After spending about three weeks in Portland, I headed south toward Los Angeles. It takes less than two hours to get there by plane, but I decided to make the 1,500km journey by car. That said, it wasn't a non-stop trip, because there were places I wanted to visit along the way. The first time I pulled off the freeway was in Eugene, Oregon. When it comes to manufacturers based here, well...
Naturally, I couldn't pass by BIKEFRIDAY. Bike Friday, a name that embodies the idea of being an "essential best partner for adventurers traveling around the world," celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.
In a field that could be described as the unique category of handmade custom folding bikes, these bicycles are built with long-term use in mind. They place a heavy emphasis on durability and, to account for repeated folding and traveling the globe, they actively utilize chromoly steel.
All selected materials are cut to the appropriate size and shape at this Eugene factory, then carefully bent and welded one by one until they are completed as bicycles.
Right next to the welding booth is the paint booth, where the finished frames and racks are painted in rhythmic succession. They don't go for elaborate custom paint jobs; it's very "them" to offer a simple selection of colors for customers to choose from.
The finished frames are then assembled according to the customer's needs. Customers near Eugene often pick up their bikes directly from Bike Friday, but for those in other regions or countries, the bikes are neatly packed into cardboard boxes and shipped all over the world.
They are built to be sturdy, of course, but it is also worth noting that they have a system in place to repair and restore the bike in the unlikely event of any trouble that might occur during years of use.
This goes beyond frame repairs, as they also handle mechanical issues or component upgrades for complete bikes that have already been delivered. (If you have any trouble with your Bike Friday, please feel free to consult with Circles.)
With such an extensive lineup, deciding which Bike Friday to choose can be a very difficult task.
First, let's talk about everything related to your life—where you want to go and how you plan to ride.
From there, we decide on the model and the component assembly. The color is up to your preference. It’s the most exciting part of the bike-buying process!
Once the model and specifications are settled, we measure your height, limb length, and more, and place an order with Bike Friday to ensure it fits your body perfectly. About three months later, the completed bicycle crosses the ocean and arrives at Circles. We then carefully assemble each bike one by one before it begins its journey to you.
Through this series of steps, a bike that matches each individual's lifestyle is created. This is something only Bike Friday can do with small-wheeled, folding bicycles. Please take a moment to look at our order explanation page.