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Rob English is set to expand the public perception of folding bikes (fingers crossed) by entering the tikitTM in two challenging amateur races - LC WHEN WE HEARD that our Philadelphia dealer/tikitTM agent Mike McGettigan of Trophy Bikes had persuaded Commerce Bank to add a folding bike category to their Amateur Hill Climb and Time Trial races in Philadelphia, we knew it was a Job for Rob ... Rob English, HPV champ and co-designer of the tikitTM, "the world's fastest folder with the famous Friday ride" has been tinkering with a thrillingly named "Speeding tikitTM" - and what a perfect event to showcase it! The two public amateur races are staged in June on the same weekend as the US Pro Tour in Philadelphia - the third leg of the "Triple Crown of Cycling", won by the likes of Leipheimer, Hincapie, Lance ... If that's not enough cycling delirium for one Philly-cheese steak-with-a-Gatorade-chaser weekend, it's also the weekend McGettigan hosts Round*Up, his fun "Compact Bicycle Universe" Festival, now in its 5th year. As an aside, a 6-minute film of Round*Up's own event, the tongue-in-cheek Fast Fold Showdown (2007) will screen June 1, in New York City as part of the Bicycle Film Festival 2008. It just happens to feature the tikitTM "winning" the showdown ... |
We asked Rob to let us into his lair and tell us what makes his Speeding tikitTM fly (apart from the Samsonite suitcase). His answers are, predictably, fast ... Q: Rob, why pink? [In memory of our Gaylynn? Is Pink the new Red? To fool the carbon fiber flyers on race day?] A: Real men ride pink! Q. How does it depart from the current standard model? A: Drop bars, caliper brakes, componentry upgrades to lighten it up, custom stem. Otherwise it is 'just the tikit'. Q: Go on, give us the tech talk. A: OK ...
Q: How close will a production model be to this? What will it retail for minimum price? Can you get fancy upgrades? A: The plan is to have the '09 Speeding tikitTM be similar but with a front derailleur. Don't know pricing yet, but for sure, being Bike Friday, there will be very fancy ones available! Q: What tactics do you intent to employ to win the hill climb and time trial? Tactics? A: Go fast! Q: What is it about small wheels that are advantageous/disadvantageous to these kinds of races and racing in general? A: For hillclimbs, the small wheels accelerate very well and are very stiff; I've won hillclimbs on my Pocket Rocket before. Haven't TT'd (time-trialed) on the tikitTM yet, so I'll let you know ... Q: What are you creds in brief again - your most recent accolade/claim to fame? A: British hour and sprint record holder. Best All Round Time Trialler in Oregon last year, and second in the state TT champs. Only beaten in one hillclimb last year. My British record is for the standing start hour - just over 50 miles. This is in a fully faired recumbent. I also hold the British sprint record at 68mph. Q: What are you spending your time in the shop doing now? A: Trying to find time to prototype '09 stuff, whilst managing the tikit line and general problem solving. A: Erm ... I train more on the tandem now! With oil prices escalating, we think this event is great way to boost the image of folding or "multi-modal" bicycles, showing them to be performance machines with a higher purpose - a real option when it comes to transportation alternatives. UPDATE: Rob's just reported he's been struck down with a bad flu (sabotage by the 27" wheel, carbon fiber gods?) but hopes to be better before he sets off for the Manayunk Wall June 6. Check out this link for the Round*Up schedule and contact Mike McGettigan to join the fun, michaelmcgettigan@mac.com Watch for Rob's progress June 6-8, at www.bikefriday.com/roundup08 |
RELATED LINKS Round*Up Exploring the Compact Bicycle Universe - our multimedia reports What Does Rob English Do On a Friday? All about Rocket Rob |