Folding Bikes - Bike Friday Differences

There are several Bike Friday models but I can't really tell the differences. What is the difference between a:

Bike Friday New World Tourist
Bike Friday Personal Companion
Bike Friday Llama
Bike Friday Pocket Rocket

They all have 20 inch wheels and based on pictures alone, they look like they have the same frame too. Which is the beginner model? Thanks.

There are several Bike Friday models but I can't really tell the differences. What is the difference between a:

Bike Friday New World Tourist
Bike Friday Personal Companion
Bike Friday Llama
Bike Friday Pocket Rocket

They all have 20 inch wheels and based on pictures alone, they look like they have the same frame too. Which is the beginner model? Thanks.

Three of them are built to order and custom sized.

NWT => touring
Llama => MTB
PR => road

The Pocket Companion is a stock bike that comes in one of three sizes with a fixed configuration. I believe that the Companion is analogous to the NWT and has the same frame with the easy pack mast. Note that there are two other stock bikes that are analogous to the Llama and PR.

If your dimensions are not far from population averages then the stock bikes are a good bet. If you don't have enough experience to know whether you have quirky bike fit requirements, then the stock bikes would be considered the beginner bikes.

From top to bottom. NWT is heavier/thicker tubing and designed for loaded touring. Usually has lower gears. PC is a city/errand bike for around town. PL is their version of a mountain bike. PR is a entry level road racing bike. Lighter weight/thinner tube set and higher gears. I would caution the I could be wrong on the PC. I would also caution that in Pocket Rockets for example there are almost never two of them built the same. These are custom build bikes and the buyer specifies almost everything. MY wife has a 2 year old Pocket Crusoe and it was a good experience for her to have to build a bike with Bike Fridays help. You start with a check list and fill out a bunch of your preferences and personal statistics. For example the chose the frame tube thickness by her weight and how heavily loaded she planned on riding the bike. She had to pick wheel size, gear ratios, type of brakes, type of shifter, style of handle bar, do you want a trailer, color, and so on. After doing this she got a bike she loves and fits her to a "T". The catalogs are just samples and if your are interested call Bike Friday and they will talk you through what they have available. They may even talk you into a different model after listening to your needs. They then send you a quote sheet that lists everything you talked about and a price. When I called to order new Pocket Rocket years ago they even sold me a slightly used bike that met all my needs and saved me some money. Roger

For a 5'2 girl, I would go with a small frame right? I really like the Pocket Companion, but I am itching for orange or candy apple red though.

Also, what is the weight of a typical NWT? I would be carrying it up flights of stairs. Thanks!

Give Walter at Bike Friday a call. He is very helpful and can explain all the options to you. He helped me with my NWT and everything he suggested was right on the money.

Oh yes, add Pocket Crusoe to the list of how it is different from the other bikes. Thanks!

I will give Bike Friday a call, but I have to wait until I'm home this evening probably.

Oh yes, add Pocket Crusoe to the list of how it is different from the other bikes. Thanks!

I will give Bike Friday a call, but I have to wait until I'm home this evening probably.

+1

http://www.bikefriday.com/staff/walter

Kam

Edit: I intended to quote vik's message.

For a 5'2 girl, I would go with a small frame right? I really like the Pocket Companion, but I am itching for orange or candy apple red though.

Also, what is the weight of a typical NWT? I would be carrying it up flights of stairs. Thanks!

Yes. But the sales staff will guide you through the process.

My NWT built for a 195 guy with 105 triple derailer drivetrain + saddle, pedals, pump, and everything else is ~ 25 pounds. A Pocket Crusoe will knock off another 1.5 pounds or so. A frame for a light person will be even lighter.

The Pocket Crusoe and Pocket Rocket Pro are the light touring and road models respectively.

Remember, we all want something (1) light, (2) durable and (3) cheap. Getting two of the three is not so hard.

All good advice above. FYI, a Dual Drive rear hub (three speed hub) vs. a triple chain-ring set-up will add about 1.5 lbs to the weight of a Bike Friday.

As you can see below, my wife (5'8") has a Crusoe that Walter assisted her in designing - she loves it!

At 5'2", yes, you'd be closer to a small frame, but leg length (aka: inseam) and weight will also have an effect on the best bike configuration/design for YOU.

Lou

Discuss this with Walther, of course, but at 5'2, I think it might be best to have them make a custom frame for you rather than going with a generic "small".

Carrying a BF up flights of stairs is no different from carrying a conventional bike up flights of stairs...completely doable, but not really enjoyable.

Discuss this with Walther, of course, but at 5'2, I think it might be best to have them make a custom frame for you rather than going with a generic "small".

My 4'9" wife actually fits a small very well. It's the best fitting bike she's ever had.


Carrying a BF up flights of stairs is no different from carrying a conventional bike up flights of stairs...completely doable, but not really enjoyable.
Because the small wheels make the bike shorter, it's actually a lot easier to carry up stairs than a normal bike.

Because the small wheels make the bike shorter, it's actually a lot easier to carry up stairs than a normal bike.

+1 - I carry my NWT through a back door and down a flight of stairs to the basement at my GF's place every time I visit. I've had to do that with a full size bike as well and the NWT's compact size is a lot easier to manage.

Luckily I think I'm on the verge of convincing her the NWT is lovely enough to get stored in the front hallway which will make my life much easier...:thumb: Glad I got a white NWT as it seems to look much cleaner than a dark coloured bike to someone worried about a bike making a mess!...:love:

Glad I got a white NWT as it seems to look much cleaner than a dark coloured bike to someone worried about a bike making a mess!...:love:

Really, it doesn't emphasize all the dirt ala "white glove test"?

Really, it doesn't emphasize all the dirt ala "white glove test"?

Nope...I have white Santa Cruz Nomad MTB and my buddy has the same bike in gray - mine always looks cleaner even covered in red dust and some dirt from UT/AZ.