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The new(ish) left folding Pocket models go in the case derailleur side down, with the monotube towards the back .. quite the opposite from the older 'right folding' Pocket models
We admit we've been sneaking out the new left-folding Bike Friday design improvement for some time now without really saying why other than "it's an improvement".
Here's a synopsis of how to fold your new Bike Friday folding bicycle:
a) The Bike Friday rear wheels now fold to the left, not the right. It means your Friday will quick-fold cleaner and easier - the chain will sit on the inside of the folded bike, keeping the greasy chain away from your clothing when carrying the bike, and the bike will stay folded better while carrying. For those folks who want to ensure that the chain never comes off when quickfolding, the optional chain retainer (pictured below) can be ordered from the factory before or after a bike is made.
b) Your folded BikeFriday will be more compact and will pack more quickly and easily into the suitcase - Cranks do NOT need to be removed any more as they needed to be on some models, and there even seems to be more space in the case to pack extra things into. Note that the bike goes into the case the opposite way to the 'older' right fold bikes - see pic above.
c) You'll get a good wide range of gears, only with front chainrings. (Lifting rivets in the newer chainring designs will ensure smooth shifting right up to a 62 tooth ring!). For models with the new Capreo 9-tooth cassette, big chainrings will not be an issue.
d) Because of c), you can opt for traditional triple chainring and rear cassette setup, which means your bike will be lighter than one specified with a half-pound Dual Drive hub. And...
e) With a traditional setup, your rear wheel will be faster and easier to remove if you need to, because it uses a standard quick release instead of a 15mm wrench on nutted axles as required by the Dual Drive.
f) The New 'Left Fold' BikeFriday frames can be sized accurately, fold, and packed into the Travel Case for an even wider range of riders, from 4'0 - 6'6+ .
Best of all ...
g) Many new models are possible now AND the price of many Bike Friday designs will go down!
The design has been fully tested by Bike Friday designer and co-founder Hanz Scholz.
In all cases, starting June 1, 2002, all Bike Friday single (Rockets, Llama, Gnu, NWT, Crusoe, Metro, Nomad) models came with the left-side fold.
Now you know!
MOVIES: See the Folding and Packing article.
Are you a commuter who wants to quick fold (right or left) your bike a lot? Ask for the BF chain retainer for confident folds time after time.
For more information, follow this link /images/news/WEBS Hanz folding BF.mov.