Say What?! Ok here goes, i know i run the risk of starting a Flame war but i am just trying to be helpful...

My 0.02 cents:

NOT cool at all that bike, Shaft drive in general is pretty much "uncool".. Reasons:

1. Inefficient, i Have seen tests though i would have to sort through old magazines and then i might find them.

2. Heavy as $4** ! Lots of clunky steel bits make for a very heavy drive system. A bike is not a locomotive, it doesn't need a shaft drive.

3. Proprietary and expensive parts that are very hard to get... What do you think happens when the drive parts develop slop, play and wear out? You are forced to buy from very limited sellers at a premium. Forget about stopping in at just any bike shop and getting a new cog and chain...

4. Chain drive is very effective, very proven and very affordable.. why mess with it? The only advantage having to worry less about getting stains, if that is a huge deal to anyone, light and fully enclosed chain guards can be had.

5. In the case of this particular bike,.. look at it! Look at the Geometry! It seems badly laid out and designed to me, the saddle tube is very close to the steerer tube, very cramped position.
Lastly almost every part on that bike screams : Cheap and dodgy = will break quickly.

Plastic pedals, very cheap saddle, rims and other essential parts. Even their own warranty does NOT inspire confidence in either their bike or their drive system:

Shaft Drive - 2 years ...!!!
All other components - 1 year

@ Yamcha. Please don't take this personal but i have seen you ask for opinions and advice in a few threads now. When it is given (often by knowledgeable people in a useful and friendly fashion) you seem to disregard and disagree with it almost completely. If you don't want input why ask for it? Especially as you yourself have said somewhere you prefer the cold and hard "truth" and not mincing words.

Anyway, not trying to offend anyone here! Just trying to figure out these type of threads and at the same time prevent anyone from buying something substandard... at $ 599 no less!!

I mean just read the above post (and that is from someone who actually liked the bike!) :

"The bike also did not fold well, did not stay folded, and rarely stood up by itself. I used it as a "lay flat" by only folding the handlebar post, lowering the seat, and rolling it into the backseat of my car. If I get a new one when they become available in Oct, I might cut out the frame hinge, and weld the frame to make it a layflat. The folding is as bad as a cheap folder, nothing like a Bromptom or Dahon. Dynamic wanted to have Dahon make frames for them, but Dahon was not interested."

For that money one could buy a Higher end Dahon, Downtube and more, i just don't see the appeal.