BF TIKIT 8 sp review
 

Today I had the chance to test the Tikit. Pressumably my size was M which is what I rode, I'm 5'8", 163 lb.
It was a very comfortable ride all along, 8 sp gearing is good and more than adequate, even for steep hills,
giving you a 30.5 ratio for the lowest one, that's pretty good. Handling was twitchy, but you get used to it according to the sales rep.
My only complaint was my position on the bike, coming from road bikes like my Six13 cannondale, I
felt too cramped being too upright and close to the steering, perhaps sliding the saddle more backwards and switching to a longer stem might solve my problem per the rep. The stock saddle is way too cushy for my taste, that can be changed to a more personal taste, I think. With the stock pedals I felt the bike was dragging, too slow, but I would've loved to put on clipless to push it to its limits having my correct psition and set-up, of course I don't expect a road bike like performance but at least some speed for its class. The icing on the cake is the amazing speed with you can fold it, just impressive.

Corsaire :)

I also tried a Bike Friday Tikit for the first time today. The one I tried, however, had the old style hyperfold mechanism so the steering was a bit loose and flexy. Despite that, the bike gave a very good ride, indeed.

I think your problems with cockpit size can be easily answered with a different handlebar and stem combo. For me, the stock setup was just about perfect.

I also test drove a Brompton. These things are well built. My only complaint was that the ride was a little bouncy. I would say between the two bikes, Tikit or Brompton, it's a virtual tie. It really just comes down to rider preference there.

I declined, today, on test riding a Birdy. Nice bike, but far out of my price range. I didn't want to ride it and get that strange sickness that befalls many of us when we ride a really good bike. Musthavenow Syndrome. ;)

--sam

I have a medium and large Tikit. I'm at the low end of the size range for the large, but prefer it a lot more than the medium. I think the longer wheelbase and being further behind the front wheel make a considerable difference. I can ride the medium, but I feel cramped and frankly it feels like folding bike [a bit small!]. OTOH on my large Tikit I feel like I'm riding a full size bike and really enjoy the more stretched out position.

If you can test ride a large Tikit I'd definitely recommend you do so.

+1

+1

+1

Hopefully I'll be able to say +1 to that one day too, but I'm in no rush to test a large tikit because tikit development seems to be proceeding at a breakneck pace.

"My only complaint was my position on the bike, coming from road bikes like my Six13 cannondale, I
felt too cramped being too upright and close to the steering..."


Same thing I said on the other thread...plus I'm 6'1". I had no use for it, but I really liked the BF Pocket Rocket.

As someone that spins, I hated the bounce on mine as well. 2 hose clamps later and it's as firm as you want.

Very strange. I am 5'11" and have a Medium modified with a slightly longer stem, where it fits more or less identically to my old-style Rockhopper (a MTB granted, but it's what I have). In fact, proper geometry is one major thing that makes the Tikit stand out compared to other folders. If you're 5'8" and having fit problems, I'm wondering if what you actually rode was a Small. At any rate, if it was a Medium (go figure), try the Large. And of course you can always throw on road-style drop bars.

Yep. It's all standard parts.

Did you take out a L too, or just the M. The L has a top tube that is 3 or 4cm longer, and that would let you feel more stretched out.

Bike Friday will do a build to order bike with the top tube length of a large with the seat mast height of a medium.

alex

I had a medium and a large too. I'm 5'10" and fit either. I kept the medium because it fits me better with drop bars than the large, and ultimately I prefer drop bars to flat bars. With flat bars and a 10cm stem the large fit me really well.

Normally I ride 57 to 59cm road frames with a 56 to 58cm top tube and a 9 to 11cm stem.

alex

If I decide to go for the Tikit I'd definitely get the bullhorn handlebars w/ STI shifters, not sure if those would be enough on a medium size Tikit to get me more forward over the cockpit, or perhaps a Large as suggested by Vik. I'd love to try the Brompton S type before making a decision though. Something that no folder can't beat the Brompton on is its amazing, smallest foldability. Hmmmmm......

Corsaire

Now, now. While the Brompton's a classic let's not lose our heads:
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...eVsCarryMe.jpg

I guess I should've clarified that I wouldn't want wheels smaller than 16 inch for my folder. I have certain personal standards, sorry.
:thumb:

Corsaire