Introduction to me and new-to-me Pocket Rocket

[Roberta]

Hello, fellow Bike Friday owners.

I’m Roberta from Philadelphia and would like to introduce my story and new-to-me Pocket Rocket.

Executive Summery:  I love the bike and have kept it as light as possible for ease of lifting and travel, with the upright ride I enjoy and the widest tires possible for the frame.  It’s zippy and comfortable.  I am looking forward to having a bike with me more often on trips.

Many details, if you’re interested: I’m new to Bike Friday, but not new to folding bikes.  I had a Dahon Mariner for a few years and loved taking it on business and personal car trips.  It rode great, but at 30 lbs was too heavy to easily put it in my trunk.  A friend of mine was offering a Pocket Rocket for sale (his selling details are below), so I purchased it and sold the Dahon.

My other bikes are Rivendells and I found them in 2017 after a years long search for a comfortable bike to ride.  I had been riding a Specialized Hard Rock since the early ’90s, but the long reach was causing me so much neck pain that I was just about to stop biking.  I’d say that my biking style is “sit up, smell the flowers, and enjoy the scenery.”  Once I found higher stack and wider tires with lower pressure for comfort, I was unwilling to be uncomfortable riding a bike again.  There was an older gentleman who came on some group rides that told me his BF was so comfortable, he sold his other bikes.  He also raved about ease of transport.  

Since I like the wider tires and lower pressure, PR probably wouldn’t have been my first BF model choice.  However, my friend had already modified his PR with more upright riding position that I would have wanted, and being the same height, I bought it.  How bad can it be—not bad at all!!!!

I made only a few changes from when I got the bike.  I changed to tires to Maxxis DTH 1 3/8” (they fit fine) based on recommendations and posts from this board  https://www.maxxis.com/us/tire/dth/  I’ve only been on a few rides with them at 60 pounds pressure (but will take that down to 55 on my next ride) but I sure did like them better than the thinner (and awful) Kenda’s.  I’ll be able to give a better review once it warms up after winter.  I was very comfortable on this bike and these tires for my rides.

My friend had already change the stem for more upright riding but I changed his handlebars to a similar but narrower one, and it’s perfect for my riding style.  https://velo-orange.com/products/vo-milano-handlebar-22-2-dia?srsltid=AfmBOooNe1EuySMNSLOBPXPd3Y3nC2a2uWFgcP6SJbVI3yvSzJt_v10g  The original split H style handlebars came with the sale, so I might try them sometime.

He moved the rear internal rear grip shifter to the left side of the bar, like an accessory, and I really like it as I never liked a shortened Ergon grip on one side.   

I changed the pedals to MKS FD-7 folding pedals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006I9VNGW?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1 to help the bike pack easier and not get me in the shins.

The brakes were awful, so I changed the brakes levers (forget the brand/model, but they are good ones), and brake pads to KoolStops.  What a difference!

I changed the saddle to an inexpensive but comfortable one from Trek, 185cm wide, surprisingly comfortable https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/bike-saddles/fitness-bike-saddles/bontrager-commuter-comp-bike-saddle/p/549322/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us_shopping_catchall&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21004973203&gbraid=0AAAAApJvIQwNG1_ypFGCPeGuynpeFhfIE&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjJTKBhCjARIsAIMC44-SoDvtAdycx-_5z24U9_PXyaZFPtL7AbZJHAQzN-1B-VOudIw_v-gaAtFQEALw_wcB .  I did this mostly because it was so much lighter than Brooks saddles.

From Bike Friday, I purchased the travel bag https://bikefriday.com/product/single-travel-bag/ and tend to use that more if I need to put the bike in the back seat and not in the trunk.  I also purchased this chain do-hickey thing that keeps the chain from falling off every time I fold the bike.  I’ve seen lots of “how to fold” videos, but it seemed like the chain came off when laying on it’s side and so far, it’s worked well, but it’s only been on there a few weeks.

To keep weight as low as possible, I didn’t install a kickstand and I do miss that a bit.  Later on, I might purchase a Click Stand if I do touring.  https://www.click-stand.com

That’s my story so far.  I’m looking forward to also packing my bike up for plane trips, as well as more car trips and possible touring.

Thank you all for the good information I’ve gotten while lurking on this board.  

Original for sale post:

ETT/Medium Pocket Rocket, estimated to be from early-to-mid-'00s. Nice shape, came to me this year looking like it spent a lot more time in a heated room than actually being ridden. 

SRAM DualDrive, 9-speed 11-32 cassette plus 3-speed IGH, 46t chainring

Shimano 105 front hub 

Sun CR18 451 rims

Kenda Kwest tires, stout and old and appear willing to live forever no matter how lousy they ride, you should replace them by 2026

New Kalloy seatpost 

New pads in Tektro calipers 

Avid SD-something levers 

As currently configured by me:

V-O Curvy Bars (used) on SOMA stem (new) 

New SRAM X5 trigger flipped over to the left, I'll put it on the right normal-way for you, Gripshift on an extender for the 3-speed IGH.

Ergon paddle grips, small. 

 

Will also supply original split H Bar/stem and the rear Gripshift for converting back, one pic shows the bike set up that way when I bought it. 

I recommend riding it as is first, the position is a little higher than the H Bars. But it's easy to swap back, I didn't change any housing lengths and the rear twister still has a useable inner wire. 

Will come with the pictured Shimano 105 170mm cranks, the ones on it now are 155mm that I'm keeping. 

No pedals unless you want the original clip-and-straps, will have some kinda vinyl saddle. 

Rides great, folds up, packable for flying if you get a suitcase and check out BF videos about how to pack it, light enough to fold and carry, approximately 20-21 lbs. 

[Roberta]

Here's some pictures.  The one of the bike leaning on the park bench is the bike currently.  The other pics are from the original for sale posting.

[Scott McMahon]

Hi Roberta,

Congratulations on finding the right bike!  It took me 20 years to get myself set up so well.  

Looks like you’re stuck with a less than ideal airline situation, but if you can figure out how to fit within Frontier’s reqs, you can fly at discount while everyone else pays extra.  

FYI:  Putting your bike in a suitcase the first time will take some time.  I’d recommend practicing a day ahead as someone else mentioned, and take photos.  There are at least 4 ways to start, forks up or down, head tube left or right.  One way will probably work best for you.  

I would also suggest that you find a way to put your open suitcase up on a bench or table (folding card table, maybe?) because the frame, while it’s  not so heavy as bikes go, is heavy to lift while bent over and reaching out forward over a suitcase.  Especially if you’re practicing and figuring out by trial and error the best way to fit it in.  With the suitcase up at waist level, you won’t be bending and reaching at the same time.

Also note that your practice session will probably take at least a few hours.  Thereafter, when you have a plan, an hour.  When you’ve done it 5 or 10 times you’ll probably get it down to 30 minutes.  That’s what I budget for on our trips.  You might reduce that further, depending on how much disassembly and how many accessories you are taking off or putting back on (ie: mine has a rack and fenders and I remove cranks and rear derrailleur) but you’ll see.  

I’d be interested what other users experience is.  Anyone out there want to chime in on how long it takes to pack and reassemble their Friday with all it’s accessories?

Scott McMahon 

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[John Thurston]

I pack into a small case, so probably do more disassembly than others.

I budget an hour for packing, but usually complete the work in half of that. I budget 30 minutes for re-assembly, and usually consume all of that. My goal is not to minimize those times, but to have the work complete and correct in one go. I really dislike having to stop five minutes into my first outing to extract tools and re-adjust the tilt of the handlebars (for example).

To assist, I have two lists I consult while packing:

1. Bike things which don't go in the bike suitcase
2. Other things which do go in the bike suitcase

The first includes things like my helmet (too large for the bike suitcase when I have 50mm tires), and lights (rechargeable lithium batteries go in the carry-on). The second includes things like water bottle, and shoes (stuffed with gloves, jacket, and socks). Those lists save me later scratching my head, and having to re-open the case to insert/remove items.

-- 
John Thurston
Juneau, Alaska