vik 

I got to check out Heinz Stucke's Bike Friday Pocket Llama when I was passing through Eugene OR in Feb on my way home from Baja. Cool bike. I posted a bunch more pics on my blog:

https://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/20...-pocket-llama/

I hear he's riding a Brompton at the moment for super stealth tours - riding where bikes aren't allowed and must be hidden, etc...

Looking at his PL it makes me feel pretty confident my NWT will take all I can throw at it and shrug. I'll never amass the same kind of miles as HS on one bike.

Foldable Two

Vik,

Thanks. Great pictures.

I think we are just scratching the surface regarding what our NWT's are capable of doing.

Lou

GLA

Vik

thanks for this, I also checked out the photos on your blog, they're great. One tough bike (and rider)

Greg

samosaurus

Wow!!! Amazing!!!

Sam

wahoonc

Unreal! I have known of Heinz for years and hold him up as an example that you don't have to have a super duper special touring bike with 40-11 gears to tour. That is amazing and confirms my thoughts on getting a NWT with the 8 speed Nexus.

Aaron

vik 

Ya I was wondering when I put a Nexus 8 on my NWT if that was crazy talk, but I now have two 8 spd touring rigs.

Foldable Two

So, is that a 'tensioner' rather than a 'derailleur'?

Lou

Dynocoaster 

This is what is used on the mezzo with an IGH https://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CBcQ8wIwAA#

fietsbob

Yes .. the pivot for the Tikit is located such that it allows the chain
to be tensioned in a way to make fixies possible,
.. that pivoting rear drop-out on the Season Tikit, etc.

OTOH, pivot is behind the BB on their 20" wheel bikes ,
(as you will see in Vic's picture , below)
so IGH needs the spring loaded, 2 pulley, tensioner..

folding under the rear involves removing the chain, otherwise..

vik 

On a bike with vertical dropouts you need a way to take up/release chain slack when using an IGH. This is called a chain tensioner as it simply tightens the chain using a spring. Although a derailleur also does this it has the function of moving the chain side to side on a cassette when you move the shift lever on your bars. You can use a derailleur as a tensioner if you like. The photos in this post show both options on my NWT.

wahoonc

Hey Vik,

Do you have a picture and know the size of a NWT when it is "folded"? I realize that suitcasing it requires more disassembly. I am thinking that a NWT folded and in a soft bag may serve my needs. Like stuffing it in the back seat of a Honda Accord or possibly the trunk along with a few other things...

Aaron

vik 

Aaron sorry I don't offhand. I'll measure mine next time I fold it. You can ask BF or check their website they may have that info posted. I folded the NWT to throw it in my truck for the drive to Victoria when I moved. It was fast/easy and the resulting package slotted inside my truck nicely.

wahoonc

Thanks Vik,

Looks like a similar fold to the Raleigh Twenty...hopefully lighter though

Aaron

vik 

My NWT performs and weighs similarly to my Surly LHT 700c bike. I have dual racks and fenders on both. I don't own a scale so this is just a seat of the pants assessment of their weights.

PolishGuy

This is awe inspiring stuff. I've read about Mr Stucke's travels in Adventure Cycling but the detailed pics you've posted gives me pause to reconsider the small-wheeled/folding bike as a truly do-it-all platform. PG.

wahoonc

After riding most of my miles on my Twenty last year, I am convinced that the small wheeled bikes are one of the better kept secrets in the cycling world. I think BF should sponsor a pro team and outfit them with Ti Pocket Rockets and turn them loose on the pro circuits I know on guy that was racing a few years back and would blow people away on his.

Aaron

vik 

I agree. I also thing the fairly quick fold of the BF travel bikes is not considered enough as a benefit for day to day use. Before I got my NWT it seemed like the talk was mostly of packing the travel bikes into suitcases, which is cool, but being able to quickly throw your bike in the trunk of a car or store in the bottom of a small closet is perhaps of more use to a lot of folks who only travel by air occasionally.

fietsbob

Will see. waiting delivery of BF PL, has folding seat and head mast.
not expecting a Brompton substitute. I take it in the bar, with me.
when friend, a daily cycling exercise rider, is the server.

Foldable Two

Been raining out here in Ocean Shores - the Pocket 8's are folded-up in the back of the 4Runner. A bungee cord holds them in place, so we don't even know they are there when we drive around. As soon as rain stops, we will break them out and start riding around.

Lou

vik 

Good luck...I hope you get some sun soon...

If you don't have fenders I'd get some then you can ride comfortably between rain showers without getting splattered from the water on the road.

Foldable Two

Hopefully it will let up later today - just light rain now. And, YES, we do have Bike Friday fenders. Actually, they came with our BTO Fridays as part of a 'free' commuter pgk. I love their quick, one screw, on-and-off capability. Took them off the BTO's when we left Ventura and brought them along to use on the Pocket 8,s.

Lou

kamtsa

Here is another picture of him with a different bike, also covered with names of places.

Anybody knows if the list on each bike covers only the places actually visited with that specific bike?

Foldable Two

Has he cut down on the "luggage" on his current Brompton?

vik 

He doesn't seem to be a lightweight luggage kind of guy so I assume he's still rocking the biggest load he can roll along.

fietsbob

stacking on top of the rear rack would be similar.. the Brompton touring bag can pack a lot of stuff in it.
and the weight is handled better with a toe strap around the bag handle
and the steerer riser.

Todd's hint , from his Or,Cal coast tour.. with T Bag and Carradice Nelson Long flap.