aroundoz

I usually am perusing the Touring forum but seriously thinking of getting a BF Pocket Llama and before I do, I hope to get a few nods of approval from the folding crowd. I am looking for a good touring bike for air travel but I am not interested in BTCs since I also want a folder for several reasons like when there is limited space in the car as well as at the friend's apartment/house who I am visiting.

Should I consider anything else, like maybe a Brompton?

I appreciate your advice and input.

wandt

Depending on the riding you are doing, a New World Tourist might also be worth considering. I've owned a Tikit and Brompton and find the wheel size too limiting. Prior to purchasing a NWT, I had (still have) a Tout Terrain. I love the ride of the TT, but mis the convenience of the folder.

fietsbob

Pocket Llama, got one in the spring, decent price.. I Got it when the BTO guy
didn't like the final color of the frame .
Disc brakes, Schmidt Front dyno hub, rohloff rear. folding steering mast.

wish it had a Kick stand plate, might get just a frame, & switch parts.
or blast off the powder and have the the fitting brazed on.
get another powder job.

for use as a daily rider , the heavy rider option is a front triangle,
which I like , so much easier to lock the bike up

.. there is a hole to pass the lock thru.

But realize the fold is kind of wide, its made to be taken apart some,
for travel, after all ..

People do tour on Brompton bikes ,I expect tire spares likely need be mailed to you..
but it will be a small parcel ..
406 tire is almost as common as 26" MTB tires ..

JimBeans83

I think the gearing you'll be needing for the type of touring you'll be doing will answer this question - if rapid fold time and minimally small packaging isn't needed, the Brompton isn't a good option, as that's where its expertise is.

How much weight are you planning to carry ? What type of touring ? How often folding/unfolding it? I agree with getting the Llama over the NWT/etc, for me there's no reason for not getting something a little overbuilt when possible.

aroundoz

I weigh 240 and was told the Llama frame with the custom upgrade is the way to go. I might be starting to drive a truck soon so thought it would be great if I could carry a bike with me as well. I am not needing a bike that folds and unfolds in seconds but just one that does so easily enough where I wouldn't be deterred to using it because it might take to long to fold or unfold. Hope that made sense. So it won't be folded and unfolded a lot and actually not often at all. Only when I visit friends or family. And once it's unfolded, it will stay that way until we leave again. I probably won't ever pack it in a BF suitcase or ever need to get it into something that small but just want to be able to get it in a small enough box where I won't get dinged at the airport and one that will also fit in the backseat of a Taxi.

I would be using it for self supported touring and carry about 35-40lbs of gear or even more depending on how remote I will be. I love the idea of a Rohloff but will stay with a standard transmission due to cost. I was wondering about the small wheels and gearing. Do you go with a road crank up front or still something in the area of 26-36-46?

Fietsbob, I think some people have too much money if they sell a bike like that because of the color scheme. There is a Taiwan company that sells a click-stand that attaches to the saddle instead of the TT. Don't know if that interests you but I can try and find the link if it does. I saw it over on the touring forums. Would be easier than stripping, welding and painting.

vik 

I've got a Bike Friday NWT [brother of the PL] - great all around bike and great touring bike...

If you'll be folding it often ask BF about the quick fold stem...just makes pulling the bike out for a short ride even easier.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vikappr...th/5165929330/

nsgould

Loved going through that album. Can't wait til my wife lets me get one!

fietsbob

@oz. , the klick stand, that I know of, does not attach, its a prop,
like a tent pole, shock cord connected tubes, so it folds..

You have to lock the brakes, so it wont roll then fall over, even with the prop.

I've been getting used to the lack, lock the bike to a steel sign post does wonders.

Previous big wheel touring bike Became so much more
easy to pack the panniers when breaking camp , by being free standing..

Foldable Two

If you weight 240 lbs, and want to carry an additional 35-40 lbs, you have no other choice in a modern folder.

I really doubt you'll be disappointed. My wife was very much against spending $2,000 on her first Friday, a Pocket Crusoe. Selling her on a second Friday, a Pocket 8, wasn't very hard. Now, she has no problem having one here and one at the beach.

One Forum member (rhenning) has had a diamond frame Friday since 1993 (it's the orig. design, and now the Tandem front-end as well as the heavy rider upgrade), and it's still going strong.

Lou

fietsbob

FWIW my PL came direct from, BF, [Walter said] the BT Orderer declined,
final acceptance,
wanted maximum Schwartz, and thought it wasnt Noir enough.

point of information: original BF's front diamond used smaller OD tubes,
than the current tandem .
it's the oversize thing ...
A well traveled friend has an old one, we compared ..

aroundoz

Thanks all. It makes it easy when I have no other option and and at the same time, glad there is even an option for me. Not to copy you Vic but mine will also be white (and I decided that before I saw your photos). The pic on the BF shows it with discs which I might have to go for. Once I have one, I will definitely be more inclined to hop on a plane.

FB, here is the link to the thread on the other brand of click-stand but looks like it is no longer being made or at least is expired. This one was just like click-stand in that it collapses etc... but the end mated with an attachment which was attached to the underside of your saddle. Looked pretty slick.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...nd-Alternative

Foldable Two

Interesting. Differences in tube manufacturing over the last 20 yrs could have something to do with this, too.

Glad you reached a decision, and fairly quickly, too. Remember, we need PICTURES once you have received your new folder!

Lou

rodar y rodar

By "might have to", I`m not sure whether you mean the new Llamas MUST have discs, or that you really want them. Just so you know, you can still order one with rim brakes (I just did).

I kind of wanted white also, but they don`t offer Just Plain White. They do have some kind of Super Duper White, which is an upcharge, so I picked another color.

fietsbob

FWIW, the frame on Mine has Both, V and disc Mounts..

aroundoz

I will definitely be posting a photo or two or three. And FT, since you said I have no other options (and that's the bike I wanted) that made the decision a quick one.

I have mostly toured with rim brakes but have really enjoyed touring on my disc equipped Fargo. I could still change my mind and would be happy with either or. I just thought of it this second, but is there an issue with the discs being touched by other parts of the bike when it's folded? That would sway me for sure and would be a deal killer in regards to having discs.

fietsbob

Rear hinges under and to the left side , front stays on,
you remove the wheel to pack bike for the suitcase .
if you specify a center lock hub you can remove the disc easily to keep flat.

folding steering riser is an extra cost option, it folds down,
seat mast folds forward . have to pull the seatpost to pack, also.

jur

https://dx.com/folding-bike-kickstand...ld-black-52812

Tom Spohn

Why not get the made in USA version: https://www.click-stand.com/Click-Stand_Products.html

fietsbob

Yea, they got a tube mill to supply the big rolled to an oval tube,
that is what they use for most of their sales.

volosong

Is that a speedometer magnet on one of your front spokes? I imagine that with the smaller wheels, you would need separate sensors/pickups for speedometer and cadence.

vik 

Yes it's a magnet, but it's not attached to anything. I don't like bike computers in general. I used the same wheel on a recumbent and the magnet is just a tourist from that bike. I've never had a bike computer with a cadence function. I can tell how fast I am pedaling without one.

rkokish

I've had my BF Pocket Llama for a year now, using it for day rides and 2 short tours. I posted on the BF site after the first tour. I love it even more after the second. You can find the review at:

https://www.bikefriday.com/bicycles/reviews/pocket_llama

BF claims they post all reviews and never edit. They certainly posted mine word for word, including negative criticism.

They are not cheap, but they are very very good. When I broke a brake boss last fall (my fault, not the bike's) they took it back and fixed it at no charge, not even shipping.