Bicycles built to travel well

You used to have two choices if you wanted to take along your bike while traveling: A clunky fold-up bike or a hefty airline baggage fee to transport your regular bike. But a new generation of full-size, take-apart models is making it easier to travel with your wheels. These bikes provide a quality ride that is acceptable even to serious cyclists, who often use them at home too. Here are four new versions of the old bike in a box.

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Looks like the real thing

Dahon Allegro/Ritchey Break-Away: The frame is so slick you can’t even tell it’s foldable.

Likes: It looks like a regular high-performance bike. The two-part steel frame was designed by cycling icon Tom Ritchey with a simple, virtually invisible tube-within-a-tube locking mechanism. Has a solid feel, no creaking. The 19-pound bike is ideal for triathletes and competitive racers.

Dislikes: The carrying case is 2 inches larger than the airlines’ 62-inch baggage limit, so you may get stuck paying an oversized baggage fee.

Price: $1,800 (Dahon); $2,500 (Ritchey). dahon.com; ritcheylogic.com.

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When you’re packing for two

Co-Motion Periscope Co-Pilot tandem: Versatile two-seater is ideal for couples.

Likes: Suitable for adults up to 6 feet, 4 inches and children taller than 3 feet, 6 inches. Choice of road-bike or mountain-bike handlebar. Use it off or on the road thanks to mountain-bike wheels and sufficient clearance for knobby tires. Front and rear rack mounts make it a good choice for touring. Backpack case available for $260; meets airline baggage limits.

Dislikes: Couplings used for assembly require a special spanner wrench (included with purchase). Lose it and you’re in trouble.

Price: $3,830. (866) 282-6336; www.co-motion.com.

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Some oversized military might

Hummer XT: The mountain bike of U.S. Marine paratroopers.

Likes: Durable, fast-folding aluminum design from well-known maker Montague. Simple, single folding point and quick-release level on the boom tube.

Dislikes: Large size of airline case exceeds check-in limits by 14 inches. (Soft case costs $99 extra; hard case, $399.) Pricey for a mountain bike without a rear shock absorber. Relatively heavy at 29 pounds.

Price: $1,995; www.hummerbikes.com or www.montagueco.com.

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Take along your touring guide

Bike Friday Air Friday: A comfortable sports and touring bike with sleek looks.

Likes: Steel frame with unique titanium seat beam absorbs lots of road shock. Suitable for fast, long rides, centuries and triathlons. Good for touring because of rear rack mounts; front mounts available free upon request. Travel case (additional $198) meets airline check-in limits.

Dislikes: Takes longer to assemble and disassemble than other folding bikes (roughly 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your skill level). Small, 20-inch wheels may feel twitchy at first.

Price: $1,695. (800) 777-0258; bikefriday.com.

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-- Roy M. Wallack