I’m so excited I could vomit. I got a stern lecture from Hanna about how lucky I am to be the owner of a tikit, especially considering the near-hysteria that has seemed to follow this bike that we have barely even advertised. Noticed there’s no mention of the bike’s price on the website? That’s because it’s pretty much selling itself. We have a whole new production line with both new employees and old employees we have taken from the custom bike line that is cranking these things out as fast as they can. We just bought some new tools to further help us, including powder coating equipment and a little sandblaster. Still, we’re a bit wary of advertising, marketing, or spreading the word any further, despite the fact that the press and our dealers are beating the door down, just simply because we’ve got a back log out until July. Regardless, we offer no options– they come as simple flat bar 8 speed bikes only, in our choice of colors, which is usually a two-tone of some sort. Fenders, folding pedals, a saddle, and a super-cool grip shift bell are included. The only choice, really, is whether or not we think the small, medium or large is the right choice and whether or not you want the front rack and shower cap bag to go with it. And yet they’re selling like they’re the best thing since power bars.
Well, we like to think they are. Without any bolts or quick releases or latches to do or undo, the thing folds up in a snap, clicks into place when folded or unfolded, can stand up on its own when folded, and easily wheels around on the front wheel via a convenient handle on the back. It’s small enough to fit on a commuter bus or train (it’s even been tested on the German ICE trains!) or underneath a desk or table. It’s simple and robust. In other words, it’s the perfect machine for every day use. There are no excuses to the issue of commuting to work. And that’s what’s really cool– they support our green mission. We’re literally saving the world, one bike at a time.
I’m currently trying to resist the overwhelming urge to convert this into a fixed gear, but this is likely going to replace my Pocket Rocket Pro. I’ve already taken its pedals, saddle and seatpost and installed them on the tikit. It’s likely I may also steal the cranks, drop bars and levers eventually. And I’ll probably put an ENO fixed gear on the tikit since I was curious about it anyways. For now I’m happy, but if someone wants to make a good offer on my old fixie, that may be the necessary impetus.
As you can see, the bike has plenty of space for bringing stuff along. I have a pannier in the front for clothes, books, and my laptop when I want to bring it. The cool Detours Guppy under the seat bag (review forthcoming, FYI) holds the tools, keys and glasses. The Detours High Tail seatpost bag takes care of lunch. The Trudeau cup holds my coffee (these are the best coffee mug I have ever seen anywhere, by the way– literally spillproof and fits nice in a bottle cage). A little tweaking found a nice way to install the quick release mount for the lock, though considering how easily this thing folds up, I’ll probably never use it.
I can’t say how proud I was to wheel this thing into the office this morning. This is the machine that’s going to change the world of Bike Friday and it’s awesome to be a part of it.
P.S. for the curious, it was a reject that required a little rework on my part. And I paid for it on top of it. It’s really that good.
I’m intrigued by your idea of turning the tikit into a fixie. I initially was interested in the idea of a “speeding tikit” but since I already own a PRP, a “fixed tikit” give me more versatility in my rides. Since this would be my first fixie, what type of gearing would you use to make this functional and similar to your fixed PRP?
[...] Hill. Despite these memories, I must part with her so I can move on to the next project: fixing my tikit! Yes, with an Eric’s Eccentric ENO and some drop bars, I’ll feel more at home with [...]
Eddie, gearing is really a personal preference, so it’s hard for me to say exactly what’s right for you but I can tell you that to make it roughly consistent with my fixed Pro, you’d want to put on a 12 tooth cog in the back, giving about 71 gear inches. Phil Wood makes some nice 12s. After I sell the aforementioned bike (click the link on that pingback above) I’m going to fix the tikit. Someone hurry up and buy it so I can take the next step!
Hey Walter, still waiting for the follow up. Did you ever get around to “fixing” your Tikit?
I run a 45×17 (71.5 gear inch) on my main road fixie too. I think that is a good gear for the hilly area that I live in. It climbs fast, but it forces me to go slow on the descents.
[...] a LONG time ago I said I was going to fix my tikit. I was thinking we’d be doing stock "just the tikit" models for a long enough [...]