Bike Friday's Pocket Llama

The Pocket Llama is, without a doubt, the coolest bike I have ever reviewed. This statement is based on two factors: eye-catchiness (is that even a word?) and sheer elegance of design. Consider the following scenario: you get off the plane and collect your luggage, including a regular Samsonite suitcase. You open the suitcase, and pull out your Bike Friday (there are a number of models), first having donned the cotton gloves they supply, so you won't get your hands dirty. Using an allen key and a pedal wrench, the bike goes together in less than five minutes (they say two, but I'd like to watch someone do it in that little time). But wait, it gets better. Attaching wheels to the suitcase you snap a hitch onto the brazed-on seatstay fitting, pile your other luggage into the trailer you now have and ride away from the airport while everyone else is still lined up waiting for a rental car.

Bike Friday is based in Eugene, Oregon, and is the brainchild of Hans Scholz. "I used to race, and I like to travel, and I got tired of lugging around a (full sized) bike". The original Bike Friday was the World Tourist (in 1992). This was followed by the Pocket Rocket (road racing), the Pocket Llama (mountain) and the Bike Twosday (a tandem that fits in two suitcases). All incorporate the aforementioned elegance of design.

Folding bikes generally fall into two categories: full sized bikes that fold, or small-wheeled collapsibles. The former are usually heavy and don't really compress very much, the latter normally involve excessive amounts of disassembly and/or very poor riding characteristics (i.e., very flexible, bad riding position, etc.). Bike Friday has tried to eliminate these complaints. The bikes are built from chro-moly steel tubing for strength and rigidity, and each one is built to mimic the riding position of the owner on their regular bike. 20" wheels are a necessity in order for the bike to fit into a suitcase, but the rest of the components are standard spec.

While the bike may be a marvel of engineering with respect to collapsibility, the real measure of any bike is how it performs on the road or trail. In this area, the Pocket Llama more than meets the grade. There are some noticeable (and unavoidable) effects from the 20" wheels-particularly the very quick steering and the response to bumps offroad. Bumps and roots that I could roll over in a larger-wheeled bike slowed me down more on the Llama, and loose gravel or sand had to be negotiated carefully to avoid front wheel washout. However, I found that after a few rides I adjusted to the differences, and felt comfortable riding the bike on any trail that I would ride a 26" wheeled mountain bike. (Scholz says himself that if the rider does not need the folding capability, they would be better off with a normal bike).

Another concern that I had going into the review was flexibility; something small-wheeled folders are notorious for. While there was some movement in the long steerer tube, it was not enough to be a problem and, to be fair, I am just about at the upper size limit-where it would be most noticeable. Overall, the Llama was solid, and a particularly nimble climber in the bargain. Weight is the third concern about folding bikes, and here the Llama once again proved itself no respecter of tradition, coming at 26 pounds.

The Pocket Llama is available with a number of different component options; on mine the Sachs 7000 series derailleurs with Power Grip twistgrip shifters were matched to Shimano XT cranks in the drivetrain, with Shimano LX cantilevers and hubs completing the group. Tire selection is limited, given the 20" wheel size, however, there are enough good BMX tires out there to meet almost any need. I had mine shipped sans pedals and saddle, since I have my own preferences.

So who would buy a Bike Friday, given that a prospective purchaser will have to be prepared to spend at least $1800 (mine came in at nearly $2400, with the hard-shell case and trailer kit)? Scholz says that purchasers tend to be divided into two camps: cycling enthusiasts who do a lot of travelling in their jobs: pilots, boat owners, executives, etc.; and riders embarking on extended, multi-country tours. Both groups need a bike that will perform under all conditions, and one that will easily reduce to a compact, manageable size for transportation. In the Bike Friday their prayers are answered.