Folding Bikes - Standard Fridays

BF Foldies,

I'm torn between two Friday standard models; I like to pedal hard and go fast (get the Pocket Sport), but also like to be able to load up and tour (ok, get the Pocket Companion).

Is there anyone out there that uses the Sport for touring? Is there any real difference between the two besides drop bars and skinny tires?

Thanks for any input.

Chris

They both have weight limit of 220 lbs and are likely very similar except for the tires (1.35" vs. 1.75"), bar con shifters vs. twist-shift, and possibly the forks (based upon my observations of their website pictures (I have never seen either one in person). There also appears to a weight difference.

FYI: We run 1.35" Marathon Plus tires on our Fridays, and from our experience they make better touring tires that the 1.75 inchers.

I would suggest you call Bike Friday and ask about the differences in the models You might also tell them of your possible usage and ask their opinion as to which one would work out better for you.

Lou

Excellent idea!

My friend just got a Pocket Sport to tour on as she wanted drop bars. Looks like a great bike....:love:

http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/it-is-a-friday/

BF Foldies,

I'm torn between two Friday standard models; I like to pedal hard and go fast (get the Pocket Sport), but also like to be able to load up and tour (ok, get the Pocket Companion).

Is there anyone out there that uses the Sport for touring? Is there any real difference between the two besides drop bars and skinny tires?

Thanks for any input.

Chris

It isn't clear to me what the precise connection is between the Companion/Sport and the New World Tourist/Rocket. But the NWT has a different geometry than the Rocket -- lower BB and more relaxed geometry in general. Of course the Rocket has different size wheels too. Anyway, I can tell you that cycling fast on a NWT is realistic in a similar fashion as using a cyclocross bike for road riding.

My friend just got a Pocket Sport to tour on as she wanted drop bars. Looks like a great bike....:love:

http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/it-is-a-friday/

Vik, you seem to have some experience with Fridays. What's your impression of the Sport? (There doesn't seem to be enough of them out there to find reviews on the 'net).

Do they fold comparable to a BTO Friday (like, say, a Pocket Rocket ... I know the Pockets don't fold like a Tikit)?

How's the build quality compared to a BTO?

Are they upgradeable/easy to work on? I don't think I'd like the stock gearing too much (top gear-inch seems to be about only 94") and would probably want to fiddle with that right away; maybe add some STIs, etc.

Chris

My friend just got a Pocket Sport to tour on as she wanted drop bars. Looks like a great bike....:love:

http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/it-is-a-friday/

A couple of questions.

Why didn't you go with the Dual drive? It's not so bad and I find myself only shifting between low and medium on the hub most of the day.

Also, why didn't you go with the Nexus 8?

Vik,
Your blog is amazing, thank you.