General Cycling Discussion - Stealth Bikes are out there....somewhere.

"Tough enough to drop from a plane; durable enough to traverse any terrain, move at high speeds and require minimal maintenance; easy enough to fold into a portable size yet agile enough to unfold in seconds.

The Result: The Paratrooper™".



Here (http://www.militarybikes.com)

The future of military combat, or did the Swiss know this all along?

I'm not sure about that one. Methinks it may flex like a credit card.

There was a WWII version in the classic designs section in Cycling + (UK magazine) a month or two back, that was a little more stylish - very much like a cruiser but hinged and with telescopic pedals.

Richard

I saw this in a hunting magazine last year some time. Not great components. They claim "light as a daypack," but I couldn't find weight listed anywhere in the specs.

light as a daypack

A nice lite military daypack is about what 40 lbs or so..

It isn't a new idea. The Brits issued folding bikes to paratroopers in WWII. A relatively famous Cartoon in Punch showed a Paratrooper plunging to earth, a gaping hole in his 'chute, holding a folding bike in his arms. Stoic and straightfaced, he said, "Bloody bike probably doesn't work either."

Finally a bike that will match those little German war helmets I see kids wearing on their BMX's.
Also the guys that wear "Urban Cams" (modern clothing with camouflage) to the shops should feel right
at home on this bike.

Does it come in a Humvee version :-)

CHEERS.

Forget about poxy Alivio components and Hi tensile steel (yes the crappiest grade) in that "paratrooper" bike. For a real, tried and tested mil-spec machine. you need one of these Swiss Army bikes:

http://www.benvanhelden.nl/Condorclub/Fiets/model93.html

Alternative To Foot Soldier

The Paratrooper™ Tactical Mountain Bike offers an excellent alternative to typical ground transport. Mules/horses are hard to control, eat 6 times as much as men do, have higher silhouettes and require full-time care/training. Vehicles are noisy, require mechanics and POL resupply, and can break down without repair parts. Men on mountain bikes have off-body load bearing, can traverse any terrain, move at high speeds without breakdown, and can refuel themselves with local water and food. It is also a great moral builder - the guys really enjoy traveling around on a bike rather than on foot.


SPECIFICATIONS
Finish: Cammy Green
Frame: 7005 Aluminum (Alloy Front Section)
Chromoly/ Hi-Tensile Steel Rear Triangle
Fork: RST 281 Suspension
Gearing: 24 Speed Shimano Alivio
Shifters: Shimano Gripshift
Brakes: Alloy V-Brake
Tires: 1.95" Front/Rear Specific Knobbies
Spokes/Rims: Stainless Steel/Alloy
Bar Ends: Kalloy Short Alloy Bar Ends
Saddle: Velo Mountain Bike
Seatpost: Alloy Micro Adjust
Pedals: Heavy - Duty Double Cage Aluminum
Other: Compass
Frame Size: 18" and 20"
Standover: 29"+ and 31"+
Folded Size: 36" x 28" x 12"


Features:

Foldable to 36" x 30" x 12"
Portable (folds to a small size for transport)
Stealth/Minimal Signature (second only to a walking soldier)
Off Body Load Bearing
Deployable on almost all terrain
Low Initial Cost
Low/No Maintenance


Low/No Logistac Support
Up to 75 miles daily range
Folds without the use of tools
Folds in less than 30 seconds
Easily concealed/caches
Increased Loads (lesser reliance on resupply)
Towing Capability


Montague Folding Integrated Technology (F.I.T)

Patented Technology: Our patented seat tube folding system preserves the structural integrity and inherent strength of traditional bicycle geometry. Unlike all other folding bikes, there are no wobbly hinges and no structural tubes cut in half.
Quick Releases: No tools are needed to fold and unfold the Paratrooper. Just open one quick release lever on the top tube and remove the front wheel. Folds in under thirty seconds without tools.
Safety Lock: Even if you forget to tighten the quick release after opening, there is an additional safety lock that prevents the frame from folding.






I`m always a bit doubtful when manufacturers come up with this line:
Low/No Maintenance

:rolleyes:

I met a very tough and rugged New Zealander, crossing the UK on a £99 discount store MTB. He fixed everything with his boot, as I imagine every squaddie and grunt will try to do. I managed to bend his front mech back in line, and generally sort his bike out, but military bikes will have to be resistant to this kind of care and feeding.

Stealth bikes may not be far from reality.

The owners of a local shopping center banned all bicycles from their property. Kids had been stealing and making very effective getaways on bikes.

I was dumbfounded when they made me park my bike on the outskirts of the parking lot. (This has now all changed, thank goodness.)

Originally posted by RegularGuy
It isn't a new idea. The Brits issued folding bikes to paratroopers in WWII. A relatively famous Cartoon in Punch showed a Paratrooper plunging to earth, a gaping hole in his 'chute, holding a folding bike in his arms. Stoic and straightfaced, he said, "Bloody bike probably doesn't work either."
Why not just drop the bikes on the unsuspecting enemy troop concentrations.

Ouch.

I saw a cool documentary on this:

www.exocet.com/yellowjackets/bikecorp.htm