Ritchey Breakaway / Paligap

clazza

I placed an order with Wiggle for the Ti Cross Breakaway frame - site said 2-7 days. After 8 days I cancelled as I wouldnt have the frame in time for an upcoming tour.

I dont blame Wiggle for this but understand Paligap are the distributors. I remember in the past that Ritchey had poor distribution - has it always been Paligap?

Seems that they werent / arent interested in selling a 2000 pound frame - pretty poor really!

GyatsoLa

Funny thing, I opened your post directly after looking at the Breakaway Cross bike on the Ritchey website.

The Wiggle price is very good (compare it to the Chainreaction price!), but there does seem to be an issue with actually getting any Breakaway frame off of them or anyone else. My LBS here in Dublin said they would match Wiggles price if I order it off them, but since last May they keep saying they can't get a confirmation from the distributors that they can get the frame and size I want. Last time I asked, about a month ago, they said they were told that the 2009 frames were sold out, and they were awaiting the 2010 frames 'the next week'. I'm still waiting. I really don't know whether the fault is with my LBS or the distributor, but its maybe significant that one time I was in to complain about the time waiting, one of the guys in the shop made a joke about 'we won't drop Ritchey products, they do the best Christmas party!'

I'm waiting so long now I'm thinking of changing entirely - that Enigma Ethos travel bike featured in the Bike Show report yesterday looks exactly the type of bike I want:

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/c ... ikes-23551

Monty Dog

I find it hard to believe that Paligap are still in business and can justify their prices in comparison to the US. I bought a steel Breakaway from Wiggle last year - they did a 20% discount and luckily had them in stock. If I was after a ti Breakaway, I'd probably buy one direct from the US, fly there, pick it up and bring it back and it would still be cheaper. The Breakaway is a great product - wouldn't hesitate to recommend one, only moor point is the poor paint job on the steel frames.

APIII

I looked at the Ritchey cross frame recently. Chain reaction had a 54cm in stock, so I emailed them to see if they could get a 56cm. Sorry, we are unable to get hold of it they said, so I bought something else. Checked last week and they have a 56cm in stock now.

GyatsoLa

Monty Dog wrote:

I find it hard to believe that Paligap are still in business and can justify their prices in comparison to the US. I bought a steel Breakaway from Wiggle last year - they did a 20% discount and luckily had them in stock. If I was after a ti Breakaway, I'd probably buy one direct from the US, fly there, pick it up and bring it back and it would still be cheaper. The Breakaway is a great product - wouldn't hesitate to recommend one, only moor point is the poor paint job on the steel frames.

Are you sure its that much cheaper than in the States? List price of the ti Cross Breakaway is $2895. Wiggle are selling them at just over £1800. Seems quite an equivalent price. This is assuming they actually have one of the damn things.

I should have mentioned some time ago I tried contacting Ritchey's European distrubutors when i was first interested. They never even bothered replying to my emails.

Much as I really want one, it is ridiculous when they make it so hard for you to spend your money on them!