Folding Bikes - Bike Friday New folding steam

Good news for us BF riders check it out!!
http://www.youtube.com/bikefriday#p/u/0/lMzWWl26Q-c
Maybe I will get one of this one,ths question is if will go on the suitcase or you probable need to remove more stoff...

Best folding design I have seen yet. The "overlap" of the two tubes gives it some strength and hopefully stiffness, too.

Next time through Eugene we will have to check it out. Walter said there would be a new tech development at the recent bike show in Portland, but it wasn't there wasn't.

Wife says she wants one on her Crusoe.

That was quick!

Wife has always said she misses the folding handle bar she had on her Dahon Boardwalk D7...so, she directed me to order this one for her Crusoe.

I talked with Walter, and it's on its way. Sounds like it uses the existing stem and handle bar, so it should be fairly easy for me to install.

I understand it's the first one to be ordered - can you say Guinea Pig???

I guess a write-up of my experiences will be required.

Lou

I always disliked the stem flex in most folders. I now own a Brompton with very little flex. Im impressed with Bike Fridays new setup. Very nice indeed.

Ha! I used to own a Flying Pigeon folder that had that kind of folding stem, and I paid LESS for the bike than what that new stem cost! :)

142153

142156

142158

142159

Glad to see other brands use this type of folding stem as it is quite stiff, and works well.

The key term above is: "used to have" the Flying Pigeon. We don't intend on selling our Fridays - they'll likely be burying them along side us. Understand the cost comparison though, my 2005 Dahon S1 was only $129.

We intend to enjoy what we have rather than worrying about passing it on. Daughter is very OK with that. Hence, wife wants a folding handle bar on her BF and she is getting it :>).

Lou

I was merely making an observation as to how similar the stem was on the Pigeon to the new upgrade introduced by BF.

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I have to explain myself. I was going through some very "lean times" back in mid 2008, and sold the Pigeon among some other personal items to raise some cash.

Thankfully, things are now much better for me, and if they were still available, I wouldn't have any problem buying another Flying Pigeon.

I know what you mean by being buried along side your BFs. I am truly amazed by the loyalty displayed by BF owners, and that speaks volumes for that company, and their products.

Now back to the main topic. :)



The key term above is: "used to have" the Flying Pigeon. We don't intend on selling our Fridays - they'll likely be burying them along side us. Understand the cost comparison though, my 2005 Dahon S1 was only $129.

We intend to enjoy what we have rather than worrying about passing it on. Daughter is very OK with that. Hence, wife wants a folding handle bar on her BF and she is getting it :>).

Lou

I had no idea the regular bike friday's folded so well. Looks much easier to handle than a Swift.

Overall, folded package is still quite awkward.

Overall, folded package is still quite awkward.

YES and NO. They don't fold as slick as a Dahon (wife liked the Dahon fold and the little magnets that held folded bike together). I use two small bungee cords to keep each folded BF together. However, when it comes to piling either BF or Dahon into a small car (Yaris LB in our case) it's very similar - neither is a convenient shape. Actually, removing the front wheels on our BF's and mounting them on a plywood "travel" board with QR's works the best. On major trips this is how we transport then in our SUV.

The new folding stem for wife's BF (should receive it in a day or two) should assist in the speed and neatness in both situations. Looking forward to installing it.

is bf trying to copy the foldng mechanism of a brompton? the rear wheel folded when lifted? i never seen a bf fold like that? what is worst that now it doesn't seem u can't roll while the bf is folded with the new folding mechanism, some1 correct me if i'm wrong?

it is nice bf is trying to copy the fold of a brompton...but it still looks like they got a long way to go.

Vincent, you're confusing the different BF models. I believe BF only makes one model that rolls while folded... the Tikit. (someone correct me if there is another one).

All other BF models are folders, yes, but mainly they are designed to be travel bikes. I'm not sure on every model, but most BF models fold with the rear wheel folding under. It's not unique to Brompton (at least it hasn't been unique to Brompton for many years now).

As travel bikes, the various BF models are designed to be packed for travel... and based on the satisfied customers, I would say they tend to do that pretty well. Generally speaking, they aren't designed for commuting... except for the Tikit, of course.

--sam

The Pocket model BF's do not fold when rear wheel is lifted. There is a quick release holding the rear triangle (and seat post if it has a folding one) in place. Bike Fridays have folded this way since their inception in the early 90's. (Brompton's do not have a latch on the rear fold.) The Pocket Fridays were never intended to be rolled along when folded - they were designed as travel bikes, not commuters.

About 2007, Green Gear (BF) introduced the tikit as a commuter bike, in direct competition with the Brompton. The tikit can be rolled along when folded.

The new folding stem for the Pocket bikes is made, and I assume developed (based upon a conversation with BF), by Kalloy. It appears to have a different latching system than either Dahon or Brompton.

Lou

Overall, folded package is still quite awkward.

Yeah, but so is a Dahon, and so is a Brompton, etc. None are really entirely satisfactory. I'm just sayin this looks to be somewhere between a Dahon and a Swift in awkwardness, which is not what I expected.


All other BF models are folders, yes, but mainly they are designed to be travel bikes. I'm not sure on every model, but most BF models fold with the rear wheel folding under. It's not unique to Brompton (at least it hasn't been unique to Brompton for many years now).

Nor was Brompton even the first.