Wanted: Bike Friday

[tulip]

I am interested in purchasing a good-condition Bike Friday Pocket Rocket or Pocket Rocket Pro. I prefer drop bars with bar-end shifters, but I'll consider other setups. I'm 5'6" and my Luna is a 49cm (my best fitting bike).

Thanks,
Julie

[Blueberry]

Have you contacted the folks at Bike Friday? They frequently have pre-loved bikes that they re-condition and sell

CA (who isn't parting with her Pocket Crusoe)

[tulip]

Yes, I have priced a new one at BF, and have looked at their offerings on stock and already-loved. Nothing out there right now, so I thought I'd check here, too. Good to know you like yours.

[Triskeliongirl]

You could also try the yak (subscribe from BF site). If you are patient something may become available on ebay or craigs list.

[Blueberry]

I figured you had - but it might not hurt to let them know that you're looking - they might keep you in mind if they have something come in

There's one that just failed to sell (didn't meet the reserve) on ebay - wonder if the seller will repost? It was a PR - I seem to recall it was a 52, but might be a close fit depending on how it was measured, what you need, etc.

I'll second the rec for the Yak list - I'd actually post that you're looking - who knows, maybe someone is thinking of selling - the list is sometimes off topic, and brutally honest about the company (good and bad), but a good resource. For what it's worth, if you search on here you'll find lots of info about my ordering experience. We had some problems. They made it right. I like the bike, and that's what matters

Good luck

[Triskeliongirl]

I had a PRP that I really enjoyed until she was stolen. But I replaced her with a S/S coupled full size bike which I have to say for me performs better and I enjoy even more. I found the PRP too flexy without a top tube for stability. If folding isn't important and you are mechanically inclined, I think S/S coupled bikes are a great way to go. I got a really good deal on a steel frame on ebay, and sent it to Bilenky in PA to have the couplers installed and a custom fork built.

[tulip]

Good thought about the S/S route. I've given it some thought but I haven't looked into it as much as the folding option.

I'd love to just take my Luna everywhere, but that isn't practical, particularly if I decide to, say, fly into Paris and fly out of Barcelona (or Rome, or Oslo, or Glasgow, or Lisbon...) What do you do with the box (I would use a plastic bike box, not a cardboard box).

As for the BF, I'm pretty particular about the configuration, so I'll likely order a new one. My pockets aren't as deep as when I was working full-time (but really, working part time is soooo wonderful in other ways!)

I'll take a look at ebay and the S/S coupling bikes and let you know what I decide, if anything. Thanks for the tips.

[Triskeliongirl]

Generally when I fly with a bike, whatever kind, what I do is to fly in and out of the same city. Its usually cheaper that way, and usually if you stay in the same hotel the first and last night they will store your case for you. I always travel with a hard case, whether I am taking a full sized or travel bike. While the idea of setting up your bike in the airport and riding out is 'romantic' its often not practical. You are tired, sometimes parts are damaged in transit and you need help from a bike shop (or just some time and a clear head to tune everything up), and sometimes you are simply too tired. So, I generally set my bike up in my hotel room. If you are touring and don't want to do your whole route as an out and back, you can combine your bike travel with train travel. When I bought my friday, I liked the idea that I could wheel out of an airport using the case as a trailer, but what I didn't know is how heavy the bike is that way, so in practice I didn't really do that. Also, routes around an airport are not always safe, etc.

[tulip]

Oh, I would not ride out of the airport. I plan on spending a week in Paris (getting there from the airport by metro) and riding around the city and the Bois de Vincennes. Then I plan on taking a train to Brittany, riding around for a week or so in the environs of Quimper and maybe even up to the north near Roscoff and back, then getting myself to Catalunya north of Barcelona by train or car or both and riding around for a week or so in Girona, and then flying back to the US from Barcelona.

Getting back to Paris at the end of the trip is an option, but I no longer have connections there who can hold a bike box for me (my ex-MIL would not be amused).

At this point, though, my financial priorities really should be placed elsewhere than on another bike, so I think I'll lay low and figure out a way to use the wonderful bike that I already have. I'm still going to do the trip, but just not with a new bike. Maybe next year...

Thanks for all your great and wonderful perspectives and advice.

[Triskeliongirl]

Well another option then is to use a cardboard box from your LBS, toss it in Paris, and get another one from a LBS in Barcelona. That shouldn't be too hard.

I know some of the places you will visit. Brittany is lovely, as is the cycling on the costa brava. Just get yourself out of Barcelona, and then cycle the lovely coastal road up to St. Felieu. From there you can ride inland to Girona, through the foothills of the pyrenes. The coastal road to St. Felieu is probably one of the most beautiful roads I ever cycled on.

You could also think about having your Luna cut. Does Margo retrofit with s/s couplers? Too bad you didn't have it built that way in the first place. But, you still need to store the suitcase. A good time to do a retrofit is when the bike needs painting anyway. I was very pleased with the job Bilenky did on my retrofit.

[tulip]

Well another option then is to use a cardboard box from your LBS, toss it in Paris, and get another one from a LBS in Barcelona. That shouldn't be too hard.

I know some of the places you will visit. Brittany is lovely, as is the cycling on the costa brava. Just get yourself out of Barcelona, and then cycle the lovely coastal road up to St. Felieu. From there you can ride inland to Girona, through the foothills of the pyrenes. The coastal road to St. Felieu is probably one of the most beautiful roads I ever cycled on.

You could also think about having your Luna cut. Does Margo retrofit with s/s couplers? Too bad you didn't have it built that way in the first place. But, you still need to store the suitcase. A good time to do a retrofit is when the bike needs painting anyway. I was very pleased with the job Bilenky did on my retrofit.

I've spent alot of time in Brittany (my ex-DH is from there) and a bit of time in Catalunya, too. The biking in Spain will be in Girona, and Barcelona will be afterwards for a few days of being a tourist. I'm into architecture and cities and gardens, so I'll be walking around alot looking up (and down at the paving patterns). Thanks for the tip on St. Felieu.

The Luna does not have round tubes, so it' can't be cut. But that's okay, I'd hate for her to undergo that kind of surgery! I've been to Europe alot, mostly France, but I haven't been with a bike since I was 15 and did a tour through France for a month. I'm really looking forward to it. It will also be my first trip to France since the breakup of my marriage after 17 years. I think getting over that hurdle will be important to my continued growth and happiness.

[Triskeliongirl]

Well if you are trying to get from Girona to Barcelona, consider doing it by way of St. Felieu, and then along the coastal highway.

I just LOVE Brittany, to me its one of France's best kept secrets. The best seafood I have ever eaten was in Brittany. I also love Catalunya. I am so jealeous, it sounds like you have an amazing trip planned. But bring your climbing gears! It also sounds like a touring bike is in order if you are trying to cart luggage around. A bike like an older steel terry classic or madeleine would be great, and not expensive (you can find them on the buy/sell a used terry site). FYI the terry isis/symetry does take tires as wide as 28mm and accepts a rear rack, so that can also work for credit card touring.

A PRP is fine too. While not marketed as a touring bike, I did tour on mine and it did accept tires up to 1.4" wide if I recall which even worked on packed dirt roads in chiapis. Get the folding rack though (and it only accepts a rear rack, but if you go new they can make it for you with a front rack but that increases the weight cuz they have to use heavier tubing in the fork). One thing I liked touring with a friday was how easy it was to combine it with other forms of transportation. Need to take a bus, fold it up and they are more likely to let you bring it on board than a full size bike (and not charge you extra to do so).

[Triskeliongirl]

I just got another idea for you. Ship the box from Paris to your hotel in Barcelona, and ask them to hold it for you (but I would prearrange this with them).