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Date: 15 Nov 2007 21:46:07
From: vey
Subject: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071114/BLOG15/71114004

I remember the first time I saw a fold-up Bike Friday by Green Gear
Cycling of Eugene, Ore.

Susan Lahti, a physical education teacher at Mount Lake Terrace High
School, a long-time bicycle commuter and a certified cycling instructor,
showed me her New World Tourist model after generously giving me a
safe-cycling tutorial last fall.

I was amazed.

She folded it up in seconds and popped it into her car’s backseat,
adding that Bike Fridays ride surprisingly well over long distances. She
said it was small enough to fit into a special Samsonite suitcase, which
converts into an accessory bike trailer. It’s ideal, Lahti said, for
airplane trips when you really want to bring your own bike and travel light.

Well, it turns out the cutting-edge cycle company has introduced a new
model called the “tikit,” billed as the “fastest-folding bike in the
world,” easy to compress in a mere five seconds.

Read all about it here. Take a look at the company’s offerings and watch
videos featuring the tikit here.

Though bike snobs may disagree with me, I think Bike Friday cycles are
seriously cool.




 
Date: 16 Nov 2007 19:44:05
From: Tosspot
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
vey wrote:
> http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071114/BLOG15/71114004
>
> I remember the first time I saw a fold-up Bike Friday by Green Gear
> Cycling of Eugene, Ore.
>
> Susan Lahti, a physical education teacher at Mount Lake Terrace High
> School, a long-time bicycle commuter and a certified cycling instructor,
> showed me her New World Tourist model after generously giving me a
> safe-cycling tutorial last fall.
>
> I was amazed.
>
> She folded it up in seconds and popped it into her car’s backseat,
> adding that Bike Fridays ride surprisingly well over long distances. She
> said it was small enough to fit into a special Samsonite suitcase, which
> converts into an accessory bike trailer. It’s ideal, Lahti said, for
> airplane trips when you really want to bring your own bike and travel
> light.
>
> Well, it turns out the cutting-edge cycle company has introduced a new
> model called the “tikit,” billed as the “fastest-folding bike in the
> world,” easy to compress in a mere five seconds.
>
> Read all about it here. Take a look at the company’s offerings and watch
> videos featuring the tikit here.
>
> Though bike snobs may disagree with me, I think Bike Friday cycles are
> seriously cool.

Fold:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6258424344919645414&q=tikit

Unfold:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7593127050659555664&q=tikit


  
Date: 16 Nov 2007 20:41:32
From: bjw@mambo.ucolick.org
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
On Nov 16, 3:08 pm, "(PeteCresswell)" <x...@y.Invalid > wrote:
> Per Tosspot:
>
> >I think Bike Friday cycles are
> >> seriously cool.
>
> This one was pretty impressive:http://tinyurl.com/3cmfmf
>
> I bet with a few re-takes, he could have done it without breaking
> stride.

[Paging Ryan Cousineau]

Obviously, the next step is to fit knobby tires and have
someone actually dismount and fold the Tikit in a
cyclocross race. For a long run up, for example.

Ben



   
Date: 17 Nov 2007 07:02:46
From: Ryan Cousineau
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
In article
<fb5079b5-21ba-48b5-b43e-d34d974db2f2@d50g2000hsf.googlegroups.com >,
"bjw@mambo.ucolick.org" <bjw@mambo.ucolick.org > wrote:

> On Nov 16, 3:08 pm, "(PeteCresswell)" <x...@y.Invalid> wrote:
> > Per Tosspot:
> >
> > >I think Bike Friday cycles are
> > >> seriously cool.
> >
> > This one was pretty impressive:http://tinyurl.com/3cmfmf
> >
> > I bet with a few re-takes, he could have done it without breaking
> > stride.
>
> [Paging Ryan Cousineau]

I do have to get the video for this year (yes, just one) done, don't I?

> Obviously, the next step is to fit knobby tires and have
> someone actually dismount and fold the Tikit in a
> cyclocross race. For a long run up, for example.

Would be a total sponsorship oppo!

Thought the same as you seeing that. Not per se worth folding it in a CX
race, but I think you could construct a folding-encouraging obstacle.

Maybe put the #97 bus on the parcours,

--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"My scenarios may give the impression I could be an excellent crook.
Not true - I am a talented lawyer." - Sandy in rec.bicycles.racing


  
Date: 16 Nov 2007 17:08:50
From: (PeteCresswell)
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
Per Tosspot:
>I think Bike Friday cycles are
>> seriously cool.

This one was pretty impressive: http://tinyurl.com/3cmfmf

I bet with a few re-takes, he could have done it without breaking
stride.
--
PeteCresswell


   
Date: 16 Nov 2007 23:10:00
From: Tosspot
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
(PeteCresswell) wrote:
> Per Tosspot:
>> I think Bike Friday cycles are
>>> seriously cool.
>
> This one was pretty impressive: http://tinyurl.com/3cmfmf
>
> I bet with a few re-takes, he could have done it without breaking
> stride.

Lol! Very good. Wonder what they are like to ride? Also, the folded
width looks a bit wide, but bejeebers, they fold quick.


 
Date: 16 Nov 2007 05:39:37
From: jbollyn@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
On Nov 15, 8:46 pm, vey <jun...@ericvey.com > wrote:
> http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071114/BLOG15/71114004
>
> I remember the first time I saw a fold-up Bike Friday by Green Gear
> Cycling of Eugene, Ore.
>
> Susan Lahti, a physical education teacher at Mount Lake Terrace High
> School, a long-time bicycle commuter and a certified cycling instructor,
> showed me her New World Tourist model after generously giving me a
> safe-cycling tutorial last fall.
>
> I was amazed.
>
> She folded it up in seconds and popped it into her car's backseat,
> adding that Bike Fridays ride surprisingly well over long distances. She
> said it was small enough to fit into a special Samsonite suitcase, which
> converts into an accessory bike trailer. It's ideal, Lahti said, for
> airplane trips when you really want to bring your own bike and travel light.
>
> Well, it turns out the cutting-edge cycle company has introduced a new
> model called the "tikit," billed as the "fastest-folding bike in the
> world," easy to compress in a mere five seconds.
>
> Read all about it here. Take a look at the company's offerings and watch
> videos featuring the tikit here.
>
> Though bike snobs may disagree with me, I think Bike Friday cycles are
> seriously cool.

BF, an American company, also has great support after the sale.

They are more expensive than the biggest folding-bike player Dahon,
because BF pays their employees a living wage. Dahon does not have
that burden, with their Chinese workers.

People who buy BF can afford to pay a premium for 'Made in America',
and have the social conscience to do so.

J.


  
Date: 17 Nov 2007 07:43:08
From: Marian
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
On Nov 16, 9:39 pm, "jbol...@gmail.com" <jbol...@gmail.com > wrote:
> On Nov 15, 8:46 pm, vey <jun...@ericvey.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> >http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071114/BLOG15/71114004
>
> > I remember the first time I saw a fold-up Bike Friday by Green Gear
> > Cycling of Eugene, Ore.
>
> > Susan Lahti, a physical education teacher at Mount Lake Terrace High
> > School, a long-time bicycle commuter and a certified cycling instructor,
> > showed me her New World Tourist model after generously giving me a
> > safe-cycling tutorial last fall.
>
> > I was amazed.
>
> > She folded it up in seconds and popped it into her car's backseat,
> > adding that Bike Fridays ride surprisingly well over long distances. She
> > said it was small enough to fit into a special Samsonite suitcase, which
> > converts into an accessory bike trailer. It's ideal, Lahti said, for
> > airplane trips when you really want to bring your own bike and travel light.
>
> > Well, it turns out the cutting-edge cycle company has introduced a new
> > model called the "tikit," billed as the "fastest-folding bike in the
> > world," easy to compress in a mere five seconds.
>
> > Read all about it here. Take a look at the company's offerings and watch
> > videos featuring the tikit here.
>
> > Though bike snobs may disagree with me, I think Bike Friday cycles are
> > seriously cool.
>
> BF, an American company, also has great support after the sale.
>
> They are more expensive than the biggest folding-bike player Dahon,
> because BF pays their employees a living wage. Dahon does not have
> that burden, with their Chinese workers.

I can't say whether or not Dahon pays their workers a living wage
since I've never had any direct dealings with Dahon but don't trash
them for not paying a US living wage to their Chinese employees.

My salary as a highly paid professional is slightly less than half the
living wage for a factory worker in the US.

> People who buy BF can afford to pay a premium for 'Made in America',
> and have the social conscience to do so.


  
Date: 16 Nov 2007 20:14:49
From: JeffWills
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
On Nov 16, 5:35 pm, Tom Sherman <sunsetss0...@REMOVETHISyahoo.com >
wrote:
> > ...
> > B[ike] F[riday], an American company, also has great support after the sale....
>
> I thought the company name was "Green Gear Cycling, Inc.", not "Bike
> Friday".
>

Yep. I was chatting with Green Gear/Bike Friday employee Rob English
at the show over the weekend- the tikit is facinating, and they're
also working on some very light travel bikes. I think 15 pounds is
their target.

Rob's pretty neat- he's also got one of the most drool-worthy
recumbents I've seen:
http://photostore.chrisleck.com/gallery/2932307#158564230-A-LB
That's his custom aluminum Hachi. He's also done 50 miles in an hour
( http://www.recumbents.com/wisil/racing2007/nissan2007/ ) , so he's
not the typical recumbent rider.

Jeff



  
Date: 16 Nov 2007 19:35:35
From: Tom Sherman
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
jbollyn@gmail.com aka J. Bollyn wrote:
> ...
> B[ike] F[riday], an American company, also has great support after the sale....

I thought the company name was "Green Gear Cycling, Inc.", not "Bike
Friday".

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"the grinning buddy bear carries a fork." - g.d.


   
Date: 17 Nov 2007 06:51:48
From: Ryan Cousineau
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
In article <fhlgh2$805$1@registered.motzarella.org >,
Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com > wrote:

> jbollyn@gmail.com aka J. Bollyn wrote:
> > ...
> > B[ike] F[riday], an American company, also has great support after the
> > sale....
>
> I thought the company name was "Green Gear Cycling, Inc.", not "Bike
> Friday".

Serves 'em right if they've got a branding failure.

See also FreeRadical Sport Utility Bicycle by Xtracycle.

--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"My scenarios may give the impression I could be an excellent crook.
Not true - I am a talented lawyer." - Sandy in rec.bicycles.racing


   
Date: 17 Nov 2007 01:49:13
From:
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
Tom Sherman writes:

>> ... B[ike] F[riday], an American company, also has great support
>> after the sale...

> I thought the company name was "Green Gear Cycling, Inc.", not "Bike
> Friday".

Bike Friday=C2=AE is a registered trademark of Green Gear Cycling Inc.

Jobst Brandt


  
Date: 16 Nov 2007 11:07:54
From: jbollyn@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
On Nov 16, 8:57 am, ivan.ar...@tiscali.co.uk wrote:
> On 16 Nov, 13:39, "jbol...@gmail.com" <jbol...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > They are more expensive than the biggest folding-bike player Dahon,
> > because BF pays their employees a living wage. Dahon does not have
> > that burden, with their Chinese workers.
>
> > People who buy BF can afford to pay a premium for 'Made in America',
> > and have the social conscience to do so.
>
> > J.
>
> What odds on them still being in the US two years from now?
>
> fboab
>
It seems BF is focusing on people who like to travel on vacation, and
want to bring their own bike with them. There are plenty of people in
that target group, and more so as that demographic nears retirement.
Those people are looking for low-impact exercise, so cycling is a good
choice for them.

Virtually all BF models are custom, made in Eugene, OR. Another reason
why they are more expensive than other folders.

J.



  
Date: 16 Nov 2007 06:57:46
From:
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
On 16 Nov, 13:39, "jbol...@gmail.com" <jbol...@gmail.com > wrote:
> They are more expensive than the biggest folding-bike player Dahon,
> because BF pays their employees a living wage. Dahon does not have
> that burden, with their Chinese workers.
>
> People who buy BF can afford to pay a premium for 'Made in America',
> and have the social conscience to do so.
>
> J.

What odds on them still being in the US two years from now?

fboab


   
Date: 16 Nov 2007 18:09:49
From: Pete
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
ivan.ardon@tiscali.co.uk wrote:
> On 16 Nov, 13:39, "jbol...@gmail.com" <jbol...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> They are more expensive than the biggest folding-bike player Dahon,
>> because BF pays their employees a living wage. Dahon does not have
>> that burden, with their Chinese workers.
>>
>> People who buy BF can afford to pay a premium for 'Made in America',
>> and have the social conscience to do so.
>>
>> J.
>
> What odds on them still being in the US two years from now?
>
> fboab

I've you've got a good product that you can sell at a premium, I don't
see why not.

Brompton are still managing and that's with a factory in London.

Pete


 
Date: 15 Nov 2007 21:57:55
From: Ted Bennett
Subject: Re: Bicycle folds up in five seconds
vey <junker@ericvey.com > wrote:

> http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20071114/BLOG15/71114004
>
> I remember the first time I saw a fold-up Bike Friday by Green Gear
> Cycling of Eugene, Ore.
>
> Susan Lahti, a physical education teacher at Mount Lake Terrace High
> School, a long-time bicycle commuter and a certified cycling instructor,
> showed me her New World Tourist model after generously giving me a
> safe-cycling tutorial last fall.
>
> I was amazed.
>
> She folded it up in seconds and popped it into her car¹s backseat,
> adding that Bike Fridays ride surprisingly well over long distances. She
> said it was small enough to fit into a special Samsonite suitcase, which
> converts into an accessory bike trailer. It¹s ideal, Lahti said, for
> airplane trips when you really want to bring your own bike and travel light.
>
> Well, it turns out the cutting-edge cycle company has introduced a new
> model called the ³tikit,² billed as the ³fastest-folding bike in the
> world,² easy to compress in a mere five seconds.
>
> Read all about it here. Take a look at the company¹s offerings and watch
> videos featuring the tikit here.
>
> Though bike snobs may disagree with me, I think Bike Friday cycles are
> seriously cool.

Fully agree. Last weekend I attended a local show which featured Bike
Friday and some of their Tikits. They work very well as bicycles, can
carry stuff and the folding is so amazingly fast that onlookers gape.
The bike can be folded with a pannier left on the front one-sided rack,
and then the bike is lifted at the rear and rolled away on the front
wheel. More fun to watch than a folding convertible top.

--
Ted Bennett