reppans

I saw "multi-modal commuting" mentioned in the OP, which for me would mean ~6+ folds per day and moving the folded bike through crowds and for longer distances. Watching the Pakit's folding video, I wouldn't want to do either on a regular basis but that's just me (anything is do-able). Also, are wet roads a possibility for your commute? If so any facilities for fenders? HERE is one way I used carry a bag on a folder.

Giant Doofus

No worries. Threads get derailed all the time. I was just hoping to bring this one back on track. This is a great suggestion. I'll check in on FB to see what I can find out.

@Abu Mahendra - Thanks for the photos. Those are very helpful. I might find out if Bike Friday can drill holes so that I could use something like that luggage truss on the front of the bike. I like that a lot. It looks like the Klickfix system would give me a lot of options.

I'm also looking at the Xtoor Crossrack: https://www.xootr.com/crossrack-seatpost-bike-rack.html. It would let me use my existing panniers.

Abu Mahendra

I would be very surprised if they agreed to drill holes. I would not advise it.

Instead I would look to other Klickfix caddies aimed at bikes without Brompton/Tern/Dahon blocks. Or buy a Dahon, FSIR, etc that come with a load block on the headtube stock.

dahoneezz

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects.../posts/1732372

There is the fender picture in link above. Also the rack. The fender seems ill fitting. Looks ugly on such a beautiful bike.

linberl

I had the Xootr crossrack for my BF and it worked quite well. Ultimately I decided I needed to be able to carry more of a load than one pannier could handle, so I sold it and put on a rear rack. Sometimes I miss it, though, because of the ease of removing it when going for a long ride (to reduce weight carried). It also did not catch the side winds as much as my rack + bags do.

Giant Doofus

Good point.

Yeah, I've seen that pic. It looks pretty awful. I'm hoping they'll come up with a better solution. I do have a fendered bike that I can use on wet days in the meantime.

Good to know. I might try a Klickfix handlebar attachment with a bag on front and use this on back. I think that would give me plenty of cargo space for a typical commute. If I'm making a grocery store run or something where I need more space, I'd probably use a different bike.

rmac

Back to your original second question. I had some pics and initial impression when I first got the PakIt about 5 months ago. I have been riding it through the winter (what winter we had here - very little snow or cold).

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...-friday-4.html Post #102

The components I had to change were the handlebars (way too cramped for me), brake levers (the originals could not be positioned correctly) and pedals (personal choice for clipless). The bike got a small bit lighter with these changes. Here is a pic of the handlebars now.

invisiblehand

I can't see the pictures at work ... security is a little crazy around here ... but if you're talking about mounts in the head tube, they used to drill holes for a Brompton mount.

tdonline

I asked BF about a luggage mount option and was told they investigated it and determined that it would get in the way. I don't know if that also means it's not possible. That was a few months back, maybe things have changed.

tdonline

You posted first impressions, can you follow up with your assessment after 5 months of riding the Pakit? Do you use it for multi-modal commuting? Have you traveled with it? Even though it's lighter than most folders, how is it to carry (especially since there is no rolling option) for longish periods? Any insight you can share would be appreciated.

Giant Doofus

It's great to hear from someone who has one. I like your bars and grips.

Yes, I'd love to hear more too.
@tdonline - I'm planning to talk with Bike Friday by phone today or tomorrow, so I'll ask again about installing the Brompton carrier block or something like the Tern luggage truss. I suspect they cannot do it. I already asked about front rack options, and they said that the bike won't accommodate one.

reppans

^^ +1 tdonline ques.

I get that BF's '~15lb' is probably for a single speed, and you have an eight speed, but what else accounts for what appears to be an 8lb differential?

invisiblehand

For clarity, I am referencing BF tikit builds. I'm largely in the dark about the Pakit.

invisiblehand

Bummer. I suppose a front fork mounted rack interferes with the backpack.

tdonline

Look, I'm just looking for a lightweight, compact, top quality ride folder with amazing options like luggage mounts, rack and fenders--all at an affordable price. Why does this have to be so difficult?

invisiblehand

2_i 

Just go ahead and make one yourself and once you succeed spread the gains on all of us

linberl

I'm no engineer and this is probably stupid but....why can't they make a collar-like device with a block on the front with brompton fitting? It could even be a quick release collar, so you can put it on when you want to carry luggage and remove the bag/collar if needed for folding. Looking at my BF, seems like there is enough room above and below where the top tube meets to fashion a u-shaped collar. Would it not hold sufficient weight? I'd give up my BF faceplace for such an option.

rmac

Forgot I also had them send me a longer stem 100mm versus 60mm. With the stem, handlebars and pedal changes, I'm really liking the bike. It rides kind of like a hybrid bike with an upright position - surprisingly stable. Most of my rides on it are over 10 miles - longest about 20. I guess I could use a lower gear on some long hills.

Sometimes I do take it on our trains but only when I decide I do not want to ride it. It's a reverse commute so they are not very crowded. I use a comfortable shoulder strap to carry it. If there was some way to lock the front wheel (I haven't figured out a great way to do this yet.) it could roll easily on its wheels. Wish they would come out with the promised rear rack for it but I haven't checked recently. There are fittings for a rack.

I'm thinking that the 15 pound version is rounded down, single-speed. a light handlebar, and without pedals. I think the 8 speed hub alone weighs about 4 pounds.

tdonline

Thanks rmac. It's too bad the PakIt seems to be way behind in terms of carrying stuff. If BF meant the PakIt to be a rival to the Brompton (and they referenced it in their Kickstarter campaign), it comes up way short compared to the latter's carrying credentials.

tdonline

As a health advisory....don't hold your breath!

Flimbs

I was considering a pakit too, but the elite (?) super light version has a max load of 190 lbs. I'm barely under that, bodyweight wise. Slap on anything else to carry and it's over.

invisiblehand

Is that rider or total weight?

Flimbs

From what it reads, it looks like rider weight, but they don't list out the total carrying capacity, so I'm gonna ask. If I'm tipping the scales at 185 lbs sans clothes, then it's already a risk that my water bottle will send me crashing down.

The standard pakit can hold 220 lbs, but then you won't get the super light frame.

Giant Doofus

I placed the order today! My 8-speed derailleur version of the Pakit will ship on April 21 and should arrive by the 28th. That gives me a little over a week to test it out before I leave for a month in Belgium. It will be so nice to have a bike of my own with me.

I've decided to use a Xtoor CrossRack on the seatpost for carrying things: CrossRack Bicycle Rack | Xootr Urban Transport. I chose it because it promises to give me the ability to use any standard pannier. I hope it works out well. I may put a Klickfix adapter on the handlebars so that I can use an Ortlieb handlebar bag too.