Thanks, Denise!

I just got off the phone with Kurt at BF and quizzed him about these and other issues.

What he said: the Pocket Crusoe is basically just lighter than the NWT (the web site says 19.7 lbs versus the NWT's 24.7 lbs, now that I look at it). Also, Crusoe is available in Petite, whereas NWT is not. They'd be willing to size a NWT down for me (lol...if I get it, I'll probably call it the NEWT), but it would still be "about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds heavier" than the corresponding Crusoe. (Just looking at the standard weights, though, I wonder if it might be more like 5 pounds heavier). He said that I'm probably not likely to notice much of a difference when it's fully loaded, but that the Crusoe would have a lighter, sportier feel when it's just me and the bike. Then again, the NWT can take more weight on the frame itself (since I'm leaning towards the trailer option, this is probably not a big issue). The two models are designed for the same terrain and can be fitted with all of the same components.

Capreo: rear hub system that duplicates the gearing of a larger bike -- so essentially higher gearing. I thought that BF gearing already compensated for the smaller wheel size?... So apparently this takes it further.... Both you and Emily mentioned wanting *lower* gearing, though, which makes sense to me (having been warned more than once about the dangers to my knees of overusing high gears, which I'm wont to do). I asked about packing the bike--with the Capreo, you still have to remove the pedal (I'm guessing that means removing the chain rings too?). So it seems like the non-Capreo option would be just as good, if not better.

Hmmm...so looking at some of the options if I go Friday:

New World Tourist 27
*23.2 lbs
*$1,270
*not available in Petite

New World Tourist Capreo 27
*22.0 lbs
*$1,710
*Not available in Petite

Petite Tour Lite Crusoe
*17.8 lbs
*$1,750

Hehe. The weight-bearing capacity of a Petite might be a double-edged sword in terms of whom I'd be able to lend it to or allow to test-ride it. (Sorry, Dad!)

I guess the question is whether to invest in the lighter-weight model with its pros and cons.

Do you have any special theft considerations with regards to BF's? Does anything about them make them easier to steal or more likely to be a target? Does the unique design make them too conspicuous to risk stealing, or is it an attraction? Bike theft is rampant at my college (even securely-locked bikes get taken), so it's a prosaic but important consideration for me. I could keep it in my dorm room, I guess.

MomOnBike: Thanks for the input on recumbents! They do look like a fun way to ride. As a person with a history of lower-back (disc) pain, I'm curious as to the kind of support a recumbent seat provides (or does it vary a lot by brand?). Does your weight tend to be pretty evenly spread from lower to upper back?

Thanks so much for all of your help! You guys are wonderful.