Alekhine
02-14-06, 07:38 PM
I just ordered a New World Tourist. This is such an interesting bicycle for car-free peeps.
New World Tourist webpage (http://www.bikefriday.com/bikeMMI.cfm?BF=5)
Anyway, for those who are unfamiliar, Bike Fridays are practical custom folding bicycles that one can tour the earth with. There are lots of folding bicycles out there, and probably others that will be better for you, so it's not by any means the only option in this realm. I just happened to order this one.
I have relatives that live clear on the other side of the continent, and friends in Thailand, Germany, Japan, West Virginia, all over.. I also don't have a major airport within 50 miles of where I currently live. When I want to see my family or go on vacation, I currently take a bus down to San Fran and then a cab from the terminal to the airport. But I like bikes, and I'll now be able to ride to the airport trailing the travelling suitcase behind me on a foldable trailer with wheels. When I get to my destination, I will be able to collapse the bike and put it in the suitcase along with the trailer, then have the airlines stow it on the plane as regular luggage and I won't get charged extra for transporting a bike overseas or by air or train since it just looks like a suitcase. Furthermore, when I get to my faraway destination, I can unpack, reassemble the bike, and ride away from the airport - no taxis, no making the friends or family meet me at the terminal and forcing one or the other of us to wait or keep on the lookout, bored. No renting a car I don't want to drive around. If I'm in a foreign country, I can explore by 2 wheels, the way I like to.
There's one guy in South America who toured with his and packed an inflatable kayak in the trailer. When he found a river he wanted to row on, he unpacked the kayak, packed the bike in the case, put the case in the front of his little boat, and paddled off, reversing the procedure once again when he was ready for more road riding. I'll be doing that this summer for sure.
They custom build the bikes to your body shape and specs and personal needs, and for customs, they get them to you fast. If you have a favorite bike in your stable of bikes at home, you can send them the measurements, and they will try to emulate it for you.
I'll have to admit I've never been on one, so this isn't a review or anything, but everything I've heard about the ride has been quite positive.
At any rate, I'm excited to say the least. I'll post pics when it gets delivered - supposedly March 22.
Anyone out there have one?
New World Tourist webpage (http://www.bikefriday.com/bikeMMI.cfm?BF=5)
Anyway, for those who are unfamiliar, Bike Fridays are practical custom folding bicycles that one can tour the earth with. There are lots of folding bicycles out there, and probably others that will be better for you, so it's not by any means the only option in this realm. I just happened to order this one.
I have relatives that live clear on the other side of the continent, and friends in Thailand, Germany, Japan, West Virginia, all over.. I also don't have a major airport within 50 miles of where I currently live. When I want to see my family or go on vacation, I currently take a bus down to San Fran and then a cab from the terminal to the airport. But I like bikes, and I'll now be able to ride to the airport trailing the travelling suitcase behind me on a foldable trailer with wheels. When I get to my destination, I will be able to collapse the bike and put it in the suitcase along with the trailer, then have the airlines stow it on the plane as regular luggage and I won't get charged extra for transporting a bike overseas or by air or train since it just looks like a suitcase. Furthermore, when I get to my faraway destination, I can unpack, reassemble the bike, and ride away from the airport - no taxis, no making the friends or family meet me at the terminal and forcing one or the other of us to wait or keep on the lookout, bored. No renting a car I don't want to drive around. If I'm in a foreign country, I can explore by 2 wheels, the way I like to.
There's one guy in South America who toured with his and packed an inflatable kayak in the trailer. When he found a river he wanted to row on, he unpacked the kayak, packed the bike in the case, put the case in the front of his little boat, and paddled off, reversing the procedure once again when he was ready for more road riding. I'll be doing that this summer for sure.
They custom build the bikes to your body shape and specs and personal needs, and for customs, they get them to you fast. If you have a favorite bike in your stable of bikes at home, you can send them the measurements, and they will try to emulate it for you.
I'll have to admit I've never been on one, so this isn't a review or anything, but everything I've heard about the ride has been quite positive.
At any rate, I'm excited to say the least. I'll post pics when it gets delivered - supposedly March 22.
Anyone out there have one?