Ritchey's Break-Away system has proven itself, with thousands of Break-Away frames in the hands of well-traveled cyclists. The elegantly simple system can easily be managed with a minimum of mechanical know-how. One model Break-Away fans clamored for was a titanium cyclocross frame. And while there are some folks who will race this WCS level product, the vast majority of cyclists who buy this frame want a more capable road frame that can accommodate larger, or knobby tires that better suit the riding conditions found around the world. Having a cyclocross style frame makes the perfect travel bike more versatile, and titanium is the optimum material for this option.

As in the Ti-Road Break-Away, the titanium finish and bead-blasted logos hold up exceptionally well to the rigors of packing and travel. The custom drawn, lightweight, mitered 3/2.5 tubing provides a smooth forgiving ride, but responds immediately when you power up. The 44mm rake, straight blade full carbon fork is WCS level, so it is light, stiff, and soaks up vibration. The bridgeless chainstays offer increased rear tire clearance, and rear rack eyelets demonstrate that Ritchey knew the market when the frame was developed. Cantilever brakes allow excellent clearance, and we have installed 700x35 knobby tires in both the frame and fork with some room to spare (actual tire size varies with manufacturer).

Geometry wise, the Break-Away Ti Cross is closer to the traditional Swiss Cross design with a very slight top-tube slope. The geometry was designed to be stable on and off pavement, but with closer to a true cross bottom bracket clearance. To complete this frameset, Ritchey includes the WCS drop-in Headset, and all the Break-Away essentials: couplers, cable splitters, padding, and of course, the travel case.

With a little practice, Ritchey's Break-Away travel bikes pack down cleanly into the supplied case. Other travel bikes leave a lot to be desired and are more suited to short errands. The well proven Break-Away concept lets you bring a great riding bike in a travel case that is only 8.5"x26.5"x31" - the size of a large suitcase. For comparison, a full size bike box or travel case is much larger and more cumbersome at 50"x30"x10". Ritchey can't promise what the airlines will charge, but the cost difference of a checked suitcase versus a bike travel fee has the potential to save hundreds of dollars. We feel the Break-Away concept is the best value in travel bikes, and the Break-Away Ti Cross is the most versatile of the series. We all want one. Don't you?