Bike Friday New World Tourist Review 2020

This video was transferred from my other KZbin channel and provides a comprehensive review of my Bike Friday New World Tourist as it was set up at the time.

[@JohnMFlores]

Thanks for this detailed review.

[@PaliAha808]

You should show folding & unfolding it. It is a folding bicycle, right?

[@dlmurray55]

People keep saying it looks funny but I think these types of bikes look better than normal size.

[@NerdanelWise]

Hi Bob (is it?), I have a 2014 Bike Friday NWT that I bought when I retired and rode it around the French countryside for 8 weeks. I enjoyed your review. I also have a click stand; I always use a bicycle glove to hold the front brake closed to stabilize the bike. What do you use to lock your bike when you aren't on it? KC

[@bikenfriday8531]

On my most recent trip I generally left the bike within eyesight wherever I stopped to eat. Almost everywhere I stopped had an outdoor seating area, so except for while I was in ordering food, the bike was literally within a few feet of me. During overnights while camping and at the other locations where I stopped, I used a simple cable lock to secure it to either a picnic table (near my tent), bike rack, or other immovable object. I know the lock would not stop a determined thief, but I never had the bike far from me. There was always at least some degree of anxiety over leaving the bike unsecured (or not as effectively secured as I'd like), and I found it to be one of the challenges of traveling solo.

[@Trenchant468]

HI Thanks for your vid. Can you get into a little more detail about your tires vs the 2.0" on your other bike? Suppose you want to ride off trail or on rough terrain? And don't have skills for or desire for changing flats? Under those conditions, do you think the 2" would be best, or have downsides? Welcome your input!

[@bikenfriday8531]

My experience with tires is that the wider the more comfortable. Especially off roads or other smooth surfaces. The downside is added weight. I’ve found the Schwalbe Marathons to be a great tire and fairly resistant to flats. But with that said, they are not impervious and I have had a few flats with them despite their durability. It is definitely worth the time to learn how to change flats on the road and to carry sufficient tools to do it. It is not a matter of if you’ll get a flat but when. The 1.5 Marathons I use on the BF are a good balance between weight and comfort. I find they roll well on pavement yet are capable of mild off-road (crushed limestone trails, smooth dirt). The 2.0s on my regular bike (also Marathons) are rather flat resistant (similar to the smaller ones on my BF) but are noticeably heavier. I would normally run a regular 2.1 mountain bike tire (am I dating myself with WTB Velociraptors?). The Marathons work for the commuting and other running around I use that bike for these days. I have never used a wider tire than 1.5 on the BF, so I can’t speak to that. I hope that helps.

[@Trenchant468]

@@bikenfriday8531 Thank you! Naturally I agree that I should know how to change a flat-just not sure I have the hand strength to do it. I'm hoping for a tire which can handle rough uneven terrain, such as trails with roots and rocks, but short of mountain biking. I've been strongly considering BF NWT, but electric version.( It's really the best choice-just way more bike than my actual use will justify.) With that in mind, do you think the 2.1" makes sense? And the electric will offset the weight?

[@bikenfriday8531]

@@Trenchant468 If you need a fatter tire, you may need to look at the Llama vs NWT. Check with BF, since the last I looked at things the NWT had a limited tire clearance. It sounds like the 1.5s (what I have on my NWT) should work for you, though. They are definitely not a "skinny" tire, and I have no issues when I wander off of paved (smooth?) surfaces. The Schwalbe Marathons are not a knobby type tire, but are adequate for anything shy of severely loose or slippery inclined surfaces. I run mine at around 70 psi, and I wouldn't describe them as a supple ride, but the inherent flexibility in the front end of the BF allows for some added comfort. I hope this helps.