Common Problems

Certain tikits, especially earlier model years, have model-specific issues and recommended upgrades, discussed on the models page. Be sure to check that out.

My tikit creaks.

Beyond squeaks common to all bikes (such as the bottom bracket or crank), the tikit has certain special sources of squeaks and creaks.

The seatmast latch is the #1 source of creaks, particularly as you're pressing hard on the pedals.

• Grease the seatmast latch on the rear triangle where the latch rings connect to it.
• Be certain that the latch rings can rotate freely or they will wear faster into the latch. However the rings should not have too much freedom: tighten them as tight as possible while they can still be rotated freely by hand.
• You might also disassemble the latch rings and latch ring pin (bolt) and grease them on the insides well.
• Creaking is an early sign of latch or latch ring wear. Be sure to read "My seatmast latch has play or won't hold" below.

The pac-man clamp will creak if it's not adequately oiled or greased.

• Oil or grease the inside surface of the Pac Man clamp every rew months or so. Rob English recommends tri-flow or similar teflon lube instead of grease, as it attracts less dirt.
• In some cases the flat surfaces of the folding stem (which touch one another) may need to be greased or oiled as well.
• Verify that the headset is tight and tighten if necessary. The headset is held tight by several screws above and below, including the main screw which holds the fender.

In rare cases the cup may creak if it's pressed against the frame.

• Grease or oil the cup (but only if you're sure it's coming from there -- it's probably not).

My handlebar stem is too flexible.

Later model pac man clamp.
Click for larger version.
Courtesy of Vik Banerjee

The tikit has a notoriously flexible handlebar stem, due to three factors. First, the stem riser is adjustable, which adds to flexibility. Second, the stem latch does not hold the stem tight enough: the pac-man clamp on the stem is in the front, as opposed to the Brompton (for example) where it is in the back. Third, the size-Small and size-Medium tikits have thinner and more flexible tubing than size-Large tikits.

• If you have a Model-t tikit, be certain that the Pac Man clamp is tightened adequately.
• If you have a 2007-style hyperfold cable (two brake cables), you definitely want to upgrade to the newer single-cable design, which also comes with a beefier Pac Man camp.
• If you have a newer hyperfold cable, be certain that cable is tightened adequately. Bike Friday video showing how to test tension. We suggest that you add not one but two lock nuts on the back of the cable.
• If you have a size-Small or size-Medium tikit, ask Bike Friday about the possibility of getting a stem riser tube—the unpainted aluminum section—the proper length but of the thickness of a size-Large tikit's stem riser tube (about 50% thicker). Or talk to your local bike shop about getting a hunk of aluminum tubing that's 2.4mm in wall thickness. Ideally you want the riser to be long enough that you can seat it far down into the painted part of the stem to help stiffen that part too.
• Make certain that the axle on the folding hinge is tightened properly (but not overly so).
• Examine the axle on the folding hinge for signs of play or ovalization, or to see if the hinge plates come together properly. If there is a problem, contact Bike Friday (this may or may not be a frame warranty issue).
• Make sure the headset is tight. The tikit's headset is tightened down with several hex nuts located near the steering tube, including the hex nut which holds the front fender. If these are loose, the headset can get wobbly, which feels like a loose Pac-man clamp. The natural mistaken inclination is to tighten the Twiddly knob or hyperfold cable, but this actually can damage a loose headset over time. So if you perform any of the above, be sure the headset is properly tightened.

My handlebar stem sticks and won't fold easily.

• Grease or oil the inside surface of the Pac Man clamp every two months or so. This will make the handlebar stem unstick easily. Rob English recommends tri-flow or similar teflon lube instead of grease, as it attracts less dirt.
• Some tikits have a small rubber block on the inside of the Pac Man clamp which makes it easier to open. Bike Friday can sell one if appropriate.

My seatmast latch has play or won't hold.

When the bike is unfolded and ready to ride, you should be able to lift up the rear of the bike by the back of its seat without the latch popping open. If not, you may need to tighten the latch.

Latch assembly.
Click for larger version.

The seatmast latch assembly has two major parts: the latch rings and the latch body which the rings latch into.

• The latch rings are designed to wear down. Bike Friday provides inexpensive replacements for them.
• The latch was not designed to wear down, but it does. If the latch develops a serious amount of play or popping, you can apply a tap procedure to the latch to close it slightly. The following Bike Friday dealer video (and an older one) describes the procedure for performing a tap but you are strongly encouraged to contact Bike Friday or a Bike Friday dealer to assist you in performing this procedure. Be very careful: improper application of the procedure can bend your latch.

My tikit isn't stable when folded.

The tikit can be outfitted with a rear rack, a folding rear rack, or a small U-shaped guard strut. The strut does not do a good job of keeping the bike stable. The tikit also has a third front leg (the tripod leg) which rests on the ground when folded, and this leg may not be long enough in certain cases: for example, the latch may be longer than the leg.

Standard Rear Rack.
Click for larger version.

• Strongly consider buying the standard rear rack or the folding rear rack. They make the bike much stabler when folded.
• You may be able to extend the tripod leg, which is hollow. Remove the rubber foot from the leg. Find an M8 hex bolt with a tall head and the right diameter. Insert the bolt into the foot and thread it in or glue it there. Put the rubber foot back on.
• 2011 tikits have adjustable latch pegs which make it easy to get the bike stable. See this Bike Friday dealer video for instructions.

My tikit won't stay folded.

To stay folded, the tikit has a latch arm which locks onto a latch pin. To unfold the bike, a paddle swings down to pull the latch arm off of the pin. The flexible 2007 version of the latch arm has a long slot. Two stronger 2008 style latch arms have small holes. See the following Bike Friday video on determining what kind of latch arm you have.

2007 latch arm.
Click for larger version.
Courtesy of Vik Banerjee

• If you have a 2007-year tikit, you may have the old "slotted" latch arm (or dinosaur), which can easily be bent out of proper position. See the following Bike Friday video on adjusting the 2007 latch arm.
• Certain late model 2007-year or early 2008 tikits have a latch arm without a certain square tab. For these models, an adjustment can be made on the arm to get its hole back inline with the pin. See the following Bike Friday video.
• Bike Friday has not released a video for adjusting the late 2008 latch arm. Contact them or a dealer for instructions.
• In rare cases the latch pin has worn down and is too short to impact on the arm well. Bike Friday will tap it and thread in a stainless steel M5 cap head bolt to extend the pin a bit. Contact them.

My tikit cable routing isn't good.

Good cable routing.
Click for larger version.

Some tikits have a cable routing in which the derailleur cable can be crushed between the hyperfold cable and the bottom bracket.

• Reroute the cables so that the hyperfold cable is between the derailleur cable and the bottom bracket. The figure at right shows one plausible routing: note the wire ties to hold the derailleur and brake at certain locations (the derailleur cable is the diagonal cable in the picture).

My tikit folds too freely or with too much resistance.

The following Bike Friday dealer video explains how to adjust the resistance of the folding axle of the tikit.

My tikit doesn't turn (steer) easily.

If you have a hyperfold tikit, your hyperfold cable bearing may have seized up. See "Replacing the Hyperfold Cable Bearing'' for more information.