@Brownian_motion asks:
Q5. Have you heard of the bike builder, Bike Friday?
(A lot of folding bike talk has been re: Brompton, but are there any other notable folding bike builders? What do you think of them?)
based on this post: https://mastodon.scot/@[email protected]ial/116326156655308992
#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite
@ascentale @Brownian_motion @bikenite But it was still potentially useful for having to fly somewhere as it could pack into a Carlton hard-sided suitcase that could turn into a trailer with the special trailer attachment (not included). I never got past the impediment to my hands that folding and packing posed, though. So I only folded it at times I was sending it back to Bike Friday for a tune-up preparatory to trying to sell it.
It was a good bike, but for abled folks. #BikeNite
@ascentale @Brownian_motion @bikenite BikeFriday later tweaked the design for a Mark II version, which I was envious to try (and had the buyer's remorse of the pioneer user...if only I'd waited). But I guess it didn't sell as well as they wanted because they later got out of recumbents altogether.
There was a time there where mainstream manufacturers like Burley were experimenting with offering recumbents, then got out.
Anyway, Bike Friday's owner support is outstanding. I highly #BikeNite
@ascentale @Brownian_motion @bikenite recommend their products if you are not boycotting the US or dealing with tariffs from the US.
The company itself is not Chumpy at all, I think. It's located in Eugene, OR, which is a progressive bastion in OR and a town that's important in cycling history for several innovative cycle businesses.
Bike Friday has wonderful service & support and great designs. #BikeNite
@meganL @ascentale @Brownian_motion @bikenite @Karstan Hello from another Bike Friday rider!
I travel regularly and typically pack my Bike Friday so I can get around and see things. I love that I have been able to match the fit of my folding New World Tourist to my full-size bike. That has made it easy for me to train on trips, or even go on very long rides. For example, last year I rode ~700 miles from a conference in Denver to a meeting in Park City via Moab, and also did an Everesting Roam attempt on it in August. Last weekend, I rode out to the Catskills from Manhattan. So it works pretty well!
@meganL @ascentale @Brownian_motion @bikenite @Karstan
Second-hand Bike Friday bikes are available at very cost effective prices, and they are often in very good shape since their owners store them indoors.
Since Bike Fridays use common, standard mechanical bicycle parts, they are easily repairable in most parts of the world and can also keep going for a long time. I got mine second-hand for around $750 several years ago and it's still running strong ~30 years after it was first made.
I plan to ride it like a ship of Theseus and have been slowly upgrading the parts over time- when the frame eventually wears out, I'll take advantage of the trade-in offer, send in my old frame, and ask Bike Friday to make a new one, since they sell just frames too.
@natematias Yes. That was back in the '90s. Things have exploded since. I was out of the loop as far as recumbent forums for some years so I don't know who was the next to try it, but now there are folding recumbents (bikes and trikes) from Azub, folding recumbent trikes from Catrike and others.
While in the '90s recumbent manufacturers weren't really acknowledging how big a part of their market disabled people were (and I'm including abled-identified people with disabilities they brush off),
Phil (ascentale)
Megan Lynch (she/her)
J. Nathan Matias 🦣