tudorowen1

I bought a Brompton S6R last year and thought it was wonderful..The fold of it was incredible..There is no better bike that folds..I rode about 600 miles on it in the last year..including one ride of 53 miles..However a short while ago there was a Tikit model T on ebay that i bought.I had to sell my beloved Brompton to finance the buying of the Tikit..Compared to a Brompton the fold of the Tikit ,although quicker and easier , is not very compact..I think it takes up more room than a 20inch wheeled Dahon I had a couple of years ago...But oh boy!..the ride of the Tikit is so much better than a Brompton..The Tikit is just so much easier,quicker,and more fun..I would go so far as to say it rides better than my Bike Friday NWT..in fact much better..The NWT feels sluggish and heavy in comparison..I have now sold my Brompton...I miss it in someways..perhaps because it was a little piece of England..but when I am on the Tikit I have a smile on my face..

jur

Good compact opinion! Confirming many others' about the merits of the Brompton and the Tikit.

Now, if they could design a Brompton with a tikit's ride... wouldn't that steal the market?

Dahon.Steve

It's not fair to compare both bikes since they were designed for different purposes. I've said it before that you buy a folder based upon your multimode transportation needs. Since you didn't have the need to board a bus or packed train, then any folder would do. However, if you needed to board a packed subway or commuter train each morning, then only the smallest folded package would do. Are there any members who are board the bus each morning with the Tikit?

wahoonc

Unfortunately in the folder market you have to compare apples, oranges and bananas... I have been contemplating folders for over a year. Each bike has it's strong points and weak points and you have to choose what will work for you. A Dahon 16" wheeled folder cannot be made to fit me comfortably, a Dahon 20" is borderline, but then you lose the more compact fold of the 16". Brompton and Tikit no problem, but at an added premium.

BTW Thanks for the review, every little bit of information helps. I live in a virtual desert when it comes to being able to test ride folders.

Aaron

feijai

Sure ya can. Watch:

As I've said elsewhere, I am of the opinion that the Tikit basically spanks the Brompton in more or less every category but one: folded size. It rides more stably and smoother and handles much better. It has many better gearing options and better brakes. It uses standard parts and so has far more options both at the factory and after the fact. And of course, it folds and unfolds much faster. But the big one is: with three sizes and easy modifications, the Tikit can be made to fit you like a real bike. The Brompton has one size, about that of the smallest Tikit (!), which made it an upright, inefficient, and uncomfortable ride for me (and I'm average height).

But that one advantage -- folded size -- can be paramount. It's not an uncommon tradeoff among folding bikes, and it is not to be discounted, particularly in dense commuter settings. So if you need to fold down to about 3/5 the size of the Tikit, the Brompton is the clear choice.

Okay, we'll throw the Brompton one more plus: its non-telescoping stem is stiffer.

Likely. When folded, my tikit is longer (by a few inches) than my 20" Dahons, but they're a bit taller.

invisiblehand

There was a prototype that had an extra hinge in the monotube to get a more compact fold. I have no recollection of any specifics regarding the folded size and such. But there is a picture of Alan Scholz on the bike -- in Japan I believe -- where you can distinctly see the extra hinge.

Another forum member posted the link to the old Foldable Flyer with the pic.

EDIT: Here you go ...

https://img333.imageshack.us/img333/2161/tikit1dj7.jpg

It is an excerpt from the Fall 2005 Foldable Flyer. Actually, the person wrote "newsletter" so perhaps it is something other than the foldable flyer. You might be able to find a higher resolution version elsewhere.

EDIT 2: Here is the old thread ...

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...69020#poststop

EastBiker

LOL. At least the OP of this thread used both bikes extensively. You, on the other hand, spent several months on a Tikit, and an hour on a Brompton, and then considered yourself an expert on both. LOL.

feijai

Are you debating any of my conclusions or just swiping at yet another a strawman? You seem to do that with some frequency.

poboxnyc

.the ride of the Tikit is so much better than a Brompton..The Tikit is just so much easier,quicker,and more fun..I would go so far as to say it rides better than my Bike Friday NWT..in fact much better..The NWT feels sluggish and heavy in comparison..I have now sold my Brompton...I miss it in someways..perhaps because it was a little piece of England..but when I am on the Tikit I have a smile on my face..[/QUOTE]


Agree with you re: ride of Tiket vs Brompton. Rode both and bought the Brompton last year-- absolutely no regrets-- for my needs in NYC/Brooklyn, it's a perfect bike. The folding and compactness is very important and no folder comes close, in my opinion.

If I were to buy another folder just for performance, would by a Swift Folder -- as a folder in another category--- it would in no way replace my Brompton.

kamtsa

The Tikit has 16" wheels, right? No problem with the smaller wheel (compared to NWT 20")? Is 16" large enough to have a decent long ride over rough surfaces?

Kam

tcs

Every personal situation is different, but no problems with my tikit on my two train commute.
(10km bike -> light rail -> commuter rail -> 8km bike morning, reverse evening)

I can't imagine how packed the train would have to get before I rode those 36km on a CarryMe!

Best,
tcs

fafnir

I currently own two bromptons and a tikit. The only thing that bugs me about my bike friday is how flexy the stem and seat post are, and the only thing that bugs me about my brompton is the upright riding position. I really like both bikes though and if I had to pick just one... well... I wouldn't want to have to do that :-)

feijai

Me too. But some of it can be remedied: what size is your tikit?

makeinu

Though I may be repeating myself (aren't we all? ), I don't think a 3/5 reduction in folded size is even such an issue in dense settings because in dynamically changing situations you're just as likely to find a wheelchair area already cleared of passengers due to some other luggage or find yourself standing in the vestibule due to not having time to make it to a seat as you are to find that perfect Brompton sized nook. Now I'm sure some people will claim that they've been riding the same bus every day for 20 years with the same fellow passengers and using the same Brompton sized nook, but, british rail cars excepted, I think if your commute is that consistent then you'd be able to find a 5/3 larger nook too.

What I find to be more significant (on top of the serviceability and ride qualities) is how much quicker the tikit folds and the way the Brompton can be pushed along in a stable position without needing to be balanced. Whereas, in time, a few inches here or there becomes less noticeable, I think appreciation for these attributes grows.

Both are excellent bikes/folders, but I ultimately decided against both because they're still too inconvenient to babysit all the time and too expensive to lock outside.

Yikes! Ever think of moving? Real estate is another thing that's more trouble than it's worth. It limits your earning potential, limits your exposure to other people and experiences, forces you to travel more, and, lately, annihilates your equity.

folder fanatic

Selection of a folding bike-or any bike for that matter-is a very personal, subjective one. I can only describe what made the Brompton my number one choice even over the better riding one of the tikit. I chose the Brompton for a very important feature that most other bikes don't have now-the simple rubber cone suspension. My father had a Mini Cooper in the mid-1960s. Later my old flame had several ones in his personal collection in the 1980s. So I grew up with the little import cars. As an adult, I drove not one but several ones that were available to me. And I was lucky enough to see one being built up from parts salvaged from the local dump-bare frame to fully restored beauty. I wanted a bike that reflected these little cars. I found that in my Brompton. It's handling characteristics (allowing for the bike rather than a car) was the same feel to me. The rubber cone suspension made sense rather than some over-the-top fancy gizmo found on newer bikes. And in a fine British made package. Plus the unique most compact fold around and I found my personal heaven.

I hope others will find the bike for them just like I did.

tcs

And we all know who designed the Mini's rubber suspension: Dr. Alex Moulton.

tcs

JimBeans83

Few other points for the Brompton here: it's a well tested design with a long track record and easy to secure spares. Tikit folding design is complicated and has already had several minor modifications. Tikit is better toward standard parts with the 130mm droupout width in rear.

wahoonc

I have yet to be able to compare a Brompton and a Tikit in a side by side comparison...hope to remedy that in the not to distant future. Most of my day to day riding is done on an upright bike, with the occasional weekend foray done on drop bar tour bike, but it is set up with the handlebars just above saddle height. I am not a particularly aggressive rider, more the kick back and smell the roses type.

I already know that Dahon is most likely not going to work for me due to sizing restrictions.

So the search saga continues...

Aaron

fafnir

My tikit is a medium and I would definitely be interested in hearing how I can reduce some of the flex.

feijai

I first had a large, then it was replaced with a medium, and I found the medium to be significantly more flexy. The reason is that BF uses thinner tubing in the medium and small. The biggest difference is in the handlebar stem, but also quite a lot in the seatmast. They do this, I imagine, to soften the bike up for lighter (and weaker) bikers on the smaller bikes. I think it's a mistake, and it complicates their inventory.

BF agreed to let me keep the size-Large silver portion of the handlebar stem (the upper part), which is 0.1" vs 0.065" in tube wall thickness. That stiffened up the stem a fair bit. Note that the size-Large stem is longer, which means that unless you cut it down you'll have a bit more fun removing the handlebar for packing (you'll need to loosen the horizontal stem connection). No biggie.

I also convinced them to throw in a replacement seatmast mid-portion (the red part in this picture, it pops out easily), which is 0.055" on the Large and 0.04" on the Medium. That resulted in a lot less bounce. Note that mine is also an odd length: I wanted it low enough that I could add a Thudbuster in the future. The other major difference can't be replaced so easily: specifically the lower (black) seatmast portion (0.065" vs 0.05").

Call BF up and see how much it would be to get at least the size-Large thickness handlebar stem, if not the seatmast. Or just go to a bike store and order a chunk of equivalent tube.

If you have a hyperfold, you should also make sure that you have (1) the single cable mechanism and (2) that you've got it at the right tension, which is a big deal. There's a window of tension between maximum stiffness of the joint and the seat pin resisting going into the latch. BTW, to tighten, the nut is a 10mm and the hexagonal hyperfold cable housing is a 5.5mm. You can get these sizes in a "midget" wrench set at Sears.

All this aside, you're not going to approach the Brompton's stem stiffness: it's got a non-telescoping tube. But you can certainly improve from your current situation.

JimBeans83

Why would this be beneficial for anyone? No one would want flex at these points, and as people in the US market are typically "denser" than in other places, and the torques that people would unknowingly place on long parts on a folder.. ???

Weight savings potential: 2 ounces?

Dahon.Steve

Wait a second.

There's excessive flex in the stem? Now you have to add a Thudbuster because the bike's too uncomfortable? LOL!

I guess that's why people like me are are keeping our Bromptons. In fact, I can't remember when if I ever saw a Brompton with a Thudbuser. It doesn't need one because it's one of the most comfortable 16' inch wheel folders on the market. Probably on the Birdy and Maulton offer better suspension but at a premium. I haven't had to make on change on my Brompton. It's perfect.

feijai

I don't have a Thudbuster, or anything like it. I asked for that modification (a size-Large thickness seatmast tube but a size-Medium seatmast height) because I may soon take the tikit on the the 335 mile C&O Canal + Great Allegheny Passage trail and I might want something like that on whatever bike I ride it with, including my mountain bike.

Then you've not looked very hard. :-)

I've not ridden the Brompton enough to state this with any finality but: when I test-rode Brompton and brought along my Tikit I fully expected the Brompton to have a smoother, less harsh ride given its rear elastomer. But that wasn't the case. The Tikit was less harsh. Tire choice? The tikit's frame design? Who knows. But the Brompton was, for me, definitely the not the smoothness winner.

makeinu

Horses for courses, fine tuning things for one rider will always necessarily make them worse for another. Try getting Brompton Co to give you a choice of tubing thickness or length.

I'm as glad that Steve loves his Brompton as I am that I love my Carryme, but we can't expect the same bike to work for everyone even for the same purpose.

Folders are like fine wines, while there are many good choices, we each have an obligation to limit our selection because overindulging would just be improper (or maybe I'm just cheap ).

EastBiker

Whatever manner I call your attention to, you still can't dismiss the fact that you think you're an authority on Brompton despite having spent less than an hour on it. Recommend the Tikit, sure, as you have extensive experience on it, but to single out the Brompton claiming that it is a far inferior bike than what you have, all I can say is LOL!