Bike Friday
American folding bicycle company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bike Friday is a manufacturer of folding, small-wheeled bicycles that is headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, United States.[1][2] The idea emerged when Hanz, traveling in Europe, rode a then-modern folding travel bike and found its performance unsatisfactory; he began experimenting with better designs, and together with brother Alan Scholz, they launched what became Bike Friday. By 2018, it employed 22 people and manufactured frames in Eugene and sold all over the world with dealers in 12 different countries.[1][3][4][5] Alan Scholz also founded Burley Design Cooperative in 1978.[3][6]
| |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bicycles |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Headquarters | , USA |
Key people | Hanna Scholz, President |
| Products | Bicycles and related components |
Number of employees | 22[1] |
| Parent | Green Gear Cycling |
| Website | www |
From the outset, Bike Friday adopted a philosophy of custom, high performance, rider-specific bicycles rather than one-size-fits-all, mass‑market folding bikes. The founders believed riders vary in size, riding style, and purpose and aimed to build bikes fitted to each customer’s morphology and use-case.[7]
Early models were conceived as travel/touring bicycles that could be packed into suitcases or trunks for portability. Over time, Bike Friday expanded to produce road bikes, touring bikes, commuter folders, cargo bikes, small‑wheel folders, and even tandems. Many of these designs maintained the portability ethos that defined the brand.[8]
Bike Friday was the only manufacturer of folding bicycles in the United States by 2018,[1] and many of the bikes they made were custom.[9] Some of the models produced include tandems,[10] one that can fold into a backpack,[11] commuter bicycles,[12] belt-drive bicycles,[13] cargo bicycles,[4][5] a mountain bike,[14] recumbents,[15] and even a folding, recumbent, tandem.
Time Line
- 1992 – Green Gear Cycling founded in Eugene, Oregon.
- 1993–1994 – First production travel/touring models shipped.
- Late 1990s – Introduction of performance-oriented small-wheel road bikes (Pocket Rocket series).
- Early 2000s – Launch of cargo-capacity options and Family Tandem Traveler.[16]
- 2007 – Launch of the highly popular Ticket[17]
- 2008 – Production reaches ~3,000 bicycles/year with significant export volume.[18]
- 2014 – Launch of Haul-a-Day adjustable long-tail cargo bike via Kickstarter. [19]
- 2015 – Recall of tikit commuter folder; leadership transitions to Hanna Scholz. [20][AI-retrieved source]
- 2017 – Equity crowdfunding stabilizes finances and funds updated product development. [21]
- Launch of the packiT
- Launch of the Diamond Llama
- 2021 – Introduction of the All-Packa, a small-wheel bikepacking model.
- 2024 – All-Packa receives major redesign: revised tubing, stiffer frame, updated fork geometry, expanded tire clearance.[22]
Sizing and Inclusivity
Bike Friday accommodates a wide spectrum of rider sizes. The Bantam model is designed for riders with short inseams; the company states it is “specially designed to fit little people with inseams down to 16 inches,”.[25] At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Pocket Series (New World Tourist, Diamond Llama, All-Packa and Pocket Rocket) as well as the Tandem Series can be built to fit riders up to 7ft Tall. Additionally the Diamond Llama folding/touring model offers a “Heavy Rider Upgrade,” rated for riders up to 330 lb (≈150 kg). [26] By combining custom geometry, adjustable components, and robust frame designs, Bike Friday ensures that riders of all sizes can ride efficiently and safely over long distances, reducing fatigue and minimizing the risk of injury. This inclusivity allows riders from extreme body types to participate in demanding touring and bike-packing activities without compromising comfort or performance. [27] Testimonials highlight the effectiveness of this approach; for example, a rider with achondroplastic dwarfism successfully completed a 30-mile city ride on a Bantam frame, demonstrating that small-stature riders can fully participate in long-distance cycling events. [28]
Global Reach
Bike Friday has developed an international reputation,[29] with a network of riders, dealers, and clubs across multiple countries. Company sources and online communities note active Bike Friday clubs and user groups in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, USA, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.[30] These local communities organize rides, share maintenance tips, and promote touring and travel with Bike Friday bicycles.
Beyond in-person clubs, Bike Friday has cultivated a global online community through social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, where riders share photos, experiences, and travel stories. The company also publishes a regular newsletter, highlighting new products, customer stories, and touring adventures, which helps maintain engagement across its international user base.[31][32]
Together, these clubs, online forums, and company communications contribute to Bike Friday’s recognition as a globally connected small-scale manufacturer with a dedicated following of riders interested in travel, touring, and folding-bike culture. By 2025, Bike Friday stated that 30–40% of its bicycles were exported overseas and that the company had customers, dealers, and vendors in 20+ countries. The company reported exporting to Asia (including China), Europe, and the Middle East[33]
