Folding Bikes - What To Upgrade

As would obviously be expected, travel + Rome's cobbles have been tough on the tikit over the last five months. I've had the derailleur cable break and lost a tube (break in the valve stem, not repairable); this, plus stupidity on my part, led to me losing the deraileur cable clamp and a somewhat unimportant but irritating part on the twist changer. And I'll probably need to replace the cable housing too; I've worn it down. Last but not least, gear 8 seems to be skipping. So the drive assembly is a bit flakey now.

I've also thrown on a replacement handlebar (got for free) to replace the original, which had developed an internal creak. And I've thrown on some temporary bar ends (to help change my hand orientation) which has gotten me thinking...

So when I get home next week I think it's high time for an overhaul. I plan on replacing the handlebar with something more swept (or adding better bar-ends); the entire rear cassette and maybe deraileur; and the gear shifter. And maybe a new seat (I have a $1 double-rail Brooks B-72, if only I can find a reasonably light old-style seatpost that'll fit). So WHAT to upgrade it with?

I think I'll stay away from an IGH: my bike has vertical dropouts and I don't want a chain tensioner -- after all the whole point is to get away from a derailleur-like device hanging down -- and I am wary of IGHs as I don't know how to repair them. They're too "magic" a technology right now I think. So I'm considering going Capreo.

Any recommendations for:

- A better seat?

- A new drive system? And should I replace the front chainring too?

- Handlebars? Particularly ones that won't affect the fold or bag cover?

- Stuff I should consider that I've not listed here?

While in Italy I've already replaced the cranks (got some 105s for free) and the stem (lighter, also free).

Depends on how much money you are looking to spend, right?

I find the 8 speed gear range limiting, so Capreo would be great. But that would involve switching to a 9 speed shifter in addition to the hub and cassette. Lots of money, even if you build the wheel yourself.

I have the Schlumpf drive on my Tikit, which gives me an equivalent of a front derailleur. Gear range is outstanding now. I'm happy with that setup, but it adds weight.

I personally do not think the Tikit needs a sprung saddle. I find the bike frame soaks up a lot of bumps. But I guess you have one already, so the only cost is the weight.

I have a Brooks B-17 and Cane Creek Thudbuster ST on my new Season Tikit. I'm very happy with this combination. IGH magic is over 100 yrs old.

I personally do not think the Tikit needs a sprung saddle. I find the bike frame soaks up a lot of bumps. But I guess you have one already, so the only cost is the weight.


Well, it's the least of the sprung saddles Brooks makes...

http://www.wallbike.com/jpgs/B72.JPG

Three upgrades to the Tikit that I don't regret and strongly recommend:

* Ergon grips -- I've thrown out all of my bike gloves (except the winter ones). Started with GP's, then switched to the GC3 model with bar ends. Vast improvements in control and comfort under rough conditions and the GC3s provide variety and let me stretch out a bit.
* Selle Anatomica saddle -- with this and some sports underwear I've thrown out all my chamois-lined bike shorts. I notice I now stay in the saddle over a lot more bumps.
* MKS Lambda pedals (quick release "superior" model with spikes added as shown on Rivendell's website) -- I've thrown out all my cycling-specific shoes.

All of these give me nice big, forgiving, and confident points of contact with the bike that have really transformed both commutes and longer rides (figure I live and work in an urban area with lots of rough pavement, unexpected bumps, etc., etc.). And they help make it feasible for the Tikit to be my only bicycle.

The grips with bar-ends do affect folded size. When I need a tight fold I loosen and rotate the handlebars at the stem and pull off the pedals.

I don't have the time or money to experiment a lot and so I cannot say for sure that other options wouldn't have worked equally well -- but I can say that my hands, butt and feet have all stopped complaining. Money well spent -- plus there are compensating savings since I don't buy gloves, shorts, or shoes just for cycling any more.

And thanks to many posters on this site who helped inform my choices.

> IGH magic is over 100 yrs old

Sorry, by "magic" I was using old computer science slang: I meant that it's technology I cannot easily repair myself, nor explain in halting Italian or Cantonese to someone how to repair. This makes me wary.

Hey BWP

Sounds like an awesome setup you have there. Its pretty much the same way that i will be going with my tikit.

1. I have a selle anatomica saddle on my surly big dummy and love it. Probably the most comfortable saddle ive ever ridden with. Even more so than a well worn in brooks. Im hoping to order one for my tikit real soon.

2. Ive got a set of ergon grips on my tikit as well. Their great and comfortable for longer rides. I always thought i would never love flat bars but with ergons im slowly changing my mind.

3. Im really curious about the lambda pedals. Ive been searching for a while for the best pedals for my tikit. So far the winner is the lambda. I like the big platform and also the new quick release that doesnt need clips.

Ive got a question for you, how is the grip on the pedals before you added extra spikes? Also do you have any pictures of your bike, id love to see them.

Thanks!

2. Ive got a set of ergon grips on my tikit as well. Their great and comfortable for longer rides. I always thought i would never love flat bars but with ergons im slowly changing my mind.

That's encouraging. I just put a set of Ergon GX1s on my Tikit.

Karith --

Regarding the Lambda/Grip King pedals -- before adding spikes it was love-hate. They were great with the right shoes (ones with relatively flexible, sticky soles) and in the right weather (dry). But change either shoes or weather and the experience was sorely lacking. Very frustrating since the platform felt much better than any other pedal and I wanted quick release (I had already abandoned clip-in pedals and bicycle-specific shoes -- I have wide feet and my knees are happiest if I move around on the pedals on longer rides). With the spikes the Lambdas are 100% love.

I agree with the experience re: Ergon grips and flat bars. When I switched to mainly riding a folding bicycle I really missed drops. Except during long struggles into headwinds I don't miss them much any more (and even less so now with the GC3 Ergons).

I expect I would like the several components I mentioned on any bicycle, but I love them on a folder. For the kind of riding I do, I like the responsiveness and road-feel that a small-wheeled bicycle provide. With these points of contact with the bike I find I avoid any compromise in comfort or sense of control.

One change I have not made (despite reading many positive reviews) is to Greenspeed Scorchers. I am tempted but I ride across construction sites, sharp gravel, discarded cooking oil, etc. every day and the resilience of the stock Marathons and having a bit of tread are more important to me right now than the speed and additional comfort reported by Scorcher users.

Relative to the original poster's questions, I am also very happy with an IGH (Alfine) and a dynamo light set-up (SON hub + Supernova) but can't add anything about them specific to the Tikit or folders in general. They work well on a bike I have tried to optimize (first) for reliable, low-maintenance, year-round commuting and (second) light touring. But again I haven't tried alternatives to the specific products so can't offer comparisons.

Sorry I don't have any pictures.

Regards.