[Yak] Pocket Rocket folding problem

[Andrejs Ozolins]

Mike,

It happens. There are various tricks and schemes to deal with it.  Some 
say they can keep the chain on if they do certain things with the crank 
during folding; some say they just wear gloves so they can replace the 
chain without getting black fingers. The few times I've had the chain 
remain on, I have no idea how I did it. Usually, I just use my fingers 
and find a rag to wipe off the oil.

The idea behind it all is that Bike Friday has always promoted a 
*packable* bike, rather than a folding bike. Its rationale was to have a 
bike you could take on a plane as ordinary luggage -- and this involves 
some disassembly and work of about 20-30 minutes. As a 
quick-folding/unfolding commuter bike, the BF has always had rivals. 
Only in the last year has BF offered a true "folder" -- the tikit, of 
which I have one in the next room. The tikit never loses its chain or 
causes any other mischief in folding.

So, if you need to fold your PR a lot, you'll probably get a knack for 
minimizing the hassle of the dropped chain, but you'll probably have it 
happen most of the time.

Andrejs
Ithaca, NY


Mikeborro at aol.com wrote:
> I've just taken delivery of my first Bike Friday bike, a Pocket Rocket -  and 
> a fantastic piece of kit it is. One thing I have noticed, however, is that  
> each time I fold/unfold the rear wheel the chain gets trapped by the front  
> changer and comes off the chainring. I'm sure that's not supposed to happen... 
>  
> Is this a common 'feature' I just have to live with, or is there something  
> wrong with my bike's set-up? Or am I doing something stupid?
>