ENCYCLEOPEDIA
For the love of bikes
Encycleopedia Home  >  Archived > Encycleopedia 04  >  Portables  >  FastNET
Product
Photos
Agents
Titanium, special steels and aircraft alloys - these are the ingredients for a very fine folder indeed. The FASTnet is 13.5kg (29.7lb) of fully-equipped portable performance, built around a particularly sturdy and stiff frame. It folds or unfolds in 12 seconds, and once on its wheels, the FASTnet lives up to its name and specification with blistering acceleration and crisp handling.

The Shimano seven-speed Nexus hub with roller-brake provides smooth shifting and strong all-weather braking. With 'Bob Florin' differential wheel-size geometry, the minimum footprint makes for manoeuverability in traffic, while the larger rear wheel gives no-compromise 'stride'. Respectable distances can be ridden in comfort, thanks to elastomer suspension tuned to a titanium seat post:

A smooth ride is achieved without 'bouncing' or power loss, while stem suspension prevents jarred wrists. The FASTnet is available in two versions to suit most sizes of rider: 18" front with 24" rear, or 20" front with 26" rear. A carry-bag and other accessories are available.

Bigger wheels roll more freely, especially over the bumps, and they bring that elusive 'momentum' to your ride. Calling this principle 'Big-Wheel Dynamics', the designers of the FASTnet have introduced the Springbok, a fast tourer with 30" rear wheel and 700c front. Supply of high-performance tyres in this size is assured by Continental for many years to come. Shorter Springbok enthusiasts can order a version with 700c rear and 24? front wheels, while the largest riders might require 30" front and rear. The titanium and cro-moly Springbok weighs 12.25kg (27lb), uses stem suspension, and is a machine for serious distances.


Author
The Editors
All text, images and web design on these pages are copyright © 1995-2005.

Encycleopedia Ltd. has made a reasonable effort to ensure that all products featured in Encycleopedia are of high quality, from respectable sources, and are accurately described. Not every product has been tested extensively. It is the responsibility of the purchaser of a product to ensure that the product is safe and appropriate for the purpose intended. We cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of transactions between readers and producers and/or distributors of the products described in Encycleopedia. Encycleopedia Ltd. has made every effort to ensure that the shops listed in Encycleopedia are reputable, efficient and sympathetic to the aims of Encycleopedia. However, we cannot bear responsibility for the actions of shops, nor the consequences of transactions between readers and shops.

Please note that any published price information is merely a guide towards the likely cost of the product in the country of origin. The same product could cost half as much again in another country. For-up-to date pricing information, we recommend always checking directly with the manufacturers or their agents. Many of the product features on this website were first published in an edition of Encycleopedia which is now relatively out of date and it is extremely unlikely that specific details remain accurate. We continue to list these products purely as an archive reference, and we have therefore attempted to delete all references to their prices and contact details. We suggest you use your internet search engine should you wish to pursue more information about them.