Need help with BF PakIt options
 

Hi,

Could anyone please explain the differences between the PakIt versions? From their website, there are Zen Day, Weekdays, Mk2D, and Everyday.

Im interested in the Mk2D one, is it really 18lbs? Does it worth the extra cost? Does anyone know how much is the shipping fee to Canada? I tried to add it to cart but still no mention of shipping fee unless I check out. Seems like its more expensive than Brompton.

Also, will it help with hills and strong winds (25-35km/h wind)? Currently Im own a Brompton 3 speed and I found it hard to commute 10km to work one way with 2 steep hills, 1 bridge in a strong wind these days. Im very small, under 5 feet, will this BF fit me well? I just start to ride the Brompton bike 2 months ago, never ride a bike before, and I know nothing about bike, parts, and maintenance. Sorry for too many questions!!

walterl@bikefriday.com is their front desk sales Q&A guy.. they unlike Brompton have made tooling to make longer and shorter frames..
to size the bike to the rider shorter = lighter no doubt..

• Bike Friday Flat-Bar
• 9-Speed Sun Race Thumb Shifter
• Cane Creek Top Canti/Caliper (brake lever)
• 53T Chainring {Smaller lowers the gear range}
• 11-28 9 Speed SRAM (That means its a derailleur / cassette )
• Micro-Shift Derailleur ( Lower cost than Sram/Shimano )
• Joytech Front and Rear Hubs with CR-18 Sun Rims (low cost hubs & rim adequate)
• FSA Sealed Cartridge Bearings (the Headset)
• Origin-8 Dual Pivot Brakeset (lower cost than say Tektro, Shimano)
• Comes with Saddle and Pedals (unknown picks)

Although Heavier, I personally like the Internal gear hubs, Pakit is good because they do\t need a chaintensioner
Brompton does fold is behind the BB PakIt hing pivot is above BB so folding chain doesn't go slack
that also puts Belt drive as a possibility.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...72fa527409.png
My Brompton has a 2 speed internal gear crank , pedal shaft on one side of the gear box chainring on the other
so in low range the pedals turn 2,5 times faster than the chainring,, effectively the 50t chainring acts like a 20t in low range..

follow up question OK .. I don't work there* but own a Tikit and a Pocket Llama {R'off Disc Brakes , trekking bars my winter rain transportation }

* used to work next door A Burly Tandem Shop when Alan was making the Tandem Frames for Burly,, 2 years before Bike Friday started up.

Thanks for your reply but honestly I dont understand most of the terms that you mentioned 😭

try one question at a time..

could buy* a book on bicycle mechanics and read it to learn the terminology ?

* or check it out from the public library ..

I've got a pakiT. I'm 5'4". They are available in 4 frame sizes and then BF customizes the seat height and the reach to the handlebars to fit the measurements you provide them. So, yes, the bike will fit you even though you are smaller.

As to whether the bike is going to help you with strong winds or steep hills, the honest answer is that is mostly dependent upon your physical conditioning. Having a lightweight bike and good gearing will help some, but you are the engine. If that commute is really a struggle for you,
you might consider getting the e-assist with the pakiT.

You've only been riding a bike for a couple months so I'm betting that you are not a very strong rider (yet). It takes time to build the core and leg strength to power any bike up hills and into strong headwinds. Since you already have the Brompton - unless you find it doesn't fit you well - you might be better off buying an electric assist for it and using that assist to help you until you get stronger.

I'm not trying to discourage you from buying a pakiT - I love mine and I love Bike Friday - but I don't think the bike is your issue. You might want to post in the electric bike forum here and ask about Bromptons with e-assist. Or maybe see if there's a shop near you that has e-bikes that you can try and see if you find the motor makes a big difference. Another advantage of the e-assist is you don't arrive at work all sweaty and gross, lol.

Ya thats true. I have knees pain after riding under the strong winds now. I will look more into the ebike option. Thank you so much!!

Pakit also seems to have the e-assist option, for +1.2k. BF has a program of connecting customers for the sake of trying out their bikes, but those with e-assist are likely rare at this stage. I suppose under the circumstances it might be useful to try different bikes that do not fold to figure out whether there are gear ratios that would be acceptable on the route or whether an electric motor is a must.

If there's a brompton dealer with their e-assist model you can try nearby, that would be ideal. Or if there are some local message boards where you might find commuters using e-assist where you live, that would be another option to check it out.

There is no Brompton Electric dealer in Canada. I think I will pass the ebike option after checking their prices 😂. Im thinking about the Segway e-scooter route now. Thank you everyone ☺️

Something to keep in the back of your mind - these guys make a brompton specific e bike kit which has good reviews: https://www.swytchbike.com It takes a couple months to get it once you sign up, but it's very reasonably priced. Good luck!

There is also Vekkit.

Thought the Segway company went belly up , out of business ..

No, they merged with (or were bought out by) Xiaomi,... Segway Ninebot has multiple electric scooter options. It starts at the E22, up to the ES Max (which I had).
Segway Ninebot Kickscooters

I used their contact form and Walter replied the very next day.

"Im interested in the Mk2D one, is it really 18lbs?"

When I bought my 2017 pakiT; there was only one model offered.
W/ some part swaps; I was able to get down to 19 lbs. So I wouldn't
be surprised of claims under 18.
https://live.staticflickr.com/4704/4...36787f37_c.jpgBF pakiT 8.6 kilos by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

Yes , looks like you have yours built up with fairly typical components.. By lightening the wallet more with Titanium & carbon fiber components,
even more weight could be shaved off..

The wallet is the first thing I lighten.
If I leave it at home, more savings still.

The Belt drive option for Internal gear hubs is a good thing,,

Spend enough and you can get down to 15 lbs now, lol. But it's costly.