The Time Before Gravel and the Bike we Built for It

Long before gravel existed – back when there were only pebbles, small rocks, and the occasional boulder and long before it had a name or even a race calendar, the world was already full of rough roads, washboard trails, and questionable shortcuts that looked a lot like adventures. Back then, a small team of bike builders at Bike Friday were listening closely to their customers – globe trotters whose journeys took them through some of the world’s most remote and rugged regions. Let ‘s discuss the Pocket Crusoe released in 2001…

Bike Friday already had a world-class touring bike in the form of the New World Tourist. A bike that had proven itself to handle serious touring. But this new bike project came with a twist: it had to be lighter, yet strong enough to take on the gnarled, unpredictable surfaces riders wanted to explore. On top of that expectation, it must also be able to carry the full load of a long journey, but still feel lively and responsive when the road disappears beneath them, not to mention fold! What they came up with is this…

Take a closer look at this Pocket Crusoe. It features stable, confidence-inspiring geometry that keeps things smooth and controlled without sacrificing that spark of responsiveness. Reliable, strong, and lightweight Avid Single Digit 7 brakes provide the stopping power you want exactly when you need it. Massive 44mm Schwalbe tires with a clever hybrid tread roll effortlessly on the pavement and offer steady, dependable grip when things turn rough.

Despite the compact frame, the bars are a comfortable 42cm wide, giving you extra leverage to hold your line when the surface under you starts to shift. And the wide-range Shimano drivetrain is ready for any terrain – with low gears for grinding up steep climbs, and enough top end to descend the other side with speed and confidence.

The name Crusoe felt right for this bike – a nod to resilience, self-sufficiency, and the spirit of venturing beyond what’s mapped. And of course in the book “Robinson Crusoe”, Crusoe had Friday. That’s no coincidence. Bike Friday was named with that same idea in mind – the loyal companion. The one who’s always ready to roll when the road gets wild. It wasn’t the first bike we made, and it didn’t stay in production forever, but the Pocket Crusoe captured something important – and the name still speaks to what we’re about.

So, did we accidentally invent a gravel bike? Maybe. Or maybe we just built the kind of bike we knew the world would need – long before anyone thought to name it.

Today’s “Gravel Friendly” Bike Fridays:

– Drop bars, wide tires and front and rear racks – no problem! –

The New World Tourist happily takes drop bars,  tires up to 50.8mm (2 in)*

The Diamond Llama happily takes drop bars and tires up to 55.88mm (2.2 in)*

*Drop bars are not options listed on the website but all you need to do is ask us to add them and we are happy to.