Burke Folding Bikes
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,498
Bikes: Many Downtube Folders :)
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 24 Times
in
17 Posts
I can't understand why someone would quote the price as 10k in a major magazine article, if the price was not 10k.
I would assume the price is 10K, and it will go down due to lack of demand. A 3k for a frameset is not much of an improvement.
Thanks,
Yan
I would assume the price is 10K, and it will go down due to lack of demand. A 3k for a frameset is not much of an improvement.
Thanks,
Yan
__________________
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,706
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 840 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
251 Posts
I fail to see relevance. The utility of this bike and of some other appears to depend on the lack of fenders. Incidentally never in my life I saw $10 fenders good for much. Oh, yeah, and I could cut up a discarded Coke bottle and have a fender for $0 and not wait for the shipping. Oh, yes, and I could design some other provisions on the bike to allow for folding with a decent fender. Well, if I need to design much I will either not go to the market at all or go for another offering - not this one.
#28
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Olney Illinois USA
Posts: 1,021
Bikes: to many
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I don't understand that the folks put a cheapo e bike conversion on this otherwise gorgeous bike and than ask for this outrageous price. I also don't see the batteries on the bike, maybe my old eyes are going away, lol. In this configuration it should cost less than half. 5 grand is still a big chunk of money. :-)
Which would get you a Tern Bosch AND a Tern E-Link.
Which would get you a Tern Bosch AND a Tern E-Link.
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 922
Bikes: Wheeler Mtn bike, Strida 5.0, Tern Link Uno, FSIR Spin 2.0, Dahon Mu P8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Believe that $10k figure is the cost of building that prototype as a 1 piece by Lynskey. Including all the jigs and machinery tuning required to build a one-off, its probably a reasonable ballpark of how much that piece costs if the reporter was to carry it off there and then I guess ??
I'm quite sure as a frameset, it will drop below the $3k mark once it starts producing in the 20pc/batch range. And lower still once it goes into the 50pc/batch range and as the jigs and fixture costs get further amortized.
That's just how production costs goes.
I'm quite sure as a frameset, it will drop below the $3k mark once it starts producing in the 20pc/batch range. And lower still once it goes into the 50pc/batch range and as the jigs and fixture costs get further amortized.
That's just how production costs goes.
and as others said here if it really wasn't $10k they wouldn't have said it on a magazine. this is right now a sub $1000 electric motor kit on a $9000 folding frame.
Last edited by Azreal911; 01-20-17 at 11:34 AM.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Posts: 807
Bikes: Brompton H6L-X, Dahon Curve D3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 56 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
... The Burke 20 model is currently in production. The frames are being made in Chattanooga, TN, by Lynskey Performance. ... We have taken delivery of the first batch of frames and they look amazing. We are currently working with suppliers and dealers to get full bikes ready for sale, scheduled to be some time in the first or second quarter of 2017. ...
-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA
#31
Senior Member
that $10K to offset the cost of jigs and machinery wouldn't make sense to pass the cost to the first buyer. That should be the setup costs and then they should be pricing them accordingly depending on how many you project to sell. If all manufacturers did this on the first purchase of anything most companies would go bankrupt cause no one would buy several thousand for a thingamabob.
and as others said here if it really wasn't $10k they wouldn't have said it on a magazine. this is right now a sub $1000 electric motor kit on a $9000 folding frame.
and as others said here if it really wasn't $10k they wouldn't have said it on a magazine. this is right now a sub $1000 electric motor kit on a $9000 folding frame.
And the conversation probably went something like
" ... so if I were to walk out of the show now with this setup here, what would it cost me NOW to do that ?"
With which a probable reply being:
".. I don't have a solid production cost for it, but IF I were to let you have it now, it would cost US$10k " .
Which the reporter/journalist just assumed that it was the production/MSRP price.
That's my longshot guess, but such things have happened before where reporters/journalists who have no direct experience in certain aspects misquote/misunderstand stuff which they are reporting on.
And I iterate again, that's my best guess based on what I understand of how things work in the bike manufacturing industry.
#32
Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 43
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That does make a lot more sense. They wouldn't be too smart to price themselves out of the market straight out of the gate. But I guess time will tell. Interesting though, that there hasn't been a retort from the makers though.
#33
Full Member
I fail to see relevance. The utility of this bike and of some other appears to depend on the lack of fenders. Incidentally never in my life I saw $10 fenders good for much. Oh, yeah, and I could cut up a discarded Coke bottle and have a fender for $0 and not wait for the shipping. Oh, yes, and I could design some other provisions on the bike to allow for folding with a decent fender. Well, if I need to design much I will either not go to the market at all or go for another offering - not this one.
IMG_2508.jpg
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 922
Bikes: Wheeler Mtn bike, Strida 5.0, Tern Link Uno, FSIR Spin 2.0, Dahon Mu P8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
only other bar I can compare this to is the crazy full titanium japan made single speed panasonic traincle going for $2500USD
Panasonic TRAINCLE
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,498
Bikes: Many Downtube Folders :)
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 24 Times
in
17 Posts
I've been interviewed by many journalists, including Matt Phillips the author of the Burke Electric article. They normally always ask MSRP and publish it accordingly. There can be no misunderstanding.
Thanks,
Yan
Thanks,
Yan
__________________
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
#37
Senior Member
I think you're right that the quote is accurate, Yan. The article mentions that the manufacturer hopes to get the price down at some point, so he clearly told the author that $10k is the current MSRP.
#38
Full Member
Then it sucks. Thanks for pointing that fenders are on the the way of folding. Personally I'm interested in bikes with out fenders, disc brakes, and at least 8 speed derailleur options.
#41
Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 43
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
But then I tried to call Seattle Cycles phone number right off their website (206) 434-2359 and it went straight to voicemail for an Asian person named "mut yap". Doesn't seem promising.
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,498
Bikes: Many Downtube Folders :)
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 24 Times
in
17 Posts
Dr. Yap is the designer/owner. I don't think that Seattle Cycles has an office or staff. Hence the likelihood of a bankruptcy is very low.
Thanks
Yan
Thanks
Yan
__________________
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
#43
Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 43
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,498
Bikes: Many Downtube Folders :)
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 24 Times
in
17 Posts
I think it's Michael Yap.
Thanks,
Yan
Thanks,
Yan
__________________
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
#46
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 203
Bikes: Stromer ST-1; Gary Fisher SAAB edition; Dahon Speed D7; Motobecane Grand Touring 1972
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Looks like they've made progress, prices are now quoted. As a new member the site won't like me provide the URL directly . But look for (think world wide web dot )
seattle-cycles.com/shop
seattle-cycles.com/shop
#47
Full Member
Thanks for the good news.
Anybody thinks to buy one with those prices?
Anybody thinks to buy one with those prices?
#49
Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 43
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,595
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 608 Post(s)
Liked 352 Times
in
225 Posts
American made titanium frame with top line components, the price seems to be right. A lot more than I would ever spend on a folding bike but I am sure there are people who want the best and do. I wish them well.
Last edited by blakcloud; 05-05-17 at 09:33 AM. Reason: typo