Hi Leila ~

I also have a Bike Friday and can highly recommend this bike as both a touring and "every day" bike. I have the Petite Pocket Crusoe but had them put drop bars on it, since that is what I am used to, and I wanted the multiple hand positions. I love it. My husband and I did a self-supported tour last fall in the Finger Lakes and Adirondacks areas of New York, and it performed wonderfully with front and rear panniers. I didn't even get a single flat! I use it now around town with a rear rack and Arkel Tailrider pack for quick trips out and about or for longer rides in the countryside. It's comfy and a lot of fun to ride, and really, it feels just like my full-size bikes, I promise!

If you want a Petite Bike Friday (they're lighter, which is why I wanted one), you will probably need to tour with a trailer as you're planning, because the petite series can't handle a huge amount of weight, and you'll probably want to carry quite a bit for a cross-country tour unless you can travel really light. I believe they told me that 125 lb. rider plus 20-25 lbs. of luggage on the bike was the maximum recommended. I weigh about 105 so could handle a little more luggage. I think I had about 25 lbs. or 30 at the very tops; my husband carried most of the heavy stuff!

Have you read my review of my Bike Friday? If not, check out www.girlbike.com. Also, I have a web site of our tour, where you can see numerous Bike Friday pictures (my husband has a Pocket Crusoe too). Check out Our New York State bike tour site.

I chose the Pocket Crusoe primarily because I wanted a Friday with 406 wheels, which accommodate wider tires (I run 1.35" tires, which are great for gravely and bumpy roads), and work well with V-brakes (mountain bike brakes). There's plenty of fender clearance room, and I did appreciate very much being able to use fenders on tour (couple of rainy days), and keep them on to this day. Because STI shifting doesn't work all that well with V-brakes, I went with bar-end shifting, which I'd never used before but quickly grew to like very much indeed. It shifts much easier and smoother in the front than an STI triple, that I can promise you! Like Denise, I chose an Ultegra front derailleur and an XT rear for a really LOW low gear. I needed every gear in NY state, to be sure.

Good luck with your decision, and please keep us posted. Let me know if I can answer any other specific questions. I really don't think you can go wrong with a Bike Friday, though!

Emily in NC

P.S. If you call Bike Friday for further information, ask to speak to Walter. He is incredibly knowledgeable and can answer all your questions.