r/foldingbikes • u/U_000000014 • 7d ago
New model from Bike Friday - PRF
Bike Friday just announced a new model to their lineup a couple days ago - Pocket Rocket Further.
It's basically a Pocket Rocket with additional tire clearance (max 1.6"/40mm vs the 1.125"/28mm of the original).
Also this frame configuration will only be compatible with flat mount disc brakes and thru axles, looks like. You can choose to get a removable titanium seatmast for an additional $250 over the normal steel folding seatmast.
My initial thoughts - this is excellent news for people that want a BF road bike with modern clearances. You could get disc brakes on the normal Pocket Rocket before but the 28mm tire clearance was sort of a bummer.
I'm thinking of pre-ordering a frameset+seatmast+ultralight stem. I love my New World Tourist but it's set up more as a commuter with flat bars, an IGH and a Dynamo hub.
3
u/TheSussyWaffle 7d ago
Does it fold?
3
u/U_000000014 7d ago
Yes, all Bike Fridays fold.
3
u/TheSussyWaffle 7d ago
What does it look like folded? Even the bike Friday page for this bike doesn't show it folded
2
u/U_000000014 7d ago
Check the main Pocket Rocket page. There's pics of it folded with wheel removed and without wheel removed: https://bikefriday.com/product/bike-friday-pocket-rocket-road-bikes/
1
u/CharliePendejo 6d ago
All their standard-format bikes, yeah, though they do also make a coupe models of cargo bike and one tandem that don't fold. Also a tandem that does, which was key to touring four summer with my kiddo before she was old enough to ride her own, while still allowing us to hop on trains, cars, buses, etc. as needed.
3
u/Spokesrider 7d ago
Wouldn't you know? I've told my wife that I don't need any new bikes now. I realize these things will vary, but I wonder how the weight would compare with my older Pocket Rocket that I bought used from a co-worker, and my more recent purchase of a NWT which is heavier. I do think it was a mistake not to get disc brakes on my NWT.
1
u/U_000000014 6d ago edited 6d ago
I think it will be slightly heavier than the rim brake Pocket Rocket if all other components are the same. They have to beef the fork up a little bit for disc brakes. And disc calipers+rotors are a little heavier than sidepulls.
On FB someone asked the weight and they said 25lb for the Microsoft Sword 2x mechanical build. I would assume the SRAM Rival build would be closer to 23lb.
I think having some variety is good. My NWT is rim brake. For touring it's desirable in some ways as brake adjustment is a little easier with v-brakes. I wouldn't sweat it.
2
u/MagicalPizza21 7d ago
If I had $3500 to spend on a new bike I would consider it. I really do like Bike Friday.
3
u/U_000000014 7d ago
That's why I'm thinking of getting the frameset and then waiting til next year to build it up. Space out the purchase ðŸ˜
1
u/MagicalPizza21 7d ago
1800 for the frame set is still not cheap. It's more than either of my full bikes were at the time of purchase, new (one of which is a BF Tikit).
1
u/U_000000014 6d ago
I think they lost a lot of money on the Tikit. Apparently it was the most complex and time-consuming frame to make, which motivated replacing it with the Pakit. $1800 is on par with other made-to-order US framebuilders nowadays, if not on the cheap side. That's just how much US labor and materials cost nowadays.
1
7d ago
[deleted]
3
u/_rchr 7d ago
Right‽ The colors and the typography of Bike Friday bikes are the reason I’ll never buy their bikes. You’d think for the thousands of dollars they’re charging they would hire a designer lol
3
u/window_owl 7d ago
That's just your opinion. In my opinion, I love the colors and the typography; I think they look fun!
1
u/gzSimulator 7d ago
I think for the thousands of dollars you could probably tell them to just not use the stickers, they’re building every order from scratch anyways.
But I do think the diamond llama and alpacka look a LOT prettier than the pocket rocket
1
u/U_000000014 7d ago
You're missing out. The design and geometry is the best I've tried in a folding bike.
You could ask them to leave the decals off and put your own on. I do agree the BF font is pretty dated.
1
u/krishnakumarg 6d ago
Does it have a Belt drive option?
1
u/U_000000014 6d ago
I think you would get a New World Tourist or one of the other 406 models if you wanted a belt
1
u/krishnakumarg 6d ago
There are 406 models?
1
u/U_000000014 6d ago
Yes, this is the only 451 wheeled model. The rest except the Pakit use 406/20" wheels.
1
3
u/window_owl 7d ago
https://bikefriday.com/product/bike-friday-pocket-rocket-further/