Video Folding Bike Touring-An Old Bike For A New Adventure.

[laughingman]

Almost a year ago now I managed to find an old Bike-Friday touring bike on ebay. I actually won the auction while I was on a backpacking trip so that was a bit touch and go. Bike-Friday is a US brand who makes custom fairly hi end bicycles which fold. There line up is, comically, expensive. So a knew that this was likely my only opportunity to get one for myself. I was looking for a bike which had been built for someone my size and weight, and I assumed with my meager budget whatever I ended up with would need some work. I was not disappointed. I found this bike for less then one seventh of its cost new. It needed any amount of care and attention, a paint job, new components, maintenance. I worked on it for a few months off and on and during that time I decided I would take it with me to Europe this year. Now I leave in about a week. I'm going to be making a few videos about the bike and the gear I'm bringing. As well as videos on the ground of how I'm budget bike touring the EU for several months.



Ill post more information about the trip as my departure date draws closer.

 

[MetalBryan]

Would love to see some photo updates when you get a chance.

 

[laughingman]

Would love to see some photo updates when you get a chance.

Good news. I've got a few videos up on my YouTube channel. I'm in day 23 of my trip now so there is plenty comeing.

 

[MetalBryan]

Good news. I've got a few videos up on my YouTube channel. I'm in day 23 of my trip now so there is plenty comeing.

Thanks for the update. I enjoyed seeing the minimalist & folding setup... the opposite of my bikepacking rig haha. You're right about those thumb shifters you can't break em unless you hit them with a rock. We've had them on bikes left in the rain for a decade and a little lube brings them right back to life.

I also endorse the Mechanix gloves for riding. I had the regular work gloves like in your gear video and they lasted a long time. I bought a couple of the different tactical pairs several years ago and they've just gotten a little softer and faded a bit after hours outside and many washings. Mechanix honors their warranty without any fuss which is rare. I've owned several pairs by different boutique bicycle brands and they have a short life span and just feel cheap by comparison.

 

[laughingman]

Thanks for the update. I enjoyed seeing the minimalist & folding setup... the opposite of my bikepacking rig haha. You're right about those thumb shifters you can't break em unless you hit them with a rock. We've had them on bikes left in the rain for a decade and a little lube brings them right back to life.

I also endorse the Mechanix gloves for riding. I had the regular work gloves like in your gear video and they lasted a long time. I bought a couple of the different tactical pairs several years ago and they've just gotten a little softer and faded a bit after hours outside and many washings. Mechanix honors their warranty without any fuss which is rare. I've owned several pairs by different boutique bicycle brands and they have a short life span and just feel cheap by comparison.

Mechanix gloves are awsome. Way more durable then any cycling glove your likely to find. Although as it gets warmer I'm not wearing them quite as much as I did in those first two weeks. I'm still glad to have them when I'm on dirt or gravel. Definitely with the slick road tiers on the bike.