Pinigis 

I had one of these for a while until someone begged me to sell it. I know it looks a little unusual, but it was actually ridable (I would not suggest too many miles) and fairly comfortable.

I am thinking about distributing them here in the U.S., and I am looking for feedback. Let me know what you think.

cplager

How much do they weigh? (And approximate cost?)

I'm assuming no gears (although it could have IGH?)

Small is good if it's still rideable...

Pinigis 

The bike weighs about 27 pounds. It is a made of steel and has a very complex folding mechanism that adds weight.

Single speed. It has a chain drive on the left side that turns a belt drive on the right side to the rear wheel. This is necessary for the rear wheel to fold up. It would be difficult to add and IGH.

I paid $650 for mine (including shipping), but if I order them in bulk I can sell them for $350.

They fold up incredibly small...six of them will fit in the trunk of a compact car! It even has an adjustable rear suspension!

ratdog

I've seen Ebay listings for $279 w/ $99 shipping. Frankly, Don't know why you think you can outsell unscrupulous China based retailers willing to do a drop ship. All they'll do is come down to your price point.

Pinigis 

The difference is that we can stand behind the product as the importer. The price will end up being about the same, but with an eBay purchase you are on your own after the sale and you have little recourse if the product is defective.

ratdog

Paul,

I understood that, but my concern if I was in your shoes would be the manufacturers running a drop ship program that would hurt your sales. You have to admit, anyone even considering mail ordering a bike is willing to take risk already and the question would be how much risk of having damage on delivery they are willing to take for the amount of money saved.

Personally, the bike looks interesting, but I would not buy it for myself unless the price point was commensurate with what many would consider a "one trick poney" type bicycle.

Sorry for being so direct, but I don't think your looking for anyone to sugar coat their responses if you have to base a business decision off this thread.

Pinigis 

Ratdog,

No need to appologize! The opinoins of the participants in this forum are very valuable to me and I want them unfiltered. If you were interested in a one-trick-pony, what would you consider a reasonable price?

smallwheeler

paul,

you've recently informed us that you will not continue with the "fox" bike because it didnt comport with your image. now, you want to distribute this thing? my advice would be to just focus on continuing to improve your current line of bikes and raising your brand profile.

Pinigis 

I agree, and we would not sell this as an Origami product for that very reason. This one is just so unusual.......

Elvis Shumaker

Great fold I must say. Good for the yachties I should imagine.

Maybe a 'limited PP edition?' with a couple of unique twists?

Pinigis 

What is a PP edition?

ratdog

Paul,

I am hesitant to give you a price of what I would pay because it would be biased by the other folding bikes I already own that would be pulled out first instead of this bike if it was in my stable.

I think the thing to look at would be what your buyer profile would be for this type of product. The small wheels and lack of gearing would most certainly limit the bike to buyers who live in relatively flat areas that are not too spread out and with fairly good road surfaces. The fold size looks great for a college student, but the weight is right up there with heavier 20" wheel size folding bikes which may make carrying tough. If the bike rolled folded, it may help, but I don't remember it doing that on the video. Quite frankly I'm not seeing enough of a market for you to bring in a trailer worth of these bikes.

On top of that, I live in NYC where there is currently a flood of folding bikes on the used CL market for $200-$300. I am assuming that these bike importers are also listing their product in other major metropolitan area CL's. Your one selling point would be the fold, but my experience with people and folding bikes is that many people will not pay a premium for a tighter fold.

And BTW, As one business owner to another, I admire what you have been able to do with your company. I would hate to see you end up with a container of bicycles you can't sell for a profit.

ratdog

Would be if it was made of aluminum otherwise the corrosion would be a problem for a steel bike.

bhkyte

I am uk based so I would look at ebay offerings.
I become obessed with this bike a month ago!!

, I wouldered what it would be like to add a mini folder.
Would it open even more possibilities than a compact folder. Ie carry on a bike, leave in small car boot, take on holliday even in packed car.
I have owned a carryme which was great, but still tall folded and slow to fold. And the fidly tyres always needed blowing up.

I can see the issues with back uP with this bike,the feedback fromi buyers on ebay seemed good.
I was just about to pull the trigger on ebay to buy one of these when they sold out. But on sale again now. Not sure if I made a lucky escape!

Hada very expensive month so I will not be adding a 5th bike to the folders at the moment!
Looks to be a great concept I would love to see pacific build it.

Joe Remi

It's cool, but a very niche bicycle. I think you would have a hard time getting $350 for it, especially with people looking at your page seeing a nice Crane 7 going for $309. I suspect they would sell at $200, which isn't worth your trouble.

BruceMetras

I'd venture a Paul Pinigis Edition... raw lacquer finish .. Brooks B-17 ... that kind of thing .. :-)

idc

I would consider it for maybe $200, assuming you could fit it in a (large) backpack.

tcs

L x W x H?

badmother

Something like this? https://www.flickr.com/photos/dysphas...7618709800742/

bhkyte

Looking at photo.
I DO want one.
Not cured yet!
Looking at how easy that fits under table compaired to a mezzo or brompton.

alaskanb3arcub

I like the concept, but I'm saving room on my credit card for a vacation next moth, that and I do actually have to go up hills. If I had funds and lived in a flat area, I'd be willing to give one a try.

smallwheeler

guys, come on...

dynaryder

You lost me at 27lbs. The rest of the specs don't help. I got rid of my FlyBy because it was fiddly to fold and weighed almost 28lbs. At 25 1/2 I think my Brompton is kind of portly.

mr geeker

I don't think i would buy it. not only does it look like it'll break if i sat on it, but it also weighs about what my 26" folder weighs. that in of itself would kill the sell, regardless of how small it folds.

on a seperate note, on of my ex's had a bike like the one in your picture, said it was called a monkey bike because it makes the person riding it look like the monkeys that ride a little bike at the circus.

cpg

I want one, just because I admire it as a piece of design and engineering. I have been thinking about getting one of these from the ebay seller and even emailed some of the people who had bought one and left feedback to get their opinions. Generally very positive although most said they would not do long distances on one, I guess most of us would agree with that.

Here are some photos from the ebay listing https://s1104.beta.photobucket.com/us...4-130.jpg.html

And a video. https://s1095.photobucket.com/albums/...rent=001-1.mp4