edelay

£3,495, 4,508USD, 6,159CAD, 4,132EUR.
https://hummingbirdbike.com/shop-now/

I have to say that I didn't expect it would be that much.

maxxevv

They seriously shouldn't be expecting much volume at that kind of price point though.

Joe Remi

Holy crap!

blakcloud

They say it is the lightest folder in the world and they could probably add the most expensive. I hope it works out for them.

maxxevv

There are certain Alex Moulton models that cost more.

Diode100

Neat little video hidden in the Hummingbird site :-

Bonzo Banana

Price doesn't seem unfair based on the technology I guess but I suspect manufacturing in the UK has added a fair chunk to the price. Much of the so called european brands like Canyon actually have their frames made in the far east. I think Canyon frames are made by Giant of Taiwan but the frames are made in their mainland China facilities. Yet those carbon bikes still hit retail for many thousands of pounds which are pretty much all chinese with minor assembly in Europe.

I also think if you calculate that a very light bike like this might save you a few minutes on every commute you do this is effectively money it is paying you giving you bonus leisure time or sleeping time etc. I.e. if it saves you 1/2hr a week in commuting time that over a year or maybe the 3-5 years lifetime of the bike is a fair chunk of money over a conventional heavier bike. The 100kg limit is quite good too, more than some aluminium folders. The numbers add up better if you are a well paid individual which I guess looking at this price is exactly who this bike will be aimed at.

Which are the competing bikes at this weight level and how much cheaper. I'm more a dirt cheap entry level bike buyer myself. I just bought a Raleigh Twenty (non folder) for £7.50 that needs a bit of work so I'm at the extreme other end.

2_i 

What do I do, regarding my commuting, with a bike that does not allow for fenders and has no luggage or light provisions?! Skip work when it is raining and sit admiring the bike? I have nicer art pieces to look at For all the money it is a pretty pointless bike.

Bonzo Banana

In their faq section it states it takes mudguards, baskets and racks and lights pretty much clip/strap on nowadays so can't see that being a problem. I don't see a problem in using it for the daily commute, paying for it is the problem

2_i 

Thanks for pointing out FAQ, but all that I can see there is that I can do something on my own. I do not see how I can put on mudguards without nullifying the fold or having to take off the mudguards with each fold. If I am to design something original on my own I would rather start from scratch. Else I would take a ready design that works reasonably well and not something midway there. The designers who think that practicalities is something you consider only after finishing the product seem to be in abundance.

Diode100

Maybe just fly out to Oregon, pick up a nice new PakiT, have a nice holiday, and then fly home with the bike, more than likely save all round.

Bonzo Banana

Does look good, pricing is too exclusive though.


If they really wanted to appeal to a wide number of people as per the video above they sadly probably need to make the bike outside the UK. I''m sure there are chinese companies that could supply the carbon frame at a reasonable price. I don't think the bike would ever be cheap but perhaps half this price if manufactured outside the UK.

BassNotBass

And for good reason not to mention that I actually have a use for those expensive Moultons.

Congrats to the Hummingbird crew for finally getting the bike in production and revising the horrible rake and trail of the original bike. However they seriously need to get a handle on reality and what their target market is. I see it being a popular choice as pit bike on the formula racing scene.

blakcloud

Yes, but Alex Moulton's don't fold.

Diode100

In the Humingbird photo gallery it isn't immediately obvious in the 2nd & 3rd folded photos that they have removed the front wheel, so in the normal folded state the two wheels overlap somewhat to give a larger folded size,as in the 1st photo.

downtube

$4,508...wow. I didn't like to begin with ( I prefer comfort over lightweight). I know someone designing a sub 7kg bike that will sell for under $1k ( it's not us ).

I can't imagine Hummingbird will be in the market too long.

Thanks,
Yan

BassNotBass

If they play their cards right and market to the fashion industry as a prop for active-lifestyle or vacationing photo shoots and shows, market it as a bike to ride on your yacht or for celebs to pedal through Monaco or between filming sights then sure they may be able to stay afloat. But to think it's a viable alternative for even the upper middle-class commuters is just plain goofy.

downtube

Thus far they did one crowd funding campaign. I don't see marketing as their strong suit.

Thanks,
Yan

tcs

'4-speed' - am I missing the component/description of this option?

downtube

2x2=4???

Thanks,
Yan

Diode100

Are you joking ?

BassNotBass

A little, but the bike certainly is not going to sell well in the common market as a commuter so it needs to be marketed as a high dollar exclusive objet d'art because it does have two things going for it, good looks (thankfully they fixed the steering angle) and nice technical features. The fact that they're name-dropping ProDrive makes me think they just may go that route despite what their commuter-centric commercial conveys.

Flimbs

They're a touch off from their kickstarter campaign proposed estimated retail price of 1550 euro. Oh well! 6.9 kgs is quite a feat though.

maxxevv

If the frame were to be build of hydroformed aluminium and welded together like the Birdy, 6.9kg for a single speed probably isn't that hard.

BassNotBass

I wonder what kind of agreement they came to with the people who bought in. IIRC there was an exclusive notice sent out to them and I'm sure the first production models were going to be made at a loss.