Bike Friday 1st Class tikit Folding Bike Review

Reviewed by Gwendal Castellan

$1,998 USD

bikefriday.com

The 1st Class tikit is Bike Friday’s fastest folding commuter bike with a hyperfold mechanism. It includes a Shimano Nexus eight-speed internal hub, front and rear fenders and a quick transit cover. We tested the tikit with a folding rear rack and one sided front rack.

Folded dimensions: 35 x 24 x 15 inches

Weight: 25.8 pounds (11.7 pounds) without racks

Wheel size: 16 inches

Pros

Not having to re-adjust the seat and handlebar height after each time you unfold the bike is a big plus and helps keep the unfolding very fast. Once folded, the tikit can be rolled around on its wheels like a travel suitcase, making it less tiring to roll around in long subway or train stations (the frame is conveniently shaped as a handle). The range of the Nexus eight-speed internal hub is excellent and the single shifter transitioned between gears smoothly. The tikit will fit into most standard-sized suitcases once the stem extension has been disassembled and the front wheel removed.

Cons

Shortening the time it takes to fold this bike requires some practice. Make sure to ask your local bike shop salesperson to teach you how to properly fold and unfold this bike or watch a few instructional videos on Bike Friday’s website or on YouTube. The folding mechanism that you use to push the seat post forward after hitting the back of the saddle to unlock it is a bit stiff and could be challenging for some riders.

Ideal Rider

The tikit is clearly a very multifunctional folding bike, a commuter bike that folds quickly and easily, allowing a rider to integrate the bike into a multimodal commute with very little hassle. Its dimensions are larger than some other folders, but it will fit easily into the trunk of a small car and the overhead luggage compartment of a train. The ease of rolling the bike when folded is excellent and very convenient.

Overall

Riding the tikit felt fast and zippy, the core of the frame is incredibly stiff and responsive. All the flex of the bike was in the seat post and the head post, which smoothed out the bumps in the road. The tikit was one of the faster folding bikes that I have tested. The Nexus eight-speed hub was problem-free and provided a broad range of speeds that met the needs of riding in a hilly city. We tested the tikit with both a front rack and rear rack. For most commuters, only one rack will be sufficient to carry all one might need in a day. All folding bikes have more moving parts than a regular bike, and the tikit is no exception. This means that regular servicing to check on all the folding parts is very important. The tikit has many Allen key bolts that may need to be checked over time.