You’ll Look Sweet, Upon the Seat . . .

Bicycles built for two sure aren’t what they used to be, which was heavy, hard to ride and difficult to store. Now there’s the Montague TriFrame Tandem, an 8-foot tandem bike that can be folded and carried in a 3-foot case.

This unusual two-person model is a full-size high-performance bicycle that folds easily in several minutes with quick release levers (no tools needed) and fits in the trunk or back seat of a car. Or it can be transported on trains or airplanes.

The TriFrame Tandem weighs 47.8 pounds and is constructed of steel tubes within tubes to form a sturdy frame. It has a 21-speed shifting system, which, when the rider turns the handlebar grip, automatically shifts into the next gear.

The bicycle is an excellent solution for urban couples who want to exercise together but have no place to store an ordinary tandem bike.

Montague Corp. President David Montague says tandem bikes have recently become popular because “they allow two people of different exercise levels to ride together. One person can compensate for the other.”

The company also makes several models of mountain bikes and cross bikes that fold.

The TriFrame Tandem ($1,995) can be ordered from Montague Corp. at (800) 736-5348.

An optional accessory is the Airliner Travel System ($599), which includes a hard-shell carrying case, special tube pads that wrap around the frame to protect it, Velcro-like tie-down straps and three nylon bags in which to store helmets, seats and other biking equipment.

New Sanyo Fax Machine Is a Small Production

In October, Sanyo introduces its new facsimile machine, SFX-P50, a compact model ideal for home offices. The ink-jet fax uses plain paper and can send and receive faxes simultaneously.

SFX-P50 is 13 inches by 8 inches, so it takes up little space on a desk. It transmits a letter-size document in about nine seconds, and also has a timed transmission feature that makes it possible to automatically send up to 20 pages to 50 people.

The unit has a 10-sheet automatic document feeder and a two-line, 32-digit LCD display so you can read both the name and phone number of the person or company being contacted.

SFX-P50 ($1,395) will be available nationwide next month at Circuit City and the Good Guys stores.

Clean Tap Water, Courtesy of a Filtering Straw

The Clean Sip Water Filter Drinking Straw can provide clean, odor-free tap water wherever you are. Its two-part replaceable filter--one is copper, zinc and alloy; the other, granulated charcoal--removes bacteria, chlorine, sediment, lead and algae.

The 8 1/2-inch plastic straw comes with its own carrying case, handy for travelers, kids at school, bikers, boaters and campers. The filtering straw also fits in most sports bottles. It should last about a year before you need replacement filters.

Clean Sip ($14.95 including shipping and handling) can be ordered from the J.M. Glennon Co., 9124 N.E. 141st St., Bothell, Wash. 98011; (800) 796-6773, Ext. 512. A set of replacement filters costs $10. Allow two weeks for delivery.