Dan’s Review: Bike Friday New World Tourist
Well here it is, the review.
I was fairly happy with my last touring bike, a 2008 Specialized Tricross with short stem. My only complaint, one which the bike could not help, was that it proved too large for getting into cars and onto buses, airplanes and trains. I love riding but there are always times I’d like to take some other form of transport: this is where the Bike Friday comes into play.
The New World Tourist (NWT) is a collapsible touring bike that should solve my above problem. It isn’t exactly a full fledged “folding bike” but it is certainly a “travel bike”. The advantage is the mobility when not riding, the disadvantage is the smaller wheels which make strange gearing a necessity and make the ride less comfortable. To compensate for the added road feel/harshness, I opted for wide tires (which have done just the trick) and for the gearing..well, that is still a bit of an unresolved issue that I’m simply living with (more on that later).
There she is minus bags with my Brooks (plus hanging knick knacks) and platform pedals with straps. The bike is specced as follows: Tiagra 9spd STIs, Deore RD, Tiagra triple 53/39/30, 11-34 cassette, Schwalbe Marathon 1.75”, Shimano v-brakes with TravelAgents.
Above is the bike “quick fold”ed. To get it folded like this only takes a few seconds and although not very compact its much smaller than it was and would be acceptable for most buses. I also like locking the bike up looking like this, I figure it might confuse would be thieves. The top mounted bottle cage is plastic so the collapsed seat mast can push it aside but it still prevents maximum fold by a few inches. I’m very happy though that the front mini rack I installed (sold by Nashbar) fits just fine and doesn’t interfere with the fold.
Fully tour loaded! It takes all my gear just like any regular sized bike. I choose not to run front panniers but it has the mounting points for a lowrider rack if I desired. There is also a third bottle cage mount below the main tube which I’m now utilizing as well.
My impressions:
+
- Very well built, a quality frame and nice powdercoat job
- The velcro strap attached to the seat mast to lash everything together in quickfold is clever
- Front derailleur inline barrel adjuster is appreciated; other manufacturers might leave this out
- Also appreciated are the stainless steel fasteners, an extra cost for quality
-
- Powdercoat is inside all threaded holes, just plain sloppy. The holes should be plugged while spraying or chased after the spray to clean them out. The coated threads make installing bolts for the first time difficult and make it likely for crossthreading to occur if you’re not careful
- The stem mast, no matter how tight the quick release is, has play to it. It feels as if the headset is loose and can be annoying. I tightened the QR too much trying to fix this and got it stuck in place!
- Supplied rear rack is cheap. It flexes wildly and makes downhills a bit scary. I ran a wonderful Tubus rack prior to this and figured it wouldn’t work with the small wheels. Apparently I was wrong, 350mm long stays for the Tubus can be purchased to work for this application and that is exactly what I will do next. The mounting rails on this rack are also bending which is scary especially since the bags are only 15lb each
- Folding the bike sometimes messes with the cables; ie cables are pulled. This causes problems with the rear derailleur and rear brakes but can usually be alleviated by manually pulling the cable back to where its supposed to be through the loop braze ons (although annoying)
- My Sigma wireless computer works on the bike but not well since because of the small wheels, the distance from the sensor to the base is farther than what is recommended
- Gearing: 53 is not a high enough high and 39 is not a high enough middle. I think I would be happy with a 55/44/30 but I’m living with the current config for now at least.
- I requested and paid for double butted spokes from Bike Friday but they installed straight gauge. Not a huge deal to be honest but it bugs me that when I mentioned this they didn’t believe me.
Conclusion: Thumbs up
Its a very fine bicycle, I like it, a lot actually. The ride and feel is perfect and the fit is just right (I sent in my measurements to BF). I’ve yet to test its travel ability when not being ridden but I’m sure it will work great.
As the miles roll on I’ll update on anything that comes up
05.Sep.09 
Folding Bike
Thanks for the review – really useful.
Shame about the confusion with the spoke. I know the difference is minor but I’d be pissed more because they didn’t belive me.
I thought BF customer service was superior, but that is messed up. Stick it to them and send the bike back for a refund. It will cost them more than believing you about butted spokes.
Ask for a refund on what you paid for the spokes. It makes little sense to send the bike back because I would assume that you have it in mind for a particular purpose.
This is the cheap rear rack, I installed a similar rack on my Trek once and feel that the longer stays are going to be a cause for concern. When I was picking up my NWT, I opted for their Folding rear rack. It looks very stiff, almost like the tubus in tubing and finish.
However due to the nature of its design, the screws can come loose. Loctite or tightening once in a while should fix the problem. A nice side effect is that you can fix skating wheels on the rear rack and that makes short distance mobility a bit more easy, especially when you have other bags to carry.
I find Bike Friday service very good. Not perfect, but very very good. They make a minor snag in my order but managed the problem very well. I am extremely happy with how my order was treated.
Looks like a great set up — I like the little front rack to help carry items. The BF $120 folding rack appears to be similar to a Tubus (chromoly tubing) – why not try that? Let us know how the Tubus works out as a good rear rack solution. Did you get a King headset? – wonder if the play would be resolved with their gripnut headset.
Any issues with heel strike? I have a NWT with the same rear rack and need to find a resolution to my heel strike issue.
I’m running Novara Safari panniers btw.
The folding cromo BF rack looks much better. If you’re getting a rack from BF this should be your choice.
I personally ordered 350mm stays from Wayne at thetouringstore.com and hopefully it will all work out with installing my Tubus Logo onto the NWT
I haven’t had issues with heel strike fortunately. I adjusted the Ortlieb hooks to be positioned as far back as possible and mount it as far back on the rack as possible. Seems to work. I’m a size 10US shoe also.
Not mentioned in the review is also how useless the kickstand is with the bike loaded. 90% of the time the bike will just topple over. Not sure if there is a fix this for one; most of the heavy duty double leg affairs seem to interfere with folding or riding.
Thanks for responding so quickly. I’m not sure how to handle the problem without spending a ton of cash and hoping I can return return goods that don’t solve the issue.
Let us know how you like the Tubus Logo.
Dan,
Great review! I’m considering buying a NWT for commuting and light touring. I understand the bike won’t roll while folded; is this correct?
Thanks
Fridays don’t roll as well as other folding bikes but I have gotten mine to roll albeit awkwardly. I would rather pick it up though given the awkwardness.
Installed the Tubus rack last month and its been working great. The extra long stays were just the trick
Last year I purchased a Pocket Companion with suit case. To this date I am totally disappointed in the bike and the case. First off, even though I got the “heavy duty tires” I got more flats riding on the STREET than any other bike I have ever owed or now own. The tires are cheap.
The bike has been nothing but a disappointment. Locks don’t hold. Levers broken. Adjustments have to be made ALL the time to the bike. Suit case is too flimsy for carrying the bike and that weight.
Constantly having seat post problems.
The chain derailleur is junk. There are many other problems with the bike.
The bike and suit case are far over rated and over priced as well.
To top it off, I had to pay EXTRA to the guy in the Portland store to show me how to pack the bike in the suit case. Wow what a rip off. I say it again, a RIP OFF.
Whenever I hear of anyone thinking about buying a Bike Friday, I tell them NOT TO. Save their money and time. You can find better bikes for far less hassle and money.
I will never buy a Bike Friday again. I think many of the BF owners feel the same but are ashamed they were shammed too…so they keep their mouths shut instead of being known to be a fool.
Over rated and overpriced. Save your money…Go elsewhere.
Top it off when calling the Portland factory…the woman who answers the phone gives you the 5th degree. “Why calling?” “Who are you?” “Did you call before?” duhhh you think at least the receptionist would be nice about it.
Recommendation: don’t buy one.
HELP! HELP! HELP! HELP! HELP!
I was just planning to order a Bike Friday New World Tourist and saw this latest review! Was excited being able to travel via Plane and Trains much more easily. Now having serious seconds thoughts after reading this latest review from Marty. Any other info I would sure appreciate it. It is a huge expense and don’t want to make a decision I regret. Currently riding a Surly LHT. Thanks for any help!!!
It’s a difficult choice. I do like my Friday but would I buy another….no. In my opinion, they’re not worth the price. For what they cost, I think customers deserve more attention to detail, better specced parts and better customer service
If you’re looking for a stiff touring frame that easily packs in a suitcase you’re either looking at a NWT or a frame equipped with S&S couplers. Both options are expensive. I think in this case, the Friday is still a viable option worth considering
Bought a Pocket Llama in December 2011, just about to finish my tour of Japan (4 days to go).Had nothing but problems with the headset on this bike.Kept coming loose every day, eventually on closer inspection found headset threading was badly damaged most looked like it had been done in manufacturing stage.Bike Friday customer service was not of much service.Sent photos of thread (not my best shots) they staed ” the threads look ok, will send off to our engineer for his opinion” shit I am an engineer.Fobbed off by a clerk, give serious thought to buying a Bike Friday before doing so.