The Bike Friday All Packa has a steel frame. It's an excellent bike for its intended purpose and I've used it for extensive off-road bike packing. From the looks of the G-line, I think the Bike Friday will be far more capable on the rough. That said, the BF shouldn't be compared with a bike that 'folds'. Rather, it can be easily packed down to fly and fit into a suitcase or the trunk of a car. When I need a bike that will quickly and neatly fold, I take my Brompton. You just have to choose which design compromise works best for you. Horses for courses.
I covered now more than 20.000km on my bike Friday around the world. The best bike ever owned ;) it packs easily and you can fit all standard bike parts. Super sturdy machine .
There is always Kinetics in Scotland who maintain the beautiful form factor of the original frame with a 16” wheel with a 2 inch wide tyre, but on a 305 size wheel.
Firstly, Pacific Cycle only makes warmed over cat turds chaped like bikes. That Birdy is most likely a Walmart quality setup. And Carbon? Stop. Secondly, Bike Fridays aren't "folding" bikes. They are packable. Completely separate concept. Thirdly, I own a Tern and have sold many of them and have never had an issue with their frame hinge clamps. That's simply either a straight up lie, a product of you not being exposed to them when properly adjusted or you're just reaching for something to find issue with. Probably a mix of all 3. And lastly, who's the "we" that didn't "need" a 20" Brompton? You got a mouse in your pocket?! I'm personally going to order mine real soon! Have fun being a grump!
Does it "blow the wheels off of the Brompton G Line"? I think it does. And of course, you can put wider tires on. The stock ones are not really that skinny to start with. Plus, 24" can hardly be a big wheel. No different to when I put wider tires on my Moulton TSR a9.
A have been riding the Birdy for over 15 years and really did not like the Brompton bikes. Wheels too small, handling disgusting. Until I bought one. Now I can't stop grinning when I am riding it. Brompton has finally added a 12 gear option which I love and I am planning to add a fifth cog to make it a 15 gear bike. I love the small size when folded and how light it is (P line). But the Birdy still is the better bike for longer rides. It's like riding a real bike. Therefore I would never buy a Brompton with 20 inch wheels. It's not even close to my Birdy Rohloff. And the Birdy folds smaller then the 20 inch Brompton which is a real deal breaker, too.
Appreciate your effort. Cant watch the video. It gives me a headache when you keep moving the screen across. It is better to have still images or proper video. Just saying
Yes, I too am underwhelmed by the G Line. It's great that Brompton has finally built a 20" folder and I get too why they made this bike for gravel riding. There are many people who ride bikes on uneven roads and have been demanding a Brompton for this purpose. The truth is that 16" wheels provide an uncomfortable ride for tall people. I, like many others, would love to see a 20" T-Line bike. You're the expert. I am not but it's my own uneducated opinion that a 20" folding titanium bike that weighs under 18 lbs is the holy grail. The Birdy and Tern are great and so are many others but the fold will never be as efficient nor compact as the Brompton and the components are not up to par. At this point the best folding bike I know of is the custom Brompton T-Line on the "Brompton Premium Parts" RUclips channel. Yes, it's a very expensive build. You don't like the front fork on the T-Line but I do. The Brompton Premium Parts custom T-Line is stealthy, the SR-71 Blackbird of folding bikes for the 21st century.
It is very hard to build an 18 LB bike with fat tires and wide gearing, but I do recommend that you try because Brompton never will. Birdy and Moulton both easily match the component quality of the Brompton.
@@sonigo I love the concept of the Helix and I have reached out to them over and over again. I live in NYC and several people here own them. I've reached out and asked if I can see a bike and they say they'll help but never do. I can't buy a bike I can't see in person and test ride. With folding bikes, the devil's in the details.
You're just put out because they've bought something out new and innovative.. It might be just better than what you've got! You can't review this without riding it... Get over it!!!
The G is neither new nor innovative. As my video illustrates, other companies have been making the same thing and better for over a decade. The G is too little too late.
You are saying a lot of BS in this video. Have you tried all those bikes personally? Like used it for a year at least? Because if you haven't you are just spewing baseless nonsense.
The Bike Friday All Packa has a steel frame. It's an excellent bike for its intended purpose and I've used it for extensive off-road bike packing. From the looks of the G-line, I think the Bike Friday will be far more capable on the rough. That said, the BF shouldn't be compared with a bike that 'folds'. Rather, it can be easily packed down to fly and fit into a suitcase or the trunk of a car. When I need a bike that will quickly and neatly fold, I take my Brompton. You just have to choose which design compromise works best for you. Horses for courses.
I covered now more than 20.000km on my bike Friday around the world. The best bike ever owned ;) it packs easily and you can fit all standard bike parts. Super sturdy machine .
Nice review, loads of useful comments. Thanks.
The main benefit for 20" vs 16" wheels is that there are a lot more tire options and availability for 20" wheels.
There are literally almost no options for 20" wheels
Yup that's right, because the same size like bmx wheels or kids bike
More tyres, but also a 20” wheel will mount a kerb or pothole side easily and safely than a 16”. That’s a big advantage in a town or city.
There is always Kinetics in Scotland who maintain the beautiful form factor of the original frame with a 16” wheel with a 2 inch wide tyre, but on a 305 size wheel.
See my previous video.
Firstly, Pacific Cycle only makes warmed over cat turds chaped like bikes. That Birdy is most likely a Walmart quality setup. And Carbon? Stop. Secondly, Bike Fridays aren't "folding" bikes. They are packable. Completely separate concept. Thirdly, I own a Tern and have sold many of them and have never had an issue with their frame hinge clamps. That's simply either a straight up lie, a product of you not being exposed to them when properly adjusted or you're just reaching for something to find issue with. Probably a mix of all 3. And lastly, who's the "we" that didn't "need" a 20" Brompton? You got a mouse in your pocket?! I'm personally going to order mine real soon! Have fun being a grump!
Watched both related videos multiple times now.
Thank you for this fantastic video. You nailed it, also got my SUB!
So You happen to know the Ahooga Bikes? The Ahooga Max (almost) folds just like the Brompton, even with the frame not folding ...
Cool bike. Never heard of it but will take a deeper look to size it up.
There is also Helix titanium bikes with competitive pricing
Tire max width 1.5 inches and very hard to find replacements for 24" .
Don't you know about the Canadian Helix Titanium folder? Check that out for your next list.
It is a big wheel bike with narrow tires.
Does it "blow the wheels off of the Brompton G Line"? I think it does. And of course, you can put wider tires on. The stock ones are not really that skinny to start with. Plus, 24" can hardly be a big wheel. No different to when I put wider tires on my Moulton TSR a9.
Anything over 20 inch is big wheel. It does blow the wheels off of the G line for sure ;-)
do ANY of those bikes wheel around like a Brompton does when folded ? which is half the point if commuting shopping etc
A have been riding the Birdy for over 15 years and really did not like the Brompton bikes. Wheels too small, handling disgusting. Until I bought one. Now I can't stop grinning when I am riding it. Brompton has finally added a 12 gear option which I love and I am planning to add a fifth cog to make it a 15 gear bike. I love the small size when folded and how light it is (P line). But the Birdy still is the better bike for longer rides. It's like riding a real bike. Therefore I would never buy a Brompton with 20 inch wheels. It's not even close to my Birdy Rohloff. And the Birdy folds smaller then the 20 inch Brompton which is a real deal breaker, too.
A lot of us envy your collection.
Thats what u said before trying the 16" brompton 😂
Why do you not include the Vello bike Alfine (or Rohloff)?
Forgot. Will add it next time.
…Starting with the T Line, then the P Line!
Appreciate your effort. Cant watch the video. It gives me a headache when you keep moving the screen across. It is better to have still images or proper video. Just saying
Yes, I too am underwhelmed by the G Line. It's great that Brompton has finally built a 20" folder and I get too why they made this bike for gravel riding. There are many people who ride bikes on uneven roads and have been demanding a Brompton for this purpose. The truth is that 16" wheels provide an uncomfortable ride for tall people. I, like many others, would love to see a 20" T-Line bike. You're the expert. I am not but it's my own uneducated opinion that a 20" folding titanium bike that weighs under 18 lbs is the holy grail. The Birdy and Tern are great and so are many others but the fold will never be as efficient nor compact as the Brompton and the components are not up to par. At this point the best folding bike I know of is the custom Brompton T-Line on the "Brompton Premium Parts" RUclips channel. Yes, it's a very expensive build. You don't like the front fork on the T-Line but I do. The Brompton Premium Parts custom T-Line is stealthy, the SR-71 Blackbird of folding bikes for the 21st century.
It is very hard to build an 18 LB bike with fat tires and wide gearing, but I do recommend that you try because Brompton never will. Birdy and Moulton both easily match the component quality of the Brompton.
@@SmallWheelWonder I don't like fat tire bikes. I'm an urban rider. A speedy hyper-light with the best compact fold is key.
The Helix bike doesn’t have fat tires but can be very light weight, has 24” wheels and an excellent compact fold.
@@sonigo I love the concept of the Helix and I have reached out to them over and over again. I live in NYC and several people here own them. I've reached out and asked if I can see a bike and they say they'll help but never do. I can't buy a bike I can't see in person and test ride. With folding bikes, the devil's in the details.
You're just put out because they've bought something out new and innovative.. It might be just better than what you've got! You can't review this without riding it... Get over it!!!
The G is neither new nor innovative. As my video illustrates, other companies have been making the same thing and better for over a decade. The G is too little too late.
You are saying a lot of BS in this video. Have you tried all those bikes personally? Like used it for a year at least? Because if you haven't you are just spewing baseless nonsense.
I was worried about not offending anybody. You changed that.
@@SmallWheelWonderha ha 😂