I think I might change the name of this “regular” column to iBFFFFF. You know, “i” as in “infrequent.” I guess I’m just too busy with work and family to sit down and write about work and family. Hey, at least I’m not bored.. 
Anyways, 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 time that I could have found some time to do it when I felt like. Well, I did manage to create the impetus and sold my fixed Pro to math geek Jesse Ratzkin. I had been riding my Pocket Llama a lot, though, since I found I really couldn’t stand the flat bars on the tikit (a personal problem– even on a mountain bike I find myself longing for Dirt Drops or something), so didn’t find the need to do the switchover.
Well, after there was some concern expressed about the stem hinge on the tikit, Rob and Hanz went back to the drawing board and came up with new beefier stem hinge plates, stem latch, and connecting cable. I heard we were going to retrofit some of the old ones and see what just switching the cable would be like. So I volunteered, and excited to test it, I had to get it ready to ride.
By late in the day Friday, I had a retrofitted tikit and a wheel with a White Industries Eric’s Eccentric ENO hub, so while I made some phone calls, I disconnected the cables, shifters, brake levers, rear derailleur, rear wheel and brakes. I installed the new wheel with a fresh chain and put the bar back on so I could ride it home. I used Ted’s discarded rear Reelight which he could never get to work consistently, but fit on the tikit no problem and worked perfect.
I rode it home and put on my old Nitto track drops (the narrowness here is perfect for this thin urban folder) and adjusted the position up and out a bit, which needed to be done anyways. I threw on my High Tail bag for the tools and spare garb and was all set.
It’s a joy to ride, the cable making a significant difference to the stem stiffness. No problems with the ENO whatsoever with shifting chain tension. I’m impressed that the rack holds on so good to the bare canti studs. I need to figure out where to put the lock. It was a bit annoying attached to the stem riser. I’ll probably make a clamp to fix that problem. Folding is unaffected by any of the change, though the width has increased a bit because of the reach on the bars.
This is the ultimate practical bike for commuting– super simple, rugged, extremely portable, sporty, takes your stuff, doesn’t get flats, fends off the rain. I do miss the “hyperdrive” as I like to call the grip shift bell that only works with flat bars, but a brass bell will work fine since the bar diameter is so narrow. I’d like a Chris King headset but the stack height is incompatible with the way we’ve designed the bike so it will be a while (if at all) before that problem gets resolved. Maybe in the meanwhile we can find a good sealed cartridge bearing threadless headset with the right stack height (which is about 25mm) . The only other thing I think it really needs is one of the new constant front Reelight SL150 lights. And one of the soon-to-be-introduced Detours panniers with integrated suspended laptop sleeve and super-fast/sturdy attachment system.
So here is the second “just the tikit” converted to a “one way tikit” but of course then you end up with a bunch of parts you don’t want. The parsimonious and better solution would be to just get a one way and get with it built to order sizing and a choice of saddle, pedals, color and tires. The tikit line has pretty much caught up with the demand, so we can get them out pretty quick. Give a call in so we can get some pics of a one way up here!
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November 28, 2007 at 1:50 am
Walter,
Great to hear that you finally got your tikit “fixed!” I test rode a tikit at Velo Sport in Berkeley and was impressed with its ride. The amount of flex in the stem did bring me a lot of concern. Glad that Hanz and Rob came up with a solution. When talking to Peter about the tikit, I also inquired about a Chris King headset and possibility of a 12 tooth cogto bring the gear inches to around 71. One other question, with a built to order, is it possible to request the tikit without rear brake bosses since I want be running rear brakes? I want the bike to be as clean and unnecessarily cluttered as possible whch is what makes fixies attractive in the first place. Thanks for leading BF into the fix world.
edi
November 28, 2007 at 5:04 am
BTW, I like the Bar End IncrediBell since I plan on using 38cm Soma Major Taylor handlebars with a Paul’s e-lever brake lever running to Paul’s motolite v-brake. That way it will keep the bar clean. Thanks also for making me aware of the Reelight SL150 lighting system. I wll soon be giving Peter a call because I almost have my one-way tikit conceptualized and finalized.
November 28, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Edi,
I hope to find some sort of sealed cartridge bearing headset that will work. Ultimately, that’s what’s important as the bike does use a threadless headset so the GripNut won’t be of much advantage. I’ll let you know if I find something.
On that subject, I would recommend upgrading to the sealed cartridge bearing front hub, which is standard on the express but not the one way. This, unfortunately, wasn’t an option when my tikit was born.
Asked Rob about no bosses in the back for brakes– no problem.
There are 12 tooth cogs, but you have to plunk down the cash for the Phil Wood stainless, as they are the only ones currently making them. I have a NOS SunTour, but that’s a collector’s item
Those Bar End IncrediBells are nice but I find them in an annoying position. I still want to rig up a brake lever to pull a cable actuated bell..
January 6, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Hi Walter,
I don’t know if these would be approproate for the tikit but I found that Cane Creek has a few sealed bearing threadless headsets with 26.5mm stack height. WTB also make a threadless headset with a little over 25mm stack height. Just some info. I will be calling Peter next week to order my “fixit.” I think I finally have it dialed in as to what I want it to look like. As a favor, can you inform him of my plans for no back brake bosses? I will also mention this to him in our discussions. Thanks for all your help.
edi
January 9, 2008 at 9:52 am
Hi Walter,
Now that your tikit is fixed and you’ve had time to enjoy the experience, how does it compare to your fixed PRP? I asking more about the ride characteristics.
edi
January 9, 2008 at 4:28 pm
It’s not as light.. it’s not quite as stiff in the front end.. everything else feels good. I’m not regretting the switch; in fact, I’m very pleased.
January 10, 2008 at 2:15 am
What is the current shipping version of the Stem Hinge Lock? I have seen different pictures with one or two connecting cables and different sizes of stem latches.
On my Tikit which has two cables for the lock, I get some wobble that can be improved by reseating the stem latch.
January 10, 2008 at 5:58 am
David, the current version can be seen here. The single large diameter cable goes a long way in improving that wobble, as does the larger stem latch, but if you have one of the earliest tikits, the newer version actual plates of the stem will make the most difference. There was a certain inconsistency among them– some very solid, others not so much. All of these changes happened over time as incremental improvements are the Bike Friday way. You can ask nicely at the service department and I’m sure they could fix that up for you.
June 18, 2008 at 12:58 am
[...] taken possession of a new tikit. This one features the slower Impulse fold technology relative to my old one and has a really slick Racing Green/Black Diamond [...]