Bike Friday pocket rocket Swept bar conversion

I have had the Bike Friday Pocket Rocket for some years and its a great zippy bike which I took it to some memorable trips.  But now I find it too stretched and its getting harder to ride the road bars. Guess age is catching up and I find myself riding it less.  Also I realised I ride on the hoods like 97% of the time... 

And yes while I do like the look of BF pocket rocket with road bars.... it was not so comfortable to me now. 

Looking at my fleet of bikes, I realised the most frequently used ones are the swept back bars and so I decided to make the switch. Due to the folding nature of the bike, it required the cabling to be routed in a longer arduous way and it affected the STI shifting abit. So I decided to go back to the simple thumbies route... which worked all this time on my old other bikes.  Bike friday also had some trick part like the goose neck interrogate handle post.  I used a 35.4mm seat post, sawn off on the saddle mounting and tried it out. It works! The last few weeks was spent riding and resetting all the touch points.  Now its a zippy and comfy ride! 

BikeFriday Pocket Rocket folding method

For folks who love a spirited ride on smaller wheels. The BikFriday Pocket Rocket , PPR Pro are good options.  I have owned one since 2012 and you can read it here  they ride very well. 
But one of the "issues" are they aren't for everyday fold and go type of rides. Esp if u want it very quick. But if u have a BF Pocket Rocket, u have the option to "fold it and the gentleman above shows it very clearly. And he also added some straps so that the package is more stable. Check it out!

Packing Pocket Rocket for the Taiwan Trip

Work have been busy over the past 2 months and I can't believe we are actually going to go to Taiwan again!  Well before we have fun, the bike need to be packed... so this are the some of the shots as I put Pocket rocket into the box. The coming friday will be flying off.... so today better work at it..
Learnings: do it in an aircon room..

Stuff I bring along

Additional stuff to bring along based on the current assessment of weather forecast.
 1) Ortbliebs pannier bag(weather seems to be rainy.. so this will be a good place to keep camera and stuff dry)
2) Medical box - I always carry this on long rides and overseas trip.  You can never be too careful
3) Mini tool kit and 4, 6 mm allen key
4) Mini pump
5) Tyre sidewall patch. Pocket rocket is 451 size which is not so common. So this is insurance
6) Duranos - will swap to this if the road conditions are smooth.. so I use less energy to keep up with Encik and the faster Gonzales
7) Waterproof Jacket - Found it at Isetan Timberland booth.  Momo call this "Turd color" but it was well made like a Mammot (Sealed seams and hooded) and 50% discount. Will try this out on the ride
8) 2 spare tube of 451
9) Self design Collapsible flag pole to ensure cars see us.
10) wire lock to keep bike safe

Solved BF fender wagging issue but using brazing rod found at local hardware store

Brazing rod and a pair of pliers did this

bulky rear rack..  

"mummied wrapped"  rear rack

folding it

Salah.. take out front wheel first 

Take out pedals, put into plastic bag and keep with bike

Wrap and pad it. Esp metal to metal. I used velcro to hold everything together

Mummied Seat and seatpost

All in.. did I forget anything.... yah.. my wife just asked me... "waterbottle leh?"  

BF Pocket Rocket General Maintenance