Airframe Super 8 Folding Bicycle

I have been intending to put a post on about by bicycle for some time... because it is a little unusual. I have a folding bike called an Airframe Super 8. I have been intending to make a video of it folding, and unfolding, to accompany the post, but have never gotten around to it. Today was a beautiful day, and I took a beautiful picture of my Airframe in Corby woods, so I could not resist posting:



The Airframe bike has been around for several years, but has not sold that well, mainly because no on knows about it (I think). This is a shame because it is a brilliant bike, it is fun to ride, and folds easily (with practice) for fitting in the Myvi, or in train suitcase racks. The Airframe is built by Silkmead Tubular Ltd. of Dunstable as a sideline from their main business of folding tubes for specialist industrial purposes. My bike is unique, it was built for the Cycle Show about six or seven years ago, and is the only one ever built in Emerald Green. I bought the bike from Silkmead about six years ago and love it. It fun to ride and has required negligible maintenance. The Airframe weighs just 10.5 kilos (aluminium tubing), and has an 8 speed Sturmey Archer hub (the current model appears to have a 4 speed Shimano Nexus hub). Airframes are currently available from their distributor McMullan Group, there is a folding video on their site, but I'm sure I can do a better one!


My Airframe at Corby station.


Ready to fold, and pop on the train to work.

30,000 Miles / Recently

Last night I was on the way to pick up an Indian takeaway when I realised 30,000 miles would occur on the way home. I intended to stop and take a picture at 30,000, but I think I must have forgotten with the smell of good food, and had to take the photo at 30,003 this morning.



30,000 miles, has gone quick. So has the last two years. When I was looking for something in the glove compartment I found the breakdown cover guide, still where I put it when FTP was new, the two years free cover runs out in less than a month!



Recently, I had not realised that the condensation of the windscreen was indeed frozen and split one of the blades when I tried to wipe the window. I called at a local car accessory shop and asked for wiper blades for a Perodua Myvi. Both salesmen said "A what...?", and then were none the wiser as Perodua was not listed in their wiper book. One of the men came out and measured the wipers. Standard blades and fittings fitted the front, and he cut a blade to fit into the rear housing, because it is a cheaper option than replacing the full arm.

I always find it strange when people have not heard of the Myvi, especially in the auto trade; because, I do not think there is anything much else out there that offers such good value for money. I find it hard to believe that according to the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders only 543 Peroduas were sold in the UK last year! Although that is higher than total Proton sales, who although being a much better know brand in the UK, and having four different models, only sold 446 cars last year.