New folding recumbent: Challenge Travelling Mistral

[bookishboy]

Seen on Bentrider:
http://www.bentrideronline.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=168&blogId=1

Manufacturer's homepage:
http://www.challengebikes.com/

Looks like this very niche crossover segment just got slightly bigger.

[SesameCrunch]

The bike looks sweet! Looks like it folds into the suitcase nicely, although I don't know how long it takes to achieve the fold.

The only thing is the US$3000 price. Wow, I don't know if I could justify that.

[bookishboy]

I have to say, the front wheel drive that you is looking like a pretty great solution for folding recumbents. Much less to worry about with chain-runs when folding it up, and it looks like (if you wanted to make your own) you could even put a full chain guard on it.

[EriktheFish]

Was already posted and commented on in this thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=291797

[bookishboy]

Whoops, my bad. Guess I'm not following the threads as closely as I used to.

[invisiblehand]

Did anyone ever notice the Phaser?

http://www.catoregon.org/hpm/phaser.htm

[bookishboy]

Not only have I seen it, I've finally managed to track down about the only review ever written about it. I've asked the author for permission to re-print the text of it here, but haven't gotten an answer.... yet.