If you've been thinking about ordering a Gekko folding bike, you may be waiting a while.Due to above anticipated demand, the Gekko folding bike is now out of stock.
Over the past month, as the units available dwindled down, I've been working hard to get more. Unfortunately, Kent Bicycles is focusing on other models and will no longer be offering the Gekko. Nevertheless, it appears that the bike is still alive.
Despite rumors that the tooling for the Gekko had been destroyed, it appears that this folding bike is still in production. At least, that's what I'm told by Aldo Contarino (Chief Technical Officer with StreetSurfer International and a former player in the Gekko saga). In fact, there is also a new version with 16" wheels.
Here's a quote from Aldo.
I personally met one of the other manufacturers at the Taiwan cycle show this year and he told me that they where producing 70000 of the 16" ones this year... I will get the info for you ASAP. You will need to be a little patient as I am not directly involved.
While this is exciting news, the photos of the new 12" and 16" models are even better. Just take a look (click on the images to enlarge).At this time, pricing on the Gekko models is uncertain but the declining exchange rate is sure to raise the cost.
Would you buy a Gekko for over $159?
Hopefully, the Gekko's will continue to be reasonably priced. Under the right circumstances (short distance urban riding with little to no carrying of the bike), I think they're worth spending up to $220 but I'd rather have your opinion before going further. To speak up, click on the comment button below and type away :-)
Larry
4 comments:
any news about availability of gekko?
Chances of the Gekko being available by the end of this year are remote. It appears that I'll have to fly to Asia to actually make the Gekko appear again.
Well, I thought the whole idea of the Gekko was for it to be more affordable. I could only dream of the introductory price of $129 now. It seems I'll be paying nearly twice as much, if you raise the price considerably.
I highly doubt I would spend over $180, but that doesn't seem like it's going to happen. I'll have to pass on the folding bikes for now.
The idea behind the Gekko was a folding bike that would fold/unfold quickly, had a higher than average carry capacity and would roll when folded.
The Gekko has been impossible to obtain for over a year now. When I received the first bunch, the price was low enough to allow selling them for $129. When the wholesale price increased at the beginning of '07, the retail price went to $159...
I still hope to acquire a number of Gekko's; however, if it happens, the bikes would not be here until 2009. Meanwhile prices have risen substantially at the factory. If everything remains the same, it looks as if the retail price will be $189-$199.
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