About
Alpine Road Sheffield
I’m Gareth and this blog contains my musings on bicycles and other things that interest me when I am not thinking about art and education -having said that I am always on the look out for good cycling photographs and videos. I have a Tikit folding bike so there are quite a few posts about my experiences with it. Things tend to wear out and break when you put the miles in, so there are quite a few posts about that. Oh, and I like climbing hills on my bike. In fact I usually like climbing them more than I like descending them. I seem to be quite good at it, possibly because one of my esteemed colleagues said I looked like a ‘lanky streak of…’ (I am sure you know the rest – I took it as a compliment).
The blog is called ‘Combing my hair…. in a brand new style’ because that is the title of one of my favourite Jim White tracks.
Photo by DrJoolz
Hello Gareth, I’ve been searching the Web for information on replacing Tikit front forks with 100mm forks. I know that Bike Friday did that for you with your Alfine, disk brake Tikit, but according to Bike Friday, they aren’t doing that anymore (but may at some point in the future).
I recently bought a Tikit and want to upgrade it for electric assist. I know that Bike Friday is working on an Electric Tikit, which will have a Crystalyte 209 hub motor on the front wheel. It’s virtually one of the only motors that will fit the Tikit’s 75mm dropout space. However, if the front forks of the Tikit could be replaced with 100mm forks, the world would open up to a much, much greater selection of motors for fitting. Torque stress would be handled with torque arms fitted to the front forks.
Your bike has been one of only two, as far as I know that has been fit with a 100mm front fork. Nowhere can I find documentation of the process and parts used for altering the forks, except for a few hints.
I know that you used a Chris King headset, but which one? I know that you hinted that the process was “interesting”, but you didn’t elaborate.
If you have details, I would be very interested to know, and it might make a very interesting article. I’m sure there are many, many people who would like to know more details about fitting the front forks successfully, and they would undertake this through local bike shops, or do it themselves.
I’m also aware of the malfunction of the front forks that you suffered. Hope that there were no permanent injuries. Glad to see that your beautiful Tikit is back on the road!
Regards,
Gary Williams
Gary Williams
27 Jul 10 at 12:18 am
Hi Gary – just spotted your comment – will email you. Cheers Gareth
Gareth
7 Aug 10 at 11:12 am
Hi Gareth,
Another Tikiteer looking for your expertise…
I’m in the investigative stages of purchasing a folding bike and came across your great blog.
My plan is to bike into work (~30km) and then ride the train most of the way home, biking the remaining 8 km home. All the amazing reviews of the Tikit and the hyperfolding action have me leaning towards the Season Tikit although I have one major, long hill that has be considering your disc brake setup. Aside from the brake setup, I have 1 major concern affecting my decision: winter cycling.
I intend to bike throughout the year. I’m likely to be riding on packed snow and possibly ice on a somewhat sporadic basis (20-30 days?). I worry a bit about the handling in these conditions with the Tikit’s 16″ wheels. I’m wondering if this pushes me into getting the larger folding size Dahon or Llama’s so I can use the 20″ knobs/studs.
What’s been your experience riding the Tikit in snow or do you even bother in these conditions?
Thanks for any help you can offer!
Jasen
Jasen Robillard
18 Aug 10 at 11:12 pm
Hi Jasen
The reason I went for the Seasons Tikit is that I ride all the year round. In Sheffield that mainly means riding in the wet during the winter which washes grit from the road into derailleurs and wrecks them. However, last year was exceptionally cold. Riding with Marathon Plus tyres I found the bike pretty easy to control in the snow. In ice it is a different matter and there were a few days where I didn’t attempt it. The disc brakes avoid the problem which affects small wheel bikes, namely rim wear and served me perfectly through the winter. In the spring I replaced the chain, the rear sprocket and had the hub gear serviced – the bike rides like new.
In your situation I think the frequency of encountering ice during the winter should influence your decision – if you think you will encounter it sufficiently to need studded tyres that probably rules out bikes with 16″ tyres.
Hope this helps
Gareth
Gareth
19 Aug 10 at 2:04 am
Hi Gareth – - I read your blog from time to time, and I was checking it today and see that you are going to be in the Brompton World Championship race.
I recently got a Brompton, and will be coming from Washington, DC, to be in the race also! Drop me a line if you’d like to chat about that and the Brompton bike! Charmaine
Charmaine
25 Aug 10 at 2:09 pm
City Cycle Forum, 16th November, 16:30, Town Hall. Can you get? If so please let Dick Skelton know (richard dot skelton at sheffield dot gov uk ) Your chance to let the council know what you think of their cycle facilities!
Simon
8 Nov 10 at 6:54 am