Vintage Bike Friday with some dents - questions
 

There is a Bike Friday I am in contact with the seller. It's from 1993 or 1994 and it is from the first 500 BF every made and it has the Diamond frame and therefore, the higher rider weight limit (though it is not they heavy version that is for up to 300 plus pounds).

I have a same size regular bike Friday NWT, but while I'm in the weight limit without heavy loads, I would be over it with a touring load. BUT there are some dents on the frame (probably improperly put in the suitcase). Is this a dealbreaker? They are asking for $680 plus shipping.

This is the info on it from when it was refreshed by BF:


Classic NWT diamond frame #414.
Been updated by the factory for V-brakes and extra water bottle mounts.
Repainted Racing Green and refurbished by the factory in 2017.

56cm Effective top tube
53.5cm Seat tube
80mm stem - painted to match frame

Bike Friday H-bars w/ 3x9 bar-end Shimano Ultegra/600 shifters.
Ultegra 600 front and rear derailleurs.
Vuelta cold-forged 175 mm cranks
53tx44tx32t chainrings.
11-28 9 speed cassette
Ritchey Logic headset - threaded 1"
Thomson Elite seatpost - silver
Serfas Carma Titanium saddle
Shimano V-brakes
Chosen 32 hole sealed cartridge bearing black hubs F & R, matched to
Sun CR-18 black rims w/ rim eyelets. Incl XT QR's.
Schwalbe Marathon Racer 406x40 tires, Raceguard Liteskin
Fidlock Twist bottle cage - game changer for BF's
Standard rear rack already adapted to mount to the wishbone rear seat stay.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2e9287f75.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7550be544.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1d8a7fd9e.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2f95027c9.jpeg

I think the BF are steel right?

My first thought is that the dents are not really a problem.

But you state that you are using it for touring.... eeeeh.... what's your risk tolerance?

Are you the "Maximum margin" type? Then no.

Pay an extra few hundred dollars and prevent a hospital visit.

(or get a considerable discount on this one)

It looks interesting. Maybe talk to bike friday about the dents. These bikes are strong so would these dents be an issue?

I'd send BF the pictures of the dents and ask them for their opinion. Call them first and let them know you are sending the pics and it might be a safety issue. They're pretty busy so you want to make sure someone notices your request.

I have actually done this. They say it could be fine, but it's also a big dent and they can't know without looking at it. I know EXACTLY how they got it too - it's the plastic indent from the thing you are supposed to use for packing it in the case to keep from crushing the bike and denting it. AND they clearly say how important it is to pack it correct to avoid such dents. Sigh... I recognize the dent "imprint" since I have a bike Friday and know the thing/shap that created it.

If I were to buy a new one - that is over 3K. This is about 800 shipped. but it could be $800 too much if the frame is really damaged.

Is it something BF can repair? It wouldn't cost much to just send the frame to them, and maybe could be a bargaining point with seller. If not, if it was me, I would skip it. Just keep lurking the Yak and FB page until you find one without major defects.

I would be Leary of the dent, too. If no other reason that it makes it hard to sell, and you may end up wanting to sell it even if it rides fine. That said, it looks like the major dent is in the down tube, I could not be sure from the pic. If it is in the down tube then it less problematic as the down tube is mostly a tension member

Great deal here on a PR Pro if you're interested? Authentic Green Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Pro - listed on the Yak.

Previously Ridden by 6ft Male

Shimano Ultegra
Bike Components
Shimano Hubs
Alexrims Rims
Schwalbe Durano 451 Tires
Chris King Headset
Selle Royal Seat
Rock Shox Seat Post

Suitcase, Sleeves, and All Instructions (Event the DVD) Included

Estimated Value: $1600
Sale Price: $600

OPEN TO OFFERS!

My in-laws were spin instructors and heavily involved in the biking community. The bikes have been well maintained and are in excellent condition.

Bikes are located in Lincoln, California - 30 mins outside Sacramento. Open to shipping if buyer pays all shipping costs.

I rode a Dahn Jetstream with a similar size dent on the main frame tube and it was fine (even jumping curbs, offroading, carrying child seat and pulling children).

The main dent appears to be on the lower part, between bottom bracket and chainstays (rear fork). Yes,ut seems the bike went over a rock and pushed the tube in a little but, if you consider the loads (ground to the wheel and rider to saddle), the lower part on the tube is in tension and top part in compression so, the tube is not going to bend due to this dent. The thing to look at is not the tube but the welds. If the welds are cracked or are cracked away from the tube, forget it. From the picture, the welds seem good, the paint is good (from 2017).

As others mentioned, it is up to you and how much rish you're happy to take. That said, you can use this as an argument to lower the price.

Some folks prefer the early diamond frame Fridays to the monotube versions. If you have a specific hankering for those and this one fits your bill, go for it. Otherwise, pass. Dents + the entire used bike market is way down. Lots of other options.

I owned this for a short time then told the seller it was back on the block and he paid same price to get it back. The pics make the toptube dings look huge, they're quite small; I never even noticed the bottom dent. Nice bike, great color.

What is " The Yak"???

Thank you. Never heard of it. ...learn something new every day!