CenturionIM

This popped up on my local CL: https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/3754110037.html

$735 for new world tourist, is it a good deal? If someone can offer some info on the frame material, weight and what not that will be great. the component seems decent enough to me.

This is my first experience with buying a folder, so please advise me on what to look for, what to avoid, what parts of the bike to pay attention to, etc etc.

alhedges

That's a good deal, and an excellent bike. Frame is cromoly; weight is probably about 25 lbs.

BassNotBass

I would say that this is a very good deal... even more so considering the components and added accessories. After owning my NWT I wouldn't think twice about buying another so at almost half the price I paid for mine, this one would be a no-brainer.

Foldable Two

The rack, fenders and under-rack bag alone cost $250. to replace today. I am assuming your height is appropriate for a 56cm frame. (That's equal to a medium-sized Bike Friday 'stock' frame.)

Lou

wahoonc

You are aware that the Bike Friday NWT is not a folder in the sense that it can be quickly folded for multi-modal commute like a Brompton?

FWIW that is a great price on a great bike. I had a NWT back in the early 90's and have regretted selling it to this day.

Aaron

BassNotBass

The listing was last edited about three hours ago and the bag is no longer pictured... hmm.

CenturionIM

Sorry, I am new to this type of bike. Can you explain a bit more in the difference bet,een a brompton and a NWT?

Hmm my height is 5'8", long leg short torso and usually ride a 54cm. The fit might be a problem.

Is the under rack bag really good piece of accessory? Thanks.

Foldable Two

One general comment first: This bike has an "easy pack" seat mast, and not a folding seat mast (a new NWT can be ordered with either.)

Bike Friday is the only folding/travel bike manufacturer that offers different frame sizes - 3 stock sizes, 50,56, & 60cm; and eight custom sizes 48,50,52,54,56,58,60 & 62cm. My wife is also 5'8" with long legs. She has a 54cm custom frame and a 56cm stock frame. She is very happy with both. Bike Fridays are very adjustable, and she is also able to ride my 62cm NWT with no problem.

The under-seat bag is a nice idea, but it is not all that large (based upon seeing one personally), and therefore it is limited in what it can hold.

Lou

fietsbob

The seat mast can be replaced, If too long/short, as can steering Mast.

BF size is Top tube length.. 56 should be fine, stem is common thread-less type

only difference is putting a 5mm button head bolt through the face plate ..
so the 2 halves, of the take apart bars, come together in the center.

PL [not NWT] my 56, I'm using a 4.5cm stem.

I use their front rack. it too comes off and packs small for travel.

kamtsa

The Brompton folds quickly to a small form that is self locking and easy to cary. The NWT fold is less elegant and less compact. The rear wheel folds under the bike, the seat mast in the NWT I had folded forward (not sure about the NWT in the picture, looks different) and then you separate the stem and handlebar but they are still handing on the brake and gear cables. More clumsy than the brompton. BF sell now a a folding handlebar stem that may fit this bike, dont know.

If a quick fold/unfold and ability to roll/lift the bike while folded, then the NWT is a great bike (e.g. it should fit in the trunk of most cars), especially for long rides. Personally I prefer the Brompton because of the quick and small fold and the built in suspension. NWT is a great bike though, BF post sale support is second to none and the CL price is very good and it feels closer to a 'normal' bike than Brompton.

fietsbob

NWT is more in service of packing into a suitcase sized bundle for travel to trip starts /returns.

than boarding a Bus or Train, daily, .. EZ pack parts are about convenient knock down to fit , the travel case.

GeorgePaul

Another big difference between Brompton and NWT is that the Brompton uses 16" wheels and the NWT uses 20" wheels. You can put tires as wide as 1.75" on a Bike Friday NWT.

CenturionIM

thanks all. I think i understand the difference now. NWT is the bike I take on a vacation to europe for two weeks whereas brompton is day in-day out commuting on train/bus/bike.

My regular bike fit is 545mm TT + 100mm stem. Since the stem on this bike is short, I guess I will be just fine.

CenturionIM

Just watched a video on how to fold the NWT. seems the rearwheel folds "down". The owner added a rack to the bike, Would I have to remove that to fold this bike properly?

werks

You can fold it with the rack on, but folded size will be larger than without it so I don't think it will fit into a 62" case for airline travel.



If it's a quick release freestanding seatpost rack, it can be removed quickly. You can leave it attached when folded also.
This one shouldn't be loaded as heavily as the other style.



I'm new to folding bikes also, so I may be missing something here.

Great price btw !!

Tom

cplager

Not missing a thing as far as I can tell.

SJX426 

Good price. I bought one that had a broken "drop out" where the seat post/mast clamps to the rear triangle. BF sold me a replacement that I had a local person weld/braze on. I then had the rear triangle powder coated. New decals from BF and it looked nearly new.

My plan was to keep it but the folding was less than elegant. The ride was like a full size bike and the wheel base matched my wifes MTB which is longer than my Colnago. Very solid, great bike. If I was going to do a lot of touring in distant places, there is no question that this is the bike to own. For commuting, not a good choice.

Ended up selling it as pictured below for $950, after adjusting the rear fender.

[IMG]

alhedges

That's pretty much it, although you don't have to go to Europe: I got my NWT for bike camping with friends because that always involves travel (for me) and the NWT can take 4 regular panniers and rides well with them.

kamtsa

That's pretty much it, although you don't have to commute on a train/bus: I got my Brompton for general biking, including 15-30miles recreational rides, because it is very functional and a great all around bike.