Opinions about Bike Friday

[ICU Doc]

There doesn't seem to be much information about Bike Fridays in this forum. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.

At any rate, I'm totally new to folding bikes, and own and ride an Italian racing bike. I will be starting a position in which I will be travelling a lot, and was thinking about purchasing a Pocket Rocket Pro.

What are people's experiences, both good and bad? I've heard that the biggest issue is with braking....is this true?

[Tomaso]

You could check out the BF-forum at www.bikefriday.com or ask Koffee for some advice. She owns a BF. Also check out www.foldsoc.co.uk for test-reports (also on BF if I'm not mistaking).
From what I've read on this forum, BF's are great folding bikes, only they don't fold as quick as lets say: Brompton, Swift, Dahon etc... But they are custom-made, so that's a big PRO.

Good luck !

Tom

[igor455]

I have two a pocket tourist and a new world tourist, and have been riding them for over a year and a half. I bought them because as a diabetic i have to exercise.Exercise islife in my world now. The bikes were sized for me so they accomidate some back problems i have from vietnam.I find them easy to ride and comfortable, they fold and pack so they will travel well. I have not had any problems stopping and no excessive brake wear. I have flown with one to flordia and i will travel to portland or to use the NWT to ride cycle or later this year. I have been very happy with mine and one always sits folded in the runk of my car just in case.

[Guest]

I ride the Pocket Rocket. I don't have the pro. The Pocket Rocket works just fine. You can buy the samsonite luggage and pack it in its own travelling case. If you want to tour, you can get the accessories that come for converting the samsonite luggage into a trailer. Sometimes I need to hop a train, so I quick fold the bike also and carry it onto the train during rush hour. It's definitely not a heavy bike, so you can zip around pretty good on the bike.

I had mine custom made, so it fits me perfectly. I have no regrets going with the Bike Friday.

Koffee

[Guest]

P.S. I don't know about any braking issues... that's a new one. My brakes work just fine, and I have to ride up and down hills every day to get to work (takes me just over an hour to get to work).

Koffee

[DaFriMon]

Not sure what you heard about braking, but I've never heard about general problems with the brakes. Maybe it was one person with an issue. The sidepull brakes on my old New World Tourist, and the V brakes on my current Pocket Crusoe and Pocket Tourist work just fine.

They ride great, and pack easily in a suitcase. The only real disadvantage is the price, and you're paying for a custom fit and custom selection of components. Do pay attention to the components. Some of the sample configurations they have on their web page have lower end stuff which you may want to upgrade. Also pay attention to the total gear range that you're getting. With conventional front and rear derailleurs, even with a really large chainring, you may find that your top gear is a bit lower than your road bike, although most people find that they can get an adequate range (by the way, that applies to all small wheeled folders, not just BFs). There are various gearing schemes that they can talk over with you. If you have a clear idea what you want in a folder, their sales people will spend a lot of time with you figuring out the best way to get it.

[Dave Hickey]

I have two Bike Fridays. A Pocket Pilot and Pocket Rocket. One is a single speed and the other is spec'd with Ultegra 6500 nine speed components... I use them not only as my travel bikes but daily riders as well.

On my Pocket Pilot, I had to use modern dual pivot brakes on the rear because the older single pivot brakes are too wide and the brake would have hit the crankarm. Since almost all road brakes sold today are dual pivot, it is not a problem

[axolotl]

I've had a New World Tourist for over 6 years and love it. I've flown with it a dozen times or so without any problems--though not without worries. I've never heard of any sort of brake problems, and the V brakes on mine are great. I use my NWT for everything: touring, group rides, running errands, commuting. Not sure how you were doing your search, but there is lots regarding BF on this forum, and most of it is highly favorable.

[NSJ]

I just ordered a NWT, to be arriving in mid-May. For those of you in Chicago who want to learn more about Bike Fridays, I would recommend Rapid Transit Cycle Shop on North Avenue; the salesman was very helpful and knowledgeable.

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival--I like the fact that it can be customized (Particularly the frame-I'm 6'3 and 210, and they can make a BF to accomodate the weight). The only downside is that I'm going to do the 5 Boros ride in NYC on May 8th and won't have it until then.

I imagine using it as my commuting bike and possibly doing a cross-country tour with it (to the west coast, hopefully). I got the "luggage" specially made for it and anticapate getting the trailer as well. Also, from now on, any more travelling to other locales will mean that I'll be bring my bike along as well!

I'll give you more feedback in about 3 weeks when it arrives.

[ICU Doc]

Thanks to all for the input. I think that for my needs (ie - training while on prolonged trips, rather than as a foldable commuter) that a BF would be the way to go, and since I am a roadie, I'll probably go with the PR Pro. Does anyone use an indoor trainer with their BF in inclement weather?

[Kenal0]

[QUOTE=NSJ]I just ordered a NWT, to be arriving in mid-May. For those of you in Chicago who want to learn more about Bike Fridays, I would recommend Rapid Transit Cycle Shop on North Avenue; the salesman was very helpful and knowledgeable.

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival--I like the fact that it can be customized (Particularly the frame-I'm 6'3 and 210, and they can make a BF to accomodate the weight). The only downside is that I'm going to do the 5 Boros ride in NYC on May 8th and won't have it until then.

I live in the Chicago area and have a Pocket Pilot on order due to ship May 11th. I will definitely check out the shop on North Ave. It looks to be about 2 miles from where I work. I have only read good things about the BF bikes and I wanted a bike I can take with me if I travel. I will post a review in a few weeks also.
Kenal0

[wpflem]

[QUOTE=NSJ]...I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival--I like the fact that it can be customized (Particularly the frame-I'm 6'3 and 210, and they can make a BF to accomodate the weight). The only downside is that I'm going to do the 5 Boros ride in NYC on May 8th and won't have it until then.


Kenal0


NEARLY ALL CURRENTLY MARKETED BRAND NAME FOLDERS IN THE USA ARE RATED AT 230LBS.


.

[spambait11]

230lbs TOTAL weight, NOT INCLUDING laptop, clothing, papers, touring gear, bags, racks, etc.

(Of course 230 is just a legal definition, but one runs the risk of not being covered by the warranty, should one care about such things.)

[Guest]

[QUOTE=NSJ]I just ordered a NWT, to be arriving in mid-May. For those of you in Chicago who want to learn more about Bike Fridays, I would recommend Rapid Transit Cycle Shop on North Avenue; the salesman was very helpful and knowledgeable.

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival--I like the fact that it can be customized (Particularly the frame-I'm 6'3 and 210, and they can make a BF to accomodate the weight). The only downside is that I'm going to do the 5 Boros ride in NYC on May 8th and won't have it until then.

I live in the Chicago area and have a Pocket Pilot on order due to ship May 11th. I will definitely check out the shop on North Ave. It looks to be about 2 miles from where I work. I have only read good things about the BF bikes and I wanted a bike I can take with me if I travel. I will post a review in a few weeks also.
Kenal0


If you go to Rapid Transit, talk to Nicole. She is a cool chick with tons of knowledge. I went to her when I needed parts and stuff for my bike.

Koffee

[Blackberry]

Here's an interesting perspective from a guy who was an editor of Bicycling magazine and the author of several bike books. BTW, I ride a Pocket Rocket Pro and love it more and more all the time. Oh, yeah, the first time I saw a Bike Friday was on a trip with someone who used his for Iron Man triathlons. He claimed it didn't slow him down at all.

http://www.jimlangley.net/ride/bikefriday.html

[DaFriMon]

. . . Does anyone use an indoor trainer with their BF in inclement weather?

With an indoor trainer, I use one of my 700c wheeled bikes. I've heard of people using BFs with an indoor trainer, but you need one that will take 20 inch wheels, which most "normal" trainers won't. Or you might be able to use rollers. You could also try asking this on Bike Friday's "Yak" mailing list. I think the topic has come up there.

[ICU Doc]

One more question before I commit thousands to a PRPro. How closely does BF replicate your primary riding bike? That is, when I travel, if I were not to look down, I would like NOT to be able to tell the difference between my road bike and my PRPro.

[maunakea]

If you look down, you'll see 20" wheels. <g>
BF Air Fridays and Air Glides come the closest to feeling the same as a 700c high end bike.

[rhenning]

I own the second pocket rocket made. I have had it since 1993/94. Mine is equiped with old Shimano 8 speed Ultegra components in cluding the brakes. It stops as good as my Paramont with Campy brakes. It is also sized the same as my favorite road bike. To duplicate my other bikes gearing my mine has an 11-28 eight speed rear cog set and a set of 46-60 front chain rings. Mine has 451 20 x 11/8 Swalbe tires on 24 spoke rims. All in all a wonderful bike that if I have to I can fold to travel with. Probably will never replace it unless it gets stolen. Roger

[rhenning]

I own the second pocket rocket made. I have had it since 1993/94. Mine is equiped with old Shimano 8 speed Ultegra components including the brakes. It stops as good as my Paramount with Campy brakes. It is also sized the same as my favorite road bike. To duplicate my other bikes gearing my mine has an 11-28 eight speed rear cog set and a set of 46-60 front chain rings. Mine has 451 20 x 11/8 Swalbe tires on 24 spoke rims. All in all a wonderful bike that if I have to I can fold to travel with. Probably will never replace it unless it gets stolen. Roger

[DaFriMon]

One more question before I commit thousands to a PRPro. How closely does BF replicate your primary riding bike? That is, when I travel, if I were not to look down, I would like NOT to be able to tell the difference between my road bike and my PRPro.

You'll be able to tell some difference, but not in a bad way. Riding position can be replicated almost exactly. If you're not looking down, it doesn't feel like you're riding on small wheels, but the handling feels quicker. You may notice that you seem to accelerate quicker, but also lose momentum a bit sooner. All in all, it's not a big difference, and you get used to it quickly.

[jayjohnson]

What are the differences between the NWT and the Pocket Tourist? Which would you recommend for a casual, recreational rider? Thanks.

[spambait11]

NWT: custom fit to your dimensions; components of your choosing; higher weight carrying capabilities. Also, bigger, solid headset (1 1/4") and more robust frame.

Pocket Tourist: 3 standard sizes (S, M, L); no customization; lower weight carrying capabilities.

The Pocket Nomad I have is basically a Pocket Tourist frame. The ride is impeccable once I got my fit adjusted. The thing I don't like is that it seems to be a lighter weight frame along the lines of a Crusoe, so you can't do much, if any, off-road riding, per their own recommendations. However, BF has a story on their website now about a couple who have taken their Tourists to Yemen and seem to be doing fine. Yet BF posts a disclaimer that the NWT is preferable for that kind of touring. If I were to do it again, I'd probably wait for a used NWT; they occasionally have GREAT deals.

[Jym Dyer]

There doesn't seem to be much information about Bike Fridays in this forum.

=v= Hi there. I'm the "leader" (*cough* *cough*) of the Bike Friday Club of New York, except I took a job on the other side of the country and don't lead a whole lot these days. However, when I put my other hat on, I'm part of the group TIME'S UP! and we're having a folding bike ride and festival in two weeks:

http://www.times-up.org/foldsup.php

You can go on the ride (even with a normal bike) and/or stop by the festival to look at everything there. As usual, I'm inviting the Bike Friday Club of New York to attend, so there'll be some of those to look at and maybe try out.

[ICU Doc]

Thanks for the head's up....unfortunately, I am flying out to San Diego for a conference early that morning. Does the BF club of NY meet regularly, or have a schedule?

[Jym Dyer]

Does the BF club of NY meet regularly, or have a schedule?

=v= About one ride a year, plus glomming onto other rides. I didn't lead much, I'm afraid.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bfclubny/