Folding Bikes - Rear Rack on a BF Tikit?

http://www.bikefriday.com/sites/default/files/images/WEB-blue-tikit07.jpg

I know the BF Tikit will take a front rack [1 pannier] and you can use the BF trailer with the Tikit. Will the Tikit accept a rear rack and standard panniers?

Have you tried e-mailing them from their site?

Their customer service is really good at answering questions.

Have you tried e-mailing them from their site?

Their customer service is really good at answering questions.

Nope. I'm going to call them tomorrow. I just thought someone on Bike Forums might know so I'd ask here. I'll post the response I get from Bike Friday.

I know they have rear racks on their site but they don't list which bikes they fit...

Personally I'd love to have a BF Pocket Llama but, until a rich relative dies or I hit the lottery, craigslist is the best I can hope for.

Are you in a rush to get a tikit now? They're supposed to redesign the stem for less "flex".

Are you in a rush to get a tikit now? They're supposed to redesign the stem for less "flex".

The only thing motivating me to look into it now vs. next April is the 10% discount and free travel bag. That's about $200 off an $1100 bike. I've been balancing that against the possible changes they might make to the bike between now and May. I haven't made up my mind either way.

From what I understand, based on Alex W's, comments they've already changed the hinge on the Tikit to be less flexible. What have you heard about them redesigning the stem?

Thanks for the post I'd be interested to hear from anyone that has thoughts on likely changes to the Tikit in the short term.

From what I understand, based on Alex W's, comments they've already changed the hinge on the Tikit to be less flexible. What have you heard about them redesigning the stem?
If they're already incorporating the redesign, then that's great. I also read somewhere that instead of using two cables in the folding mechanism, they are going to use one thick cable instead; this cable is used in industry, but I forget which industry.

By the way, I think a rear rack will really hamper the fold - with panniers, even more so. That bike really looks like a front rack/Carradice bag in the back kind of bike to me.

this cable is used in industry, but I forget which industry.


Aircraft cable - previously it was brake cables, if I remember correctly. (From before the current "fly-by-wire" technology.)

By the way, I think a rear rack will really hamper the fold - with panniers, even more so. That bike really looks like a front rack/Carradice bag in the back kind of bike to me.

Yeah - I wouldn't use the rear rack and do any folding. I'd go with a rear rack when I wanted to fly/bus somewhere and tour for a while. For commuting I'd use a backpack and possibly 1 front pannier when I needed to carry a bit more.

They've said they're waiting on patent claim before releasing the rear rack. Front stem flex redesign has been retrofitted to existing tickits. The rear rack appears in some photos / videos, but OP is right in not finding it anywhere.

They've said they're waiting on patent claim before releasing the rear rack. Front stem flex redesign has been retrofitted to existing tickits. The rear rack appears in some photos / videos, but OP is right in not finding it anywhere.

Great thanks for the info. I don't need the rear rack until the spring - heck I don't need the bike until the spring, but the sale offer has me considering pulling the trigger now.

I have the parts to retrofit my Tikits with the new hinge. I haven't done it yet. Besides switching to an aircraft cable the new hinge is also beefier (using thicker plate steel for the flat portions).

I wouldn't put a rear rack on the Tikit. It'll make the fold quite a bit larger. We'll see what their planned rear rack looks like, maybe it solves this problem.

I really like the front platform rack that I've built for the Tikit and wish that I could point you to a commercial source. I'd happily give the design to Bike Friday if they had any plans to make such racks. I'm not insured to be selling this stuff and don't really have the time to make them in a semi-production setting.

I like that the stock rack lets you keep the bag on while folded, but don't really like single sided front racks. Any load really makes handling go downhill.

alex

I have the parts to retrofit my Tikits with the new hinge. I haven't done it yet. Besides switching to an aircraft cable the new hinge is also beefier (using thicker plate steel for the flat portions).

I wouldn't put a rear rack on the Tikit. It'll make the fold quite a bit larger. We'll see what their planned rear rack looks like, maybe it solves this problem.

I really like the front platform rack that I've built for the Tikit and wish that I could point you to a commercial source. I'd happily give the design to Bike Friday if they had any plans to make such racks. I'm not insured to be selling this stuff and don't really have the time to make them in a semi-production setting.

I like that the stock rack lets you keep the bag on while folded, but don't really like single sided front racks. Any load really makes handling go downhill.

alex

http://alexandchristine.smugmug.com/photos/189892164-M.jpg

Thanks for the info Alex and the Tikit posts on your blog (http://blogs.phred.org/blogs/alex_wetmore/search.aspx?q=tikit)...:) I'd only use the rear rack for tours where I'd fly/bus/drive to the start [bike can be folded w/ rear rack removed], then I'd assemble the bike [attaching rear rack] and ride away. During the tour I wouldn't anticipate using the folding feature of the bike, unless I was again prepared to remove the rear rack for a significant car/bus/plane leg.

The reason this is important to me is that I could add a significant amount of short tours to my summer if I could use the bus to get from my home in Calgary to a tour start and then ride back. At present I need to ship the bike at least a day ahead, fully boxed and pay an exorbitant fee for the bike. The combined hassle and cost has dissuaded me from these types of tours so far and trying to arrange a one way lift for me and my bike is a huge hassle - both for me and the person helping me out. The additional bike fees alone would pay for a Tikit in one summer - not to mention that it would streamline my commute considerably.

I might be able to get away with a single front pannier and a Carradice seat bag [I have a Barley in my spares bin], but if I had a rear rack I could definitely take along what I needed in three small panniers.

Alex I appreciate your situation with regards to the front rack you made. If BF or someone else takes you up on your offer to give them the design please let me know I'd definitely be interested in procuring one.

I spoke with BF today and all Tikits that are ordered will come with the upgraded hinge and the new heavy duty cable, As well they have a rear rack design for the Tikit they are just in the process of getting a production contract in place. Finally the sale on stock Tikits is generating quite a good response so if you want to take advantage of it I'd give BF a call in the not too distant future.

I have a Pletscher quick release rear rack on my Dahon. It slips on special studs that fit on 5mm fork eyelets and then clamps to the seatpost with a quick release. Thor sells them , pictures on his site

If you'd like a front platform rack for the Tikit then I'd tell Bike Friday when you place an order. That will only help drive interest. If you don't want one that is okay too, but my impression is that they build what people ask for.

For short tours a saddlebag plus large front bag carries more than enough stuff. I've done a few overnighters using just a saddlebag and moderate sized handlebar bag. I use a hammock and lighter weight sleeping bag for summer touring here (Seattle, WA).

The Tikit wheels are so small that there isn't a big downside to carrying gear over the wheels instead of next to them. An ideal rear rack design would be one that sat right over the rear wheel (like a Brompton rack) and then had a basket or bag that fit on top of it with a quick release. This would keep the same small folded size.

The Tikit has pretty low trail, so I think that it will handle better with front loads than rear loads. I haven't ridden it with more than about 10 pounds in the rear (using a Carradice-like saddlebag), so I don't have personal experience here.

alex

If you'd like a front platform rack for the Tikit then I'd tell Bike Friday when you place an order. That will only help drive interest. If you don't want one that is okay too, but my impression is that they build what people ask for.

I mentioned your front rack to them when I called BF and I sent them links to your blog Tikit posts. Hopefully that will spur some action???....;)

According to an e-mail I just received from BF, one version of a rear rack is now available for the tikit. It will take a racktop bag or other loads, but not panniers. (The pannier version is still in the works.) The great thing about this rack is it will the bike can pack in a suitcase with the rack on.

From BF:



A rear rack is now available for the tikit (http://www.bikefriday.com/tikit)TM! tikit (http://www.bikefriday.com/tikit)TM rear rack features:



Can haul things.
The Detours Teeco bag (http://detours.us/product_info.php?cPath=44&products_id=173) and several trunk bags fit on it. (We are developing more bags that will work in the future.)
Does not effect the bike fold.
Protects the rear fender.
The tikit (http://www.bikefriday.com/tikit)TM can pack in a suitcase with the rack still on it!