Does anyone own a Bike Friday Pocket Tourist, which is an introduction in to the Bike Friday folders. If so, do you use it for commuting? How does it work for you? Does it fold up in case you have to do some multimodal traveling?

I understand the seat post does not fold. Is that an inconvenience?

Have you used it for loaded touring?

I basically want a bike that does all of that. I don't travel too much right now, but I am keeping my options open for the future. Price is also a consideratiion. I want quality, which I think the Bike Friday is.

I am considering either one of these or a Brompton m or c series.

Thanks,
Tommy

Does anyone own a Bike Friday Pocket Tourist, which is an introduction in to the Bike Friday folders. If so, do you use it for commuting? How does it work for you?

I have one of these, in addition to a Pocket Crusoe. My Pocket Tourist is only slightly upgraded from their basic 8 speed model. I got H bars instead of flat bars, and a slightly better crank than the low end one piece model. I plan to upgrade the rear derailleur myself later, but the cheap SRAM 3.0 one is actually working fine for now. Already replaced the cheap KMC chain.

It's my main bike for my daily commute. I carry most of my stuff in a Rivendell saddle bag, with a small handle bar bag for my cell phone, wallet, and keys.

Does it fold up in case you have to do some multimodal traveling?

It folds easily enough, but so far, I've only done this to carry it in my car occasionally. I haven't yet had occasion to take it on public transportation.

I understand the seat post does not fold. Is that an inconvenience?

A little bit. When I tried to push the seat mast all the way down, it started scraping the decals. It's easy enough just to take the seat mast all the way out, but you'd need a bag to carry it this way on a bus or train.

Have you used it for loaded touring?

I basically want a bike that does all of that. I don't travel too much right now, but I am keeping my options open for the future. Price is also a consideratiion. I want quality, which I think the Bike Friday is.

I am considering either one of these or a Brompton m or c series.

Thanks,
Tommy

I have not used it for loaded touring, and don't plan to. It would probably be okay for that, although you might want a wider gearing option than I've selected. I don't think it's designed to be as sturdy as the New World Tourist, or Pocket Llama. If you really want to lug a lot of stuff around, one of those might be better.

Bike Friday is definitely high quality. I'm very satisfied with both of mine.

I understand the seat post does not fold. Is that an inconvenience? -tommylane

As much as I was attracted to the Bike Friday, it is not a true folding bike, it is more intended to be quickly partially disassembled and partially folded when you travel on a plane. The seatposts on my folders can be inserted all the way into the bike or taken out if needed.

Have you used it for loaded touring? -tommylane

I could if I needed to, but I prefer to travel or commute as light as possible especially on my folders.

I basically want a bike that does all of that. I don't travel too much right now, but I am keeping my options open for the future. Price is also a consideratiion. I want quality, which I think the Bike Friday is.

I am considering either one of these or a Brompton m or c series. -tommylane

That is a good indication that you are a good match for the folding world. The trick here is what folder to buy when. I bought a Dahon first a couple of years ago. When I found out about the more compact Brompton, I bought one several months back. I use both in ways that I did not foresee at purchase in different, yet overlapping ways. These bikes are very flexible in actual use. I do take my Brompton more on trips (on buses and trains) since it is so compact and stays together (folds down without disassembly) in a neat balanced package-even if I choose not to bag it. That was my strong push into a Brompton purchase. Whatever you choose, make sure you have the bike ready for the climate you are planning to ride it in (fenders/mudguards for wet weather, stronger spokes for long harsh roads, etc.)

i have a pocket tourist as well as a new world tourist. My pocket tourist has been to fla and or. by plane. It oflds in the suitcase and works well . I cant commute on it the distance is just too far. I have a 24 speed which is an upgrade but i wanted it for hills and so far its done well . I fold it and put in the soft bag and carry it in the trunk of my ford focus. I have no ocmplaints, i would think some would fold smaller and quicker but its holding up very well . My NWT will be used to ride cycle or this year in sept and i expect no problems with the bike , only with my body

I understand the seat post does not fold. Is that an inconvenience? -tommylane

As much as I was attracted to the Bike Friday, it is not a true folding bike, it is more intended to be quickly partially disassembled and partially folded when you travel on a plane. The seatposts on my folders can be inserted all the way into the bike or taken out if needed.

Have you used it for loaded touring? -tommylane

I could if I needed to, but I prefer to travel or commute as light as possible especially on my folders.

I basically want a bike that does all of that. I don't travel too much right now, but I am keeping my options open for the future. Price is also a consideratiion. I want quality, which I think the Bike Friday is.

I am considering either one of these or a Brompton m or c series. -tommylane

That is a good indication that you are a good match for the folding world. The trick here is what folder to buy when. I bought a Dahon first a couple of years ago. When I found out about the more compact Brompton, I bought one several months back. I use both in ways that I did not foresee at purchase in different, yet overlapping ways. These bikes are very flexible in actual use. I do take my Brompton more on trips (on buses and trains) since it is so compact and stays together (folds down without disassembly) in a neat balanced package-even if I choose not to bag it. That was my strong push into a Brompton purchase. Whatever you choose, make sure you have the bike ready for the climate you are planning to ride it in (fenders/mudguards for wet weather, stronger spokes for long harsh roads, etc.)

Good points, as always, folder fanatic. I suppose I want both of them. I like the Brompton's foldability and the fact that I can probably take it into stores and some restaurants when I bike into Manhattan. I just wonder if it is up to 8 to 10 miles each way to work.

I have a Dahon Boardwalk D7. I ride it to work a lot. I like the bike a lot, except for climbing, it seems like all the road bikes pass me by. I took my Trek 520 touring bike out for a spin the other day for the first time in a long while and the difference between that and the folder was night and day. The Trek T520 flies uphill. It has three chainrings and I was using it on the middle one most of the time.

I wonder if I would get the same results with a bike friday with 24 speeds as I do on my trek 520, which I don't think I'll ever get rid of btw.

I can make it to work (8.5 miles) on my trek in about 45 minutes, whereas it takes me about 55 minutes on the boardwalk. I do like the upright riding position of the boardwalk and it's pretty comfortable, except for those hills. I know I can get reduced gearing, but I don't think it's worth the money to do that on the boardwalk and besides, I don't always like to just coast downhill. I like to pedal most of the time.

Thanks for the helpful replies.

I have one of these, in addition to a Pocket Crusoe. My Pocket Tourist is only slightly upgraded from their basic 8 speed model. I got H bars instead of flat bars, and a slightly better crank than the low end one piece model. I plan to upgrade the rear derailleur myself later, but the cheap SRAM 3.0 one is actually working fine for now. Already replaced the cheap KMC chain.

It's my main bike for my daily commute. I carry most of my stuff in a Rivendell saddle bag, with a small handle bar bag for my cell phone, wallet, and keys.



It folds easily enough, but so far, I've only done this to carry it in my car occasionally. I haven't yet had occasion to take it on public transportation.



A little bit. When I tried to push the seat mast all the way down, it started scraping the decals. It's easy enough just to take the seat mast all the way out, but you'd need a bag to carry it this way on a bus or train.



I have not used it for loaded touring, and don't plan to. It would probably be okay for that, although you might want a wider gearing option than I've selected. I don't think it's designed to be as sturdy as the New World Tourist, or Pocket Llama. If you really want to lug a lot of stuff around, one of those might be better.

Bike Friday is definitely high quality. I'm very satisfied with both of mine.

Thanks for replying. I figured the pocket tourist to be a good commuter. I think I'd like it with more gears than the 8 on the low end one.

I wonder if the ride is similar to the boardwalk d7 I have or better.

i have a pocket tourist as well as a new world tourist. My pocket tourist has been to fla and or. by plane. It oflds in the suitcase and works well . I cant commute on it the distance is just too far. I have a 24 speed which is an upgrade but i wanted it for hills and so far its done well . I fold it and put in the soft bag and carry it in the trunk of my ford focus. I have no ocmplaints, i would think some would fold smaller and quicker but its holding up very well . My NWT will be used to ride cycle or this year in sept and i expect no problems with the bike , only with my body

How far is your commute? Mine is about 8.5 miles each way to work. I've been doing it on a boardwalk d7, lately. I'm wondering if I would get a better ride on the Bike Friday Pocket Tourist.

Thanks for replying. I figured the pocket tourist to be a good commuter. I think I'd like it with more gears than the 8 on the low end one.

I wonder if the ride is similar to the boardwalk d7 I have or better.

I'd hazard a guess that it's better, even with the somewhat basic model I have.

Should have mentioned one other thing. I got it with the stock, low pressure, Kenda 20x1.75 inch tires, but immediately took them off and put them aside (I'll find some use for them). I put on a new set of 20 x 1.5 inch Primo Comets. Of course, you can upgrade the tires on the Dahon too. I don't like the fixed handlebar height on some of the less expensive Dahons, but that may not be a problem for you. My BFs fit me better than my Dahon Speed P8, which does have an adjustable handlebar. Probably for that reason, I stay comfortable longer on the BFs, but the Dahon is good too.

My exact commuting route varies, but is normally a little under 12 miles to work and a little over 14 on the way back. The trip to work takes me usually a little under 45 minutes. It took me maybe two to five minutes longer on my Dahon. On my Raleigh Twenty, it takes me up to 55 minutes.

My Crusoe is a different animal. I have it set up as 16 speed with drop bars. It's noticeably lighter and quicker than the Pocket Tourist, and I use it for long road rides. It's not meant for heavily loaded touring, though.

I'd hazard a guess that it's better, even with the somewhat basic model I have.

Should have mentioned one other thing. I got it with the stock, low pressure, Kenda 20x1.75 inch tires, but immediately took them off and put them aside (I'll find some use for them). I put on a new set of 20 x 1.5 inch Primo Comets. Of course, you can upgrade the tires on the Dahon too. I don't like the fixed handlebar height on some of the less expensive Dahons, but that may not be a problem for you. My BFs fit me better than my Dahon Speed P8, which does have an adjustable handlebar. Probably for that reason, I stay comfortable longer on the BFs, but the Dahon is good too.

My exact commuting route varies, but is normally a little under 12 miles to work and a little over 14 on the way back. The trip to work takes me usually a little under 45 minutes. It took me maybe two to five minutes longer on my Dahon. On my Raleigh Twenty, it takes me up to 55 minutes.

My Crusoe is a different animal. I have it set up as 16 speed with drop bars. It's noticeably lighter and quicker than the Pocket Tourist, and I use it for long road rides. It's not meant for heavily loaded touring, though.

I'm 5'7" so the Boardwalk's fixed handlebar height really doesn't bother me. When I went to my trek 520 the other day to ride it, I noticed quite a difference in the way I was positioned on the bike. Actually, for a while I was thinking "how did I ever ride this thing with the handlebars so low" because I got so used to the boardwalk handlebar height, but after a couple of miles, I felt comfortable on it again. That bike really moves. I was reminded of how much I like it.

Folders are just more convenient riding in the city. I like the fact that I can take it into work with me, hasslefree. I haven't tried taking the Boardwalk into some of the stores I go to but I imagine I would do better with a Brompton in those situations due to the smaller fold.

I dont commute to work on the pocket tourist. The sdistance is too far, i keep it in the trunk so i can ride it whenever i wish to. like i said it foklds and goes and then folds again so it works for me

I dont commute to work on the pocket tourist. The sdistance is too far, i keep it in the trunk so i can ride it whenever i wish to. like i said it foklds and goes and then folds again so it works for me

That's a good way to do it. Thanks.