I’ve had a Bike Friday Tikit for a couple of years now and I’ve been fairly happy with it. However, I’ve also been thinking about alternative folding bikes for a while. In the interim, Bike Friday ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to launch a new 16″ wheel folding bike called the PakiT, which was advertised as being both lighter and cheaper than the Tikit. When I saw this, I figured it was only a matter of time until they discontinued the Tikit.
(Note that I am a happy customer from the their first Kickstarter campaign that launched the Haul a Day)
That confirmation arrived today via an answer I got on the Bike Friday FB page.
“the tikit is being phased out. You can still order a tikit, but only until the end of this year, and at the new price listed on our website.https://www.bikefriday.com/folding-bikes/bikes/tikit-3/” Note that they raised the price quite a bit.
I’m a little sad about this since the Tikit has some unique features for a Friday, like the quick fold. It also served me quite well this past summer on STP.
Nevertheless, from the looks of things, it is much more expensive to build than the PaKiT. Also, given the fact that there is a limited market for folding bikes that cost upwards of $1000, it’s not a bad move to concede the quickfold focused commuter market to Brompton.
If I get a chance, I’ll try to test ride the PakiT so that I can do a direct comparison with the Tikit. Also still waiting on a chance to check out the Helix. Or perhaps I’ll take a second look at putting a internally geared hub on the PBW.
So many choices in the folding bike world these days…….
I’ve still got my original generation Tikit. No plans to get rid of it. I love that bike. Hopefully BF keeps some spares on hand for repairs down the road.
Signs are not good that Helix will come through. But lots of folks remain hopeful.
what are the signs that the Helix will not come through, other than the fact that the delivery keeps getting pushed back? I hope it does not go the way of the other Toronto based bike: the Vanhawks Valour
See the linked BikeForums Helix thread.
http://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/1051531-helix-update.html
Had my Season Tikit since 2009. No way I am giving up that lightning-fast fold anytime soon! It comes into play a lot with my commute in so many ways. Still fun to ride and had no problem taking it on 50 mile + rides before I got my rando bike.
Yes, it takes a bit of TLC, much like my old 67 Austin Heally Sprite. Had to wrench on that a lot too. Honestly, it’s not the bike for the “ride it and forget about it” set. You have to be willing to tweak and tinker on it regularly. So I can understand why Bike Friday is going for a low-maintenance, less complicated bike. It makes me sad though.
Ty
What a shame. I’ve had three Tikits (bought one for myself, wife rode it, then I got one for her, funny how that works) and they are great bikes. America’s Brompton (and I say that lovingly, I really like riding mine).