Flatbike

For cyclists across Washington, from city dwellers with limited space to adventurers who love to travel with their bikes, the challenge of storage and transportation can often limit the joy of cycling. This is where Flatbike, located in Kirkland, WA, steps in with truly innovative solutions. More than a traditional bicycle store, Flatbike specializes in transforming how you interact with your bike, making it incredibly convenient for storage, travel, and everyday life. This article will explore what makes Flatbike a unique and invaluable resource for residents throughout the Washington region, focusing on its specialized products, the problems it solves, its accessibility, and why it's perfectly suited for the needs of local cyclists.

Flatbike's core mission, as reflected in their philosophy, is to make bikes more convenient. They achieve this through two primary areas: space-saving components that flatten your existing bike, and full-size folding bikes that ride like traditional bikes but offer unparalleled portability. Since 2016, Flatbike has been delivering these solutions globally from their Kirkland shop. They understand the frustrations of bikes taking up too much space in apartments, hallways, or cars, and they’ve engineered elegant solutions to these common problems. Their focus on thoughtful design and customer satisfaction, championed by founder Bob Forgrave, sets them apart in the cycling industry.

Flatbike is located at 11626 Slater Ave NE #9, Kirkland, WA 98034, USA. This address places it conveniently within Kirkland, a vibrant city on Washington's Eastside, making it highly accessible for a significant portion of the Puget Sound region. Slater Ave NE is a well-known street, ensuring straightforward navigation for customers traveling from nearby cities such as Bellevue, Redmond, Bothell, and even Seattle.

The shop's location in Kirkland offers excellent accessibility via major road networks, including quick connections to I-405, allowing for easy drives from various surrounding communities. For Washington cyclists, this means a convenient destination to explore innovative solutions for bike storage and transport. While Flatbike primarily operates as a place where they build and ship their bikes, they do offer a showroom with demo models for local customers. As noted on their website, if you are local and interested in riding one of these demo models, you can contact them to arrange a no-obligation visit. This provides a valuable opportunity for Washington residents to experience the unique advantages of Flatbike's products firsthand before committing to a purchase.

Flatbike specializes in unique products and services aimed at maximizing bike convenience and portability.

• Space-Saving Bike Components: Flatbike offers innovative components like "Pop-Off Pedals" and the "THINstem." Pop-Off Pedals are quick-removable pedals that can be installed and removed in seconds with a simple pinch, saving space and preventing scratches. The THINstem allows handlebars to pivot 90 degrees instantly without tools, significantly reducing the bike's width for storage against a wall or in tight spaces. These components can be added to existing bikes.
• Full-Size Folding Bikes: Flatbike designs and assembles its own line of full-size folding bikes built on the CHANGE folding frame, including Folding Gravel Bikes, Folding Adventure Bikes, and Folding Off-Road MTBs. These bikes ride like their non-folding counterparts but fold in half in seconds to fit into a car trunk, RV, or even an elevator, eliminating the need for a car rack.
• Folding E-Bikes: Recently, Flatbike has innovated by electrifying their full-size folding bikes into lightweight (around 37 lbs) folding e-bikes with significant power (750 watts).
• Accessories for Convenience: They offer complementary accessories such as the "Steerstopper" (a handlebar lock that keeps the front wheel from turning, making the bike more manageable when stored or pushed) and a seat bag specifically for the pop-off pedals. Other accessories include fenders, racks, kickstands, and suspension seat posts.
• Direct Sales and Support: Flatbike operates primarily as an online and in-store retailer, offering sales directly to customers. They provide free shipping within the US and offer customer support before and after purchase, as highlighted by a reviewer who noted Bob's commitment to "customer satisfaction before and after purchase."

Flatbike distinguishes itself through several unique features and highlights that set it apart in the bicycle industry, particularly for Washington residents seeking innovative solutions.

• Specialization in Space-Saving Solutions: This is Flatbike’s core strength. They offer unique, patented components like Pop-Off Pedals (an international design award winner) and the THINstem, which allow existing full-size bikes to "flatten down to 6" wide" without tools. This directly addresses common urban and travel challenges for cyclists in Washington.
• Innovative Full-Size Folding Bikes: Their proprietary designs for folding gravel, adventure, and mountain bikes on the CHANGE frame provide a full-size riding experience with unprecedented portability. This is a game-changer for those who want a capable bike but lack storage space or need easy transport, as exemplified by a customer who stated their bikes "fit more easily on the train" thanks to the Thinstem.
• Exceptional Customer Service: Founder Bob Forgrave and his team are highly praised for their dedication to customer satisfaction. A reviewer explicitly stated, "Bob is committed to customer satisfaction before and after purchase. Highly recommend Flatbike." This personalized attention ensures customers feel supported throughout their buying journey and beyond.
• Focus on Practicality and Convenience: The entire product line is geared towards making cycling more integrated into daily life and travel. Solutions like the Steerstopper, which keeps the front wheel from turning, further enhance manageability when bikes are stored or moved, as highlighted by a customer: "Combined with a handlebar lock called Steerstopper that keeps the front wheel from turning, our bikes really become manageable."
• Local Assembly and Quality Check: While frames are sourced internationally, Flatbike emphasizes that they "focus on designing and building great bikes on this frame," including a "16-point quality check" for their unique builds. This attention to detail ensures high-quality products for Washington customers.
• Demo Models Available Locally: For Washington residents, the ability to "arrange a no-obligation visit" to their Kirkland location to "ride one of these demo models" is a significant advantage, allowing for a hands-on experience before purchase.

For all inquiries about their innovative bike solutions, or to arrange a visit to their Kirkland location, here's how to connect with Flatbike:

Address: 11626 Slater Ave NE #9, Kirkland, WA 98034, USA

Phone: (425) 985-6219

Mobile Phone: +1 425-985-6219

Flatbike is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended destination for locals throughout the Washington region, especially for those who face common challenges with bike storage, transportation, or travel. Its unique specialization in space-saving components and full-size folding bikes directly addresses the needs of urban dwellers with limited apartment space, RV and boat owners, and anyone who wishes to transport their bike without the hassle of a car rack. The convenience offered by products like the Pop-Off Pedals, THINstem, and Steerstopper is a game-changer for Washingtonians who want to seamlessly integrate cycling into their busy lives.

Beyond the innovative products, the glowing reviews highlight the unparalleled commitment to customer satisfaction, exemplified by Bob Forgrave. This personalized and attentive service ensures that local customers receive expert guidance and support, both before and after their purchase. The ability for local residents to visit their Kirkland location to see and test demo models provides a unique opportunity to experience these groundbreaking solutions firsthand. For any Washington cyclist seeking to optimize their bike's portability and storage, or looking for a full-size bike that truly adapts to their lifestyle, Flatbike is not just a bicycle store; it's a partner in convenient cycling. "Highly recommend Flatbike."

Flatbike

11626 Slater Ave NE #9, Kirkland, WA 98034, USA