The Most Versatile Bike on the Planet

Jay is an app developer in San Francisco. He works hard and earns enough to play hard. He spends hours on end in front of a computer, so when he gets away from the desk, he wants a life full of novel adventures. He works hard at figuring out new ways to explore The City and all of the scenic wonder of the region. As an avid environmentalist, he sees a bicycle as a statement about maximizing fun while keeping a small carbon footprint.

We at Bike Friday are firmly convinced the best bike ever designed for folks like Jay is the ePakit.

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A Brief History of the epakiT

You see, the pakiT E-bike is the newest addition to the lineup that started with the pakiT. The pakiT was introduced to the world only a little over a year ago and received rave reviews for being the lightest folding bike ever AND also the smallest footprint when folded of any folding bike.

The result was a huge win on Kickstarter with the pakit selling three times the goal set for the campaign. Very few products receive more than $25,000 in sales on Kickstarter, the ePakit folding bike came home a huge winner with almost $150,000 in sales.

Bike Friday’s engineers had work for years to perfect this bike. Bike Friday has a reputation for creating bicycles that are about performance first, and that fold for convenience. Founder Alan Scholz says: “There is no reason to give away any aspect of performance in order to produce a super lightweight, compact folding bike. I’ll put the pakiT up against any bike in terms of comfort, quickness, versatility, and dependability.”

Adding Electric Assist to the packiT Folding Bike

Even as the pakiT was in the final stages of being brought to market, Alan was working on the next phase. Electric assist bikes were gaining ground all over the world, and the US market was just beginning to see the huge potential for adding electric motors to standard bicycles.

Using the approach that Apple Computer uses in product development, Bike Friday wasn’t interested in being first to market. They were willing to patiently watch the others and carefully review every approach, every motor, every controller, every battery until they were confident that they could produce a final product that was substantially better than the competition.

Bike Friday believes that they have reached the goal.

  • The electric assist bike is the lightest folding bike in its class, by a lot.
  • The epakiT is super easy to fold.
  • It still has that super small footprint when folded. Actually fits in a backpack.
  • The front wheel mounted motor is the perfect solution for a lightweight road bike.
  • The batteries can be stacked based on your application for the specific day and need.
  • The battery can be taken on airplanes. Most cannot.
  • The epakiT is a custom-built bike allowing you to choose your size and components.
  • Ride the epakiT without the electric assist for exercise.
  • Replace the front wheel with a standard wheel in 3-minutes to further reduce weight.

Bike Friday has introduced the epakiT to the world and it is currently available in a Kickstarter campaign, and will be available at Bike Friday retailers in May. You can also place an order for May delivery by calling 1-541-687-0487.

Jay goes for the gusto in amazing SF

Jay loves the way that his e-pakiT easily weaves through the dense urban landscape of San Francisco’s hilly neighborhoods. Pedaling up some of those hills is a non-starter, but with the electric assist engaged, no problem.

Longer journeys to the beaches, wine country, or to get a closer look at the Apple Space Ship are fun and easy on the e-pakiT.

What About Performance?

We get this question all the time: “Can your small frame bike with the little wheels provide the comfort, quickness, handling, and durability of my road bike or hybrid. The short answer is yes. The longer answer has one “but,” and it isn’t the one you’re expecting. The epakiT will not do as well on sharp bumps, like sharp speed bumps or pot holes. That’s it. Everywhere else the epakiT is going to be equal or better than standard road bikes.

Quicker
– Smaller wheel bikes are clearly quicker than their larger wheeled cousins. They start faster, stop faster, and change direction faster. An easy win!
More maneuverable
– The size of the bike alone means it can fit into smaller places, but being closer to the ground you are able to get through crowded situations, change lanes, or adjust faster than other bikes.
Better at the top light
– Since your feet are firmly on the ground at stop signs and lights, you are balanced and ready to start when the light turns green.
Acceleration without motor about the same
– If you were to race a similar weight bicycle from zero to 30 miles per hour, it would probably be a tie. Downhill over 30 might be advantage 27” wheels.
Acceleration with motor
– LOL
Comfort for 50 miles
– This is largely a matter of fit, seat style, and tires. If you are going to be doing a lot of 50-mile trips, choose your tires and seat accordingly. Your Bike Friday rep can help you with those choices. Your fit will be much better than off-the-rack bikes, because it is custom built to fit you.
Durability
– Small wheels last far longer than large wheels. The spokes rarely get loose or break. The frame is custom welded and will last you forever unless abused. The other components are created by third party suppliers and you will make choices about which brands and models you would like to have. We have selected the motor, batteries, and controller based on over a year-long search of available parts. We believe these will give you good results over time.

The Most Versatile Bike on the Planet

– epackiT

The epakiT electric assist folding bicycle goes anywhere you want it to go, stores where you need it to fit, travels by train, plane, bus, auto, boat, or motor home, and you can pedal or motor depending on how you feel that minute.

GET A CLOSER LOOK…

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

“Air travel with even the most compact folding bike is a nightmare – no bike in existence is designed to be both compact and light enough.

I suspect the pakiT is the answer to my prayers.”

-Masha Gessen, Renowned International Journalist & Author

“The pakiT may be the most compromise-free folding bike yet.”

-TreeHugger

E-ASSIST & BATTERY SYSTEM

Modular

The real brains of the operation are the clever new stackable LiGo Batteries from our partner Grin Technologies; if you want longer-lasting power all you have to do is link up an additional battery!

An additional benefit for the weight conscious rider is that you can take as only much weight in batteries as you need for any given bike ride, and never a single ounce more!

TSA and Carry-on Compliant

Because each battery is under 100Wh it meets the safety requirements of most airlines; for the first time ever you can take your e-assist bike with you anywhere you travel!

 

MOBILITY

Based on 24 years of building high performance travel & folding bikes the pakiT is a breakthrough!

It surpasses all other bikes in history with an amazing combination of being light weight, folding compactly, very clean (no chain oil), built to your size, and with a high quality ride!

Lightweight: 14.9 lbs/6.8 kg to 22 lbs/10 kg.

Compact: Folds in under 25 seconds to 38in x 24in x 10in (96cm x 61cm x 25cm).

 

Quick Fold V. Compact Fold

Quick Fold

Overall Folded Dimensions: 38″ (96cm) x 24″ (61cm) x 10″ (25cm)
Fold Time: Under 20 Seconds
Number Of Steps: 5

Compact Fold

Overall Folded Dimensions: 30″ (76cm) x 17.75″ (45cm) x 12.25″ (31cm)
Fold Time: Under 28 Seconds
Number Of Steps: 7
Additional Steps: Remove Mast & Wheel

 

 

Brand Comparison Chart

Model Weight (lbs) Weight (kg) Sizing Options Speeds Approximate Folding Time Frame Warranty
Bike Friday pakiT 14.9-22 lbs. 6.8-10.0 kg 6 sizes 1-11 24 seconds Lifetime
Brompton 22-27.5 lbs 10.0-12.5 kg 1 size 6 25 seconds 5 year
Dahon Curve D3 25.6 lbs 11.6 kg 1 size 3 22 seconds 5 year
Montague Urban 29 lbs 13.2 kg 3 sizes 21 30 seconds Lifetime
Tern Link C7 27.3 lbs 12.4 kg 1 size 7 25 seconds 10 year
Citizen Tokyo 30 lbs 13.6 kg 1 size 6 25 seconds 1 year

 

Model Folded Dimensions (in) Folded Dimensions (cm)
Bike Friday pakiT 38″x24″x10″ (5.3 cu ft.): Folded
30″x17.75″x12.25 (3.8 cu ft.) Backpack
96x61x25 cm (150 L): Folded
76x45x31 cm (105 L): Backpack
Brompton 23″x22.2″x10.6″ (3.1 cu ft) 58x56x27 cm (88 L)
Dahon Curve D3 26.4″x25.2″x13.3″ (5.1 cu ft.) 67x64x34 cm (144 L)
Montague Urban 36″x28″x12″ (7.0 cu ft.) 92x71x30 cm (198 L)
Tern Link C7 33.5″x25.6″x13.4″ (6.7 cu ft.) 85x65x34 cm (190 L)
Citizen Tokyo 31″x22″x14.5″ (5.7 cu ft.) 79x56x37 cm (161 L)

CLEAN & GREASELESS

 

Gates Carbon Belt Drive System – Made in the USA

Comes with a belt drive instead of a chain, no grease!

 

CUSTOM FIT

Choose Your Sizing

To accommodate as many riders as possible, the pakiT is custom built in a wide range of sizes!

We’ll contact you after we receive your order to get your sizing information.

There are 6 sizes, with a lot of room for adjustability, to ensure that the bike fits you well!

Sizes to fit people from 54”/136 cm to 76”/194 cm & weighing up to 220 lbs. (100 kg).

AN ARRAY OF COLORS

 

VERSATILE CARRY OPTIONS

 

BUILD AN E-PAKIT TO SUIT YOU

The e-pakiT bikes listed below are examples of the range of options we offer.

We have many more options to fit your needs for gearing, weight and components in our pakiT elite designs.

Click here for details!

 

 

Comes in your size & choice of color.
Belt Drive upgrade available
Rider weight up to 220 lbs.
Bike weight 20 lbs + Accessories

 

 

Comes in your size & choice of color.
Belt Drive upgrade available
Rider weight up to 220 lbs.
Bike weight 20 lbs + Accessories

 

 

Comes in your size & choice of color.
Belt Drive upgrade available
Rider weight up to 220 lbs.
Bike weight 20 lbs + Accessories

 

WHY BIKE FRIDAY?

A family of passionate people who love the joy and liberation that a great bike offers when it fits, rides well, and you can easily take it with you.

We have been designing and building high performance travel bikes for the last 24 years in Eugene, Oregon.

Our bikes range from Touring and Road bikes to Cargo bikes, Tandems, and even Triple-rider bikes! Most pack into a suitcase for convenient travel.

We have designed several “firsts” starting with the world’s first suitcase travel bike, folding recumbent, and custom folding tandem.

We have, for nearly a decade, manufactured the lightest folding bike available anywhere- the 16 lbs.

Pocket Rocket Super Pro. Not the bike for everyone, but an important step toward realizing the pakiT.

Founded by two brothers, Alan and Hanz Scholz, Bike Friday has now entered its second generation with daughter Hanna Scholz at the helm as President of the company.

Bike Friday is proud to be a bike factory run by a woman. Hanna’s vision is to help people live high quality, active lives with high quality, convenient bikes that are a joy to ride and are easy to take anywhere.

 

More Praise for the pakiT

Hearing that is was easy to pack into a suitcase made me decide to order one… I think it would be very useful as an urban bike.Ruthy Kanagy, Owner, japancycletours.com
I loved how fast it packed into the case and that I still had room for other items.Shane MacRhodes, Founder, Kidical Mass
The pakiT is a home run…Larry Black, Owner, College Park Bicycles
The pakiT is the best bike ever… I just finished a 28-mile ride in Germany on the 3-speed pakiT. The great road feel and handling of the bike, plus the lightweight, made it a dream on the ride.John Ittleson, 14 Time Bike Friday Owner
I loved my tikit but the ride on the pakiT has a very sporty feel and I like it better. I’m impressed with the 3 speed, we have a steep hill near our house and the gearing worked well.-John C Ittelson