snappergrass

Anybody have experience buying a used Bike Friday direct from their pre-loved list? Did you negotiate on price with them? I'm think of buying a 4-5 yr. old pocket llama.

DLBroox

I've looked at those myself but even used Bike Fridays are too rich for my blood. Why are they all so expensive?

edwong3

Disclaimer: I don't own a Bike Friday though I have seen a small number of them on bike rides and my comment is an opinion only.

I think Bike Fridays are pricey due to the fact that they are built here in the United States by hand without any automation involved (robots). Also, there is a perceived high value in these bikes gained through reputation. They do have a more affordable "entry level" model called the Pocket Companion. Those sell for just under $900 if I'm not mistaken. Non the less, still a considerable investment for a bicycle.

EDIT: BF actually has a lower priced model than the Pocket Companion. It is the "OSATA" with a price starting at $770.00 US.

mconlonx

I've perused their pre-loved list in the past. I would not hesitate to buy something used from them as it is in their best interest to list things properly and note any shortcomings, price accordingly.

Just like you'd pay more for a used bike at an established bike shop, you might pay more for a used Bike Friday from Bike Friday than you would buying secondhand from a private owner. In either case, you'd have the benefit of people who know what they are doing looking a bike over prior to sale, and better recourse if there were issues with the bike after delivery.

Also, they have overhead to consider and some kind of initial outlay to obtain the used bike, whether cash purchase or trade-in value. So I wouldn't think to haggle pricing already discounted from new. However, it is winter, they might be looking for sales, especially at the end of the month, so the worst they could say to a reasonable offer is, "no."

OTOH, what gives you the idea that a listed retail price is negotiable? Do you think the listed price unfair for the product, considering private sale used pricing and new bike pricing?

fietsbob

I have a Pocket Llama , But Mine was someone else's Built To Order ,
they refused delivery, because the Powder coat was Not Black enough.

It is a very nice dark Grey Metallic anthracite..

All Frame guarantees, I expect, Apply. They may change some component parts for You..
They did for Me (stem choice for Fit)

Were I doing my BTO I Might get the New NWT, as it would eliminate the need for a chain tensioner , (R'off hub)

& having a lower BB would be better for stop and Go city riding..
High BB means you can pedal around Corners and not have pedal strikes .

& go Off road and not have the pedals hit rocks and Such ..

Hope you Jumped on it , already, because there is no Pocket Llama on the site Now ,
but there is a Silk and a NWT..

https://www.bikefriday.com/bicycles/pre-loved

snappergrass

Thanks for the replies, I'll go for it as is - it's the right size and outfitted the way I'd do it. They are pricey, but they seem to have their niche.

smallwheeler

don't you think one of your favorite mantras, "value for money" would apply in this case?

smallwheeler

never hurts to have a look around.


High Performance Folding Bicycle



https://eugene.craigslist.org/bik/5401399920.html

DLBroox

All good points!

Abu Mahendra

I'd first spring for a Japan-made Tyrell before a BF at those prices.

Steel



Aluminium

feijai

1. Lifetime practically no questions asked frame warranty.
2. 100% made in the US by Oregon tree-hugger expert bike builders.
3. Unusually high service support: basically the opposite of Dahon.
4. Lifetime practically no questions asked frame warranty.
5. Apple-level customer following.
6. Unconditional 30-day return policy.
7. Did I mention the lifetime practically no questions asked frame warranty? Because you get that buying pre-loved from BF, and you will *not* get it buying the same bike from someone on Craigslist.

Abu Mahendra

Lifetime warranty on Aluminium frames, or BF does not do Al?

feijai

BF does steel only.

Abu Mahendra

Then lifetime warranty on steel is nothing special. BF is not the only or even among few who offer lifetime warranties on steel.

"Apple-level customer following."
Is that a good thing? Sects and tribes are not my thing. Perhaps this and the repated emphasis on lifetime warranties on steel are not unrelated.

feijai

On a folding bike? You do realize this is the folding bikes forum, right? Montague is the only other manufacturer I can think of right now which has a warranty that approaches BF's in this category. Seriously, BF doesn't screw around here: they are unusually generous and helpful in both service and warranty repair. There's a *reason* people are so loyal to them.

Abu Mahendra

Yeah, I just don't think lifetime warranty on steel is anything to foam at the mouth over. YMMV, of course...

CliffordK

I haven't seen the BF preloved, but everything indicates they do professional work. They also answer questions, so just ask what was done to refurbish the bikes.

Used BF bikes show from time to time, here and elsewhere.
Prices vary.
New bikes can be made with Ultegra, and prices reflect it.
Used bikes hold their value, but compare to other Ultegra bikes.
I got a used pocket rocket with full 9s UlTegra for less than $500. Including all the issues 10+yr old Ultegra and bikes in general have,so price was appropriate.

invisiblehand

I think customization is generally expensive. Besides the actual components/materials, have a production line that accommodates greater variation apparently effects efficiency or labor requirements such that price must consequently rise. There is a lot of value in Bike Friday's warranty and customer service, but as one might expect, if a mass produced product "fits well" then you can get a lot of satisfaction from it at a more reasonable price.

linberl

That's what I thought, too. But I decided to be patient and I waited and waited, and finally found a BF in precisely my size in great condition (2003 model that had been housed indoors and minimally used) for $600. It took about 5 months of daily searching ebay and craigslist (I searched all states since they can be folded and shipped.). I've put about $200 in to it and I'm quite happy. YMMV but they can be had for reasonable prices; I was able to sell my other bike to offset since it rides so nicely. Just be prepared to be patient, have a lot of Mag Alu cleaner and elbow grease ready, and some basic tools. Could I have found a different bike for $600?
Sure, but not hand built and made in the US. Maybe a frame for that price...

DLBroox

Now I'm curious. How do Bike Friday's stack up against Brommies? I kind of thought if I were going to buy a higher end bike than my Dahon I'd buy a Brompton, but now I'm reconsidering.

mconlonx

Depends on why you're buying a folder. I'd favor a Brompton if a small fold was a priority, like for multi-modal commuting and shorter rides; I'd go with a BF if travel by other modes was a more occasional thing and I wanted a more traditional-bike-like folder for longer rides.

CliffordK

I haven't ridden a Brompton . The folding appears to be nice.
No stock drop bar Bromptons, like the Pocket Rocket.

linberl

I tried both and the big difference for me was the wheel size. 16" just doesn't cut it on city streets with potholes, imo. If folding size is the most important thing the brompton wins out, but I have no trouble folding my BF when I need to...the extra 30 seconds over a brompton is no big deal.

fietsbob

Bike Friday Tikit uses the same 349 wheel as Brompton. all their other "pocket" bikes are 20" wheel.

Tikit is their Quick folding Bike , It just does not fold as Small as Brompton..

But again its Built to order , your parts Pick, And has more than 1 frame size. *

Its Trick , when folded you have a handle on the back to roll it on its Front Wheel.

and since the seat mast is hinged , to fold ... the saddle height stays set.

*Brompton has 1 frame and a few Front mast/bars Options and a few Seat post options
add mudguards rack front bag Block etc. lots of unique components ... that work fine..

and there are a lot of aftermarket makers of parts for Bromptons .. many in Asia

where a bike you can fold , to put in a very small house has a big market.

DLBroox

Thanks for all the feedback.