new bike...friday

[tulip]

Okay, the first day I took it out only for a few miles, about five, with my allen wrenches to make any adjustments and to just get a feel for the bike. It was GREAT! Very comfy, felt like a real bike! Well, it IS a real bike, but you know what I mean. Handles very well on the flats, climbs, and sprinting.

The next day (yesterday) I did a 15 mile loop that took me an hour, same as on my other bike. The ride is very comfortable; it feels like riding my other bike. The only thing I have to get used to is using the bar end shifters; my hands keep flicking at the brake levers to shift. I did a climb-the only one around-and the bike is solid and great climbing both seated and standing. I even did a little sprint race with my friend, which was great fun.

I haven't folded it yet; I put it in my car with BOTH wheels on! I have a small car--a VW Rabbit. I put the back seat backs down and in went the bike just as it is. Folded, I bet I could fit it in the way back without putting the seatbacks down. I'll practice folding it tonight. I need to practice packing it into its suitcase before my trip. It's like changing a tire-practice, practice, practice.

It's a Pocket Rocket Pro. I struggled with which model to get, and decided on spending $$ on the frame because that's the only thing that I cannot upgrade later. I went through alot of configurations, but settled on Shimano 105 components. The bar end shifters are Dura Ace, I guess because they don't make 105 shifters? I'm not complaining! My pedals are SPD and my saddle is Terry Butterfly (same as all my bikes).

I got the bike in one month from ordering, but that was unusually fast. Usual times are 6-8 weeks, but they were able to fit me in (because of my Southern charm ?? I think they get busier as the weather warms up. Because of the rush, they forgot a few niggling things, but they are sending those.

As for the stem, I frankly thought it would come with the fit-stem. They made the stem from my measurements and since I was trying to keep the price low (VERY relative), they skipped the fit-stem part. Fine, it seems to work, and if it doesn't, I'll send it back. But so far so good.

My friend took a picture of me riding, so when I get that I'll post it.

[Grog]

Sitting here, green with envy, thinking about my next bike, I have a question:

If Bike Fridays are SO wonderful (which I don't doubt they are), why should we have "normal" bikes at all, i.e. bikes with bigger wheels?

It's an honest question.

[tulip]

Sitting here, green with envy, thinking about my next bike, I have a question:

If Bike Fridays are SO wonderful (which I don't doubt they are), why should we have "normal" bikes at all, i.e. bikes with bigger wheels?

It's an honest question.

Some folks don't like Bike Fridays. Some people love them. Some people don't have traditional bikes, and just ride a Friday (or two). Few people come to Bike Fridays right off the bat--first bike. Alot of folks who get Fridays keep riding their traditional bikes because the have them.

I love bikes--their beauty, their simplicity, their elegance. I love my Luna for because it's handmade and unique, its beauty, comfort, and fit, I love my Jamis for its urban toughness, and my Friday for it's comfort, versatility, and willingness to travel.

Will I get another bike in the next couple of years? Probably. It's my thing, my hobby, my interest. Maybe I'll get a single speed, or a 'cross bike, or a mountain bike.

Maybe I'll simplify things and just keep the Friday, who knows? There is an attraction to downsizing and simplifying. In fact, I'm looking at a little condo tomorrow. It's tiny, but could be just right for me and my Bike Friday (but please don't tell my Luna!)

[emily_in_nc]

If Bike Fridays are SO wonderful (which I don't doubt they are), why should we have "normal" bikes at all, i.e. bikes with bigger wheels? It's an honest question.

And a good one! So, giving this some thought, here are my answers, as a Bike Friday and 650c road bike owner:

1. Bike Fridays are fairly pricey as bikes go, so aren't going to work for everyone.

2. They can't be test ridden in a shop before purchasing, which is going to shrink the market that much more. Most who "discover" them are travelers who need the foldability aspects and are willing to put up with the long-distance ordering, wait time, and higher cost in order to get a good-quality folding bike.

3. Another consideration is weight. Despite looking so "small", they are made of steel and are typically heavier than go-fast racing bikes (esp. carbon bikes). In order to get the higher-end gears you'd have on a road bike, you have to use larger cranksets, which also adds weight. My DH's Bike Friday has a 62-tooth big ring, for instance.

4. Yet another point is that most LBS's are not familiar with them so might not be as happy to work on them, and certainly aren't going to promote or suggest them to people who come in looking for a bike. They want to sell something they stock.

5. Bike Fridays don't fit on all trainers, or require an adapter, so aren't as practical that way for those who ride the trainer in the winter.

6. At least when I ordered mine, they didn't do Campy (I asked), so if you're a Campy girl, you're out of luck.

All that said, I haven't ridden my carbon Aegis Swift much at all since getting my Bike Friday. There are other reasons for that in my case. I bought the Friday for touring so did most of my training and our loaded tour on it. I also had a serious accident on my Aegis and as a result, didn't ride for many months, and no longer do fast club rides. Since my recovery, I've gotten into mountain biking, hiking, sailing and running, and my (infrequent) road rides now are on my Bike Friday with a rack and rack pack (and sometimes a pannier or two) and are typically utilitarian and relaxed (ride to the market or the post office and haul stuff home).

I constantly toy with selling my Aegis and keeping the Friday as my only road bike, but the Aegis fits on my trainer, and the Friday doesn't, so I haven't as yet. And someday I may want to ride the Aegis on the road again. It's so beautiful I just can't bear to part with it. Yet.

You asked a good question! I could definitely live with a Bike Friday as my only road bike even though I rarely fold it (normally for traveling it's standing up in the back of my Element), but I would have to have a MTB too!

Emily

[tulip]

My first Travel Test comes next week. I have to be in North Carolina for work, and I'm going to bring the Friday to ride while I'm there. I haven't decided if I'll drive to NC or take the train, though.

Someone asked about the weight. I weighed it today: 23 lbs with everything on it (not the rack, but the pedals, seat, and seatbag). I think my Luna's about 21. But it folds up so small!

[Blueberry]

Tulip-

Where in NC are you headed? I'm in Raleigh/Durham. Let me know if it's this area, and I'll be happy to share routes, etc.

[tulip]

Hi CA,
I'd love some ideas for riding. I grew up in Durm (as we like to drawl). I'll be staying not too far from the ATT, and working in Chapel Hill, although Monday I have to be in Gastonia (long drive).

I figure I'll ride on Tuesday and Wednesday either in CH near the office or on the ATT after work. I'll be coming back to Virginia on Thursday, but can likely fit in a morning ride before I leave.

Unfortunately, I think the routes to CH from my folks' house are not very bike-friendly, even going the backway. There are too many people who drive too darn fast and are not used to seeing bicyclists.

Doesn't the time change this weekend??

[Blueberry]

It does! And I'm excited!!

Let me know if you want to get together for a ride one afternoon! We live a short (2.5 mile) distance from the Downtown Durham end of the ATT. Old Erwin Road and Old Durham-Chapel Hill Road are doable as commute routes, but probably not worth it for just 2 days

Assuming you're staying in the Downtown area, there are some pretty cool rides. We like to head out towards Orange County. This is a (modified) version of one of our favorites - Main Street -> Erwin Road -> 751 -> Kerley Road -> Cornwallis Road -> Old Murphy School Road (Buffalo!) -> NC 10 -> Short jog on 70 -> 751 (nice downhill) -> Erwin Road -> Main Street is a pretty cool route. Would probably be ~20 miles (maybe slightly more, depending on where you start).

CA