tcs

You said: 'From the side, the folded sizes don’t look that different.'

I say: interesting use of perspective in your photo.

cat0020

Not surprised in the least bit.
Tikit frame has more parts to weld together, more labor time to fabricate the parts, more labor time to weld them together.
For each Tikit frame/bike built and sold, profit margin for the sale is likely far less than a PakIt.

ladi

True. It makes sense economically. But it's also sad if one considers that the Tikit was a very unique and special bike. Compared to the Tikit, the Pakit seems quite boring. Sort of more ordinary...

cat0020

Same reason Bike Friday stopped making the SatRDay, folding recumbent.

I think they lost money (in fabrication labor) on each unit they sold. I'm glad I've got two of them.

BikeLite

Cool recumbant Cat.

Dahon.Steve

Years ago I purchased a "Backpack" bag to carry my 16 inch Dahon folder. The moment I put the that heavy backpack on, I knew right away this was not going to work. First, there's the weight of a 27 pound bike and all the sharp edges that dig right through the back pack made it a painful experience. I only tried it once and never again!

BikeFriday markets this as though you're going to find it easy to put the bike on your back but that is far from reality. I know many people are going to be disappointed and feel they were lied to.

linberl

Well, first of all there is a big difference between a 27 pound bike and and 15-19 lb bike. I would be hard-pressed to carry a 27 lb Dahon for more than a few minutes but I can carry my Pakit for a long time without difficulty. The Pakit is super light. Second, the backpack is actually a really well-designed pack with tons of padding in the right places. The reason people aren't using it for multimodal travel is that the bike is easy to quickfold for multimodal trips and just carry whereas using the backpack requires removing the front wheel which isn't necessary for multimodal travel. Now some customers are using it for things like Amtrak where you can put it on the rack yourself inside the car. It's probably not cushioned enough (unless you modify it) to let if be tossed into a cargo compartment. A couple folks have had good success by inserting those foam squares you can use on playgrounds and then voile strapping the bike inside the backpack; I know a couple people who flew internationally doing that. But those aren't typical multimodal travel uses.
I don't think anyone feels they were lied to. BF is a reputable company and they will take the backpack as a return if you don't like it (30 days). The backpack might work for folks who have to cover the bike every time they fold it (Japanese trains??). I have a simple nylon cover with a zipper that I carry for situations where it needs to be covered; I quickfold, cover, and carry (some grocery stores like me to cover it before I pop it in their grocery carts). Other manufacturers make soft carry bags for their folding bikes; this one just happens to also fit over your shoulders to make carrying perhaps a bit easier. But I don't know of anyone who uses a soft carry bag for multimodal transport on a regular basis with any folding bike....just unnecessary.

1nterceptor

I agree; weight makes a difference if it will, be comfy in a backpack. I already got my S & S backpack when I ordered my pakiT:
The S & S also fits other folding models.

Dahon Speed Uno in S & S Backpack by 1nterceptor, on Flickr