"Does it rain much in Thailand?I guess you are willing to live with a streak up your back when it rains."

Yes, it rain 5 months from May to September, that when I'll use fenders.

We have the single speed and the one with suspension available here for 2 years. The 7 speed non suspension only available here this year. The one with suspension does not have single fork at the real so it does not fold as neat as the 'real thing'. As far as I know Giant only market the 7 speed no suspension model in 2005.

What made me interested in the Halfway was because of it's design. I used to own a Vespa scooter with cantilevered wheels and loved it. Easy to clean and change tires. I end up ordered a book, 'Bicycle Designe' by Mike Burrows, the British engineer who designed the Halfway. The book ia just as good as the bike!