Folding Bikes - My Bike Friday NWT....

Hi Vik
do you know if this tensioner will work with rohloff gers?
About the tires I wear the schwalbe marathon plus never a flat tire I am now almost finish my tour in Asia (Laos,Cambodia Thailand some time very bad route)3000km, and the are very good tires
Greetings from ko sichang

The Surly Tensioner will work with a Rohloff - generally speaking. The only issue is that your frame needs to have room to allow it to work in "push up" mode as shown in my photo above. If you don't have this room you would end up mounting it "pushing down" and that doesn't provide enough chain wrap around the rear cog. In cases like that it is better to use a two pulley chain tensioner like the one made by Rohloff.

Marathon Plus are very puncture resistant hard wearing tires, but I'm afraid that's all the good things I can say about them. They are slow, heavy and give a hard ride. I personally haven't encountered a situation yet that would make me want to use them.

Sounds like you had a nice tour...:thumb: Congrats....do you have any photos online?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3446/3241209527_16b5cf3015.jpg

Here is a report on my latest upgrades to my NWT. (http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2009/02/03/nwt-upgrades/)

Hi vik
thanks for your advice,I will upload my images in this web www.colmanlerner.zenfolio.com but will take some time I think by the end of marz they will be online
Saludos
Gerardo

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3394976489_a4dd2201f9.jpg

Some updated pics...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3394978851_5b9a410ced.jpg

Added a JTEK bar-end shifter for Nexus 8/Alfine IGHs (http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2009/01/17/bar-end-shifter-for-nexusalfine-igh/)...messed with the gearing slightly......now 23t cog w/ 46T ring.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3394981269_925209c841.jpg

....needed an in-line barrel adjuster....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3394982639_791635ea79.jpg

...swapped in some Greenspeed Scorcher TRs...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3658/3395790018_960c00a684.jpg

....my last change will be to install some full coverage 20" fenders

Thanks for the updated pics--the bike is really looking good! Can't wait to hear about/see it in action:thumb:

Vik, you also own a Tikit dont you?
I cant decide between a Tikit and a NWT.... A NWT with a folding stem post (or whatever you call it) would solve it for me, as I think the NWT can fold just about as fast as a TIKIT, except for the stem removal!
what are your impressions comparing the two bikes? What are the major advantages/drawbacks of one over the other?

Vik, you also own a Tikit dont you?
I cant decide between a Tikit and a NWT.... A NWT with a folding stem post (or whatever you call it) would solve it for me, as I think the NWT can fold just about as fast as a TIKIT, except for the stem removal!
what are your impressions comparing the two bikes? What are the major advantages/drawbacks of one over the other?

Even with a folding stem [which is not available] the NWT would not fold as easily/quickly as a Tikit and the resulting folded bike would not be as easy to move around. The are both awesome bikes, but they are quite different. If you see yourself needing to fold your bike a lot I'd look at the Tikit. If you plan to tour/travel with your bike a fair bit I'd look at the NWT.

The way I'd look at it is the Tikit is an excellent commuter bike that you can tour on to some degree. The NWT is an excellent touring bike that you can commute on.

Tikit:
- great fold
- easy to move folded
- not as stiff as NWT
- not the same luggage capacity as NWT

NWT:
- okay fold
- excellent for packing on plane/train or car
- stiff ride
- feels like a full size bike to me
- same luggage capacity as a full size touring bike

If you have any other specific questions let me know.

Thanks Vik.
Regarding packing into a suitcase, does the Tikit fit into a similar suitcase (samsonite oyster) as the NWT? Is the folded Tikit smaller because of the smaller wheels or not really? How about weight? Would a Tikit with a Nexus 8 hub weigh more or less than a NWT with the same hub and similar parts?

Thanks Vik.
Regarding packing into a suitcase, does the Tikit fit into a similar suitcase (samsonite oyster) as the NWT?

Yes


Is the folded Tikit smaller because of the smaller wheels or not really?

I haven't really compared the folded size of the NWT and Tikit so I am not sure if the Tikit is a smaller folded package or not. My guess would be that it is slightly smaller, but not a lot smaller.


How about weight? Would a Tikit with a Nexus 8 hub weigh more or less than a NWT with the same hub and similar parts?

I don't really know for sure. This would be a good question for Bike Friday. My guess is that the Tikit would be a bit lighter, but I don't think the weight difference would be huge - say 1-3lbs using the same parts build on both.

Sorry for not being more specific, but weight and folded dimensions are not big priorities for me.

cool, thanks. Maybe ill get Walter to answer these questions.

cool, thanks. Maybe ill get Walter to answer these questions.

Good idea - he's very helpful and will have all the details at his finger tips. If you could post the results of your queries here I'd be interested to know the answers for curiosity sake.

walter sez the NWT and the Tikit weigh about the same. Im discussing getting an Alfine-equipped seasons Tikit with disk brakes front and rear, and the dynamo hub up front, which is something they have done before but gets pretty expensive!
That would be my dream bike though!
I'll just have to talk SWMBO into tightening our belts for a bit...

walter sez the NWT and the Tikit weigh about the same. Im discussing getting an Alfine-equipped seasons Tikit with disk brakes front and rear, and the dynamo hub up front, which is something they have done before but gets pretty expensive!
That would be my dream bike though!
I'll just have to talk SWMBO into tightening our belts for a bit...

Check out Gareth's Tikit (http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2009/03/01/gareth-dents-tikit/) - it's the one with discs and a IGH.

Yes! a real beauty!! Mine would have mech brakes, not hydros... I think the Avid BB7 mtn, which are supposed to be great.
I cant wait!

What are those fenders, and where did you get them? Do you have to take them off to pack the bike into its case?

What are those fenders, and where did you get them? Do you have to take them off to pack the bike into its case?

Those are Bike Friday fenders that I got from Bike Friday with my NWT. I don't have a case, but I would imagine you would undo the one bolt holding each fender and pack them separately.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3462545725_5d235e782f_b.jpg

I got my NWT out for a decent ride this AM when I had to drop off a car across town. I got to try out the Greenspeed Scorchers, revised gearing and JTEK Nexus 8 bar end shifter. Everything worked really well and the NWT feels like a different bike to ride. I'm glad I spent the effort to tweak it to perfection [for me and my needs].

The Scorchers are very fast and comfortable just like on my Tikit. The JTEK shifter is precise and a pleasure to use as it falls much more easily to hand than the Nexus 8 gripshifter did.

....my last change will be to install some full coverage 20" fenders


My experience with the front fender that ends at the fork is that at speeds around 15mph water is taken up and flung up in the air in front of you. I had 1.6-2.0 front tires and when I was pedaling at a brisk pace on wet road with drizzling rain I had as much water tossed up to torso height was was falling down. Basically I was riding into more water than was falling down. I'm not sure about your rear fender, the same one I attached was closer to the tire so maybe it didn't catch as much but it was just short enough that a small stream still shot up my back. Maybe with the higher mount on your rear fender it'll stop it.

Looks great Vik. Keep those pictures and reports coming! I'm very interested in this bike and the way you've customised it.

That rear rack looks like it needs a custom rack trunk to hang underneath it. Disregarding some twenty year old magazine study that said rear loads are more stable up high, is there any other reason to not have the rear panniers at the same height as the front ones?

That rear rack looks like it needs a custom rack trunk to hang underneath it. Disregarding some twenty year old magazine study that said rear loads are more stable up high, is there any other reason to not have the rear panniers at the same height as the front ones?

I'm guessing the rack is that height to allow for larger panniers to be carried on the rear. Aren't rear panniers usually higher than front ones? That's certainly the case on my touring bike.

hey Vik!
where can I see your Tikit with the greenspeed tires? so how are the scorchers on gravely roads, or unpaved footpaths?
are they puncture resistant?
and when, oh when will schwable realease the Big Apple 349 for the Tikit??

Vik,

I can't remember whether you addressed this before, but why did you choose the Ahead-style stem instead of the swan neck?

and when, oh when will schwable realease the Big Apple 349 for the Tikit??

Probably wouldn't make any difference: the Big Apple 349 would be 50mm wide, which is probably too big for the Tikit to handle. Even so, I have written Schwalbe asking for Big Apples in 349. You should as well.

The Scorchers are 40mm, which is close to the limit AFAIK.

Probably wouldn't make any difference: the Big Apple 349 would be 50mm wide, which is probably too big for the Tikit to handle. Even so, I have written Schwalbe asking for Big Apples in 349. You should as well.

The Scorchers are 40mm, which is close to the limit AFAIK.

+ 1 - Big Apples won't fit on a Tikit, but frankly the Scorchers are so much better that you won't miss the extra 10mm at all.


Vik,

I can't remember whether you addressed this before, but why did you choose the Ahead-style stem instead of the swan neck?

Honestly I didn't really think about it at all. Walter @ Bike Friday helped me spec the NWT and except for items I was uber concerned about I left it in his capable hands. One nice thing with the aheadset stem is I have room to adjust the cockpit for friends who I want to lend the bike to.


hey Vik!
where can I see your Tikit with the greenspeed tires? so how are the scorchers on gravely roads, or unpaved footpaths?
are they puncture resistant?
and when, oh when will schwable realease the Big Apple 349 for the Tikit??

I have used Scorchers on gravel paths - nothing excessive - just what you might find in any urban centre and they work fine. I wouldn't try aggressive turns with a slick tire on gravel, but for general riding there is no problem.

I haven't had a single flat with my Scorchers on my Tikit through a whole riding season. I live downtown and ride through all manner of debris on each ride. I do use the TR version of the Scorcher which is supposed to be more puncture resistant.

Photos here [not every photo is with Scorchers some are Schwalbe Marathons] (http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=9932605%40N08&q=tikit&m=text)


Blog posts about Greenspeed Scorchers. (http://viktikit.blogspot.com/search?q=scorcher)

Interesting. Do your bars split? Have you tried to pack the bike yet?

Interesting. Do your bars split? Have you tried to pack the bike yet?

I don't think my bars split and I have no plans to pack the bike into a suitcase ever. I'd rather pay the $$$ for a bike to the airlines and not have to bother with much dis-assembly. I like the folding feature for making the bike easier to store and transport.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3394976489_a4dd2201f9_b.jpg

My Bike Friday NWT once looked as minty fresh as the pic above (http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/tag/new-world-tourist/).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/5189295773_ca2141885b_z.jpg

Then I rode it a lot and it started to get a bit grungy...but I think it was last week's tour that really did her in (http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/sooke-potholes-tour/).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5189895310_36927fac80_z.jpg

Next sunny day I think I'll be getting out a bucket of warm soapy water.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5198143589_0c6614d748_z.jpg

And it's time for some full coverage fenders with long mudflaps!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5198734086_6acbf552c5_z.jpg

Next spring some fresh white bar tape is in order.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6109/6350028195_b9f75bded1_b.jpg

I'm sad to report that after riding my Bike Fridays on Greenspeed Scorchers for years I finally had my first Scorcher flat last week. I ran very a shard of glass that produced a slowish leak. This doesn't diminish my enthusiasm for these fast & comfortable tires, but it's too bad I'll no longer be able to proudly proclaim I've been 100% flat free on these tires...;)

Vik, congrats. It's a beautiful bike. The moral of the story (the bottom photo) is don't ride that bike close to zebras, or you'll be invisible. Why not go for a Pocket Llama? Yes, it's more expensive, but the wider tires would give nicer ride, and remembering some of your photos, you took your old NWT to some rough spots, too. It can never be bad to have a stronger frame, as well.

Why not go for a Pocket Llama? Yes, it's more expensive, but the wider tires would give nicer ride, and remembering some of your photos, you took your old NWT to some rough spots, too. It can never be bad to have a stronger frame, as well.

I'm running supple 40mm tires which are as wide as I want on this bike. If I had a PL I'd run the same tires. The PL has a higher BB which I don't want/need. The PL is Bike Friday's mountain bike/expedition touring rig...that wasn't what I was after hence I ordered a NWT.

Not speaking specifically about the NWT vs. the PL, but having an overly stiff frame is a definite detriment to bike performance as is having one that is insufficiently stiff.

OKIt is has been Vic's thread for 3 years, but since he updated it, my .02p

I got a PL this spring It's been the go to bike since.
an as is , someone else declined BTO
I only picked the stem and the clyde elastomer spec on the thudbuster.

not a harsh ride even with the heavy rider frame build options. seatpost takes care of that.

Disc brakes .. use the front with caution, they will stop the bike, but not the rider.


Came fitted with a Rohloff, and their spring chain tensioner .. have had the chain come off a couple times

I might try the rigid chain tensioner, see if it cures that, or play with a half link and the loop length tight.

there are 2 side plate length models of R'off tensioner, the shorter, for downhill Rear suspension bikes
putting the guide pulley closer to the cog may take care of the occasional jump.

though whole TW assembly , probably less than 1 DE piece..

That is why the majority of the bike industry is on that island ..

Not speaking specifically about the NWT vs. the PL, but having an overly stiff frame is a definite detriment to bike performance as is having one that is insufficiently stiff.

That's a very good point, Vik. I didn't realize this was an old resurected thread - I didn't pay attention to the dates. I thought you bought another NWT! :)

That's a very good point, Vik. I didn't realize this was an old resurected thread - I didn't pay attention to the dates. I thought you bought another NWT! :)

I just updated it with the GS flat report since it was on this bike and it makes sense to keep all the info for one bike in one place for historical purposes. I'm quite happy with my NWT and don't see any reason to sell it or buy another.