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.
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.)
Where will a Bike Friday take you? (where won't it?)
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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
Medium (55cm ETT) Pakit 3speed, belt drive. $1250 CADBike Friday makes the worlds best high performance folding travel bikes (Pocket Rocket, etc. See below)
the Pakit is their response to Brompton for the urban quick fold application. they say: "A great performance city bike to take with you anywhere & everywhere, that fits you, quickly folds and fits your mobile life!Our goal with the Bike Friday pakiT is to add convenience to your daily life and personal freedom, to explore the joy of travel and commuting on light wheels, the wind in your face, as well as a stronger connection with the world around you while using a folding bike. All in a remarkably compact bike that not only folds but fits you and can be taken anywhere. Here is your chance to see the world by bike or get to the office without the long hike." Advantages over a Brompton are the higher quality materials and construction as well as a more zippy "real bike" ride quality. this is a three speed model valuced at about $1900 CAD (pus GST and shipping, so about $2100 CAD) This one is in near new condition the only flaw being a small paint scuff on the rear tail. |
Medium (55cm ETT) TIkit 7speed $1250 CAD
The Tikit was Bike Friday's first answer to the Brompton - a 16" wheeled, fast folding commuter bike ideal for shorter distances and urban cycling. But it was also lighter and more spritely to ride than the Brompton.
Here is an excellent review of the Tikit as well as a good overview of the fodling bike universe. This model for sale is the 2nd iteration of the Tikit, the Model T. It folds down in just 10 to 15 seconds (though not as compactly as a Brompton, still the Queen of the small fold format.) But it rides better. Instead of one size fits all (or rather no one) the Tikit came in three standard sizes, S, M and L. This is a Medium with a 55cm effective top tube. It is suitable for someone.... from 5'4" to about 6' I would say (as the seatpost and handlebar height are compleltely adjustable and stems of different lengths can be used to allow a more or less stretched out position. This model comes with a 7 speed twist shift gear system. The weight is 23.3lbs / 10.6kg (as compared to the Brompton's 25.5lbs) |
3 Speed Brompton $1250 CAD (with shopping and storage bags)
For compact and speedy folding, nothing beats a Brompton, which can be folded down to a 24x24x12" block in about 5 seconds. This makes Brompotns especially handy for train or bus commutting, getting to the station and from station to office.
This One-Size-Fits-All (Brompton only makes one size frame) three-speed model is in excellent condition, really nearly new except for one or two small wear marks. fenders are pre-intalled. This also comes with a handy shopping back that clips to the front (value about $100) and a light duty storage/carrying bag (to keep your car trunk clean (value about $50)
The downsides of a Brompton are probably a) Ride Quality (this is not a speed machine, it is a utility bike) and b) weight. it weighs about 11.6kgs/25.5lbs
A comparable model new, at retails will be $1850 CAD plus GST so about $2100 (but without the two bags.)
This One-Size-Fits-All (Brompton only makes one size frame) three-speed model is in excellent condition, really nearly new except for one or two small wear marks. fenders are pre-intalled. This also comes with a handy shopping back that clips to the front (value about $100) and a light duty storage/carrying bag (to keep your car trunk clean (value about $50)
The downsides of a Brompton are probably a) Ride Quality (this is not a speed machine, it is a utility bike) and b) weight. it weighs about 11.6kgs/25.5lbs
A comparable model new, at retails will be $1850 CAD plus GST so about $2100 (but without the two bags.)
Urban (short) and Middle Distance Riding
Birdy (one size fits all) 7S gripshift 23lbs $900 CAD/$750 USD
I love Birdys. Zippy, compact, fun to ride. A great urban bike.
The German designed Birdy goes head to head with Bromptons for the most compact fold.
But the Birdy is a zippier, sportier ride than a Brompton. While I would not want to ride a Brompton further than, say, 10km, I would happily ride a Birdy 40 or 5kms, take it outside of the city, ride on country roads.
I won't do a Century on it, but it's a good long middle distance rider.
The German designed Birdy goes head to head with Bromptons for the most compact fold.
But the Birdy is a zippier, sportier ride than a Brompton. While I would not want to ride a Brompton further than, say, 10km, I would happily ride a Birdy 40 or 5kms, take it outside of the city, ride on country roads.
I won't do a Century on it, but it's a good long middle distance rider.
Long distance Riding
L-XL 58cm ETT (eff top tube) Pocket Rocket $1250
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Large 56cm ETT (eff top tube) New World Tourist $1250 |
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L-XL 58cm ETT effective Top Tube Pocket Rocket
very good condition This is one of the simplest, most elegant Bike Friday configurations. 8S 105 drivetrain witth front derailleur and bar end shifters. trouble free, easy maintenance. Metrics: Saddle height range: (middle of bottom bracket to top of saddle) min. 75cm, max 86cm normal about 78 to 82cm bar height (from ground) min 99cm Stretch. front of seatpost to middle of bars 69cm split drop bars with this type of gooseneck drop bars (which are split for easy packing) the bar height and stretch are fixed. You can order a custom sized replacement gooseneck stem from Bike Friday for reasonable cost. 451 wheels with fairly skinny (Go Faster) Marathon tires. |
Large 56cm ETT effective Top Tube New World Tourist.
27 speed (3 x 9) with Sachs internal rear hub (replaces the front derailleur which risks getting banged up in packing and travel) and Campagnolo Daytona brifters. Drop bars are split for easy packing. Metrics: Saddle height (middle of bottom bracket to top of saddle) min. 55cm, max 82cm normal about 70-75cm bar height (from ground) min 91cm, max 107cm Stretch. front of seatpost to middle of riser: 50cm, to middle of bars 61m 406 wheels with fatter (= comfy) tires. |
60cm (ETT c-c) AIr Friday $1750 CAD
A fabulous looking, excellent condition Air Friday. this bike looks like it has barely been around the block.
Rear Derailleur: Deore XT (long cage) Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Record (nice!) Shifters: Shimano 8S STI Crankset. Shimano 600 with 62t/42t. the massive 62t ring keeps you from spinning out when in top gear. Calipers: Shimano 600
the Ti beam allows some flexibility in sizing and setup (as it can be adjusted In or Out a couple of inches). the Effective Top Tube on this bike ranges from 55cm to 59cm, so from Large to XL. The "Stretch" measurement (from the front of the seatpost to the middle of the bar clamp ranges from 65cm to 69cm (depending on how you position the beam)
the bar height is fixed at 99cm (40inches) from the ground. (but for about $100 you could order a replacement stem which could be adjusted up and down.) Wheels are 20" 451 with comfy but fast Primo 1 3/4" tires. (they are fast)
includes hard shell suitcase.
Rear Derailleur: Deore XT (long cage) Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Record (nice!) Shifters: Shimano 8S STI Crankset. Shimano 600 with 62t/42t. the massive 62t ring keeps you from spinning out when in top gear. Calipers: Shimano 600
the Ti beam allows some flexibility in sizing and setup (as it can be adjusted In or Out a couple of inches). the Effective Top Tube on this bike ranges from 55cm to 59cm, so from Large to XL. The "Stretch" measurement (from the front of the seatpost to the middle of the bar clamp ranges from 65cm to 69cm (depending on how you position the beam)
the bar height is fixed at 99cm (40inches) from the ground. (but for about $100 you could order a replacement stem which could be adjusted up and down.) Wheels are 20" 451 with comfy but fast Primo 1 3/4" tires. (they are fast)
includes hard shell suitcase.
