neilfein

@GeorgePaul - I already get several strangers per day asking me about my Dahon. I'm wondering how to respond to the inevitable "How much did that cost?" It's one thign when you have a $600 bike, but I have no desire to tell a stranger in Newark that this - this, that I have here - is a $2300 bike.

folder fanatic

The most simple, yet vague, answer is the best when it comes to money or prices. When asked by strangers about the price of any one of my bikes, I simply smile and answer...."It's a gift, but if you like here is some dealers that can tell you everything about the bike." Then I give them a short list of dealers plus the links to forums like this one & my Websites. No problems after that exchange. In addition, I know I steered the serious purchaser to buying a folding bike that suits them the best.

Foldable Two

Pretty good reply. I also cringe a bit at telling folks the price of any of our folders. I don't want to flaunt what we spent, and I also don't want to identify them as a future theft target, either.

Several years ago on this Forum someone said to say $499. when asked, "How much'? The reasoning was that most folks could never understand paying more than $499. for a bicycle.

Lou

neilfein

The majority of people are simply trying to be ncie by showing an interest, and I'm guessing that cost is the first question they can think of to ask. Nevertheless, I'm finding that more and more people are asking me seriously what my bike cost, and seem interested in getting one or are even seriously looking. I've spoken to more than a few people who have already done some research into folders.

ddez

I usually just say that you can get various brands of folders from $150 and up into the $1000's for custom stuff. Seems to satisfy most and i think they get it that im not telling,cause no one has asked me twice. If the person is really interested they ask other questions first usually i find. I may tell them a price range for my brand (Brompton) if pressed, or i sense they are interested in buying one. Then ill switch topic to where they can see LBS with different brands in city etc.They usually get the message with vague answers.

Dahon.Steve

For some reason, I just say "Ebay" and the discussion tends to end there. I guess people think once the bike is used, they suspect you saved alot and don't bother to ask what it really costs.

Lalato

Yep, I usually say I got mine used (which is true), and then I follow that up with folding bikes go from between $150 to well over $1000. If they are really interested, I say that if I had bought mine new it would have been in the top end of the range and give them some interwebs info they can look up at home for the various brands I know about.

While I would like to think the bright pink paint on my Tikit is a theft deterrent, I don't ever let it leave my side when I'm out and about. No matter if you have a Bike Friday or Brompton... register your bike in a bike registry and be sure to record your serial numbers. Also be sure to take lots of pictures of your bike so that you can prove ownership... and to help you and the police locate it if it ever does get stolen.

--sam

neilfein

@Lalato - I'm calling my insurance company the day I get the new bike. My bikes are insured, but I want to make sure they're insured for proper replacement cost.

neilfein

Bike Friday says that the bike is ready to ship today. <twitch>

Abneycat

Here's to some good riding weather when your bike arrives!

invisiblehand

Woo hoo!

feijai

You're just mocking him, aren't you.

neilfein

The bike is in a Brooklyn FedEx depot, waiting for Bfold to pick it up - and they're closed today and Tuesday. Rrrrrrr...

neilfein

Aaaaaand... Fedex has lost the bike. They tried to deliver to ths shop on a holiday, and held the package for pickup... and somehow lost it. As of Saturday, they told David that they were still looking and hoped to have it to him on Monday (today).

edwong3

Well when they find it, they'll say, "That's the Tikit!". Sorry for the bad joke...I was hoping to brighten your day Seriously, I hope you get your bike soon and begin to enjoy it ASAP. Please take plenty of pictures and a nice review.

neilfein

Just heard from the shop, they have the bike!

zoovegroover

No b/c folding the steer tube riser down and clipping it in place locks the steering in the straight-ahead position so the bike can self-steer wheel you are rolling it folded. This is true of both the hyper and the model T.

edwong3

Great!

Lalato

What zoovegroover said... when you get the Tikit you'll see that there is no need to fret over the handlebar being up or down. The great thing about the Tikit is that once you have the handlebar height and saddle height dialed in, you never have to fiddle with it again. You just fold and unfold without a care in the world.

neilfein

I'm leaving work in a few minutes to go into the city. My wife is going to meet me at the shop - how else am I going to get home with 2 folding bikes?

Lalato

My envy knows no bounds...

Foldable Two

Absolutely amazing how folding bikes multiply!!!

neilfein

I rode it around the block in Manhattan, and it rides amazingly well. It's very responsive, easy to keep in a straight line, and the gearing is very smooth.

It's gonna need some fine-tuning. The rear wheel rubs, the saddle hits the rear deraileur when folded, and Bike Friday wasn't able to ship the bolts that hold the rear rack on. (They need special bolts for that? Weird.)

Must take it for a long, hilly ride very soon. More pictures and a full report when I do.

feijai

The rear rack uses standard metric hex bolts, the same as all the other bolts on the bike. No need to get 'em from BF, any bike store should have them a dime a dozen.

When I had a size-Large I also found the saddle nose touching the rear derailleur. No problem at all on a size-Medium. You have a little leeway by adjusting the locking tab for the seatmast, but not much. In the worst case you could have another hole punched in the tab to raise the mast locking position a bit. Certainly don't want the Brooks rubbing noses with the derailleur. Get with BF about dealing with that issue. [actually the problem I have with my Brooks is that my B-72 is so wide I can't fold it before the handlebars -- it hits the stem riser. I have to re-learn the order in which I fold the stem and the seatpost].

If you're going to take the bike on the train, I suspect you may find the showercap to be a good investment: covering the bike goes a long way towards promoting goodwill on the train.

What kind of brakes do you have on there? Not the Shimano-style U-brakes that came with my tikit.

I'm interested in knowing how the Kojaks do. If you find them too harsh, try the Scorchers, which are much wider and still slicks.

neilfein

The brakes are TekTro R530's. The Kojaks seemed fine in Manhattan, but that was a short ride. I'm mostly thinking they won't be appropriate for winter - I'm not planning to ride them in snow or when ice is thick, but I'm not waiting until the spring to ride this bike!