Bike Friday? Anyone?

[tulip]

Rob English of Green Gear Cycling (the folks who make Bike Fridays) rode across the US on a Tikit. Of course, he's a super-duper racer and ultra cool cyclist who can do most things that the rest of us wouldn't dream of. His Tikit is a very high end one with drop bars and is very light due to some carbon in their somewhere.

I would get a Tikit for urban commuting, particularly if my commute involved a bus or a train, or if there was nowhere to lock up my bike (I'd fold it and bring it to my office). However, I work from home and therefore have no commute anymore. So no Tikit, either.

I fold my Pocket Rocket Pro to fit into the way back of my VW Rabbit on occasion. But mostly it stays unfolded until I need to take it to some exotic locale, which is actually more frequent than before. Since I can take my bike, I usually do.

[hulagirl]

Yeah Kerry - I think it's about what you want the bike to do. Do you plan to travel with it? Commute? Urban travel? Long distance?

Make a list of everything you want to do with that bike. Make a list of the things you want the bike to do for you (easy up hills, no hills to worry about, ride easy in the rain, haul lots of gear, light weight, etc). Then let Dave know what you want. He will guide you in the right direction. He did with me - he didn't try to sell me on one thing or another. He just asked me tons of questions and I told him what I wanted my bike to do/be for me. I didn't put a price on it. I just said what I wanted, he guided me to what he thought would work and then I got a price. I worked back from there.

I'll be getting the Pocket Crusoe as well! Hubby is getting the NWT.

Hope you can find something that works for you. I can't wait to get my BF. Just about 3 weeks to go!

[Kerry1976]

Thanks. My biggest impediment is budget - in terms of deciding what I am willing to spend to get what I want. Have some more "soul searching" to do and then to decide whether to move forward.

[Kerry1976]

Took the first step in the process and spoke to Dave (we got your name in, Denise!). Where I started and where I ended were completely different places, but I think we not only found just the right idea for me, but we also found something that ultimately will be more economical (certainly not cheap, but not as expensive) for me. If I order soon, my bike would arrive mid-July....and would be custom.

We are looking at a NWT with an 8-speed internal hub....of course with fenders, rack, etc. Fortunately, the MKS Lambda pedals I adore will work perfectly on a NWT, and my Brooks B67 will also be perfect.

Will be interesting to get the first quote and move forward.

It was interesting because I mentioned this to my mom today via email and even sent her a link to BF and I assumed she say "what the hell are you doing?" Instead, she said she recently saw a folder at the airport on her trip to Colorado a few days ago and thought it was cool.

[hulagirl]

How exciting Kerry! I can't wait to see what you end up with.

We are still 3 weeks out from getting ours. Patience! DH is having a hard time deciding what pedals to go with. I'm very happy that Speedplay has platforms now for their Light Action pedals as that is what I'll be doing with my BF. This way I can use my SIDI tri shoes if I want to go fast. Or just any old shoe if I want to tool around town.

I'll need to check out the pedals you mention for the husband.

And thanks for getting my name in with Dave! Also - you should know that Samsonite is having a sale via their Facebook page for $25 off $100 or more. The 31" F'Lite is on sale as well. With the coupon we ended up getting 2 for the price of one had we ordered from BF!

[Kerry1976]

And thanks for getting my name in with Dave! Also - you should know that Samsonite is having a sale via their Facebook page for $25 off $100 or more. The 31" F'Lite is on sale as well. With the coupon we ended up getting 2 for the price of one had we ordered from BF!

Thanks, Denise! I don't anticipate flying with my bike, so I don't think I'll need the case anytime soon.

About those pedals - they are flat pedals (not clipless). I heard about them on this forum and had to try them on my bike as my regular shoes would slide on and off and all over on the pedals at any given moment. Someone on this forum, in answering someone else's question, highly recommended these. I couldn't agree more with her assessment. The feet simply don't migrate on, off and around the pedal - they feel very stable and stay in place perfectly. Another feature of them is that they are more long than wide from the bike (Dave called it a figure-8 shape), which is why they should work well with a BF. Since they don't stick out so much, Dave said they wouldn't smack against your leg while carrying folded like standard non-folding pedals do. These pedals, and my Brooks saddle, will end up on any bike I ride....I love them.

The person who mentioned them on here, I believe, called them MKS Grip Kings. That is the Rivendell term, used on their website (they highly recommend). They are also MKS Lambdas. I believe both are the exact same pedal with simply different monikers but I could be wrong. BTW: I apologize to whoever it was that recommended these - I'd love to reference you by name - but I simply can't remember!

[blackhillsbiker]

I have them (the MKS Lambdas) on 3 bikes. Our LBS has started stocking them after I had him order me my last ones. They aren't wide, so they don't strike the pavement on turns, but they are long, so they provide a nice platform for riding. They completely solved my burning foot issue. I've ridden them with hiking boots in the middle of winter, sneakers, mtb shoes and even keen canvas sandals. Have I mentioned that I LOVE them?

Deb

[Reesha]

If you could recommend a bike friday model for a fully supported bike ride across the country, which model would you recommend?

[emily_in_nc]

If you could recommend a bike friday model for a fully supported bike ride across the country, which model would you recommend?

Well, I'm a bit partial to the Pocket Crusoe , but there are several that would work -- NWT, Pocket Rocket, even a Pocket Rocket Pro if very light weight is important to you, and since the tour is fully supported. We used our Crusoes for a self-supported tour carrying full panniers, and they worked great and are lighter than NWTs.

Really, call the Bike Friday folks and talk to them about your needs. They are awesome and super knowledgeable! I changed my model choice a couple of times while trying to narrow it down, and I ended up very happy with the bike I chose.

[tulip]

If you could recommend a bike friday model for a fully supported bike ride across the country, which model would you recommend?

For a supported tour, I wouldn't hesitate to take my PRP. I'd even do it with panniers, but not overboard with tents and stuff. But that's just me. I agree with Emily--call Bike Friday folks and ask them. They are very knowledgeable, friendly, and patient. I changed my mind multiple times, too, and they didn't blink an eye at my multiple calls and numerous questions.