Should I buy this Tikit?
#1
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Should I buy this Tikit?
I live in Taiwan and a friend of mine is selling her, pretty much, pristine, BF Seasons Tikit for 850 USD.
I wanted one for years but now BF has discontinued it and there is no longer a store in Taiwan that supports them.
Here is the package:
TYPE: Model T SIZE: Medium COLOR: Wasabi (Peppermint Green) HUB: Nexus 8 FENDERS: Planet Bike RACKS: front- two sided, back- standard
I've added Ergon GP2 grips and MKS EZY Lambda pedals. Also includes TRAVEL SUITCASE and DETOURS shopping bag. Paid USD$2269 originally
What do you guys think?
I've been saving up for a Brompton in recent years but then this came up.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I wanted one for years but now BF has discontinued it and there is no longer a store in Taiwan that supports them.
Here is the package:
TYPE: Model T SIZE: Medium COLOR: Wasabi (Peppermint Green) HUB: Nexus 8 FENDERS: Planet Bike RACKS: front- two sided, back- standard
I've added Ergon GP2 grips and MKS EZY Lambda pedals. Also includes TRAVEL SUITCASE and DETOURS shopping bag. Paid USD$2269 originally
What do you guys think?
I've been saving up for a Brompton in recent years but then this came up.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
#2
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Its a good price for an almost new Tikit.
The fact that BF doesn't make it is for me not a major drawback.
But the Tikit isn't as easy to use as a Brompton, especially if you need to fold it and carry it folded often.
The fact that BF doesn't make it is for me not a major drawback.
But the Tikit isn't as easy to use as a Brompton, especially if you need to fold it and carry it folded often.
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#3
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If you're lucky; they might still sell the Mi8 (= Nexus 8) instead of a derailleur.
HOME | ORi Life Style Folding Bikes
ADDNo.16 , Yow 9th Road , Tachia Town , Taichun Hsien ,Taiwan.437
TEL886-4-26821688 EXT.791
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#4
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Since you're in Taiwan, check the Ori M10/C8. Folds almost as compact and fast as a Brompton, for a bit less money.
If you're lucky; they might still sell the Mi8 (= Nexus 8) instead of a derailleur.
HOME | ORi Life Style Folding Bikes
ADDNo.16 , Yow 9th Road , Tachia Town , Taichun Hsien ,Taiwan.437
TEL886-4-26821688 EXT.791
If you're lucky; they might still sell the Mi8 (= Nexus 8) instead of a derailleur.
HOME | ORi Life Style Folding Bikes
ADDNo.16 , Yow 9th Road , Tachia Town , Taichun Hsien ,Taiwan.437
TEL886-4-26821688 EXT.791
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The Tikit is an awesome bike. The fact BF no longer makes it is because it was too expensive for them to produce, not because it wasn't selling. It's an amazing bike with a huge fan base because it is an exceptional 16" riding and folding bike. If they still made it, I would have bought one instead of my pakiT (which I love). If it is your size, I'd jump on it.
#6
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I expect that if you ever wanted to sell this Tikit, you would be able to get most of the price that the owner wants. I.e., it is not a lot of risk.
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#7
Banned
I have one paid about that much .. T knob or Hypertfold? Twiddly knob is the simpler one, on the bar mast..
Mine has the SRAM i-9 hub, which was unfortunately discontinued ,
to concentrate on making the trend making one by drive trains with huge cassettes.
...
Mine has the SRAM i-9 hub, which was unfortunately discontinued ,
to concentrate on making the trend making one by drive trains with huge cassettes.
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-25-20 at 10:52 AM.
#8
Banned
I think The Oregon company ships the completed bike to any country the buyer lives in, but no longer has dealers ,
who must add to the selling price , to support their business overhead..
who must add to the selling price , to support their business overhead..
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#9
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It's the hyperfold
#10
Hello
Having owned the Ori/Mezzo and currently have Brompton and a Tikit. (The Tikit by far the longest, 10yrs+)
ALL GREAT BIKEs. For long rides MY choice would be Tikit.
Note: There was a voluntary recall on the stems, Make sure that the previous owner received and installed the replacement stem or Bike was made after the stem concerns.
For small fold WE all know the Mezzo and Brompton are the choice. Brompton winning that category with Mezzo a close second.
ALL GREAT BIKEs. For long rides MY choice would be Tikit.
Note: There was a voluntary recall on the stems, Make sure that the previous owner received and installed the replacement stem or Bike was made after the stem concerns.
For small fold WE all know the Mezzo and Brompton are the choice. Brompton winning that category with Mezzo a close second.
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#12
Banned
i-9 is a 9 speed internal gear hub with, being SRAM, a Grip shift, & a Cog that is different from the classic AW3..
#13
Stardust
How do you plant to fix anything if bf doesnt make it anymore.
this bits for the seatmast is kinda unique.
this bits for the seatmast is kinda unique.
#14
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In fact, I'd say the email I received from them, although very pleasant and helpful has led me to the conclusion that the Tikit was actually discontinued a while ago already and is on the verge of no longer being supported.
I'll be looking at a 6 speed Brompton instead.
Thanks for all the great replies and helpful advice.
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#17
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#18
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I am not sure you are making a right decision skipping the Tikit. My BF New World Tourist predates, to the best of my knowledge, Tikit production by BF. I do not recall ever needing any special custom part that could not be obtained from other sources. When I wanted some frame modification, I went to a local framebuilder. It is Brompton that utilizes tons of specialized components, which is how they achieve the tight fold, but BF uses mostly run of the mill components. When you have a bike, you can ride it and you are not forced to jump on the cheapest and maybe not optimal Brompton option that ever comes around.
#19
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I am not sure you are making a right decision skipping the Tikit. My BF New World Tourist predates, to the best of my knowledge, Tikit production by BF. I do not recall ever needing any special custom part that could not be obtained from other sources. When I wanted some frame modification, I went to a local framebuilder. It is Brompton that utilizes tons of specialized components, which is how they achieve the tight fold, but BF uses mostly run of the mill components. When you have a bike, you can ride it and you are not forced to jump on the cheapest and maybe not optimal Brompton option that ever comes around.
I totally agree that, ten years ago, BF Tikits were the folding bike to buy for urban commuting. I've ridden about a dozen different kinds of folding bikes and the Tikit was my absolute favorite. I know this has been discussed to death... but I'd also say that the Brompton is only about 10% less of a good ride by comparison. The brakes and gear shifters being the primary difference between the two when comparing the ride with the Tikit being much superior.
However, in the ten years that I've been looking at folding bikes, BF has peaked and ebbed while Brompton has quadrupled its distributorship here in Taiwan.. and I'm assuming....around the world. While the Brompton does have many proprietary parts, there are also a ton of shops everywhere in the developed world that'll fix them.
Alas, my other reason for turning down the Tikit was because the seller decided she wanted to keep the travel suitcase, shopping bag, peddles and the saddle but not reduce her price at all.
Too bad
Last edited by driftwork; 08-27-20 at 01:00 AM.
#20
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Since you "live in one of the epicenters of high end bicycle manufacturering in the world (Taichung City)", I would suggest getting 1) a single-speed Brompton, 2) a standard width rear triangle, and 3) have a Nexus/Alfine gear hub installed: For not much more money, you'll get the same or even a wider gear range than Brompton's exotic gear hub + derailleur option.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33024325243.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33024325243.html
#21
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Thread Starter
Since you "live in one of the epicenters of high end bicycle manufacturering in the world (Taichung City)", I would suggest getting 1) a single-speed Brompton, 2) a standard width rear triangle, and 3) have a Nexus/Alfine gear hub installed: For not much more money, you'll get the same or even a wider gear range than Brompton's exotic gear hub + derailleur option.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33024325243.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33024325243.html
Thank you!
#23
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If I were her, I would not get rid of the bike at all, but then people have different considerations and situations. Interesting I chose identical suitcases for my general travel, as BF for the bikes, before I learned about the BF's choices. Pedals are a bridge too far even for me.
#24
Banned
Actually reading up it seems S-A 8 speed can be thinned down on the left end,
but the smallest cog is bigger than Brompton uses, normally .. & it's all 1:1 + 7 overdrive gears to make a fairly small chainring desirable..
https://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/fo...n-8-speed-kit/
but the smallest cog is bigger than Brompton uses, normally .. & it's all 1:1 + 7 overdrive gears to make a fairly small chainring desirable..
https://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/fo...n-8-speed-kit/