Bike Friday

Many have lamented the decline of American bike manufacturing, as most production frame builders have moved work to Taiwan or mainland China in the past 2 decades. Now most custom USA built frames will cost over $1000. Folding bikes or frames designed for traveling can cost even more. But it is still possible to get an affordable American-built frame on a Bike for the Rest of Us.

Bike Friday has been building frames for small-wheeled, foldable bikes in Eugene, Oregon for the past 22 years, and have gathered something of a following for their unique, customizable designs. Although most of the models do not fold as quickly and compactly as a Brompton folding bike, they are all designed to fit in a standard-sized suitcase for plane or train travel. A high-end Bike Friday with expensive components will cost $2000 or more, but they now offer an entry-level model with the same type of frame, hand-made in Oregon, matched with affordable parts (and an 8-speed rear derailleur), for as little as $798

They will add fenders, a kickstand, bell, and rear rack for a nearly complete 8-speed Bike for the Rest of Us priced at $920.95: the Pocket Companion (above)

They also will build you a "New World Tourist Nexus 8" with the premium "red-stripe" 8-speed Shimano nexus internal gear hub and rollerbrakes, Schwalbe Marathon tires, rear rack, fenders, kickstand, bell, water bottle, and a high-end front dynamo hub for about $1700 (not including the price of lights). The bike pictures has the Nuvinci hub instead:

And at the high end there is always the Infinity Drive Silk, with a Nuvinci continuously variable internal hub, Gates carbon belt drive, front and rear racks, and optional dynamo lighting for $2700.

Bike Friday makes it very easy to customize each of their models, or design a completely unique bike for people with special needs, so all of their models could be shipped to your door with a full complement of fenders, kickstand, dynamo lights, racks and bell, if desired. The Pocket Companion is cheaper due to using standard parts.

Here is the Silk 8sp (slct) with a Shimano Alfine hub and full dynamo lighting system:

They just unveiled a new "long-tail" cargo bike model, stay tuned for more about this.


Pocket Companion basic specifications:

2A MAIN FRAME:	04 New 2014 Poc Companion EP 1 1/8, 1.75 (to 220lbs)
2B FORK:	40 Companion /OSATA/HaD "V" Black 20"- 406-1 1/8
2C REAR END:	1.5 Pocket Companion - 2013-14 left fold 406V
2D SEATMAST:	01.21 EasyPack mast 1.25 X .055 (4130) x 13" Black
2E STEM /BF MADE:	BF 25.4 Adj Riser & clamp Black- Companion/OSATA quill/ahead
BARS:	MTB flat Kalloy 15degree flat bars,25.4 x 560mm
BB BEARING:	111.5mm BF Sealed 68xEnglish
BOTTLE CAGES:	Velocity Bottle Trap Black Cage
BOTTLES:	BF 21oz. water bottle white w/black lid - black logo
BRAKE LEVERS:	Alloy V brake levers
BRAKES:	Alloy V brake for one wheel - Black
CABLES:	Cable - Housing Black std w/ Decals Black or White
CASSETTE:	11-28 8sp Shimano Oem
CHAINS:	KMC Z-51 8sp chain
CRANKS:	Alloy 170mm crank 44T- DD,Tan front & other w/plastic guard
DERAILLEURS REAR:	Shimano TZ50 34T, 43 teeth - Change to SRAM for DD shifter
DESIGN / INTERNAL:	NO Front Derailleur Hanger -NONE on this bike -add if need
HEADSET, THREADLESS:	1 1/8" FSA Tap Adjust threadless, black, headset
HUB FRONT:	BF Select 28o 100mm FRONT Silver w/QR
HUB REAR:	BF Select 28o 130mm rear-Silver w/qr
MISCELLANEOUS:	Optional fenders, kickstand, bell
PEDALS:	Wellgo MTB Style (Pair) Pedal
RIMS:	Weinmann TM19 (406) 28o Black
SADDLE:	BF padded & bumpered saddle .
SEATPOST:	Kalloy #243 Sil adjust post 28.6 x 350mm
SHIFTERS/CONTROLS:	MicroShift twist 8 speed
SPOKES:	Spokes DT 14 ga. Stainless w/ brass nip
STEMS F:	Kalloy 22.2, 60mm quill, silver or black
TIRES:	Sunlight Kontact 20 x 1.75" (406) 40psi blk. hybrid tread
TUBES:	20x1.5 to 1.95" SV (406)

Infinity Drive Silk (baseline specifications without rack or lights) $2250

2D SEATMAST:	01 .1 Left Fold Mast 2010> Silk/NWT/ PR / PL std .055 CrMo
2E STEM /BF MADE:	BF Stem Riser, Adjustable for / Ahead,1 1/4" SVS
ACCESSORIES:	Custom Engraved Name Plate. Optional: fenders, racks, kickstand, bell
BARS:	MTB flat Kalloy 15degree flat bars,25.4 x 560mm
BB BEARING:	111.5mm BF Sealed 68xEnglish
BOTTLE CAGES:	Bottle Cage , Cateye Flexible
BOTTLES:	BF 21oz. water bottle white w/black lid - black logo
BRAKE LEVERS:	Tektro "V" style Brake Levers (TS360A)
BRAKES:	Avid Disc Brake, MTB F/R BB 7 w/160 Cable
CABLES:	Cable - Housing Black std w/ Decals Black or White
CASSETTE:	Carbon drive, centertrack, 24 tooth cog for Nuvinci
CHAINRINGS:	Carbon Drive Centertrack 60T 130BCD, Gates
CHAINS:	Carbon Drive belt, centertrack, 115 tooth, Gates
CRANKS:	Alloy single 170mm 130 53t crank w/chain guard
HEADSET, THREADLESS:	1 1/4" BF Threadless cartridge, alloy, black
HUB FRONT:	SRAM 406 32o front disc black
HUBS GEARED R:	Nuvinci 32o, black (w/ shifter, disc brake) (135)
MISCELLANEOUS:	BF Head Badge Brass -Yellow,Navy,White, w Gold trim
PEDALS:	None supplied std.
RIMS:	Alex X-101 Alum (406) 32o 20 x 1.5" Silver
SADDLE:	BYOS - NONE SUPPLIED
SEATPOST:	Kalloy #243 Sil adjust post 28.6 x 350mm
SHIFTERS/CONTROLS:	Supplied with hub
SPOKES:	Spokes DT 14 ga. Stainless w/ brass nip
STEMS F:	BF 25.4 Ahead for Adj Riser(we will size w/ bike)
TIRES:	Primo Comet 20 x 1.35" (406) 100psi Blackwall tire
TUBES:	20x1.125-1.5" SV (406x32-37)

Specialized Globe

Is Specialized getting serious about bikes for the rest of us?

In an interesting development in the bike industry, Specialized has put all of its BFROU models into a "stand alone brand" called Globe. According to Specialized, Globe is part of the "dream of a world where bikes are the majority - where cars come with labels that say 'Use Sparingly'."

Not long ago, the Specialized Globe was the name of a single model - a basic hybrid offered to fill all the needs of the everyday cyclist. But now, rather than a Globe model, there's the Globe brand, which includes:

The Vienna series, which seems to have been scaled back from the prior models which we discussed here;

The Roll, which is your basic fixed gear/single speed urban "assault" model;

Haul, a nice-looking 8-speed cargo bike;

Carmel, a beach cruiser/comfort bike; and finally...


The Globe Live models, which appear to be the flagship Globe models, "for riders wanting an option for every whim." Notably, the Live 3 model is built on an aluminum frame and comes with belt drives, fenders, a chaincase, and porteur racks. The Globe Live 1 goes for $580, the Live 2 for $940, and the Live 3 for $1550. The Live 1 and Live 2 are also offered as mixtes.

Here are the specs for the Live 3:

FRAME Globe A1 Premium Aluminum cargo design, fully manipulated custom tubing w/ fender and rack braze-ons, integrated kickstand mount

FORK Globe Live straight-blade aluminum fork w/ custom forged crown and porteur basket/rack system

HEADSET 1-1/8" threadless, integrated, semi-cartridge campy style bearings

STEM Forged alloy, 2-bolt, 15 degree rise, 25.4mm clamp

HANDLEBARS Alloy, 25.4mm, 610mm wide, 43 degree up, 57 degree back sweep

TAPE Globe City 140mm

FRONT BRAKE Tektro Auriga Comp, hydraulic dual piston, w/160mm rotors

REAR BRAKE Tektro Auriga Comp, hydraulic dual piston, w/160mm rotors

BRAKE LEVERS Auriga Comp brake levers

SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Alfine tap fire, 8-speed

CASSETTE Gates belt drive cog, 24t

CHAIN Belt drive, 122 links

CRANKSET Sugino EX-1 aluminum, w/ alloy chainguard

CHAINRINGS Belt drive, 50t

BOTTOM BRACKET Cartridge bearing, square spindle with crank stop right side and capless bolts

PEDALS Classic full alloy pedal

RIMS Globe RHD 700c, alloy double wall disc specific, 36h

FRONT HUB Hi Lo flange, loose ball, QR, 36h

REAR HUB Shimano Alfine internal 8-speed, 36h

SPOKES 2mm (14g) stainless

FRONT TIRE Specialized Infinity Armadillo, 700x32c, 60TPI

REAR TIRE Specialized Infinity Armadillo, 700x32c, 60TPI

INNER TUBES Schraeder valve

SADDLE Specialized Body Geometry Fitness, 143mm width, front and rear bumpers

SEATPOST Alloy, 2-bolt forged head, 12.5mm offset, 27.2mm

SEAT BINDER Globe Chevron forged alloy, chrome plated

CHAINCASE Globe aluminum chain guard for internal gearing

KICKSTAND Pletscher double leg kickstand

RACK Globe porteur front rack/basket w/ wood bottom, 25kg recommended max capacity

FENDERS Globe classic aluminum fenders, long, 700C x 35C wide


If you buy or try out any of these models, let us know what you think in the comments!

Trek District

It's hard for D.C. bike bloggers to ignore a bike called "District." (H/T WashCycle). Trek is introducing this single-speed model (MSRP $930)and the 8-speed Soho (MSRP $990) as belt-driven, urban bikes.

Between Trek's belt-driven models and the new shaft-driven models, such as the Biria Newport, there seems to be a chain-free trend emerging. Even CNN is reporting on it.

Belt drives may be cleaner, but are they as efficient and durable as chains? Only time (and miles ridden) will tell.

2009 Specs for The District:

Frame: Alpha Black Aluminum (sizes 50, 54, 56, 58, 60 cm)
Crank: Bontrager Satellite Nebula w/ 55T alloy C-drive belt sprocket
Cassette: C-drive 22T alloy belt sprocket
Saddle: Bontrager Race
Handlebars: Trek Urban
Brakeset: Alloy dual pivot
Wheels: Alloy cartridge bearing hubs; alloy rims
Tires: Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase, 700x25c
Belt drive
Chainguard

So... will we be seeing any Districts in the District?

Biria Newport 3

The Biria Newport is a chainless, shaft-driven bicycle made by Incline for Biria. The shaft is sealed inside an aluminum case along with an internal hub. According to Biria, "this means exceptional performance without chain grime, corrosion, or gear-grinding -- and no maintenance." It also means no chain grease on your clothes as you ride to work, and no pantleg-caught-in-the-drivetrain hazard.

Biria offers two chainless 3-speeds, the Newport 3 and the Cruz 3. Both can be purchased directly from Biria, for a limited time, with free shipping. The Newport is $360 and the Cruz is $430.

A few specs on the Newport 3:

3-spd Sturmey-Archer internal hub
Alloy frame (men's 17" or 19", ladies' 15")
Puncture-resistant tires (manufacturer not identified)
Suspension seatpost
Alloy wheels, stainless steel spokes

If you have any info about the Newport 3, Cruz 3, or chainless bikes in general, please share in the comments.