One of the cycling magazines got one to ride on the Olympic route. Weight of the bike was 50 pounds and the brakes were mostly for looks. The rider made it a few hundred feet up the first climb and turned around in failure.

They pop up on eBay but I wouldn't touch one. An old Raleigh or Columbia would be a better buy.

Taking a look at the official FP website in China, I see the rod brakes have been replaced with side pulls. They also sell a bike called "Anchor". How appropriate.