Quote Originally Posted by Ered_Lithui
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....

Do you have any special theft considerations with regards to BF's?
The gear ration comes from a combination of the chain rings, the hub, and the wheel size. So to get the same gearing of a big-wheeled bike on a little-wheeled Bike Friday, you will find that the chain rings are bigger than those on a big-wheeled bike. And for packing - the chain rings are attached to the crank, so you just pull the crank (and pedal...) from the right side of the bike when you pack it. If you're interested in gear inch calculations, there's an online tool at http://www.panix.com/~jbarrm/cycal/cycal.30f.html.

Theft considerations? No matter what bike I take, I always lock it when I'm not with it. But, I do compromise on the type of lock. I carry a cable lock with a built in combination lock - can't get those U-locks around trees! I'd hate to have a bike stolen while on tour, but I know that it could happen. I guess if it does that I'll just deal with it then... I don't let my bike dictate what I do though. If I want to do something, I lock the bike up in what feels like a reasonable place and head off to do whatever. For example, when I took my first solo tour I was in Glacier National Park and I wanted to spend a day hiking. I left my bike locked to a tree at my campsite - and it was still locked to the tree when I returned. On my cross-country trip, I wanted to wander around (sans bike) in Niagara Falls, Ontario. I locked the bike to a pole in a busy section of town, left the trailer with the bike, and just hoped for the best. I found it patiently waiting for me when I returned...

You will let us know which bike you end up with, right?

--- Denise