How did you like our previous post about the NEW WORLD TOURIST?
In this second installment of our Bike Friday staple bike series, we’re going to dig a little deeper into the ins and outs of small-wheeled and folding bicycles. It’s a bit of a long read, but it contains a lot of information that every cyclist should know, so please stick with us until the end.
Questions and doubts about small-wheeled bikes
First of all, there are some things we are frequently asked at the Circles shop.
For example…
Aren’t small-wheeled bikes slow?
Isn’t it hard to pedal them?
Aren’t they just for small people in the first place?
The answer to all three of these questions is "no." These kinds of questions stem from common misconceptions about small-wheeled and folding bikes, and they all really boil down to skepticism about the size of the wheels.
Most people—even cyclists—assume that smaller wheels are inferior to larger wheels in various ways, but there are actually many reasons why smaller wheels are just as good as—or even better than—larger ones.
Proper gearing is the key
First, just because the wheels are small doesn't mean you'll be slower or have to pedal more. Pedaling makes the bike move; it’s common sense, but the distance the bike travels per one rotation of the pedals is generally called "gear inches."
For example, if you were to build a small-wheeled bike with the exact same gearing as a large-wheeled bike, it would naturally have smaller gear inches and travel a shorter distance. However, high-quality sports-oriented small-wheeled bikes like Bike Friday are designed to compensate for this disadvantage by utilizing higher gear ratios.
The POCKET ROCKET we’re introducing this time is a road bike concept for small-wheeled bikes, so by using a large 53T chainring in the front and an 11T smallest cog in the back, it is possible to achieve gear inches comparable to a standard 700c road bike.
Small wheels are actually efficient
Small wheels require fewer spokes to achieve the same stability as large wheels. Naturally, fewer spokes result in less air resistance and lighter weight, making for a snappier ride.
In fact, there have been many scientific studies on this in the past. These tests have shown that small wheels are more efficient than large wheels at speeds up to 25 km/h, maintain similar efficiency between 25 km/h and 52 km/h, and only become less efficient at speeds exceeding 53 km/h.
So, unless you are riding in the lead pack of the Tour de France, you should be able to ride happily with your fellow cyclists on just about any group ride.
Small wheels accelerate fast and handle well
Generally, when riding in urban areas, quick acceleration and nimble handling are very important for safety. As mentioned, small wheels are lighter than large wheels, so they accelerate faster and have a lower moment of inertia from a stop. This makes maneuvering through busy intersections or avoiding collisions much easier. Furthermore, the smaller the wheel, the more responsive the steering, allowing for quicker decision-making. Also, small wheels have higher contact pressure per square centimeter, which improves tire tracking on the road, making them effective on wet surfaces or in sharp corners. You do need to be careful when navigating bumps, however.
Small wheels are strong
Small wheels can go as fast as large wheels, but they are also surprisingly strong. The strength of a wheel depends not only on the quality of its construction but also largely on the length of the spokes. The longer the spoke, the more flexible it is, making it easier to bend or break. Consequently, as seen with BMX bikes—the gold standard of bikes with small wheels and short spokes—they don't break easily even when you are jumping and hopping, and they can carry heavy loads. In fact, small-wheeled bikes are well-suited for long-distance touring fully loaded with gear, or even for transporting cargo and passengers.
Convenience of a low step-through and low center of gravity
Another feature that makes small-wheeled bikes suitable for touring or transporting children is their low center of gravity. The balance point of a small wheel is naturally lower to the ground due to the small diameter, and the lower it is, the more stable the bike becomes. This low center of gravity is a real blessing when you're loaded up with groceries in panniers, packed with camping gear, or carrying multiple children to daycare.
Also, because small-wheeled bikes have a low step-through design by default, it is very effective for maintaining balance. "Step-through" literally refers to whether you can stand in the middle of the frame, but conventional sports bike frames often don't achieve a full step-through. Because the top tube usually runs to the base of the seat, you have to tilt the bike and swing your leg over the rear, which can easily lead to a fall and risk injury to both you and the bike if it is loaded with heavy gear. The low step-through characteristic of small-wheeled bikes allows for easy, balanced, and safe mounting and dismounting. It also offers the major advantage of being easier for the elderly or those with reduced mobility to use. This is why "mini-bikes" based on the small-wheeled designs common in 70s and 80s Japanese city bikes were such a hit at the time.
POCKET ROCKET
My introduction was long, but you can think of the POCKET ROCKET introduced here as a road bike that can fold. Its performance shines even brighter on the road. Its acceleration, high frame rigidity, and stable handling rival those of large-wheeled sports bikes on long rides. There is also a higher-end model called the POCKET ROCKET PRO, which uses lighter, double-butted tubing and features a monostay rear end for even lower weight and enhanced responsiveness.
The Pocket Rocket was conceived by Bike Friday co-founders Alan and Hanz Scholz out of their love for road racing and their desire to make high-performance, custom-order sports bikes easy for anyone to transport.
While the feeling is a bit different from a 700c road bike, you can very comfortably "climb mountains," "descend mountains," and "cruise flat ground" at speeds other than professional racing.
Folding is, of course, simple. By releasing the quick-release levers under the seat and on the handlebar, it becomes quite compact, and if you further remove the front and rear wheels, it shrinks to the size of a standard shipping package.
Even though the Pocket Rocket is an amazingly light and nimble high-performance road bike, it can be folded in seconds and tucked away in a car trunk or a travel bag in a flash. Being able to take it with you on any trip will drastically broaden your range of action, and there is no doubt it will help you create the best memories with your bicycle.
Pocket Rocket Features:
- A road bike built for high performance, a nimble ride, and long-distance touring, featuring slightly larger 20-inch (451mm) wheels that excel at climbing.
- When folded, it reaches an astonishing size of 86 x 83 x 31cm (varies by frame size), making it easy to store in a car trunk within minutes.
- Because it is made-to-order, it is manufactured to perfectly fit cyclists from 140cm to 200cm in height.
- The Pocket Rocket frame is designed for riders up to 100kg.
- The Pocket Rocket Pro frame is about 907g lighter than the standard version and is designed for riders up to 86kg.
- It is so compact when folded that it can be shipped via parcel service. If you ship it to your hotel in advance, you can head to your destination empty-handed, ride, and come home just as easily.
Please contact Circles to place your Bike Friday order.