Bike Friday comments?

Pat

I would like to know if anyone has had good/bad experience with the Bike
Friday bikes. I am interested in an Air Friday, but I like to check out
something like this before I jump in with both feet.

Pat in TX

J. Zwiebel

I've had the Pocket Rocket Pro for a little over a year. I've traveled with
it at least a half dozen times including Italy last summer. First of all,
checking it in as regular baggage is a real advantage - when I traveled with
my full-size bike in a large bike case I'd never know whether the bike would
arrive at my destination the same time as I did. In addition, you'll avoid
the steep fees the airlines charge for bikes on domestic flights. Second,
the bike rides very well - it's quite comfortable, though the seat post does
bounce a bit while riding since there's no top tube to provide greater
stability, but it's not really a problem. The bike climbs very well - a
result, I suspect, of the reduced rolling weight of the small, 20" wheels.
Descents were for me a pleasant surprise. The bike tracks very well and
negotiates turns extremely well while descending at speed.

A couple in my bike club recently purchased 2 Pocket Rockets and had a blast
riding in Hawaii.

I don't think you'll be disappointed.




"Pat" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:c54j9h$2luuk2$1@ID-194653.news.uni-berlin.de...
> I would like to know if anyone has had good/bad experience with the Bike
> Friday bikes. I am interested in an Air Friday, but I like to check out
> something like this before I jump in with both feet.
>
> Pat in TX
>
>

MP

I had a New World Tourist for 8 years, just traded it in for a Tour
Lite Crusoe. The NWT was a very reliable bike. I didn't put it
through the heavy touring that some people do with them, but I loved
being able to bring it on planes in a suitcase, keep it easily in
hotel rooms, and always have something to ride. It became my main
bike even when folding wasn't a consideration. I used it for
everything from regular commuting to club centuries.

The Crusoe is much lighter and handles beautifully. It probably
wouldn't do to load it as much as the NWT, although it is supposed to
be a touring bike. Incidentally, although the web page shows flat
bars on these bikes, I have drop bars on mine.

No experience, though, with the "Air" models. Because small wheels
don't absorb shock as well, the beam is supposed to help soften the
ride. I find the ride very comfortable anyway, but it's been really
good since I started using a Brooks saddle with springs. I am also
using wider tires than you probably would (20 x 1.35).

MP

On Thu, 8 Apr 2004 17:21:38 -0500, "Pat" <me@privacy.net> wrote:

>I would like to know if anyone has had good/bad experience with the Bike
>Friday bikes. I am interested in an Air Friday, but I like to check out
>something like this before I jump in with both feet.
>
>Pat in TX
>

LioNiNoiL_a t_NetscapE_D 0 T_NeT

> I would like to know if anyone has had good/bad experience
> with the Bike Friday bikes.

I've done a number of multi-day, self-contained tours on the Bike Friday
Tandem Two's Day, and I was very favourably impressed by the bike's
fitness for the purpose, as well as its construction quality and handling.

Curtis L. Russell

On Thu, 8 Apr 2004 17:21:38 -0500, "Pat" <me@privacy.net> wrote:

>I would like to know if anyone has had good/bad experience with the Bike
>Friday bikes. I am interested in an Air Friday, but I like to check out
>something like this before I jump in with both feet.
>
>Pat in TX
>

Own one of the cheaper ones, a Bike Friday Metro, and like it a lot.
Primarily use it to commute and on short vacations. We will probably
buy the Bike Friday recumbents later this year.

Curtis L. Russell
Odenton, MD (USA)
Just someone on two wheels...

Jym Dyer

> No experience, though, with the "Air" models. Because small
> wheels don't absorb shock as well, the beam is supposed to
> help soften the ride. I find the ride very comfortable
> anyway ...

=v= I have an Air Glide -- much like the Air Friday, though
a little heavier. Best riding bike I've ever had! Highly
recommended.

http://www.things.org/~jym/bicycles/photo-album.html

=v= Even the low-end Metro is a good ride, though. I never
found the 20-inch wheels problematic for absorbing shock;
the notable difference to me is the change in forward momentum.
<_Jym_>