Bike Friday

[blackrat]

I am considering buying a Pocket Rocket folder:

But I would like to hear from anyone - Richard? - who has one to give me some idea how it compares to a regular bike in terms of handling. The gearing is the same as my Scott Carbon but does weigh more, about 6 lbs: Scott 16 1/2 lbs, Pocket Rocket 23 1/2 lbs.
How does it handle hills? Clearly with my 700's on the Scott compared to 20" wheels on the Rocket every rotation of the pedals is going to take me less distance so I will have to be pedaling more to get the same distance on the flat and climbing. So, plusses and drawbacks from any users of the BikeFriday, please?
One plus is that for the few times I will be travelling by air, the convenience of a folder will far outweigh taking a regular bike with hauling around a bike box.
Price is $2,250 here which is an okay cost.

 

[steveindenmark]

I would love one. I made the mistake of buying a Brompton instead.

 

[biggs682]

They always interest me and they fetch good money in the UK

 

[brommieinkorea]

I am considering buying a Pocket Rocket folder:
View attachment 798955
But I would like to hear from anyone - Richard? - who has one to give me some idea how it compares to a regular bike in terms of handling. The gearing is the same as my Scott Carbon but does weigh more, about 6 lbs: Scott 16 1/2 lbs, Pocket Rocket 23 1/2 lbs.
How does it handle hills? Clearly with my 700's on the Scott compared to 20" wheels on the Rocket every rotation of the pedals is going to take me less distance so I will have to be pedaling more to get the same distance on the flat and climbing. So, plusses and drawbacks from any users of the BikeFriday, please?
One plus is that for the few times I will be travelling by air, the convenience of a folder will far outweigh taking a regular bike with hauling around a bike box.
Price is $2,250 here which is an okay cost.

A little heavier, but stiff and fast. Take forever to put in their box, the quick fold is terrible.

 

[blackrat]

A little heavier, but stiff and fast. Take forever to put in their box, the quick fold is terrible.

Do you have a Pocket Rocket and by 'box' are you referring to the travel bag?

 

[blackrat]

Directly from the bikefriday horses mouth:

That is the difference between us and other folders - ours are built paramount for performance, where the others are built specifically for folding. Ours also have a 10 year frame warranty, use standard bike industry components, custom sizing, and are all made one at a time by hand in the USA.
If the fold is more important, than a Brompton might be a good option, and is, for short distance riding. They are also mass produced overseas, one size fits all, and mostly have proprietary parts.
With Bike Friday, you will have a little bit of time folding or packing into a airline legal travel case, but much more time actually riding the bike, where performance and comfort is most important.
Quick folding Diamond Llama (same as the Pocket Rocket)
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ6EvE_INWs

Bike Friday Packing into a travel case (for commercial airline travels)
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKxUI5etm4U

PR review
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDxcMka_HHE

https://bikefriday.com/product/bike-friday-pocket-rocket-road-bikes/