mlau

It's been a while since I've been on bike forums, largely since I've been really happy with my Xootr Swift and Miyata touring bike.

However, I just turned 34.
I'm feeling sorta old. I'd like to make some lifestyle changes and drop some weight.
The deluxe pakit looks like a very tempting bike if I can make the weight.

What are your thoughts on the Pakit?

FolderBeholder

Enjoy being 34.
44 happens before you know it.
Then 54 rears its ugly head.
Then....well you get the idea.

Tha Pakit is an intriguing bike...

linberl

There are several threads on the Pakit. You can also read about owner responses on the Bike Friday community facebook page.

1nterceptor

What do you think will the Pakit offer that your Swift is short on? Ride, ergonomics, weight, etc?
Pakit is one of the lighter folders around. If you don't like the ergo on your Swift; that may be fixed
with some customizaton with Bike Fridays. Xl, med., small, etc. Of course for some; no excuse is
needed to get a new bike.

Test ride of Bfold's pakiT demo:
Got my own 3 months later:
2017 Bike Friday pakiT by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

fietsbob

I think an IGH is the way to go *, but Interceptor ordered a Derailleur drivetrain.. which saves a few grams..


* I bought someone's Tikit Used, I came with a Sram I 9, but Alfine 8 or 11 speed are good, too..
24 hole rims, rear hub 36 hole, skips 1/3 of the holes..

1nterceptor

Not only a few grams are saved with der. versus IGH; a few bucks as well.

mlau

Ergos are hard to beat on the Swift, as are versitility, ride quality, durability.

However, the Pakit has the Swift beat on:
1. Weight (esp the deluxe one)
2. Belt drive (Swift can't do it without major surgery)
3. Fold size (Swift is great behind doors, but fills my back trunk)

I just figure that it'd be a fun prize to drop 20 lb.

1nterceptor

1. Not sure how belt drive compares to chain drive in terms of weight.
I do know that der. will be lighter than IGH. Are you getting gears?
2. Demo bike had belt(w/ Alfine 11 speed IGH). First time for me; seems
nice. No grease to put on chain; to get on you.
3. Quick fold is not that small; pretty long. Need to take off seat post &
front wheel(need to let air out) to get smallest dimension.

Is there a local shop you can try one out?
BIKE FRIDAY PAKIT TEST RIDE PART2 by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

Joe Remi

It sounds like you're really into the idea and want the bike, which I think is a good enough reason to buy it. Personally I prefer my Brompton which folds easily and quickly into a tiny little square that sits in one corner of my Impala's trunk, but I bought it for that feature and because I think they have character; it's definitely not light compared to the Pakit.

The video with the Bike Friday lady painstakingly disassembling a Pakit while pretending it's super easy is pretty funny, but if you think you'd be comfortable with that amount of work to break it down and build back up, go for it!

fietsbob

A friend in Eugene makes a Steel Swift.. as he makes them, It has a front rack to carry stuff, attached to the head tube..
front wheel free to turn without a pannier rack load..

he makes Cargo Bikes, too ; as Human Powered Machines and is Director of the Center for Appropriate Transport..

they have a Co Op workshop there..





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mlau

Thanks, guys.

For now, I'm slowly upgrading my Swift--adding a used XT drivetrain since my shifters have been skipping recently. Maybe if I'm feeling flush, I'll add a leather saddle or something, but my current setup is quite nice.

Maybe get a basket?

fietsbob

And by now they , Bike Friday, can tweak the materials options to make it fine with your actual current weight..

That is an advantage of a frame built as the customer's order comes up in the Queue. variations..




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