FS : Bike Friday New World Tourist

[Meg McKilty]

OK, Dumb post coming:

What really is so special about this bike? I have a touring Bianchi that looks much more comfortable than this for climbing the Himalayas.

[Blueberry]

Meg-

Bike Fridays fold up - they fit in an airline checkable suitcase. You can fly with them (generally) for no excess baggage charges. They also readily fit in car trunks and the like.

They may not look comfortable, but they actually are. My DH did a century last year on his, and he looks forward to many more on it this year. He finds it more comfortable than his big wheel. Ours are configured like road bikes, with drop bars - they really are more comfortable than they look!

[Tri Girl]

I was secretly wondering the same thing as Meg. They must be comfortable, tho, as I see people riding them for long distances. I've read two online journals of people who rode cross country on their BF's. They must be doing something right. And the packing up small without removing all the major parts (handlebars, pedals, seat, wheels)- gotta love that!

[Blueberry]

Paris Brest Paris on a Friday: http://www.mile43.com/peterson/pbpstory.html

[Fredwina]

I was secretly wondering the same thing as Meg. They must be comfortable, tho, as I see people riding them for long distances. I've read two online journals of people who rode cross country on their BF's. They must be doing something right. And the packing up small without removing all the major parts (handlebars, pedals, seat, wheels)- gotta love that!

Not quite!
Yes they do fit in suitcase.
But they usually custom 2 piece handlebars, and you do have take the pedals off(unless your chainring has more then 60 tooth, the you have take the chainring off). They do make folding pedals.
But, it does ride like a real bike and you don't have to worry about extra airline charges, or space on the train(which is why i bought it in the first place), plus the suitcase converts into a trailer for training

[Blueberry]

I think the biggest thing are the oversized baggage charges you get to avoid. You take off pedals and front wheel, split the handlebars, take out the seatpost, take off the stem, and fold it up. Probably about 4-5 bolts + pedals, and the pedals. It really doesn't take long (except the first time) - probably 15 minutes for me now.

CA

[tulip]

This thread has morphed in to a Bike Friday thread, which is neat. I love morphed threads.

CA in NC--my Friday comes in just a few more weeks, then I have to ride it with the fit stem, send it in, and get the real stem. I'm very excited about the bike, and about the trip to Europe later in the spring. Having the Bike Friday will simplify the trip in so many ways, from the airplane to the train to staying in B&Bs and hotels.

I also travel alot for work, by car and by train. It will be great to bring the bike with me (I have a small car--VW Rabbit--and no roof rack) on business trips and ride after work. Some of my clients are cyclists and it's very cool to discuss business and make deals while on a bike ride. Sure beats a cubicle!

This bike will by my most expensive, so I have high hopes that it will be up there with my Luna in comfort. Can I count it as a business expense if I do work while on the bike (and I have done that before!)?

[Thorn]

Continuing the thread hijack....I read a negative review on the Bike Friday that said after reconstituting it, that the derailleur always needed to be readjusted. In y'all's experience, any truth to that? My guess is not, but I've been trying to find opinions, both positive and negative.

Background...I just bought a custom bike. The fit is wonderful and very much non-standard. I take 1-3 bike vacations a year so I figure I have 3 options...take my beautiful new custom in a big box, paying upwards of $250/trip and risk TSA and baggage handler damage, continue renting bikes that can never fit for upwards of $250/trip, or, seriously contemplate a Bike Friday. I have to admin the latter idea is intriguing. This thread has me thinking it should be a plan and I should start saving the pennies.

Any negatives?

[tulip]

Continuing the thread hijack....I read a negative review on the Bike Friday that said after reconstituting it, that the derailleur always needed to be readjusted. In y'all's experience, any truth to that? My guess is not, but I've been trying to find opinions, both positive and negative.

Background...I just bought a custom bike. The fit is wonderful and very much non-standard. I take 1-3 bike vacations a year so I figure I have 3 options...take my beautiful new custom in a big box, paying upwards of $250/trip and risk TSA and baggage handler damage, continue renting bikes that can never fit for upwards of $250/trip, or, seriously contemplate a Bike Friday. I have to admin the latter idea is intriguing. This thread has me thinking it should be a plan and I should start saving the pennies.

Any negatives?

Thorn, I'll give you a full report once i have the bike and post-vacation. I, too, have a beautiful custom bike. I would love to bring it on vacation, but it's so cumbersome, not to mention the extra airline charges. Plus, this vacation I am flying into Paris and out of Barcelona, so it's kinda hard to be lugging a big bike box with me. You can always find cardboard boxes, but I don't want to put my nice custom bike in a cardboard box for the airlines to abuse. I want the flexibility to be more mobile on my bike vacations.

Stay tuned..should be start a new thread in the first category or keep it here?