descent

[Cosmo]

I've had a Ritchey Break-Away for maybe 14 years although haven't used it in 5 or so (thankfully less travel needing a foldable bike in recent years). Some general thoughts:

-I also own a 1995 Ritchey Logic so use that as a comparison. While the BA isn't as nice it's not bad either; I don't notice a major differance in the "stiffness". Never really thought about it as is fine for what is basically a nice mid level steel frame. Steel frames generally aren't super stiff anyway (EM MX Leader excepted).
-No concerns with it "opening" while riding; never a squeak or creak. Have done plenty of long technical decents in Spain. Haven't tried at Roubaix but rough dirt roads just fine. Follow instructions during assembly.
-Mine has always been an "option for ride or two" while traveling for work. I'm on my own bike set up how I like things-been on a couple of trips I've borrowed bikes and wished I brought my own given how easy it is.
-Super easy with rental cars/transit being basically a suitcase. Especially on work trips sharing space with others.
-Unpacking/set up is about 15 minutes; packing is about 20. Despite photos, etc. I never seem to pack the same way twice. Built with mechanical 2x 10 speed and rim brakes.
-Has plenty of wear marks/banged up spots from both mine and bagage handler tossing. Not too fussed as it is a tool. (I'm beyond OCD for my "nice" bikes)

So I've been happy with fine. Might not be the choice for the "dream cycling trip" however at the same time I can be easily out riding without any general worry anywhere in the world.

Should you get one? Depends-mine has a purpose (the extra day or two while on a work trip where otherwise finding a bike would have been enough hassle not to) and checks the boxes for that. If you want it to be your "best bike" for special trips it's not; you have to approach it that way (then I'd suggest a boutique custom folding bike in the same concept or a solid case and spend the extra bagage money). If traveling to cycling destinations with rental options then these days easy to find something however to the average work destination with an extra day having a folder is really nice.

[Beancouter]

I am currently getting a Waltly frame built with Z couplings - until I ride it in anger I wil remain nervous about safety, but assuming (hoping!) given the system is used by other manufacturers it will be reliable….

Why z couplers ….. ? They look stealth!

Will post once it arrives




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[Discodan]

FWIW I have a titanium breakaway gravel bike and it's rock solid. It gets lot of rough terrain and drop-offs and jumps at speed and have never flexed, creaked, or moved at all. For road use there's no concerns about the joining mechanism

[jesper2913]

Thanks guys for the great input

-I also own a 1995 Ritchey Logic so use that as a comparison. While the BA isn't as nice it's not bad either; I don't notice a major differance in the "stiffness". Never really thought about it as is fine for what is basically a nice mid level steel frame.

Cosmo, thanks for the very in-depth review.

Could you elaborate on the difference between the regular Ritchey Road Logic and the BA version? Do you actually feel a difference? Or is it exactly the same ride feel? Is it a step down riding the BA version?

Should you get one? Depends-mine has a purpose (the extra day or two while on a work trip where otherwise finding a bike would have been enough hassle not to) and checks the boxes for that. If you want it to be your "best bike" for special trips it's not; you have to approach it that way (then I'd suggest a boutique custom folding bike in the same concept or a solid case and spend the extra bagage money). If traveling to cycling destinations with rental options then these days easy to find something however to the average work destination with an extra day having a folder is really nice.

Just so I understand correctly regarding Ritchey Logic in particular; your Ritchey Logic is not a top-end bike, and that's why it's not a top experience travelling with it, since you would prefer your top-end carbon bike when travelling? But since it's easy to travel with and it is your own bike, that is set up for your position and needs, it's better than a low end rental bike?

Do you have pictures of both bikes?

[satanas]

I am currently getting a Waltly frame built with Z couplings - until I ride it in anger I wil remain nervous about safety, but assuming (hoping!) given the system is used by other manufacturers it will be reliable….

Why z couplers ….. ? They look stealth!

Will post once it arrives

In an old post on their site they say:

"We now offer Ritchey-style titanium couplers in addition to S&S-style torque couplers, all machined from 6Al-4V (Grade 5) titanium. Perfect for travel-ready frames. Either is combined with a Breakaway-style split seat cluster."

Are they doing something similar with a Z coupler just on the down tube?

PS: I wouldn't be at all nervous about the quality of manufacture based on the (stolen) frame I had, but YMMV.

[joeyb1000]

I have a lynskey with S&S couplers. You would never know it was any different when riding. I tighten it once when I put it together and one more nudge after the first ride.

I put the bar and stem in my suitcase, and it's much easier to pack the box.

[joeyb1000]

X

[Cosmo]

Thanks guys for the great input

Cosmo, thanks for the very in-depth review.

Could you elaborate on the difference between the regular Ritchey Road Logic and the BA version? Do you actually feel a difference? Or is it exactly the same ride feel? Is it a step down riding the BA version?

Just so I understand correctly regarding Ritchey Logic in particular; your Ritchey Logic is not a top-end bike, and that's why it's not a top experience travelling with it, since you would prefer your top-end carbon bike when travelling? But since it's easy to travel with and it is your own bike, that is set up for your position and needs, it's better than a low end rental bike?

Do you have pictures of both bikes?

The B-A is a lower level tubeset; the difference is subtle. The Logic is just that little bit "nicer" overall but in the end it's not something I think about while riding either. If I had to describe it then would say the rear of the B-A isn't quite as lively overall.

I don't own a carbon bike currently, prefer titanium. I would always choose my ti bike however the B-A is certainly prefered over a standard rental bike (be it a mid level carbon/alum/steel frame). It's set up how I like it (position, gearing, etc.) so no fiddling to be happy and eliminates the pickup/dropoff need. And I wouldn't say the Logic (not the B-A) isn't top end-it's quite nice.

In the end the choice of having a folding bike is based on your needs-from a good builder certainly wouldn't be concerned with the common questions of having a folder (mainly the worry of it coming apart while riding and/or performance loss). If I traveled a lot then would consider a disc brake ti frame with Z couplers as a daily bike.

[jesper2913]

The B-A is a lower level tubeset; the difference is subtle. The Logic is just that little bit "nicer" overall but in the end it's not something I think about while riding either. If I had to describe it then would say the rear of the B-A isn't quite as lively overall.

I don't own a carbon bike currently, prefer titanium. I would always choose my ti bike however the B-A is certainly prefered over a standard rental bike (be it a mid level carbon/alum/steel frame). It's set up how I like it (position, gearing, etc.) so no fiddling to be happy and eliminates the pickup/dropoff need. And I wouldn't say the Logic (not the B-A) isn't top end-it's quite nice.

In the end the choice of having a folding bike is based on your needs-from a good builder certainly wouldn't be concerned with the common questions of having a folder (mainly the worry of it coming apart while riding and/or performance loss). If I traveled a lot then would consider a disc brake ti frame with Z couplers as a daily bike.

Thank you for elaborating.

I wonder if the new version is a lower level tubeset as well. Ritchey state that both are triple butted tubes, and that spec and ride quality are the same.

I think the Ritchey Road Logic in general is quite nice as well. I just think the audience for steel frames is quite small. But I really happen to like it. What I really don't like though is the Sally’s Macarons red color scheme. Actually I dislike it so much, that I would prefer the Break-away with the silver paintscheme even if there was a sacrifice to be made somewhere else. So I guess my question is, would I sacrifice ridefeel and ridequality picking the Break-away over the standard version? I'm willing to pay a little more for the Break-away, since it has the travel option.

[Cosmo]

Like mine I'd think the current versions are close enough any differences are subtle as well. If both are options and the travel bike makes sense for an addtional use case then certainly go for it.