tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752457184418512360.post3991524858773772963..comments2024-03-27T02:59:56.632-07:00Comments on Jim Langley's Bicycle Beat: Q&A: Are folding bikes twitchy; individual cassette cogsJim Langleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184699406623972210noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752457184418512360.post-2577013957969629852013-02-13T09:17:18.939-08:002013-02-13T09:17:18.939-08:00Yes, I have ridden Montague folding bikes, but not...Yes, I have ridden Montague folding bikes, but not a recent model like the Boston. Montague makes full-size folding bikes so you get full size wheels and a frame that folds. That means the ride is the same as a regular bicycle and that the bike folds but not into a tiny package, but still a smaller, easier to pack one. The Montagues I've seen and ridden were nice bikes so I believe you'll like yours a lot. In cycling,<br />Jim LangleyJim Langleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04184699406623972210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752457184418512360.post-73841647011850396512013-02-13T09:09:41.708-08:002013-02-13T09:09:41.708-08:00you ever ridden a Montague Folding Bike? I have re...you ever ridden a <a href="http://www.montaguebikes.com" rel="nofollow">Montague Folding Bike</a>? I have read about them and they seem to have a good reputation and high quality. I am considering getting a <a href="http://www.montaguebikes.com/boston-8-folding-bike.html" rel="nofollow">Boston 8</a> model, but I would like to know your opinion first. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752457184418512360.post-69408585361557709772012-09-28T08:45:40.279-07:002012-09-28T08:45:40.279-07:00I was 28 when I ran that marathon, so it was a few...I was 28 when I ran that marathon, so it was a few years ago. The one thing I got right was not going out too fast. I remember we ran the first mile in 10 minutes. It felt like walking. We were probably near last place. Then we very gradually increased our pace. The plan was to go through 13 miles feeling like we had done no real work and then start really racing. I managed to break 3 hours but the guy I raced with came in close to 2:40, so the slow half start worked even better for him than it did for me. On your Bike Friday, I'm not sure why it performs the way it does. My first one was from around 1994 and it worked great from day one. Maybe if I saw your bike I could notice something holding it back. If you ever get a chance to try a new one you should give it a chance. Those guys are nice up there. They might consider helping you purchase a new one since you aren't happy with the one you have. Just an idea. Good luck in the marathon. I bet you have a great race. JIMJim Langleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04184699406623972210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752457184418512360.post-60324821459888514212012-09-28T05:52:07.062-07:002012-09-28T05:52:07.062-07:00Interesting: it's a Pocket Rocket, but an old ...Interesting: it's a Pocket Rocket, but an old one. The wheels are very heavy, for example, with an internal geared rear hub (I got to reduce risk of getting pants legs dirty). I fear I don't have much of a chance of matching your 2:56 marathon on my 1st road marathon coming up in Dec (CIM). 3:05 is my reach target, 3:15 my conservative target.djconnelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01484858820878605035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752457184418512360.post-75179732228437169812012-09-25T08:55:07.733-07:002012-09-25T08:55:07.733-07:00Thanks for the great feedback. You said your Bike ...Thanks for the great feedback. You said your Bike Friday weighs 27 pounds and doesn't handle well on descents and corners, so my best guess is that you might have a different model than my Pocket Rocket Pro. My Friday weighs 20 pounds and it's a fine road bike. I have tested it hard time and again including on serious group rides and speedy descents such as the awesome one down the Haleakala volcano in Maui - going so fast I passed all the cars. I wouldn't have bought a Bike Friday unless it could perform like my regular road bikes and it has been my go-to travel bike since 1994 and never let me down. If you ever get a chance to try one of their new road bikes, you should. I agree that it doesn't fold as quickly or as small as the Bromptons I mentioned or Dahons. But, for real riding I wouldn't want to be without it on trips - and it folds quickly and easily enough to fit in a tiny rental car's backseat or trunk. I agree that running is the easiest exercise in terms of getting ready and not needing equipment, but unfortunately my knee and back problems prevent me from doing it anymore (I used to be a pretty serious running road racer and ran a 2:56 marathon). I miss running, but still love riding my Pocket Rocket when I'm traveling. Thanks again for sharing your insights, JimJim Langleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04184699406623972210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752457184418512360.post-50811924443398485912012-09-25T06:40:24.057-07:002012-09-25T06:40:24.057-07:00Jim:
Years ago I got a used Friday because I thou...Jim:<br /><br />Years ago I got a used Friday because I thought it would be good for travel and Caltrain commuting. But the last time I did the Noon Ride on my Bike Friday I observed a few things. One was I couldn't keep up on the gradual descent of Sand Hill: the development of the largest gear had me spinning out. Then the bike was heavy (27 lb) so climbing was slowed. Finally, descending Hwy 84 was extremely slow: the handling in the corners was clearly inferior. I agree it's great for quick trips where packing regular bike (like my Ritchey Breakaway) doesn't make sense. But since I took up running my Bike Friday has been strongly neglected: either it's worth bringing the Breakaway or I decide I can do without a bike and run instead.<br /><br />For Caltrain commuting, the combination of relatively poor performance in group rides and not-so-quick folding and unfolding (including chain exposure) means I take my full-size bike on the train, despite the risk of being bumped.djconnelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01484858820878605035noreply@blogger.com