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| Element Pikes, a strong contender to Brompton |
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| Set against Brompton |
My first cycle tour was done on a Tern D16. The bike was literally bought so I could follow Love the Fold to Batam and Bintan. Back then, all foldies went into the cabin while the sole, full sized bike was strapped to the deck, held down by ropes. I never looked down on foldies ever since that trip.
As Alvin, the Chief of Love the Fold once said, "Everyone who seriously love bikes will need to go through a Brompton at least once in their lifetime". I think what he meant is, if affordability is not an issue, bike lovers should own a Brompton at least once in their lifetime. Keeping it depends on the love hate relationship.
So when I was offered a price I could not resist, I bought my first Brompton on 26 July 2016. The very next day, VT and I returned to the shop for another one !!!
It was not an instant love affair. The bikes were hardly used for the first 5 months. I found it heavy and I kept forgetting the steps to fold and unfold!
It was only after I took it to Fraser's Hill at the end of the year, that my love for 16 inch wheels actually began. Yes, it is doable though with many out of breath stops!
Ever since, I have taken it on 120 km and 160 km distances without much body aches, thanks to its steel frame. So what if the gradient is too much? Get down and push the bike!
The bike is so compact it had saved us in many awkward situations. Bag it and travel as luggage on public transports. Roll it under the table in small restaurants. It can even be stored under the bed!
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Element Pikes @ 8 speed - IDR 7.0 million
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| Tom and Jerry |
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| Comfy saddle |
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| Sturmey Archer thumb shifters |
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| Loved the grips with wrist support |
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| Hated the gigantic hinge clamp levers initially but as an after thought, it is easier for my hands |
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| Ugly pedals |
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| Sturmey Archer X-RF8 (W) hub |
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| Chain tensioner |
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| 48 T Chainring |
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| Note the top tube is not a cylindrical tube but narrows towards the end |
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| Proudly made in Indonesia |
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| The use of hex nuts as spacers drives me crazy! |
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| It also fits into a Dimpa though the seat post has to be removed |
The bike comes assembled but it is NOT road worthy. The bike
mechanic took at least an half hour going through the whole bike from wheel
alignment to tuning to ensuring every screw and nut is in place.
The folding and unfolding of
the bike is a tad stiff. Not sure if the joints need to be lubed but will
certainly into this further.
Riding wise, the positioning differs slightly from the Brompton
but having said that, I can't give a direct comparison as my Brompton is on P
while VT's is on H handlebars. Comparing to 3 Sixty's straight handlebar
stem, the Element Pike's ride positioning is the closest to a Brompton.
The Sturmey Archer X-RF8 (W) hub comes with a wide gear ratio of 325% with the middle 6 gears evenly spaced at 14% apart. There's a 30% jump between gear 1 to 2 and 7 to 8 which are supposed to rescue your leg muscles during those steep climbs and adds a boost during the descents.
I am saying "supposed to" because I was using gear 1 (strangely built on direct drive) for flat roads! Switching to gear 2, I could feel the immediate jump in loading, required to turn the crank. Duhhhh....at this rate, I will never hit gear 8!
I only began to appreciate the hub on Day 2; during my short 10 km ride through killer traffics and narrow backstreets of Jakarta. The gear shifts were smooth, the little monitor helps me keep track on what gear I was on and any gears can be selected while stationary. I could feel the transfer of power and the bike propelling forward after gear 3 which is such a joy on so little effort. It also helps that all 8 gears are in sequence so gone are the complications with the twin-shifter system as in most 6 speed Bromptons. Having 8 gears in an internal hub without a derailluer also reduces maintenace as well!
The hub is said to be noisy but it wasn't drowning the noise on the busy streets like I had hoped it would! Jokes aside, it was slightly more audible than the S-RF3 but nothing too disturbing. Anyway, I do not think it was a fair comment as its like comparing between a M26 and M67 hand grenade. Besides, our gentle giant weighs a whopping 1.5 kg!!!
The Sturmey Archer thumb shifter comes with 2 levers. The longer shifter reduces the gear while the little one behind it is for loading. Both requires an outward push to click which was a bit complicated even for a girl's hand. Both aligned together, I have to feel my way behind the longer shifter every time I want to increase my speed. What happens if someone has a big thumb?
Riding wise, the chromoly frame absorbs the rattling quite well. The grips with wrist support was a joy and you can't help smiling from ear to ear for such a STEAL !!!
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| 14.05 kg !!!! |
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3 Sixty @ 3 speed - last known retail price was RM2300 in metallic bronze, aluminium seat post and handlebar, September 2017
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| 3 Sixty without a luggage block, placed next to a Brompton. |
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| Rear view |
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| 48T Chainring |
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| Rack |
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| 3 speed Sturmey Archer |
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| Chain tensioner |
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Cigna @ 3 speed - last known retail price was Baht 16,000, also on 3 speed Sturmey Archer Hub
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| Cigna also runs on 3 speed Sturmey Archer Hub |
Thanks for the beautiful sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou probably have the better experience to share about how is the riding qualities of these cost conscious bikes as compare to Brompton...
Hi, We brought home 2 Element Pikes from Jakarta. After 8 months, we are still enjoying the ride. However, it is not trouble free. We need to apply loctite on some joints as the screws seemed to get loose even though we try to tighten them again and again.
DeleteI just bought my element pikes few weeks ago, and was facing handleset loose as you described, tried tighten again and again. Are you facing the problem at the handleset as well?
DeleteYou should post in the Pikes group in FB for wider audience to read and respond. :)
DeleteHi Pang,
DeleteI guess you can use the loctite, as shared by Amoi, to solve the loose handleset.
Hi everyone! First of all apologies for not replying earlier. I should check in more often to this blog! If you are referring to the grips, yes I experienced the same issue and solved it with some glue. Loctite is more permanent and can only be removed with heat like using a hairdryer
Deletehi,,iM from JB...can i know the 8speed shifter is original ?...i just buy a pikes 8 speed...but the shifter is other type...
ReplyDeleteSturmey Archer S80 shifter.
DeletePlease share the shop details in photo
ReplyDeleteSorry, I bought it in Jakarta but they have since been brought in to KL
DeleteHi, would like to know where I could get a 3sixty or camp pikes in malaysia? JB?
ReplyDelete3 speed Camp pikes was available at SSR Cyclists, Johor Jaya. 3 Sixty was available at De Yuan Bicycle Trading
DeleteHad messaged them , seems like a lot of places are out of stock. including brompton.. :(
DeleteHi, wonder if bikes mentioned above is competent enough to do / handle touring ?
ReplyDeleteNeed to change the stock tyres and it should be good to go. After all the steel frame gives comfort when riding
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi from Spore, where to buy pikes or 3sixty locally. If online order from Indonesia how to overcome as it won't accept Spore data
ReplyDeleteI've bought my 3sixty from a local seller at Carousell.. You may want to check it out. However no stocks now.
Deletes
Deleteya, 3sixty gets snatched up really fast. There is another called 203 stage
3Sixty is quite popular as they also sell accessories. Users gets to "upgrade" their parts. But 3Sixty only comes in 3 and 5 speed Sturmey Archer hubs. The 5 speed is rarely seen in the market though
DeleteWhich would you recommend between camp pike and 3 sixty?
DeleteI like your review. I have a three speed Brompton ungraded to 5 speed. End of last year, I bought Camp Pikes Element 5 Speed with S bar. I've changed the tyres to Schwalbe Kojak, Brompton Crankset and pedals with Brooks Swallow saddle. Enjoying the ride of both bikes. Stay safe and keep riding 👍👍👍
ReplyDeleteHi Jusni, would like to hear your opinion after changing your Pikes tyre. I recently bought a 3sixty which uses Kenda tyres.
DeleteWill sellers in Malaysia or Indonesia ship to the USA?
ReplyDeleteAny idea what is the gear ratio % difference between the 3sixty 6 speed and pikes 6 speed? Looking to get one with the higher gear ratio for slope climb
ReplyDeleteAny idea on how the 3sixty 6speed can handle a slightly slope climb,.can the stock gear burn your leg?what is the best gear ratio if it need to be change.thanks all.
ReplyDelete