Bike Friday recommendations?

[Susan Otcenas]

Jeff & I both have Bike Fridays. I own an Air Glide, Jeff has a New World Tourist. We took our bikes on a 2 week trip to New Zealand just over a year ago. I wrote about the bikes and our trip here: http://www.teamestrogen.com/adventures/nz.asp There's some photos of the bikes and some mention of how it was to travel with them.

One thing I don't really discuss in that story is changing flats (well, Jeff had 3, but not me ) When we bought our bikes, we went with the decision to but the sram 3-speed internal hubs. I liked the idea of the hub for a couple of reasons. 1) you can shift standing still, which can be quite convenient when loaded touring. and 2) I like the idea of keeping these moving parts enclosed and clean (unlike my regular road bike, which always needs to be cleaned...) But choosing this option meant sacrificing a quick release rear wheel. At first this didn't seem like a big deal - I just carry a wrench. But with the rack on the back, there's almost no room to maneuver the wrench into place. Plus, it requires a lock washer to keep the wheel in proper position and I frankly have the damndest time getting the wheel on and off with that stupid washer staying in the right place. By the time I wrestle the wheel off the bike, I'm frustrated. Then, once I manage to get the tire changed (those little tires are tight and requires the world's beefiest tire lever) I usually can't can't the wheel back on without assistance.

Now, I'm a woman who prides herself on being able to take care of her own bike and *certainly* not needing a man's assistance to change a %^$$#ing flat tire. But I confess, I can't do it on the Friday, and I blame the decision to choose the internal hub.

Soooo, long story short, if I had to do it over again, I would get a plain old derailleur and triple chain rings.

Susan

[mtkitchn]

I wanted to bring this topic back up since I'm looking at Bike Fridays now. I'm going to read the links provided in the previous posts, but wondered if anyone had more to add.
Thanks!

[emily_in_nc]

My husband and I both have Bike Friday Pocket Crusoes. We bought these bikes for touring and general errand-running, and they are a joy! Super comfy, easy to maintain, ride just like a big-wheeled bike. Can't say enough about how much I love mine.

They performed extremely admirably on our nine-day self-supported tour of upstate NY in 2004 (link with photos). We didn't even get a single flat between us, and I have only had one flat on mine ever. It's just a great ride, and I highly recommend the company as well. They are incredibly helpful and stand behind their product fully. They will work closely with you to ensure that you get a bike that suits your needs and fits you well.

Any more specific questions? Just ask!

Emily

[Fredwina]

I have happen to have a Bike Friday New world Tourist.
Most Bike Fridays are custom made. Mine fits fine, is super comfy, and appears to be well built.
The only regret I've had is that I had mine built with a triple crankset and a Standard MTB cassette. It's geared a little too low at times. Thought about having it rebuilt with a hub gear, but Susan's Woes have convinced me otherwise. You can also have it built with a Capero Hub, which is Specail hub/Cassette/ Derailleur group designed for folding bikes.
Green Gear(The company) is super easy to work with, too.

[DirtDiva]

Wow Susan! Great photos - recognised most of 'em as you went riding all over my stomping grounds. I'm a Christchurch girlie who spent seven months working in Fox, has had umpteen trips to Queenstown/Wanaka (especially in snow season) and has done a bit of tramping in the Te Anau area (haven't done the Milford Track yet though).

[Susan Otcenas]

Wow Susan! Great photos - recognised most of 'em as you went riding all over my stomping grounds. I'm a Christchurch girlie who spent seven months working in Fox, has had umpteen trips to Queenstown/Wanaka (especially in snow season) and has done a bit of tramping in the Te Anau area (haven't done the Milford Track yet though).

Well, we had a fantastic time. This was my second trip to NZ, and I'm sure it won't be my last. Everyone is so friendly, though I found that cars pass a bit closer than necessary, even when there's no oncoming (which was almost always). Then again, people do that here in Oregon, too...

Susan

[Jaclyn]

I'll add to the positive words about Bike Friday - both the bikes and the people. I bought my Petite Crusoe a few years ago and my sales consultant (Steve) was great. We had many discussions over several weeks to customize my bike so it would fit me perfectly. Since then, it's been a joy. Very comfortable, durable and really almost as fast as my road machine. And a few months ago when I winded up in Eugene a few minutes after closing, another employee was happy to reopen the store and let me demo the trailer option for the suitcase.

[mtkitchn]

I just ordered a Pocket Pilot that is due to get here the first of September. Looking forward to easy travel with it!