Bought a Bike Friday

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I had been asking about bike Friday's a few weeks ago, and said I would let everyone know if I bought one. I found a Bike Friday on craigslist, but it turned out that it was handled by a consignment store in SF (about 70 miles north of where I live). I went up the day before I left on a trip. It is a Pocket Crusoe in my size with Ultegra front derailleur, 2 front chain rings and Shimano Deore XT mountain bike 9 speed rear cassette. There are plenty of low gears (but not enough high ones). It is a 2002 that is almost brand new. A 65 year old woman had bought it and was going to go to Europe and did not go, so I imagine it sat in a closet. It is a Rip Van Winkle bike bought the day before St. Patrick's in green. The rubber extrusions are still on the tires. It came with the suitcase and packing. I hope to take it with me when I go on trips, and also think it would be neat to take on a cruise ship and just ride away in the day.

I took it with me on a week's vacation to visit kids and bike. The first day was on the Blossom Trail out of Reedley, CA. It was a 45 mile ride. By the time I was done my hands hurt and my crotch hurt. It was a little risky to take a new bike on a long trip. But now I knew what needed to be fixed. Stopped in a bike store in Laguna Beach and bought a new stem than angles up so all the weight is not on my hands and wrists. Adjusted the tilt of the seat. I still want to replace the saddle, but then it was at least ride-able. I was a little disappointed that it does not go as fast as my Specialized Ruby. We stopped to visit friends in Paso Robles who ride, and I had a hard time keeping up with the road bikes. The riding in Paso Robles is wonderful. Every road through the vineyards and hills is like a giant bike path with no cars.

My conclusion after 149 miles is that it needed to get set up right before I left, but I would not have known what bothered me if I hadn't ridden so far. It wasn't bad for the first 15 miles or so. It also felt weird to be in the back behind my friends when I was usually in the front. So, husband needs a travel bike to slow him down rather than me trying to keep up with a road bike. I think I'm going to like it. It was great to go on a trip and be able to ride and not just sit around and talk and eat.

[HillSlugger]

Congrats!

[Tri Girl]

It's SOOOO pretty (as are you!). :D
I'm so glad you found one. The color is fantastic!!!
Seems like you're getting the fit dialed in, and are on your way to many, many miles of good times. Woo hoo!!!

[Jiffer]

Yay for new bikes!!!!!!!!! :D She's real purdy. ;)

[Melalvai]

I really want a Bike Friday. Not just any folding bike but specifically this one because it rolls along after it's folded up. I will probably finally just get the cheaper folding bike at some point, because it will be a long time before I can spring for the Bike Friday. Very lucky for you that you found one in your area on craigslist!

[Sylvia]

Congrats on your new BikeFriday. I'm glad you were able to find one. Nice looking bike!!

[jesvetmed]

Congratulations on your new travel buddy!
Your friends may be glad that you got a bike that holds you back -- now they can keep up with you! ;) I need to buy one of those for my riding partner!

[malkin]

You two look good together!

[featuretile]

Thanks for the kind words! Today I bought a new saddle like the one on my road bike - a Specialized Dolce WSD saddle. Then I spent a bunch of time setting up the bike to be as close to my Ruby as possible. The saddle I bought is a little firmer. I thought it was the same one, but the other must have some gel or be a different (older?) model. Anyway, it was interesting that I could actually feel my 'sit bones' better on the harder saddle. So after getting the saddle in the right place on the Friday, I adjusted the saddle on the Ruby. I was surprised that the wheel base (distance between hubs) was the same on both bikes despite the difference in wheel size. I finally 'get' that even though the bikes look completely different in size, you can get the seat, distance to handlebars and height (with the new adjustable stem) the same and get them to feel similar. Now, I need to take both out on some longer test rides. Fit is so important!

[Sylvia]

There are plenty of low gears (but not enough high ones).

You might consider experimenting with your gearing. Here is an article on gearing on BikeFridays.

http://community.bikefriday.com/gearing

I went with the capreo cassette and rear hub with a 52/42/30 chainring setup in the front. This allows you to go down to a 9T cog in the back.

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Thanks for the info Sylvia. The Capreo would give higher gears. I wish I had understood all this first, but since the bike was pre-owned and I really didn't think it would make such a big difference until I went on a long ride with other people, I could not have selected it anyway. I emailed Bike Friday to see what the Capreo costs since I could not find it on their website. It also might entail changing the rear derailleur and it might be just too expensive right now. I had no idea how much higher you could go with a smaller rear cog! There is so much to learn! I changed out my saddle and am now really comfortable on her.

[tulip]

Congratulations on your new Bike Friday! I love mine. It's like riding my other road bike (only it's a bit heavier). I just took mine on a 10-day cycling trip and it performed flawlessly.

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I got a reply from Bike Friday and it turns out that I would have to replace the rear hub and rebuild the rim to install a Capreo cassette. Since I have 2 front chain rings 53-39 (not 3), I would lose my low gears if I installed a 9-26 in place of my 11-32. What would really work is not being made by them anymore. A 9-32 Capreo would have given me the higher gears without losing the lower gears.

I'll probably just keep what I have for now. Now that it is comfortable, it's just a little slower when riding with road bikes. It worked well when I rode with a slower friend. If DH gets a folding bike, it will probably slow him down to my speed. The thing is, even if I had ordered a new BF, I would not have realized what I needed until after I got it. Also, too expensive for me. Who gets into comparing gear inches when you are a relatively new rider and not a technical person? I sound like a bike mechanic, and even my more experienced friends don't understand what I am talking about - gear inches, chain capacity, teeth, tire size.

[tulip]

When I ordered my Bike Friday, I told them what I had on my other road bike, and said, "Make It So" on the Friday, and they did. I don't get into gear inches, but I'm glad they do.

[Sylvia]

I sound like a bike mechanic, and even my more experienced friends don't understand what I am talking about

I understand that feeling. I'm a relatively new rider and had to really look into cranks and gearing to understand what would work for me. By the time I ordered my BikeFriday, I pretty much knew the gearing I wanted on it.

Sheldon Brown has a nice online gear calculator.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

[kmehrzad]

The thing is, even if I had ordered a new BF, I would not have realized what I needed until after I got it. Also, too expensive for me. Who gets into comparing gear inches when you are a relatively new rider and not a technical person?

That's why the folks at Bike Friday are so helpful to talk to. They ask you all sorts of questions about what you want to do with the bike, your style of riding, and if you currently have a favorite bike at the moment then they take those measurements and build your BF to mimic it.