Green Gear Cycling Bike Friday pakIT User manual

1
www.bikefriday.com800-777-0258 • [phone]
Using Your Bike Friday®
Green Gear Cycling, Inc.
3364 W 11th Ave. Eugene, OR 97402
800-777-0258 USA & Canada
[phone] Int’l • [phone] Fax
www.bikefriday.com • [e-mail]
version 3/4/14

2www.bikefriday.com 800-777-0258 • [phone]
Table of Contents
The story behind pakiT 4
The growth of pakiT 5
Anatomy of a Bike Friday pakit 6
Anatomy of a Bike Friday pakiT: Closeup 7
A Word on Safety / Your Tools 8
Congratulations / If You Need Help 9
Unpacking your pakiT 10
Assembly: Connect Frame 11
Remove Fork / Frame Spreaders 11
Install Rear Wheel 11
Install Front Wheel Quick Release 12
Easy Pack Mast 12
Using a Quick Release 13-14
Assembly: Reconnect Linear Pull / V-Brake 15
Adding Brake Cable Slack 16
Stem Safety Check 16
Mount the Stem Riser 17
Double Check Steering 17
Install Pedals 18
Double Check Your Bike Friday 19
Adjusting your pakiT: Frame Size 20
Saddle Height 20
Handlebar Height 21-22
Quill Stem Handlebars 22
Main Frame: Archer Technique 23-24
Main Frame: Gravity Technique 24-25
Main Frame: Two-Person Technique 25-26
Adjusting Headset 26-29
Packing in TravelCase: 30
Remove Accessories 30
Remove Pedals 30
Separate Main Frame 30
Remove Seatmast / Seatpost 31
Open Front and Rear Brake 31
Remove Front Wheel 32
Remove Rear Wheel 32
Install Fork Spreader 32

3
www.bikefriday.com800-777-0258 • [phone]
Table of Contents
Install Rear Wheel Dropout Spreader 32
Handlebars 33
Placing pakiT into TravelCase 34-36
Accessories: Travel Trailer Parts and Assembly 37-39
Dual Drive Hub Information 40
Bike Friday Service Overhauls 40
Bike Friday Service 41
More Maintenance Tips and Information 42-44
Airport and Travel Tips 45
Warranty Information 46-47

4www.bikefriday.com 800-777-0258 • [phone]
The story behind pakiT
A note from Bike Friday Co-Founder Alan Scholz:
Thank you for purchasing our Bike Friday PakiT. Your bike is
an example of the wonderful empowering relationships we
have with our customers.
Why we created the pakiT
More and more people are living busy lives in the city, stuck
inside buildings, trains, buses, cars and airplanes for 95% of
each day. We wanted to build a bike that clearly ts a busy
city lifestyle, while offering people more joy and health
with a super-convenient design that allows a bike to always
be with them wherever they are.
We believe people are happier and healthier when they
are free to roam under their own power, and do it daily.
The right bike is what makes this possible. For 21st century
city life, the bike needs to easily travel, be compact, light
enough to carry, sized to t the rider, and have a high qual-
ity ride. The pakiT, equipped with all of these traits, will
truly liberate a busy person in the urban jungle.
I hope you enjoy your ride,
Alan Scholz
A Bike Friday pakiT on tour
in Europe.

5
www.bikefriday.com800-777-0258 • [phone]
The growth of pakiT
We have found the limitations of most folding bikes are:
• Heavy - Hard to take up stairs, into buildings, onto pub-
lic transit.
• Have Greasy Chains - Hard to keep nice clothes clean.
• Come in Only 1 Size - Doesn’t t most people well for
regular riding.
• Few Gear Options - Hard to ride on hills or at a fast
pace.
• Proprietary Components - Makes customizing impossible
or costly.
The pakiT bike is a breakthrough that addresses
each of these areas:
• Light - Easily carried with a single arm, or in the back-
pack.
• Belt Driven - Grease free, maintenance free, lasts lon-
ger than a chain.
• Come in Multiple Sizes - Fits a wide range of riders from
54” to 76”.
• Many Gear Options - Great for whatever style of riding
you prefer!
• Standard Industry Components - Easy to upgrade & cus-
tomize.

6www.bikefriday.com 800-777-0258 • [phone]
Anatomy of a pakiT

7
www.bikefriday.com800-777-0258 • [phone]
Anatomy of a pakiT: Closeups

8www.bikefriday.com 800-777-0258 • [phone]
Extra Accessories
We also sell an extensive line of bicycle and travel
accessories. Whether you are riding the local back roads
or venturing into foreign lands we have the gear you need.
Call us for information on spare tires, tubes, replacement
parts, fenders, racks, bags, or other items to complete your
Travel System. You can purchase these products from our
online store: www.store.bikefriday.com
Congratulations!
You have just purchased the nest travel bicycle available
today. Your bike has been carefully designed and con-
structed for your personal travel needs. All of our bikes are
manufactured in our Eugene, Oregon factory by real
cyclists who care about our customers and our products.
Please take your time reviewing this manual before you
assemble your new Bike Friday. You will nd your new
bicycle to be simple and reliable anywhere you go!
More Information
To check out our products, nd other useful information,
discover Bike Friday events and Yak with other Bike Friday
owners on the bulletin board, go to our main website at:
www.bikefriday.com
Blue skies and happy trails from Green Gear Cycling
If You Need Help . . .
If you need technical assistance with any Green Gear®
Cycling product, or are unclear on the proper operation of
your Bike Friday, please call us and a Service Technician
will help you get back on the road. Our toll-free number in
the US and Canada is 800-777-0258; international is +1-541-
687-0487. Normal business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays,
Pacic Time. You can also email service questions to
[e-mail].
Because we understand the needs of world travelers, we
offer 24-hour technical support in emergencies. If necessary,
please call our regular number and our answering service
can forward you to a Service Technician on call.
Welcome to the Community

9
www.bikefriday.com800-777-0258 • [phone]
A Word on Safety
Bicycles are a lot of fun, but improper use can result in
harm. Please, always ride safely!
• Always wear a helmet.
• Follow the rules of the road, and be courteous.
• Use front and rear lights after dark.
• Dress appropriately for the weather, the season, and
lighting conditions. Be seen!
• Always carry a spare tube, patch kit, pump and a tool
kit.
• Keep your bicycle in good shape.
• Check your tire pressure before every ride.
• Make sure all quick releases are secure.
• Have your bicycle routinely serviced for trouble-free
travels.
Your Tools
All Bike Friday bicycles are delivered with a com-
bination 5/6mm S-wrench [right] that is attached
to your water bottle cage. This wrench should
get your new bike on the road (along with your
own pedal wrench). Leave it in your bottle cage
so that you always have it handy.
All bikes ordered with
a TravelCase™ suitcase
also come with a tool
pouch [right]. In the
tool pouch you will nd
some cotton gloves to
keep your hands clean,
a folding tool set, and
a 4mm ball-end driver.
We also sell more
extensive tool kits for
home repair work. We
encourage you to learn
how to work on your
own bike. If you are not
familiar with bicycle maintenance, consider taking a local
class. It will improve your condence and self-sufciency as
you venture across the globe.

10 www.bikefriday.com 800-777-0258 • [phone]
Unpacking your pakiT
Unpacking Your PakiT From a Box or TravelCase
Opening your box or TravelCase may present an intimidat-
ing sight, particularly if you ordered many accessories.
Do not worry; we work hard to keep our products as
simple as possible. We recommend nding a quiet area
and some room to spread out.
This manual will address the fundamentals of packing,
assembly and adjusting techniques. However, because
your bicycle was built for you, you might discover that
your bike was packed at the factory slightly different than
the one in this manual.
You do not, however, have to repack your bike in exactly
the same fashion as this manual suggests. You may nd a
better way of stowing your accessories and we encourage
you to experiment.
Your PakiT should only require minimal assembly. It will
take approximately 15-45 minutes and require a basic
level of technical skill.
You will need a 5/6mm hex wrench (included), a 15mm
open wrench (or pedal wrench) and a pair of scissors (or
better yet wire cutters, snips or diagonal cutters) to cut
zip ties.
Take care not to damage the frame while cutting zip ties.
[Note: Depending on the components you have purchased
with your Bike Friday, your specic model may require
other tools for adjustments.]
Temp pic!

11
www.bikefriday.com800-777-0258 • [phone]
Open the box or TravelCase and remove the bike from the
container. Remove the bubble wrap or felt covers and lay
the disassembled bike out on front of you.
Connect Front and Rear Frame Sections
With a hand holding the front and rear sections respec-
tively, insert the front (male) section into the rear
(female) section of the main frame. Ensure that the snap
/ spring button slips into one of the 4 holes.
Install the Rear Wheel
Release (spread open) the rear brake and make sure you
are in the highest gear (largest #) on the right side (rear)
shifter. [SEE PAGE 12 FOR BRAKE RELEASE OPERATION] To
install the rear wheel, grasp the derailleur body and pivot
it backward to make it easier to insert the wheel into the
dropouts. When putting the rear wheel into the dropout,
align the chain with the smallest cog of the cassette.
Fasten the rear quick release skewer (or rear axle bolts on
a Dual Drive hub).
Assembling your pakiT
Fig. 2 Grasp Derailleur body. Fig. 3 Fasten quick release.
Remove Fork/Frame Spreaders
The PVC tubing in between your
fork legs and rear dropouts are
intended to help prevent damage
when traveling. They are held in
place with wheel quick release
skewers. Open the quick release,
unthread the knurled nut, and
put the spreaders in the tool
pouch for future use. Fig. 1 Fork speader.

12 www.bikefriday.com 800-777-0258 • [phone]
Assembling your pakiT
Install Front Wheel QR
Open the front brake release,
then position the front wheel
making certain that the wheel
axle is fully seated in the front
dropouts.
Now install the quick release
from the fork spreader on the
front wheel. Make certain that
there is one spring per side of
the hub axle and that the small
end of the spring is pointing
toward the center of the hub.
Loosely thread on the knurled
nut for now.
Fig. 4 Front Wheel QR.
Mechanic’s Tip: If you are ever unsure of the proper
direction of the front tire, looking down at the tire,
the tread should be oriented so that it is pointing for-
ward. Often the tread is in a arrow-ish pattern and this
makes it easy to point it in the forward direction. The
quick release levers, front and back are to be placed on
the non-drive side of the bicycle.
Easy Pack Mast
The PakiT bicycle models have a seat-
mast that telescopes out of the lower
seat tube. Install the seatmast into the
seat tube. Note the minimum insertion
mark etched at 4” from the bottom on
the mast. This is the minimum amount
of the mast that must be inserted (over-
lapped) in the frame. Tighten the bolt
on the seatmast clamping collar.
Fig. 5 Insert
seatmast.

13
www.bikefriday.com800-777-0258 • [phone]
Using a Quick Release
Using Those Nifty Quick Releases
On a cold and snowy day in the 1927 Gran Premio della
Vittoria, a tired and numb Tullio Campagnolo struggled
with the frozen wing nuts on his rear wheel while trying to
change gears. In a moment of frustration and inspiration
Campagnolo envisioned the modern quick release. The
bicycle world was transformed.
The quick release is one of those simple but great inventions
that really makes life better. However, if used incorrectly,
you can potentially endanger yourself. Although a reliable
and safe product, some people have been injured because
they didn’t know how to properly use this elegant device.
Your Bike Friday PakiT has several of them. If you are not
familiar with their operation, PLEASE study these directions
carefully. If you are still unclear on their operation, call us or
contact your favorite local bike shop before you ride!
Quick Release Operation
A quick release is a simple cam with a lever that swings
through an arc that is square to the axle. As the lever moves,
the cam clamps the wheel to the frame, or secures the frame
joint. It is not a wing nut to be rotated around the axle.
The tension on the quick release is controlled by how tight
the knurled nut on the other end is set. Only wheel quick
releases have the small cone-shaped springs. Note that the
small ends of the springs face toward the center of the hub.
Quick Release Maintenance
We recommend adding a few drops of light oil to the lever
where it enters the cap several times per year. This will
keep your quick release working smoothly for years.
Open
Close
Knurled Nut
(adjust tightness here)
QR Lever
(Loose)
(Starts getting
tight here)
(Stiff)
Springs
Cam

14 www.bikefriday.com 800-777-0258 • [phone]
Using a Quick Release
Double-Check!
Ideally, the quick release
lever should be facing
the rear, or upward.
Levers that are facing
forward can catch on any
number of things and be
accidentally opened. Fig. 8 Closed QR points toward rear.
Adjust Knurled Nut
With the wheel installed
and the axle properly
seated in the frame (or
the frame joint closed),
position the quick release
lever so that it is in line
with the axle. Then turn
the knurled nut on the
other side clockwise until
it is snug. When the quick
release is properly adjusted, you should be able to freely
swing the quick release lever for the rst half of its arc, at
which point the lever should offer resistance.
Fig. 6 Quick release operation.
Continue Closing QR
Using the palm of your
hand press the quick
release lever through the
rest of its arc until the
lever is closed and parallel
to the wheel. You should
feel very rm resistance
when the quick release
is properly adjusted (the
lever may even leave a
light imprint in the palm of your hand).
Fig. 7 Setting quick release tightness.

15
www.bikefriday.com800-777-0258 • [phone]
Assembling your pakiT
Reconnect Linear Pull
Brakes / V-Brakes
To close the V-brake to the
riding position, while fac-
ing the brake, with your
left hand (index nger and
thumb), grab the noodle
carrier and with your right
hand grab the noodle and
slip the noodle tip into the
slot on the noodle carrier.
If you cannot get enough
“slack” to put the noodle
tip into the noodle holder,
then the brake cable may
need to be loosened a
bit. See the next step for
instructions to add some
slack to the cable. Repeat
this procedure on the rear
brake.
Mechanic’s Tip: Sometimes
the cable housing can come
unseated either where it
enters the noodle or where
the housing enters the
brake lever barrel adjuster.
If the housing is unseated,
it will not be possible
insert the noodle tip into
the noodle holder. In fact,
it will make the process
quite frustrating; make
sure the housing is properly
seated at both ends.
Fig. 9 V-brake open.
Fig. 10 Grab the noodle carrier.
Fig. 11 Slip noodle into slot.
Fig. 12 V-brake closed.
NOODLE
NOODLE
CARRIER

16 www.bikefriday.com 800-777-0258 • [phone]
Adding Cable Slack
to V-Brakes
To increase slack in the
brake cable, you can turn
the barrel adjuster on the
brake lever. The barrel
adjuster is the knurled
bolt that the cable hous-
ing goes through as it
enters the brake lever.
Turn this adjuster clock-
wise (inward toward the
brake lever) to loosen the cable. Conversely, if you want
to bring the brake pads closer to the rim to compensate for
cable stretch from use, unscrew the barrel adjuster away
from the brake lever. Note: Some models may have a lock
nut on the adjuster, which will need to be loosened rst.
ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK YOUR BRAKES BEFORE RIDING.
Fig. 13 Brake barrel adjuster.
Barrel
Adjuster
Assembling your PakiT
Fig. 14 Stem pin.
Stem Safety Check
If you look carefully at the base of
your stem from the underside, you will
see a pin hidden under the clamping
collar. This pin must engage the slot
in the back of the fork’s steerer tube
(the unpainted tube sticking up from
the frame’s headtube.) Additionally,
the stem should be fully seated onto
the fork steerer tube.

17
www.bikefriday.com800-777-0258 • [phone]
Mount the Stem Riser
Slide the bottom of the stem
riser onto the fork steerer
tube, keeping the stem riser’s
lower clamp forward so the
hidden stem pin will engage
the slot in the fork. Gently
press the stem all the way
down. You should feel it
“bottoming out” on the end of
the slot. Once the lower stem
riser is in place, tighten lower
stem riser bolt. NOTE: Do not
adjust the locking headset
spacer.
Assembling your PakiT
Fig. 15 Lower stem riser.
Upper Stem
Riser Bolt
Lower Stem
Riser Bolt
Locking
Headset
Spacer
Double Check Your Steering System Integrity:
Now is a good time to double check your steering system.
Try standing in front of your bike with your front wheel
between your legs. Twist the bars to make sure everything
is secure, that the bars do not turn independent of the
fork /front wheel.
Fig. 16 Mounting stem
riser, part 1.
Fig. 17 Mounting stem
riser, part 2.

18 www.bikefriday.com 800-777-0258 • [phone]
Pedal Thread Directions
Bike pedals have two dif-
ferent thread directions.
The right pedal has a
right-hand (clockwise)
thread, and the left pedal
has a left-hand (counter-
clockwise) thread. Pedals
are usually stamped with
an R or L on the pedal
axle near the threads.
Always grease your pedal
threads on new pedals
before their rst instal-
lation.
Fig. 18 Pedal tightening for drive side.
Reverse direction for non-drive side.
Loosen
Tighten
Installing Pedals
Mechanic’s Tip: The quick and easy way to remember which
way to thread your pedals on is applicable to either side of
the bike [SEE PHOTO ABOVE]. You can put a wrench on the
pedal’s wrench ats, and using a back pedaling motion will
screw the pedals on. Use grease before threading pedals.
Note: We recommend starting thread engagement with your
hands instead of a wrench (see below), so use this tip as
a practical way to know which way to begin threading the
pedals.
Thread in the Pedals
Using your nger, start the pedal threads into the proper
crank arm. Be careful not to cross-thread the pedals! Once
the pedal threads are started, you may use a wrench to n-
ish threading them in, and then tighten securely.
Mechanic’s Tip: The threads on a pedal are steel (hard) and
the threads on a crank arm are aluminum (soft). It is very
important that the pedal is tightly secured to the crank arm.
With grease on threads there is no need to over tighten. If
the pedals are not tightly secured, the “slop or play” in the
connection will allow the steel threads to rip out the alu-
minum crank threads. Your bicycle may have shipped with
a set of pedal washers. For some cranks, the use of the
washer in between the pedal and the crank arm creates a
more solid and secure base or foundation for the pedal to
contact the crank arm with. If included, use them!
Assembly: Pedals

19
www.bikefriday.com800-777-0258 • [phone]
Double Check Your Friday
Double Check Your Bike Friday!
At this point your bike should be ready to ride. However,
before you ride away, be sure to double-check your assembly.
• Are the handlebars tight?
• How about the stem and pedals?
• Are the quick releases all secure?
• Is the saddle secure and at a reasonable angle?
• Are the handlebar and control levers in a proper place
and clamped tight?
Although we always inate the tires at the factory, check
your tire pressure for proper ination. Under-inated tires
not only wear faster and are more prone to ats, but they
also add rolling resistance.
Be sure to have at least the 5/6mm S wrench in the mono
tube bottle cage for quick roadside adjustments. If you have
the folding tool, take it with you. You will probably want to
stop and adjust saddle height and the angle, as well as per-
haps adjust a few other items during your rst ride or two.
Mechanic’s Tip: Grease is your friend. Be sure to keep a light
lm of grease on any intersecting bike parts. This will help
to prevent corrosion, facilitate disassembly, and eliminate
annoying noises. Areas include: PakiT Main Frame coupling
joint, seatposts, saddle rails, handlebars, stems, pedal
threads and seatmast. Doing this a couple of times per year
during routine maintenance should be enough. Wipe off any
excess or visible grease. Also be sure to lightly grease all
bolt threads on your bicycle as you repair or upgrade com-
ponents. Lubricating your bolts will allow you to adequately
tighten the fasteners and keep them from seizing in the
future.

20 www.bikefriday.com 800-777-0258 • [phone]
How to Adjust Your PakiT to Fit Each Individual Rider
The PakiT is adjustable to a wide range of riders. Adjust-
ments can be made to the main frame (frame size) as well as
the seatmast / saddle height and stem / handlebar height.
Frame Size: The PakiT frame can be adjusted between a 46
cm and 58 cm in 4 cm increments. Additional adjustments
can be made by swapping out the stem with one of a differ-
ent projection.
If you are comfortable with your current bike, you can use
that measurement as a guideline for your frame adjustment.
If you experience pain in your neck, shoulders, back or knees
from your current bike, you might want to go to a bike shop
that offers tting. They can nd the correct size to set your
PakiT to for a perfect t.
Adjusting your PakiT
Saddle Height: Proper saddle height is important in prevent-
ing injuries as well as increasing riding efciency and com-
fort. A rough rule of thumb method for determining proper
saddle height is when the pedal is in the 6 o’clock position,
your leg should have a slight bend in it with the ball of your
foot centered on the pedal, your knee almost fully extended
(but not quite). A quick way of achieving this is to raise your
saddle in small increments until you notice your leg is fully
extended in the 6 o’clock position and then lower the saddle
slightly. Rocking your hips to be able to reach the pedals
during the pedal stroke is to be avoided.
Special Feature: If you require the saddle to be lower than
the current lowest setting, you can purchase a shim and
seatpost from Bike Friday so the seat post is usable directly
inserted into the mainframe without the use of the seatmast.
Fig. 19 Lower Seatmast, shim.
Fig. 20 Lower Seatmast no
seatpost.