iXi Bike: Thoughts?
 

Does anyone here have an iXi bike? I am currently considering one to ride around the neighborhood, to the hospital for volunteer work, maybe to school, or to nearby shops.

Here are some questions for those with it.

1. How does it ride? Smooth, bumpy...etc
2. How does it handle on hills, and other inclined stretches of land?
3. How does it compare in speed to other bikes?

Thanks.

como?

for those who do not know about this, here is the link to the main site. http://www.ixibike.com

It would be interesting to see how well a belt drive would really work under hard use on a standard frame. They seem to do pretty well on motorcycles and in engines...

I checked their web site, it's sort of a hybrid folder with a Strida-type drive train, 4-speeds and a better bottom bracket, a more conventional folding bike form, and what I think is an unconventional disassembly system. The 16 inch wheels will probably not ride as smooth as 20" or bigger, but like any bike if you ride it regularly you sort of tune into it.

:)

Sounds like a bad idea to me. Non standard bike parts. could be a problem later. The folder guys will surely suggest another brand with standard parts that any bike shop can service.

I was thinking the same thing. Some non-standard bike parts. It looks really pretty though, I would probably own one if I had the money to spare. I was gonna complain about the practicality of the said bikes but broswed through the website and saw fenders, baskets, rear racks etc.

I have no use for that bike - but there is a number of people that avid folder riders

Wow, I saw a prototype of that bike in a design magazine last year. I didn't know they were actually selling them.

It looks really expensive for what it is. If you want to ride around the neighborhood, do some shopping, and short commuting, you can get a nice hybrid for 300 bucks. You can get a used hybrid on craigslist for 100.

The iXi bike is a nice design concept, and I like their iPod-like marketing. One big problem: the most important consideration when buying any new bike is fit. This bike comes in only one size, and you can't test ride before you buy.

I'd love to see that belt drive in action.

I do not have an Ixi bike. But I have 2 folders-one 20" wheel and one with a 16" inch wheel (a Brompton). In general, a 16 inch is fine for what you intend to use it for- around the neighborhood, the hospital for volunteer work, school, or nearby shops-providing there are not too many steep hills As for your last question: 4. The ixi bike has 16 inch wheels. For those with 16 inch wheel bikes, how does a 16 incher feel? Is it really bumpy, unstable,...etc. It can be when you ride on poorly maintained streets, steep hills, or extreme distances. Then a 20 inch is better for navigating these extremes. My suspension system on the Brommi does smooths out the roads nicely even without a sprung saddle the other two bikes have. I never found either bike unstable-after I got used to it. "Feel" is very personal and subjective. These little bikes are very similar to my 26" Phillips in speed and far better in manuverability. They remind me of the old classic 1960's Mini Cooper. The vehicle in question does not look like much, but the ride is a big suprise and made me a lifelong fan of little vehicles-the feel is the same in a weird way. Make sure you can test ride a folder (or many folders) to compare and find a model that suits you the best.

Let us know what you decide to purchase.

The ixi looks great.

I must say, the belt drive + Nexus hub combo is a great feature.

What do you mean by "extreme distances?"

Personally I am not too keen on it. I looked at them before. They often come up on eBay or at least used to. I think it is definitely over priced like a Brompton. I have the 4spd Nexus internal hub on another bike and it definitely isn't what I would call the epitome of efficiiency. Mine makes sort of a grinding sound in 4th gear. It isn't bad but it isn't near as nice as my 7 or 8spd Nexus models. The basic bike isn't a folder so you need to get the break-away version. Even then it isn't a super compact package nor is it light weight either.

I do like the belt drive though and the front mechanical disk brake. For the same price and weight you could get a nicely equipped Brompton that has fenders as well and a wider gear range. The 4spd Nexus is about 174% if memory serves me correctly.

That bike looks like Mecha-Godzilla. :D

I used to own two ixi bikes and I am also a service center for them in NYC. They are cool little bikes. I think people buy them for the look and design. They are really not made for folding but they are well made. It offer a very nice ride not quite a 27 inch street bike but not too much of a compromise and you will get used to it fast. Since the ixi do not have shocks maybe slightly more bumpy than bike with shocks.

Since the ixi uses the Shimano Nexus 4 spd it does well on flat and minor rolling hill but maybe not steep hills. But, that really depends on your physical condition. Many people do long rides on a single speed so, 4 is probably plenty compare to that.

But one thing to keep in mind is the ixi bike has a very long reach (long stem). It is more comfortable for people 5’10 and taller. It has a long adjustable seat post probably good for someone up to 6’4”?

Hope this helps
www.bfold.com

There was a guy on Craigs list selling that bike for months and couldn't get rid of it. He stopped posting because it cost too much and he didn't want to take a bath. If I'm not correct, that bike cost over $800.00 USD! For crying out loud, get a Bike Friday if you're going to spend that much money.

The iXi-bike costs about 700 USD !!!!!! It looks more like a gadget than a real folder to me. For that kind of money, I own a new Dahon Speed P8 with lots of extras, or a Halfway, 2 DT's, a Xootr Swift(!), etc...

If you wanna throw away your money, fine! I'll take a REAL folding bike instead.

Oh, and I think the styling looks queer. :o

bfold, I've looked at these bikes before also. One thing I liked about them is how they use the frame for internal storage.... if I remember correctly, a rain poncho, maybe an extra tube, and the wrench needed to break down the bike. Does the storage cap lock in any way, or is it mostly a secret-compartment type of thing, "no one would think to look there"?

What do you mean by "extreme distances?" -Thacher

Extreme distances means different things to different people. In gerenal, it will probably depend most on your own physical conditioning, terrain, comfort, desire, lack of or availability of suspension anywhere on the bike, and other variables in deciding how long is a long distance ride is to you. For me, ten miles (one way) is now the maximum that I do in one day since traffic is so bad here in the Southern California urban center that I no longer get any real pleasure from bike riding on any of my bikes like I once did. For more discussion on long distances done by other riders, check out the thread on The Piccolo Commute Test.

Craigslist is free.

WOW! those are expensive the folding version is a thousand bucks! check out Dahon folding bikes I think they start at about $275 and go into the 1000's also check out Brompton bikes i've heard good things about those.

He doesn't mean it cost to much to list it for sale. He means the bike cost too much and he didn't want to take a bath selling it for below what he paid. For a grand on breakaway model, that money would get a nice Trek, Bike Friday, Dahon or any other higher end folder with better & standard parts.

its such a neat bike though.

i am a lover of aesthetics. and this bike, although overpriced, is aestically beautiful. I also have reviews, and they all are positive, and say that it is a great city bike.

I dunno, i guess it depends on the person. ;)

Bookishboy, you are correct it definitely have some cool storage places. I think if you like design and gadgets this bike is pretty cool. By twisting the bottom cap off the seat post it reveals tools, patch kits, pump and still space for other things.
By removing the front cap of the bike you will find a small area with a raincoat and an Allen key. There is also a back up bolt store away in the middle of the joint in case you loose the one that is holding the bike together.

http://ixibike.com/ixifeatures.htm

www.bfold.com

back from the dead! my brother bought one of these at a yard sale for $12.00 a few years ago with no seat post and seat. he hasn't used it so i decided to rescue it. i just ordered a new post and will update with my thoughts later. i have riden it standing up and thought is was great. it rides smooth and fast and the belt drive is pretty neat.