Touring bike advice?/ Bike Fridays?

**fasteryet** · 03-25-2005, 05:43 PM

This is slightly off topic, but for you Bike Friday and recumbent riders, how easy is it for you to transport your bikes? Obviously with the BFs, you can fold them, but if you don't, would the AirGlide fit on a hitch mounted bike carrier? And what about the bents? Also, what about packing and shipping? The BF's have their suitcase, and is it really easy? Denise says she has to take off the pedal on one side, but what about the handlebars? Off, or just twist? And for the bents, can you pack them in a box or suitcase? I'm thinking about another bike to travel with this year, and am trying to decide between paying for an expensive trip with bike provided, packing up and shipping my CDale road bike, or buying something new that is easy to take along. All opinions appreciated...

**DeniseGoldberg** · 03-25-2005, 07:33 PM

Is this the first of many trips? Or is this a trip to see if you like traveling with your bike? I'm assuming that since you're asking the question that traveling with a bike is in your not too distant future. I did start in this world of traveling by bike with a diamond-framed bike, but I got tired of paying the excess baggage charges, and I knew that I was going to continue traveling with my bike. I still have that "big wheeled" touring bike that I ride on tours closer to home - but my first Bike Friday purchase came when I wanted to be able to take a bike with me on non-biking trips. I went on a hiking trip in the Canadian Rockies and found that there were days that I wanted to bike in addition to hike.

On the disassembly front - the handlebars have to come off to pack the bike. (Depending on how you are packing, turning the bars might work...) And that's not just on a Bike Friday but a "big wheel" bike too. When I pack my Air Glide I do not need to remove the crank and chain rings - I only need to do that with my Pocket Rocket. (Yes, you're right - I do have 2 Bike Fridays!) The pedals need to come off, but that's easy.

As for putting the bike on a rack, I'd be most comfortable putting the Air Glide on a roof rack. I suppose you could mount the bike on a rack by the beam, but that gives you a bike that isn't level. I would bet that people do transport them like that; I either ride my bike to where I am heading, or I throw it in the trunk of my car if it needs a lift to the start of the ride. Of course I do the same with my diamond-framed bike...

--- Denise

**emily_in_nc** · 03-26-2005, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by fasteryet

This is slightly off topic, but for you Bike Friday and recumbent riders, how easy is it for you to transport your bikes? Obviously with the BFs, you can fold them, but if you don't, would the AirGlide fit on a hitch mounted bike carrier? And what about the bents? Also, what about packing and shipping? The BF's have their suitcase, and is it really easy? Denise says she has to take off the pedal on one side, but what about the handlebars.

What Denise didn't mention is that the Bike Friday handlebars have a quick release just like the seatpost, so are super easy to "take off" (they remain attached to the bikes by the cables. The handlebars are also split down the middle for packability, but this does not affect riding at all. Packing the suitcase does take a good 15 minutes since many parts have to be wrapped to protect them during transport, so this is not something I would do unless I am going on a trip. I don't pack the suitcase just to transport the bike to a ride.

However, folding the bike to put in the trunk of a car or back of an SUV takes only a minute or two - it's very easy and makes the bike very compact. I would do that before I would rack it outside my vehicle for security sake. I should mention that I have a "Pocket" model, which are quick folders. The "Air" models with a beam take a minute or two longer to fold, from what I've read, to remove the beam.

I am lucky in that I am able to carry any of my bike(s) inside my Honda Element without even folding so have not had to deal with racks (roof or trunk). I wouldn't put the Friday on a trunk rack since it doesn't have a top tube, so, as Denise says, would not ride horizontal and might not do so well. If I had to rack it outside my vehicle, I'd use a roof rack.

Hope this helps!

Emily

**fasteryet** · 03-26-2005, 01:34 PM

Thanks Denise and Emily. As usual, you two have lots of good input. I guess I really have to think hard about the traveling thing. I work for an airline, so I can go a lot of places. I usually don't check any luggage, though, as I fly standby. So I guess it really doesn't matter which kind of bike if I have to ship it. It does sound like the BF is a lot easier, though.
THe BF idea is very appealing also, as it sounds a lot easier to take it on a road trip, and if one gets a chance to ride, it's right there. Now I have to put my bike on the rack, make sure it's locked well, hope the weather won't turn bad, etc. I think it will probably come down to just plain $dollars$ - if I have enough for a new bike.

**Ered_Lithui** · 04-01-2005, 05:57 AM

Finally! On Wednesday I ordered a New World Tourist. And am so very excited. The bike will be done by mid-May, and I plan to pick it up at Bike Friday as soon as I get to Eugene and ride it out of the store. Then I'll have a month to train and plan and contemplate my insanity....
Thank you so much, guys! Your advice was invaluable. And you've really inspired me to learn as much as possible about bike parts and mechanics. ("So THAT's what a crank is!" I fear 'tis going to be a steep learning curve.

)

Leila

**DeniseGoldberg** · 04-01-2005, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by Ered_Lithui

Finally! On Wednesday I ordered a New World Tourist. And am so very excited.

Leila -
Congrats! I'm wishing good things for you and your new bike!
--- Denise

**CorsairMac** · 04-01-2005, 08:07 AM

Congrats on the new bike Ered - and be sure and tell us all about your trip!!

**DeniseGoldberg** · 04-01-2005, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by CorsairMac

...and be sure and tell us all about your trip!!

Hey - I'll let the secret out! (Leila, I hope you don't mind... based on this message it sounds like people are already interested.) Leila has already started a journal about her upcoming trip - you can find it at http://amphibious2005.crazyguyonabike.com.

I'm excited about being able to read about this trip!
--- Denise

**MomOnBike** · 04-01-2005, 04:48 PM

Leila,
It looks like you might be passing through Lincoln, NE. If so, and depending on schedules, etc., I could probably find a bed, a hot meal (or two) and a shower for you - should you need such

.

BTW, I'm really glad you found the right bike for you. What color is it?

MomOn(never any color but blue)Bike

**emily_in_nc** · 04-01-2005, 05:14 PM

Leila,

Great! I am so glad that you are joining the "Friday Family".

Welcome! A neighbor of ours just bought a NWT and is enjoying it very much. I'm sure you'll love yours too. And yes, what color did you get?!

Emily

**Ered_Lithui** · 04-01-2005, 09:02 PM

I definitely don't mind, Denise -- thanks for plugging my journal!

The bike is Green Gear Green. http://www.bikefriday.com/powder99.cfm
Green being my favorite color (with blue a close second, but the blue wasn't as appealing), it was a pretty easy call.

I told my dad about the NWT, and so of course he had to download the catalog to see what these were all about. Now he and my mom are ordering a Tandem Q. (I saw it coming a mile away. :P w00t, early referral credit for me!)

MomOnBike -- thanks so much for the offer! I am indeed hoping to pass through Lincoln. I've been interested in visiting the UNL campus and getting a sense of the area, since I did correspondence courses through their high school and college programs for several years. I would love to take you up on your offer if it works out for you (I think I'll reach the area in mid-late July). Thanks again!

--Leila

**MomOnBike** · 04-05-2005, 09:47 AM

Great, we'll be looking for you. Be warned, though, I'll probably drool all over your new bike and then want to know about your project. (Theory and Composition major here)

If you send a me a private message, I'll give you my address, phone #, etc. I could also send you the bicycle map of Lincoln (maps are Good) if you also send your address.

I live very near one of the trails - sadly up a grade, but it's short. The neat thing is, the trail starts on the UNL campus, so navigation will be easy.

Hmmm, I just thought, my house might be a good mail drop point. I'll just toss your Stuff on "your" bed.

**DeniseGoldberg** · 05-16-2005, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by Ered_Lithui

Finally! On Wednesday I ordered a New World Tourist. And am so very excited. The bike will be done by mid-May, and I plan to pick it up at Bike Friday as soon as I get to Eugene and ride it out of the store.
Leila

Hey Leila -
It's mid-May (OK, I know it's just barely mid-May, but I'm excited for you!)... did you get your new bike yet? I hope you're happy with it, and I'd love to hear your reaction. And to Leila's bike - make sure you give her a good ride!
--- Denise

**Ered_Lithui** · 05-16-2005, 06:21 AM

Hi Denise!

I'm still in Atlanta (the semester just ended), but the bike is ready and waiting for me in Eugene. Fortunately, Eugene's where the family is/will be and where I'll be until the start of the trip, so I arranged to pick it up rather than ship it. This way I also get to preview my parents' bike for them.

I'm heading back to Oregon tomorrow and will be meeting the bike in a few days. Maybe on Thursday, if I'm lucky!

Will post a picture of me + bike when I get it.

*Excited*

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