A Full-Size Bicycle That Can Be Folded
Dissatisfied with conventional bicycles that are too cumbersome to transport and folding bicycles that are too small, Harry Montague, a Washington, D.C., architect and cyclist, developed a first--a full-size, all-terrain bicycle that can be folded in half in seconds without tools.
His Montague BiFrame made its American and Canadian debut earlier this summer and is available nationwide at more than 250 BiFrame dealers. It costs about $500 and has an optional $125 water-resistant Cordura carrying or storage case. When folded, the bike measures 3-by-3-by-1 1/4-feet.
“The BiFrame is a bicycle that folds, not a folding bicycle,” said Montague’s son David, vice president of Montague Corp. “We designed a full-size bicycle and then added a folding feature that doesn’t alter the bike’s appearance or performance.”
To fold the BiFrame, cyclists simply remove the front wheel, unlatch two quick-release levers on the seat tube and swing the front half of the bike around. The BiFrame weighs 29 pounds, comes in two frame sizes, 18 1/2 inches and 20 1/2 inches, and has 18-speed index shifting and 26-inch wheels. It is available in bright red or royal blue.
Although an all-terrain bicycle, the BiFrame is “an urban bike,” David Montague says, because it is easy to carry into an office and easy to store in an apartment, condominium or dormitory. “And it’s also easier to protect. There’s no need to lock it in a stairwell or to a parking meter.”
Among Southern California shops selling the BiFrames are Bicycle Shack in Studio City, Budget Bike in Los Angeles, Coates Schwinn in Pomona, Circle Cycle in Torrance, Smith Cycle & Key in Lomita, Newport Heights in Newport Beach, Ocean Schwinn in Huntington Beach, Huntington Valley Schwinn in Fountain Valley and Schwinn Plus in Tustin.
To find a store in your area that carries the BiFrame, contact Montague Corp., P.O. Box 1118, Cambridge, Mass. 02238; phone, (617) 491-7200.
Sun Shield for Babies
Parents concerned about their babies getting that hot summer sun in their faces may be interested in Flap Hats, infant headgear specially designed to help protect babies from sun and wind.
Laurie Lipson Snyder of Venice designed the little hat for her son, Cody, because she got “frustrated looking for a hat that had all the elements to really protect my fair-skinned baby from the sun.” Her hat has an elongated bill to keep bright sun out of a child’s eyes and a “camel flap” in the back to shade baby’s neck and ears.
“It’s perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping or anywhere under the sun,” Snyder said. Flap Hats, fully lined in cotton, come in various colors and in small (newborns-15 pounds), medium (13-22 pounds) and large (21-36 pounds). They’re available for $7.95, or in flannel or fleece for $9.95 or $10.95 respectively.
Flap Hats can be bought at Cousin’s Children’s Stores in Thousand Oaks, Culver City, Sherman Oaks and Mission Hills; My New Friends in Santa Monica; Kendrick’s for Children in Torrance; Juvenile Shops in Los Angeles and Sherman Oaks; Safe Baby in Studio City; Fred Segal Melrose in Los Angeles; and Sid’s Baby Furniture in Westchester. Or contact Flap Happy, 2322 Walnut Ave., Venice, Calif. 90291. From Southern California call (213) 391-1316; outside this area, call (800) 234-3527.