In July of 2011, I fractured my when the front tire blew on my diamond frame bike. I elected to have the hip reconstructed rather than replaced as a reconstruction would allow cycling without the worry of an artificial hip's reliability. Rehab took several months and the the hip joint was patially frozen with little flexibility, even in February of 2012.

The only option I could see for me to continue riding would be to purchase a Bike Friday of some sort. I decided on a NWT with the help of Larry Black of Mt. Airy Bikes in Mt. Airy, Maryland.

We sort of designed the NWT as a sort of sport tourer (compact double crank with a 10-speed cassette and bar end shifters). Never doubt the wisdom of ordering through a competent dealer who can almost read your mind!

The bike arrived in Mt. Airy toward the end of March with only few quibbles (no seat post shim). The bike felt a bit skittish at first, although not riding for almost seven months could have had a lot to do with that feeling. I doubt that I will ever use the folding option of the bike as it fits rather nicely in the back of my Elantra hatchback.

In fact, for all I care, the frame could have been welded at the folding joint! My only real complaint has been the Continental Sport Contact tires supplied with the bike. Although rugged and fairly comfortable, they are nearly impossible to mount and dismount to fix a flat.

I gave up and ordered Primo belted to replace the Continentals when needed.

Overall riding impressions. The frame is STIFF and does not flex a bit, a nice surprise considering the complexity of the joints. The bike feels a bit doggy climbing hills although, again, this could be because of my ongoing rehab with my lower parts. All of this may be academic, however, as I still can't get my leg over one of my diamond frame bikes (57 CM Paramount). I am resigned to the NWT being my one and only bike for the future.

All in all, this has been a good purchase. Bob Rosebrough Columbia, MD

I needed a new bike with lower gearing to cross the Rockies and Appalachians, traveling the 4,200 miles from the US coast to coast.

Knowing that the bike would have to come back and that I would like to do some international bike touring, as well as the fact that my city lacks bike racks on some buses drove me to consider a folder.

I have met several people with folders, including Dahons, but for touring people always raved about their BF. On a coastal driving trip, I stopped into Eugene to try one out. Wow. Pretty nice.

It took me awhile to commit to the price, but in comparison to a Surley Long Haul, it was comparable. In retrospect, the 4,200 miles were delightfully uncomplicated bicycle wise. The one suggestion for someone putting that many miles on a NWT would be to get the Chris King headset, for the stock headset required tightening every 1,000 miles.

Other cons are the lack of a top tube to support a fully loaded bike while straddling the bike and the increased difficulty (very tight) of changing a tire due the small circumference.

The complaints are few. The pros include the ability to fold the bike and step on a train, plane and bus (without extra cost or restriction) as well as its ability to start from a start quickly (important on a hill) and fast handling to avoid obstacles. Fully folding the bike to put into the suitcase takes me 30-45 minutes and putting it back together takes me about 15 min.

I just returned from a five week bike tour of New Zealand.

Due to New Zealand's narrow roads and the Kiwi's reputation for fast driving, I did not take the flight case (I have it and will use it on my next overseas tour to Germany).

Instead, I wrapped Betsy (my Flag Red BF NWT) in bubble wrap and placed her in the black standard size BF bag. She arrived unscathed in Kaitaia, New Zealand (that's 3 plane changes). I began my ride in Kaitaia and noticed right away how stable my NWT rode fully loaded. She climbed the hills with ease.

At first I was somewhat unsure going downhill with too much speed. Soon, however, I realized Betsy was just as stable going downhill at a speedy clip as any other terrain.

The H-Bar is ultra-comfortable -- so much so, that I could ride without gloves when it rained and I didn't want to get my gloves wet.

With the 1.75" Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tires the ride was very smooth. I also had a couple of bus rides on the North Island to avoid riding in Auckland.

I just folded Betsy, put her into her bag (which, when I wasn't using it, I was able to easily carry folded up and bungy corded to the front of the rear rack), loaded her on the bus, and didn't have to pay the extra $10 for a bike.

Piece of cake! I have a full-sized touring bike. I don't think I will use it to tour anymore. I will only use my Bike Friday NWT!