Folding Bikes - Looks Like No More Bike Friday Pocket 8

Based upon check of Bike Friday website and something I read on their Facebook page, it looks like the Pocket 8 has been dropped from the product line-up. The 24-speed Pocket Companion, at $995, is now the entry level bike.

Our Pocket 8's are great for riding around the city, on bike paths as well as gravel trails. Changing out the stock 53T chain ring for a 48T dropped the gearing a notch, and along with more ergonomic handgrips, has made them excellent bikes. Me thinks that 24-speeds (or more) is sometimes overkill.

They have had several different 7 & 8-speed models over the years, so maybe one will reappear at some future date.

I also noticed Bike Friday is selling some bikes on Ebay. They are having a garage sale Friday and Saturday.

Foldable,
Just out of curiosity, how much was the base price of the Pocket 8?

I spoke with the folks at BF on my way north through Eugene recently. They've got some changes coming to their product line up in the next few weeks. Nothing to be alarmed about. They are still keen on their major product lines, but like any small business they need to occasionally recalibrate what they are offering with what people want to buy. They are aware not everyone can afford a $2K+ bike so I'm sure they have some great options at the lower end of the cost scale.

Component suppliers are pushing the market to 11.
to get more of our money..

IG hub 8 speed is the way to go, I'd say.

ShinyBiker[/B];12273800]Foldable,
Just out of curiosity, how much was the base price of the Pocket 8?

In Summer 2009 wife's was $798. I purchased mine during their 'Black Friday Sale' near end of 2009 for 15% off of that (a real deal). Not sure what they were recently - I think $850 or more.

Fietsbob: "Component suppliers are pushing the market to 11.
to get more of our money..

IG hub 8 speed is the way to go, I'd say."

I think 8-speed derailleurs will be around for a while - 11-speeds are not economical for average folk's bikes. Heck, 6-speeds and 7-speeds are still very common place in lower priced bikes. I don't personally find derailleur bikes to be "dirty" to deal with - the chain is the main culprit, IMO.

With small wheels the bottom pulley runs the chain down darn close to the dirt.
particularly with a big cassette cog.. and long cage RD.

new Ig Hub designs are quite nice , Sturmey Archer's 8 speed
is near Ideal for small wheels
as the low is direct and the other 7 are overdrive gears,
so the front chainring doesn't have to be so large.

Component suppliers are pushing the market to 11.
to get more of our money..

IG hub 8 speed is the way to go, I'd say.

+1 Nasty nasty bike industry. Best to stick with components that don't wear out. External headsets, internal bottom brackets, internal hubs, etc.


In Summer 2009 wife's was $798. I purchased mine during their 'Black Friday Sale' near end of 2009 for 15% off of that (a real deal). Not sure what they were recently - I think $850 or more.

Considering that the Xootr Swift is $750, $800 isn't bad at all for a piece of Bike Friday steel. IIRC, they will build a bike with components you mail them right? Could be cheaper than a Swift frameset for someone going the custom route. Although I don't think Bike Fridays are fixed gear compatible (except for the tikit).

Alas it's discontinued, but like Vik said, with the down economy I have no doubt that we'll be seeing some more lower priced models soon.



I think 8-speed derailleurs will be around for a while - 11-speeds are not economical for average folks bikes. Heck, 6-speeds and 7-speeds are still very common place in lower priced bikes. I don't personally find derailleur bikes to be "dirty" to deal with - the chain is the main culprit, IMO.

That's precisely why derailleur bikes are dirty. They're very particular about how the chain is used and maintained = dirty.

I use a "dry" or wax lube most of the time - cuts down the grease factor a lot. Wipe down and re-lube the chains every couple weeks - they stay pretty clean.

I have ridden an 8-speed internal (around the block) and it was nice, but know from having dual drive bikes that internal hub adds some weight to the rear wheel. Would consider it if we bought a couple of tikits, but starting the process of moving primary home back to the PNW so concentrating on doing a couple of real estate transactions will negate buying any more bicycles for 6-9 months.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1296/5189896128_cfa127926c_z.jpg

After this wet tour I hosed down the bike and lubed the chain.