Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Bike Test

The Pocket Rocket claims to offer portability and performance. Steven Robinson is the man with the suitcase.

GREEN Gear cycling, manufacturers of the Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, aren't too happy when their creation is labelled merely as a folder. That's because it has aspirations way beyond the basic commute and carry duties typical of apparently similar machines. This is a bike designed for serious travel, distance no object. And when you get to wherever it is you're going, the Pocket Rocket is ready to ride on equal terms with conventional road racers in about five minutes.

Modular Design
EVEN if it can't be categorized as a typical folder, the Pocket Rocket nevertheless requires folding for effective transportation. Since the already steep asking price refers to the bike only, soft or hard cases are optional extras. The hard case is a quality piece of Pullman luggage from Samsonite, well up the abuse it's likely to receive at the hands of the world's various airlines. Everything packs away neatly inside without wasting space or shifting about. A sturdy pair of wheels and pop out handle are fitted to opposite corners of the case, so it doesn't really matter that the whole kit weighs about 351b.

With an optional linkage system and different wheels, the case even converts into a small trailer which would be ideal for longer tours. The case and trailer add £290 to the overall cost of the Pocket Rocket, although the soft case is a more affordable prospect at just £69. Although the Rocket doesn't fold up quite as small as a Brompton, for example, the design does benefit from an extremely fast build-up, take-down procedure. The main hinge is located behind the seat tube, controlled by a quick-release lever. This allows the seat tube and rear triangle to fold down across the central frame tube. Rear wheel removal isn't necessary, and threaded rods are added to protect the derailleurs. The seatpost comes out too, but it can be left in place should you prefer.

Moving to the head, the front wheel comes off and the bars split into two sections. The custom stem section must also be removed. again held by a convenient quick-release lever. Bikes with chainrings of 54 teeth or less need both pedals off, but the cranks stay put. All cables remain clamped in place, alleviating potential problems with gear indexing and brake pad position between strip-downs. I guess it all sounds a little awkward, but in fact it's fast and simple. The bike even comes with a Polaroid reference snap of itself just before they closed the case at the factory. Now that's customer care.

Custom Built
THERE are no standard sizes with the Pocket Rocket. Instead, riders are requested to fill in a detailed questionnaire so each bike can be custom built to order. This is largely based around the dimensions of your present bike, so the questions include stuff like saddle height, crank length and bar width. Green Gear also want to know about height, weight and inseam. The basic idea is to duplicate the position of your conventional machine. Questions about intended use and travel modes are also included, there's even a box to tick if you plan to go by canoe.

The frame is made from 4130 chromoly steel, TIG welded around a deep section central strut. Think of it as a cross between a top and down tube and you won't be far wrong. The seat tube is fixed to the back, above and below, with the rear triangle cleverly formed from two curved sections of slim tube. A couple of monostay structures bridge the gap between the two triangles.

The fork is a straight bladed design made from the same material as the frame. There's a relatively conventional head tube with a YST headset in place. The stem is more unusual, a swan necked design arching from the top race over the front wheel. Each one is specifically tailored to suit the customer's riding position, duplicating their standard bike's bar height and reach.

Frame additions are adequate. There's a single mount for a bottle cage and it is possible to add racks and mudguards. The cable routing is rather complex, but this doesn't seem to compromise the performance of either transmission or braking. The standard Bike Friday paint job is a one colour red, black or blue. Dazzle and Candy finishes are extra.

Tricky Transmission
GETTING the right gear ratios isn't easy with small wheeled bicycles. The normal rules don't apply. For racing, the solution is usually to fit a huge chain-ring, but that isn't really compatible with the folding concept. In this case, the problem has been solved by incorporating a three-speed hub gear from Sachs into the equation. With a single 48-toothed chainring and a seven-speed cassette. the Pocket Rocket therefore has a gear for just about any situation. It's a neat solution to what can be a complex problem. And if you don't fancy a hub gear, there are more conventional Campagnolo and Shimano alternatives on offer.

As things stand, the test bike's transmission is mostly Shimano 105, apart from the RSX dual control levers. The right hand unit controls the movement of the chain over the cassette as usual, but the left has the unorthodox task of shifting the hub gear. Performance feels smooth and precise. Braking also relies on 105 componentry, complete with all the usual benefits of Shimano dual pivot design.

The specification doesn't include pedals, so we added a pair of Ultegra SPDs for the duration of the test. The omission of a saddle comes as a greater surprise, so on went a Rolls with non slip stitching. The post is by Kalloy, finished in an easily marked black. Given the amount of times it's likely to be pushed in and out, silver would have been preferable. Scott provide the bars for Green Gear to chop in half, wrapped in comfortable cork ribbon The stem features a double bolt clamp with a central window for aligning the bar sections. A raised screw head provides the correct point of index, hardly the last word in sophistication but effective nonetheless.

Small Wheels
MISCONCEPTIONS abound when it comes to the way small wheeled bikes feel and handle. Basically, all you need to know is that the ride is generally harsher than the full sized equivalent, but the payoff is ultra sharp handling. A potentially more serious drawback is tyre choice. The Rocket rolls swiftly on 100 psi IRC rubber, the listed 1-1/4in width translating to an actual 24mm on the road. Rims are by Sun, laced to the hubs with 24 stainless 140 spokes. Apart from the Sachs rear, Green Gear go for a Shimano 105 up front, but again, customers can have whatever they want.

In terms of riding position, the Rocket is true to its word. Close your eyes and it feels no different to a conventional road bike There's no escaping the feel of the small wheels once on the move though, and the ride is quite harsh. An even cadence works best, the bike accelerates well, but it's also quick to slow down should you back off the pace. Pumping out of the saddle is also okay, although you should expect some flex from the tong stem section. There's no flex in the frame though, it remains solid through the bottom bracket area and rear triangle no matter what you do. So climbing, in or out of the saddle, wastes little energy input. Descending is a surprisingly stable experience too, the bike has a longer than average wheel-base and short fork offset to compensate for the small wheels.

Do You Need A Rocket?
AS a second bike for the globetrotting cyclist, the Pocket Rocket is invaluable. It will effectively duplicate the riding position of your existing race machine, and therefore lets you continue a realistic, uninterrupted training programme wherever you happen to be in the world. Unless you want to lug a regular bike around, the only other solution is a turbo trainer. The Rocket packs away and transports more conveniently than most turbos anyway. In fact, the only real drawback is price, and what your mates will say when you turn up on one, of course. But don't worry, the ribbing will stop as soon as you dive through the inside on the first corner to snatch the lead.