*BIKE FRIDAY 9-1-1* Little wheels to the rescue - Page 2

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Problem: My big wheels are banned from my spouse's car
Solution: A Friday behaves itself very well in the back seat

For many years, I had a 15 mile commute to town and often carpooled one direction. After my spouse said that there would be no more bicycles in her car, a custom made Rocket Llama was a better option than buying an individual bike rack for several different vehicles. My Friday also allows more flexibility in my work as a bicycle tour guide--in a suitcase & I am on my way. As I write, my Crusoe is packed and waiting by the front door, ready for next week's East Coast bike tour.
Tailwinds,
Linda Gryczan
Equality Project
Montana Human Rights Network
equality@mhrn.org
(406) 431-3635

Problem: Right bike, wrong trip
Solution: Get a bike that's built for extreme travel

The Brompton was my first folder. I rode it everywhere until I found Bike
Friday and now I ride my NWT everywhere. What's the difference between the
two? The Brompton is a serious folding bike. My NWT is a serious bike that also - folds. I took the Brompton on my first Indonesian ride. As soon I started cycling away from the airport I knew I'd made a mistake and would regret it. The Brompton is essentially made for English villages and commuting. It's not up to the demands of cycle touring, the huge distances that typify Australia or long ascents. The NWT, on the other hand, chews up both hills and kilometres almost like a road bike and it folds. - Colin Freestone, yoga enthusiast and leader of www.cycleindonesia.co.au

Problem: Which Bike Friday?
Solution: the one you'll use 99% of the time ...

Last December I took my Air Glide on a business trip to Paris. I rode from the airport (using the Travel Trailer) through the city to various=20hotels and meetings. The ride was great but the effort to pack/unpack and fold/unfold multiple times was too much for me. It was from last hotel room that I started researching the tikitTM online.

In January I bought a BTO Travel Tikit. I have since used it instead of a car for trips to Seattle, Hartford, Orlando and Denver. Now each business trip has become a personal adventure! The quick fold and integrated cover allow me to store it inside my hotels and business places without hassle or worry. It is also a big hit with the mechanical engineers I visit - many of whom are concerned about personal health and environmental issues.

The airport packing and unpacking times are only 25 minutes, end-to-end, including the trailer assembly/disassembly and shuffling things to my business suitcase to satisfy airline weight restrictions. Since both Bike Friday models can tow the same trailer, the differences for touring are in comfort and gear carrying capacity on the bike. The tikitTM ride is less comfortable than the Air Glide but I suspect no less so than any of the other Bike Friday models with a standard down tube.

I used a Terry comfort saddle on both which I like. I bought a seatpost bag with my tikitTM which holds the minimum gear I need for fair weather riding. I have since purchased the new rear rack and use a racktop bag which holds all I usually take on a day ride.

Recently I determined that my Novara Transfer Panniers (from REI) will fit on the rack with enough foot clearance. I will verify this on some training rides soon.The longest I have ridden so far is 40 miles in one day with a loaded trailer. ThetkitTM performed well. This August I am planning a week-long road tour in Montana from Glacier to Yellowstone parks. I will likely try the panniers for "light touring" between hotels and restaurants.-Doug

Pictured: the tikitTM folds and rides so fast, it could almost replace your car ... Faye Keast with her collectible license plate and matching bicycle

Problem: Fused discs - and we're not talking about fancy brakes either ...
Solution: A custom Bike Friday made for an pright yet performance ride

During our search for a multipurpose travel bike the BF NWT fit the bill for a very significant reason. Having several fused vertebrae in my neck the adjustability built into the BF NWT allowed me the added flexibility to move the stem up or down depending on how I felt at any moment. When it's cool I ride more upright due to stiffness, but when it's warm or on a nice road with a good shoulder I'm able to move it down for less wind resistance. Takes but a second to do. As an added bonus, the BF has such a great fit and feel it gets ridden more often than any other road bike I have. One benefit of growing older is having the wisdom to enjoy being comfortable.

Monty, Bike Friday Club of San Francisco

Bike Friday's Gal Friday Nicole Tiffany has the last word:

It cost me $53 to fill my tank last night. Last summer it was $38. I know I'm listening with ears that want to hear more about sustainable transport now...