Folding Bikes - Just ordered my Season tikit!

Hi all!

So, I finally saved up my money and ordered the Season tikit... I'm just wondering if anyone here has one and what yout experiences have been... also, if you might have any words of advice; I'll be traveling with it on buses and planes for the better part of the year, so I'll be packing and unpacking it every week...
Thanks in advance! I'm so excited for Feb. 3rd to get here!

Terry :)

February 3rd? Put some socks on dammit! You're probably in Chicago.

Congratulations oboeterry! Over Christmas and New Year's I went to Florida and finally got a real chance to ride mine. I got in about 400 miles and am really happy with the bike. In the suitcase with a few tools and pump it weighed 44 lbs, well under the airlines 50 lbs limit.

Bike Friday sent me a pdf (Adobe Acrobat) file of how to adjust the drop outs. Unfortunately it's just over Bike Forums file size limit so I'll try to email you a copy or find some other way of posting it here. One little tool you'll need to get is a chain ring bolt wrench (see picture). In an emergency, a dime (both US and Canadian) will work on three of them. But the forth is so close to the hub that there's no room for a dime to fit in. That's where that wrench comes in handy. Also be careful when adjusting because it tightens the chain real fast.

Yay... The photo took this time. Here's the drop out sequence. It may seem complicated at first, but the more you practice it the more natural it becomes. Photo credit goes to Vik. But I put in the letters.

SEASON TIKIT CHAIN TENSION ADJUST

1. The wheel should be installed in the frame with the chain on the sprocket and chainring and the
hub nuts (A) tightened securely.

2. Loosen bolts (B and C) on both dropouts so that the
dropouts are able to swing.

3. Tighten screw (D) on the driveside with a 3mm hex key
such that the chain is tensioned (do not overtighten; spin
the crank to check for tight spots (high resistance to
turning).

4. Stand behind the bike and check the alignment of the rear
wheel to the plane of the bicycle frame – it should be in
line with the seattube of the bike. Adjust the left dropout
to achieve this (Note: this may require unscrewing the
adjustment bolt (D) and pushing the dropout forward.

5. When the adjustment of both chain tension and alignment
is good, securely tighten bolts (B and C) on both
dropouts.

6. Check that the brake pads are correctly hitting the rim,
adjust if required.

Now that I got some breakfast in me, I think I can clarify what I posted. BF includes a combo 6mm/5mm hex driver tool with the Tikit. Which works most of the bolts on the bike like adjusting the handle bars, the seat tube, and bolts "B" and "C". But you'll need a 3mm hex/allen wrench for the tension adjusting bolt "D" and the fender hoop/rack (if you got the fender or the rack).

On step 3, I'd tighten each side no more than a quarter turn ("D") at a time. Because, as I mentioned before, the chain gets tight really fast. The chain will be too lose, you tighten... still too lose, you tighten... still too lose, you tighten... a little bit loose, tighten some more... Way too tight, loosen the chain a little. The first time you adjust the drop out watch for this. Once you see it in action you'll understand.

For bolts "B" and "C", Bike Friday's tool will work, but you'll need that chain ring bolt wrench for the inside part. Otherwise, it will just spin as you tighten the outside part. A dime works, except a dime won't fit on the inside by the sprocket. I tried just pressing with my thumb, but that only slightly works. So I bought one on eBay for less than 6 bucks including shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-TL-FC20-chainring-bolt-wrench_W0QQitemZ200285738264QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

Sweet! Looking forward to its appearance on these pages.

I am a Pocket-Rocket owner... But welcome to the fold.

I'll leave the tikit specific advice to the ticket owners, but as a frequent flyer myself I can offer a few tidbits.

First off, sign up for the Bike-Friday "YAK" e-mail list There are some good people on that list that can assist you when needed. In addition Bike Friday also monitors the list.

The best advice I can give you is keep it minimal. Don't install a lot of junk because everything you install will have to be removed each time you pack. Probably the best way to have water and cargo space is just use a hydration pack. When empty it can be collapsed flat and packed easily. My favorite is the HAWG from camelbak.

February 3rd? Put some socks on dammit! You're probably in Chicago.

Congratulations oboeterry! Over Christmas and New Year's I went to Florida and finally got a real chance to ride mine. I got in about 400 miles and am really happy with the bike. In the suitcase with a few tools and pump it weighed 44 lbs, well under the airlines 50 lbs limit.

Bike Friday sent me a pdf (Adobe Acrobat) file of how to adjust the drop outs. Unfortunately it's just over Bike Forums file size limit so I'll try to email you a copy or find some other way of posting it here. One little tool you'll need to get is a chain ring bolt wrench (see picture). In an emergency, a dime (both US and Canadian) will work on three of them. But the forth is so close to the hub that there's no room for a dime to fit in. That's where that wrench comes in handy. Also be careful when adjusting because it tightens the chain real fast.

OK, I'll bite ... why do you need a chain ring bolt tool? I've owned two bike Fridays and I have never needed that tool. I know some BF models need to remove the drive side crank to facilitate packing. If this is what you are suggesting for the Ticket, then would it not be easier to just install a self extracting crank bolt and then remove the crank arm altogether? One big bolt is easier than five small ones.

But as I said above, I own a Pocket-Rocket and not a Ticket. So maybe this is something Ticket-specific I am not aware.

OK, I'll bite ... why do you need a chain ring bolt tool? I've owned two bike Fridays and I have never needed that tool. I know some BF models need to remove the drive side crank to facilitate packing. If this is what you are suggesting for the Ticket, then would it not be easier to just install a self extracting crank bolt and then remove the crank arm altogether? One big bolt is easier than five small ones.

But as I said above, I own a Pocket-Rocket and not a Ticket. So maybe this is something Ticket-specific I am not aware.

It's just for the Seasons Tikit's adjustable rear dropout. I think One Way Tikit (the fixed gear version) has the same type. The Seasons Tikit has an internal hub and to adjust the chain tension Bike Friday came up with a unique type of pivoting dropout. Two bolts (on each side) are very similar to chain ring bolts. It has nothing to do with the cranks or chainrings at all.

It's kinda of hard to see in the picture with the yellow background, but there is a silver metal plate that is the real dropout. It's hard to see the top part because it's the same color as the rear hub's flange. The frame is black so that's easy to see. You can make out the bottom part of the plate at "A". The plate extends all the way up to "B" (which is basically a chain ring bolt) where it pivots. At bolt "C" (another chain ring type bolt) you can just make out two gaps on either side. Those are part of a curved slot that allows the plate to swing forward or backward. Turning bolt "D" does the adjusting.

Sorry that it doesn't show up well in the photo. My hub is all black so any photo I take will be worse. But if you look closely, bolts "B" and "C' are chain ring type bolts. They are hollow in the center. "B" looks silver, but it's just the part of the hub flange behind it. "C"'s center looks black, but just the hub's rubber seal. And the photo doesn't show how thick the plate is. Bolt "D" is threaded into the side so it's got to be fairly thick to do that. I'll try to take some better photos. It's a very unique dropout system.

Yay... The photo took this time. Here's the drop out sequence. It may seem complicated at first, but the more you practice it the more natural it becomes. Photo credit goes to Vik. But I put in the letters.

SEASON TIKIT CHAIN TENSION ADJUST



Is this a 36 hole hub laced to a 24 hole rim? Is this standard setup?

Yes, Bike Friday has been doing 24 spoke 36 hole rims for years. My 1993/4 Pocket Rocket (serial number 2) has had a set of wheels like that since i bought it. They are basically bomb proof and by using a standard hub drilling it saves you and Bike Friday some money. Roger

Is this a 36 hole hub laced to a 24 hole rim? Is this standard setup?

Yes. Yes.

I hope these give a better idea of how the dropouts are setup.

hey Chuck (and everyone!),

Thanks so much for all of the great advice and pictures! (I'm in a show right now, so I can only reply so well on my Treo) I've bookmarked this thread so that I can refer to it when my tikit arrives :) I'll also ask my tikit agent (Peter) about the tools you mention, as it's supposed to come with the tools required for disassembly, and I'm guessing that they didn't take the Season tikit's internal hub into account and have just been including the tools for the other tikits.
Thanks again!

Terry :)

February 3rd? Put some socks on dammit! You're probably in Chicago.

Congratulations oboeterry! Over Christmas and New Year's I went to Florida and finally got a real chance to ride mine. I got in about 400 miles and am really happy with the bike. In the suitcase with a few tools and pump it weighed 44 lbs, well under the airlines 50 lbs limit.


Ha! You still remember my no socks in Cincy, huh? Oh well ;-P No, we've actually been in Fayetteville, AR (though we'll be in Nashville all next week)... still not wearing socks! :-D
Thanks for all of the info regarding packing it for flying... mine may weigh a little more, as I got all the bells and whistles (fenders, rear rack, Thudbuster), but I'm hoping it will still come in under 50lbs!
And congrats on getting to put some miles on your tikit! :-D I really appreciate you letting me try yours, practically out of the box! Take care and I look forward to chatting more soon!

Terry

I'll also ask my tikit agent (Peter) about the tools you mention, as it's supposed to come with the tools required for disassembly, and I'm guessing that they didn't take the Season tikit's internal hub into account and have just been including the tools for the other tikits.

Oohps, my bad. I just recalled that BF sends it with a multi tool that has a 3mm allen wrench. Since I already had one when I got a NWT, they didn't send another set with the Tikit to save me a few bucks. Sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare you there Terry. But you'll find the chainring bolt thing helpful. So six more bucks or never get a flat tire and that's it.

say unkchunk, is that a shimano alfine hub on your season tikit, or do they make a black nexus now?
i would spec mine out with the alfine for sure, if that is possible
er.. that is if i was even thinking about getting me another folder.....

It's a black Nexus. I didn't know that they came in black either. It's an SG-8R25 so it's the red band version, even though there isn't a red band. Personally I would have preferred silver, but there it is.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2700966271_f2ec551fa4.jpg

Congrats on the new bike. The Seasons Tikit is a great folder. I have one I use and loan to friends. It's rarely sitting idle as someone always wants to ride it. So far it hasn't needed any attention in the 6 months I've had it.

My main Tikit is a larger hyperfold 8 speed derailleur model. It fits me best so I ride it most of the time [the Seasons Tikit is a medium]. If I was starting again or my derailleur Tikit was stolen I'd buy a Seasons Tikit without hesitation.

Enjoy.

Congrats on the new bike. The Seasons Tikit is a great folder. I have one I use and loan to friends. It's rarely sitting idle as someone always wants to ride it. So far it hasn't needed any attention in the 6 months I've had it. [the Seasons Tikit is a medium]

Enjoy.


Hey Vik,

Thanks! I've read your entire tikit blog, man! ;-P Bike Friday should give you some kind of commission, because your blog is part of why I decided to go with the Season tikit :) They were having a half off accessories special when I ordered mine, so I'm having it painted racing green, with metal folding pedals, a nice gel saddle, fenders, rear rack, Thudbuster and Hyperfold! I got the F'lite case, too... half off, what can you do?!? :) Oh yeah, I'm having a 56 tooth chainring put on it, too (that's the largest they make a chainguard for :-/ ) so my top gear will be around 91". Kinda like a Cadillac Season tikit!
It should get to me around Feb 3-5... I can't wait! I'll post about it here (with pics, hopefully)... I'll be taking it on tour with me, I just wish that I was a blogging type!

Terry

Wow Terry that sounds like a sweet build...:thumb: Definitely send me some pics and a short write up of your impressions when you get the Tikit so I can put it up on my blog.