fietsbob

Shimano's Caprio hubs are made for small wheels , and use a 9 - 26t cassette, of their own,
so you dont have to find 60t chainrings to get high enough top gear.

JimBeans83

Think its a bad name for their bike - with the inevitable confusion of the 16 being for the wheel size, was a bit excited thinking that they had a 16" non-tikit model out. Also fooled seeing the OPs photo next to a brompton (16").

smallwheeler

i thought the same thing at first.

amf14

Thanks! I will consider that.

Will also look into the possibility of getting separate upgrade components (not group set). I won't be able to use the caliper brakes of a group set (my BF comes with V brake brazing only) and also the hubs If I get a Caprio. I hope it will be less expensive.

Had my first 9 km ride last night. It was sweet! The BF rides very stable for a 20-incher and was fast! I was able to pedal a few meters with my hands off the steering bar-- something not possible with my expressway and Brompton.

jerrysimon

Nice front badge

I have two Bromptons, never ridden a Bike Friday though

Jerry

amf14

After about 20 kms, I'm really finding it hard to get used to the grip shifters. The stock RD shifts smoothly but not the FD. I'd probably replace them with Tiagra's and a drop bar. The nearest LBS doesn't have the 105 but I can't justify the pricier Ultegra.

amf14

Try one--- you will like it!!!

kamtsa

Bike Friday also has the STI style handlebars. Half way between flat and drop bars. They split in the middle which helps when packing. They also have a wide range of stems to go with it like the ultra light custom size https://www.bikefriday.com/userfiles/BFStemChart.jpg

fietsbob

How about friction thumb-shifters? at least the left one..


I favor the ease of going to Trekking bars from Flat Bars, because the levers all swap over..

and instead of going into the down hill tuck like a skier , I reach a little further forward
and bend my elbows, riding into a Headwind.

amf14

Upgrade!

amf14

I am looking at shedding more weight from my BF. Looking to start with the seat post and chain wheel. Any suggestions? Thanks!

fietsbob

They are not Lighter, but Cane Creek Thudbusters are more comfortable because they suspend you,
on the saddle [ I have one on my P Llama ]

You have the whole Carbon-fiber crankset world to investigate.. if you want to save weight there..

your wallet, will be lighter as well . carbon fiber tubes are used to make seat-posts too..

cplager

In general, spending lots of money to make a bike lighter (particularly if you weigh, like I do, over 200 lbs) is not money well spent (it's the total weight of the bike plus the rider that matters).

For a folding bike, since you might be carrying it, that equation changes somewhat...

amf14

Thanks fietsbob and cplager! The unusual size of the seat post and seat tube of the BF makes it hard to find seat posts that will fit.

BassNotBass

What's diameter seat post is needed?

amf14

I think it's 28.6mm.

invisiblehand

Just pick up a 27.2 and a shim.

As for seatposts, I think Thompson seatposts are a great combination of weight and durability.

invisiblehand

How are you getting enough cable-pull for the brakes?

BassNotBass

Have you tried these sites? I've ordered from both companies and they've been great to deal with... quick, reliable, no hassle shipping. I usually order from Niagara since they usually have a huge selection... they have quite a few 28.6 posts up to 400mm in length.

https://www.niagaracycle.com/index.ph...er_id=&sort=3a
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...p?category=619

amf14

The LBS installed it as it is. No Travel Agents or anything. The brakes pads is almost touching the wheels (just a hairline gap so that the wheel still turns freely).

amf14

Yeah, been looking at Thomsons... Thanks.

Thanks BassNotBass! Will check those sites.

invisiblehand

Unless they are special v-brakes, I wouldn't ride with that setup.

https://www.erikv.com/blog/index.cfm/...for-Cyclocross

BassNotBass

Concerning your V-brakes and caliper brake levers, there is an option. Quad (and another manufacturer who's name escapes me at the moment) offer v-brake arms that adjust the leverage ratio to suit levers intended for caliper brakes. I've fitted them to many customer's bikes who had MTBs with v-brakes but wanted to use drops outfitted with brifters.

amf14

Actually, my setup is working perfectly fine. I can still modulate the brakes and can literally stop on a dime (no noticeable difference with the brake usability found in my Brompton and Giant expressway 2012). Thanks.

amf14

That looks sweeet!!! Hope I can find one in my LBS (I'm in the Philippines). Thanks a lot!