I got my first folding bike back in 1997, a treat to myself on my 40th birthday. A friend did the research and decided I needed a Bike Friday Air Glide, their highest performance 20" wheel folding, traveling road bike.
Since then I've owned several others, most of the best makes, including a Brompton and a Birdy and have been fascinated and obsessed by folding bikes every since. It's less the bike than the idea that whenever possible, I like to have a bike with me and folding bikes allow that to happen.
I've covered a lot of ground. The Birdys were perfect for Chicago - to doodle around the Loop, downtown, to throw on the train to Oak Park to tour the Frank Lloyd Wright houses.
My Bike Friday has taken me up (and over) the Alps, around Mallorca, and to various other destinations.
If you are a cyclist and you travel, you should seriously consider a Bike Friday. They look ridiculous but keep your eyes straight ahead and you would swear you were on a high performance road bike. They travel for free. And, with a little practice they suitcase pack and set up in about 5minutes.
Since then I've owned several others, most of the best makes, including a Brompton and a Birdy and have been fascinated and obsessed by folding bikes every since. It's less the bike than the idea that whenever possible, I like to have a bike with me and folding bikes allow that to happen.
I've covered a lot of ground. The Birdys were perfect for Chicago - to doodle around the Loop, downtown, to throw on the train to Oak Park to tour the Frank Lloyd Wright houses.
My Bike Friday has taken me up (and over) the Alps, around Mallorca, and to various other destinations.
If you are a cyclist and you travel, you should seriously consider a Bike Friday. They look ridiculous but keep your eyes straight ahead and you would swear you were on a high performance road bike. They travel for free. And, with a little practice they suitcase pack and set up in about 5minutes.
Folding Bikes 101
There are basically three (3) good folding bike makers, one each best suited for three different types of riding.
For Short urban cycling, less than... 20km, the Brompton is pretty ideal. It folds fast (as quickly as a few seconds) and is the most compact when folded (so is easy to take on public transportation (and are allowed when full sized bikes are banned). Bromptons are a bit heavy though and are not easily sized. Its basically One Size Fits All (though you can get different handlebar styles and extended seat posts if you are very tall). They ride... ehh, OK. But are really best for running around town and public transit.
Downside is they are heavy, 25lbs/11.5kgs. and a clumsy ride.
Urban ride alternatives are Dahons (though they are somewhat the Kia or Hyundai of folding bikes. A to B utilitiarian, but not special or fun to ride.
Sexier (and lighter) urban and "trunk" options are the Pakit and Tikit (now discontinuted) 16" models from Bike Friday.
the Pakit comes in three sizes (S,M,L) and is a spritely ride. It comes in a wide vaarity ov configurations including single speeds, belt drives, internal rear hubs....
For Short urban cycling, less than... 20km, the Brompton is pretty ideal. It folds fast (as quickly as a few seconds) and is the most compact when folded (so is easy to take on public transportation (and are allowed when full sized bikes are banned). Bromptons are a bit heavy though and are not easily sized. Its basically One Size Fits All (though you can get different handlebar styles and extended seat posts if you are very tall). They ride... ehh, OK. But are really best for running around town and public transit.
Downside is they are heavy, 25lbs/11.5kgs. and a clumsy ride.
Urban ride alternatives are Dahons (though they are somewhat the Kia or Hyundai of folding bikes. A to B utilitiarian, but not special or fun to ride.
Sexier (and lighter) urban and "trunk" options are the Pakit and Tikit (now discontinuted) 16" models from Bike Friday.
the Pakit comes in three sizes (S,M,L) and is a spritely ride. It comes in a wide vaarity ov configurations including single speeds, belt drives, internal rear hubs....
Medium length rides (20-40kms) is where a Birdy excels. BIrdys are agile and fun to ride, most have 7Speeds. They just feel zippier than Bromptons. Though they fold less compactly and not as quickly (15 seconds versus 5s for a Brompton.
Long distance (50kms+) this is when you want a Bike Friday. It is one of the only folding bikes that can replace a traditional full sized road bike. The Pocket Rocket model rides .... 98% like a real road bike. A Bike Friday will take you anywhere. Over the highest mountains, over long long distances...
They take... 5-10minutes to completely disassemble and pack in a suitcase (and 10-15min to set back up on the other side.) And unlike Brompton and Birdy (where you remove none of the parts) with Bike Fridays you have to remove several: pedals, seatpost, stem, wheels..... so you need tools. and you have to keep track of the parts. (though all that can still be done in 5 minutes)
They can be half-folded without removing anything, but they are quite big and clumsy like that.
Long distance (50kms+) this is when you want a Bike Friday. It is one of the only folding bikes that can replace a traditional full sized road bike. The Pocket Rocket model rides .... 98% like a real road bike. A Bike Friday will take you anywhere. Over the highest mountains, over long long distances...
They take... 5-10minutes to completely disassemble and pack in a suitcase (and 10-15min to set back up on the other side.) And unlike Brompton and Birdy (where you remove none of the parts) with Bike Fridays you have to remove several: pedals, seatpost, stem, wheels..... so you need tools. and you have to keep track of the parts. (though all that can still be done in 5 minutes)
They can be half-folded without removing anything, but they are quite big and clumsy like that.
Here is a great video praising the virtues of Bike Fridays.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfRCHpm8SNA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfRCHpm8SNA
Folded size. Birdy versus Brompton
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Bike Friday. Packed for travel.
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(the Birdy is a little bit longer and wider than the Brompton.)
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Where will a Bike Friday take you? (where won't it?)
Around Chamonix, France
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Arkansas
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Up the Grand St. Bernard (2470m) in the French Alps
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All over Mallorca, Spain
Now, what's for sale......?
Urban (short distance) Riding
Sold Out. NONE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
Urban (short) and Middle Distance Riding
Darn! Sold Out. NONE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
Birdy Parts
Long distance Riding
On Bike Friday Fitting
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Many people ask "How do I know if this Bike Friday will fit me?"
Here's the answer There are 2 key measurements in a bike fit: Saddle Height and Stretch (my term. but basically how far out should the handlebars be) Saddle Height is rarely a problem. Unlike traditional bikes, on Most Bike Fridays saddle height is usually super adjustable. The tricky measurement is Stretch - which I measure from front of seatpost to middle of bar clamp. On some (typically older) Bike Fridays, the ones with the super lightweight curved "swan" stem riser, this is fixed. it cannot be changed without ordering a replacement stem from Bike Friday ($110-130) Many newer Bike Fridays though have the straight stem riser to which you can clamp on a standard threadless stem of any length. You could go from about 60cm to 130cm stem. so, to know if a Bike Friday fits you, measure another traditional bike you have that fits you well. Front of seatpost to bar clamps. (see attached) THAT is your Stretch. compare that to the listed BF. if the Listed BF has a curved stem and you are within +/- 2cms or 3/4s of an inch, it'll work. you can slide the saddle fore or aft to adjust that Stretch. if the BF has a straight stem riser then you can probably just swap the threadless stem for whatever one makes the bike fit you That's it. let me know if you have any questions. |
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XXS (48cm ETT) New World Tourist 3x8S $950 CAD / $660 USD
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You are likely under 5'5'" to fit this folder. (even WELL under)
It Folds into a standard suitcase ($100 extra) for travel. Stretch to Handlebars 57cm with a 90mm stem (so adjustable + / - 3 to 4cm Saddle height Very adjustable. Min 50cm / Max 74cm 3x8S drivetrain with very low 30x28t climbing gear. |
Medium Bike Friday Air Friday (~54cm Eff Top Tube) Like New $1350 CAD / $950 USD
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Medium Bike Friday Air Friday (~54cm Eff Top Tube) Like New
54cm ETT (effective Top Tube) Air Friday Like New the "Air" models are slightly more adjustable than the standard Bike Fridays. The Titanium suspension beam can be adjusted fore/aft about 1inch to adjust the length of the top tube. ETT 54cm +/- 2 to 3cm (so 51 to 57) "Stretch" (front of seatpost to handlebar clamp) 57cm / 22.5” +/- 2cm or 1 inch Saddle Height: Highly adjustable. Bar Height Best: 94cm / 37" Currently FIXED. ( But you can order a replacement adjustable height stem riser from Bike Friday for $110-135 USD.) Shifters: 2X8S Shimano 105 Rear Derailleur 8S 105 with 8S cassette FD: 2X Shimano 105 Bar width TBC 20 inch 451 wheels includes hard shell suitcase I can ship this: in Canada for approximate $70 CAD to the USA for approximately $70 USD International shipping possible. message me with an address for a quote. (though generally shipping to Asia is very expensive.) |
56cm blue PR Claris 2x8 Speed (62cm Stretch) $1200 CAD / $825 USD
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56 ETT (Medium)
62 stretch swan stem riser Effective stem 90 (100 from back of riser tube) 11-32 8 speed Claris shifters 52/39 cranks 170 |
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This is (IMO) THE Most awesome and versatile Bike Friday Setup
Triple chain ring (for easy climbing) 9 speed rear cassette barend shifters (so simple, so rugged) fatter tires (for gravel riding) Cantilever brakes (like a good old style mountain bike) Effective Top Tube 53cm (Small) Stretch 63cm - this is your key measurement Saddle height: highly adjustable bar height: highly adjustable. |
L (57cm ETT) Bike Friday Pocket Rocket (Pro?) 3x7S $1450
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Pocket Rocket (Pro?) high performance folding road bike
57cm effective top tube (measured) or Large I say "Pro?" because when I sent this back to Bike Friday for frame restoration and repaint, it was unlabelled. they sent it back labelled Pocket Rocket Pro, their top of line, their lightest fastest road riding version. Stretch (front of seatpost to middle of handle Bars) 69cm this CANNOT be adjusted without ordering an alternate stem from Bike Friday (~$110 USD) Bar Height 103cm (NOT adjustable without ordering a replacement stem from Bike Friday, see above) Saddle Height (from middle of bottom bracket) highly adjustable Max 85.5cm Min 71cm usual 78 to 82cm Saddle Height from ground with SH at 80cm = 106cm so there is a 2 cm drop (about 1 inch) to the handle bars at that 80cm SH (your Drop or Rise will vary based on your SH) Serial Number 1112 3x7Speed drivetrain Cranks 56 / 50 / 36 largest rear cog 26t I rebuilt this with the original components, which while functional are a bit old you will probably want to upgrade some parts. Bike Fridays fortunately take standard components and so you can use whatever you want. |
Bike Friday M-L SatRDay folding recumbent
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All the merits (comfort, speed) of a recumbent with the fabulous travelability of a Bike Friday
The frame is super adjustable from Medium to XL I am 6'1" 184cm with long legs (I ride a 82cm saddle height) and this frame can be further extended. I expect it would suit a 6'3" or 6'4: rider. ride a It fits into a a suitcase which I will include. |
