Has anyone toured on a Bike Friday?

[tonythomson]

Hi I'm considering buying a BF as my next touring bike and have a couple of questions.
How was it in general compared to a regular 700 touring bike?
Did you have the 3x9 gearing and was it reliable etc?
Did you tow a trailer and if so how did that go?
Any other problems?

Thanks Tony

[Lucky13]

I've toured on a Friday - a Pocket Gnu. Now, I am not referring to a solo circumnavigation of Siberia or anything like that, just some self-contained travel here in the States. Anyway...

>How was it in general...>

Just fine. The frame is strong and is a very good load hauler. Also, the custom fitting makes for a comfortable ride. The step-thru nature of the frame allows for quick mounts and dis-mounts. All of the usual braze-on's are available as well - racks, fenders, bottle cages, etc. Bike Friday offers its own cromoly pannier racks which work quite well. 

Compromises? Well, the small tires don't last as long. I got better mileage from my old 700c tourer. Also, the folding frame does require more maintenance - hinges, hinge pins, quick release levers, longer cable runs and so forth. I keep a clean film of lithium grease on all of the folding bits. The extra-long steering mast might put a bit more stress on the headset. I opted for a Chris King.

>Did you have the 3x9 gearing...>

I've been using the DualDrive hub since day one. It has always worked just fine. My Pocket Gnu has a gear range of approx. 19-105 inches. If I were planning to tour in the more remote parts of the globe, I might consider a standard deraillur setup.

>Did you tow a trailer...>

Nope - panniers.

Overall, I find the Friday to be a fine touring bike. Only you can decide if the folding nature of it - is worth the cost and the compromises.

[tonythomson]

Thanks that's given me more confidence to buy one as planning to go Perth to Australia & really fed up with lugging bikes on aircraft & being ripped off.  (Left my 700 back in Florida so can use that there for touring)

Will do Lands End to John O'Groats as a shake down.

Tony

[Galloper]

Let me know when you're passing through Durham, if you go that side and we can meet for a coffee

[waynemyer]

Hi I'm considering buying a BF as my next touring bike and have a couple of questions.
How was it in general compared to a regular 700 touring bike?
Did you have the 3x9 gearing and was it reliable etc?
Did you tow a trailer and if so how did that go?
Any other problems?

I liked it better than my Kona Sutra, but my NWT was really a different kind of bike for a different purpose.
The 3x9 was just fine, even in friction mode.
The trailer still is great.
As mentioned earlier, there can be a little flex in the steering mast, but in the end, it smooths out the ride a lot more.

The one potential bugaboo I had (although Bike Friday fixed this in later generations) was with the rear brake.  There was a torturous cable run around the bottom bracket that really dulled rear brake response (not that I use my rear brake often).  By installing Nokon cabling, the issue went away.

[tonythomson]

Let me know when you're passing through Durham, if you go that side and we can meet for a coffee

Thanks - unsure as to when it might happen now as there is a 14 week wait for BF if I order it now. And you wont be surprised to hear that LOJOG might not be the most sensible ride in November/December!! Bit disappointed as they originally said 4 to 6 weeks.  But with all the positive feedback still plan to go ahead and buy one.  heading to their dealer in Bath next week.

Thanks all
Tony

[bogiesan]

Bike Friday has a huge user base of dedicated road touring enthusiasts, solo and supported. You should be able to locate user groups online and seach crazyguyonabike for dozens of BF diaries.

Bike Friday, out of Eugene OR, hosted an international gathering along with Cycle Oregon a couple of years ago. More than 50 BF fans came from all over the world for 6 days on the road.

david boise ID