[Yak] folder longevity

[Bill Hoffman]

> Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:24:40 -0800
> From: DAN Scott <NWestr at frontier.com>
> To: yak at bikefriday.com
> Subject: [Yak] folder longevity?
> Message-ID: <C8AC607F-E4E0-429E-993A-D920F34C1476 at frontier.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> I've had my Pocket Companion for about a year &  a half, with about 2900 
> miles on it. I really enjoy riding on it.
>
> I'm thinking of getting another bike (you can't have too many, can you? ), 
> and logic says get a 700 wheeled non-folder, since I don't really fold the 
> BF much. But I like the "friendliness", for lack of a better term,  of my 
> Friday and find myself thinking of another one set up a bit differently.
>
> Do many of you use your BF as your "primary" bike? Will a Bike Friday last 
> as long as a "regular" bike? What are the wear points to keep an eye on? 
> Do all folders have a shorter life span due to their folding design?
>
> Dan
>
> ------------------------------
I've had my NWT since Sept., 02 and it has 49,000 miles (not km) on it. I 
fold and unfold it a dozen or more times a year, when I take it on Amtrak, 
Megabus, and when it goes into its Carlton case for flying. Other than the 
paint wearing off at the fold points, I detect no other wear due to folding. 
The biggest hassle is the chain falling off the chainwheel (I have a single 
c/w with a SRAM 3-speed rear hub) and the rear V-brake cable becoming 
detached.

The fastest wearing part is the rear tire, which typically lasts <5,000 
miles, as opposed to >15,000 for the front.

Bill Hoffman
Lancaster, PA