Folding Bikes - Don't leave home without one...

11:01 PM Sun 21 Jun 2009 GMT

'Biking on Addu Atoll' .

When the two of us embarked on a sailing adventure which was eventually to take us round the world, we had spent so much on new equipment and preparation of the boat itself that we thought we couldn't afford folding bikes.

This, if nothing else, showed how little we knew about long-range cruising. Thanks to some very strange circumstances, we ended up with folding bikes when half way across the Indian Ocean - but that's another story.

Arriving in an unknown port, to be able to take a bike from its small nesting place, unfold it on the shore and set off exploring, gives you a freedom hardly possible any other way. It's good exercise, it's so much faster than walking, and, with a basket on the front, your provisioning becomes a breeze.

We bought cheap bikes in the Maldives, and this transformed our sightseeing and expanded our range. One of the problems of folding bikes has been that they have always been pretty expensive.

Now a new range, branded Onipax and being sold in Australia by Racing Line, has arrived from Taiwan, and the first container was opened a little more than a month ago. (The agents are looking for retail outlets). The bikes we bought were NOT stainless, and, after six years of extensive use in a salt water environment, they are still doing very nicely. The Onipax are made from a combination of alloy and stainless, with Shimano brand running gear.

The Britz - .. .

Britz folded - it doesn’t HAVE to be pink! - .. .

There are several different sizes, shapes of models to suit your pocket, but they can all fit into a bag (optional extra) which is 70cm X 88cm X 36cm, and there are baskets to go with them all.

One of the best value bikes is the Britz, the step-through design making it suitable for both men and women of all ages. At $849 it gives you seven gears and a rear rack, and you can add baskets or bags for the all important provisioning. There are several other versions to choose from, as well as a child's bike.

To see all the models online, or even buy one there, go to Racing Line's online store. For full specifications of all Onipax models find that on their website.

If you are going to be anywhere near Sydney when the Sydney International Boat Show is on, you'll find them there and willing to demonstrate, in Hall 1. Tell them Sail-World Cruising sent you, and ask for the show special!

I would never leave on a long-range cruise without one - they are almost (not quite) more important than your credit card.

by Nancy Knudsen

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