At Nomadic, we have brought forward two very exciting updates to the Dahon Mu N360 model bike.   Joining with Dahon's very well regarded Mu Frame platform,  these modifications are focused on the integration of the Gates CTX Belt Drive being paired with the remarkable NuVinci N360 CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

The Nomadic-Dahon Mu N360 Gates Bike (above) is clean and effective.  This brings the Gates CTX Belt System, along with new fitted bottom bracket, crank set, belt tensioner together with a high level of integral precision.  The fundamental aspect of the Gates Belt Drive is that it is not "lubricated" the way chain's need to be lubricated.  Further, it is very quiet.  In a folding bike, not being lubricated means that you can carry it on your hip, throw it in the back seat of your car, lean into it with your leg and you won't get grease stains.  When you ride it, it really imparts a different experience.  You get almost a feeling of "flying" it is so quiet.  Part of this is its mating with the remarkable NuVinci transmission which does not shift in a "clicking" manner, but reather in a smooth transitional manner.  It also has a relatively quiet coasting mode, which you may note in that its efficiency gets you to speed and coasting frequently.  New Bottom Bracket and Crank sets are required as part of this upgrade and choices can be communicated.

Dahon Mu N360 with Gates Drive and Patterson 2 Speed Crank System  -

The full step further.

 The addition of the Patterson 2 Speed Planetary Gear crank gives the bike both a Overdrive and Low range which expands the Nuvinci N360's of 360% to a remarkable  576% from its lowest to highest gearing.  Making this jump we have purposely expanded the range both Low and High.  This makes the bike capable of climbing even the steepest grades, yet rolls down the road at speed and under power at a remarkable clip.  The bike is capable for both touring and cargo/trailer uses.  Shifting is nearly instantaneous throughout the range.

We have a limited supply of these bikes available.  We can also retrofit existing N360's both in our shop and in a provided kit form.  We will update this article with direct order information as we move forward.  Exciting bikes!

Business at Nomadic has been moving in some new directions.  In cycling our focus has been on higher end folding bikes that are capable of travel, and nice to ride around town and beyond.  You can find considerable information on those fronts here.  Bicycle Trailers are an area of real interest right now and we have some excellent options for different usage scenarios.  We will document that more.

In other fronts though, Landis has become quite active on a consulting level in Project Managment for outside companies.  I should use the word "I" rather than "we" as I am quite singular in most of this.  The projects are diverse and engaging and I am very happy to add my service, expertise and disposition for "deep learning" which tends to be required in finding solutions.  I look forward to doing more of this with a few other clients, and I see this as an important way to look upon our own operations in finding ways to optimize our impact.  Note that the "I" becomes "we" there in the use of "our".  Needless to say, there has been no stimulous anything in our realm.  We are Bootstrap all the way baby.

Anyway,  the ticker list is long so I will leave this here for today.

I will return more frequently with posts and information.

Well,  it is pretty obvious that being Nomadic has gotten more complicated in the era of Covid-19.  Counties, States and Countries all have clamped down on travel.  Campgrounds have been closed.  Local activities, as in trail access, has remained open, at least around here.  Social distancing in demanded.

I could comment further about the philisophical aspects to this but I will not.  We need to do our best to get through this.

We must also realize that there are those who remain "on the road" and who need to find ways.

If you have a bike, a camper or a pickup truck you can, it appears, get on the Interstate.  Truck stops seem to still be open.  You can buy food, cook for yourself.  Perhaps truck stops have take out options, we wouild have to assume.  In many places, people are being allowed to park and camp on city streets.  There are issues of full encampments in city parks and I think this is the tip of an iceberg that has been tumbling for a while now.  Campgrounds, not just oriented at RV's should be a part of most communities.  2 Week stay limitations should be enforced, but there should be enough campgrounds that people who do not have other options can move between them.

Walmart stores (by having a Grocery and Hardware compnent) are still open.  Other Grocery and Hardware as well.  Automotive and, in some places, Bicycle Repair, has remained theoretically open.  But functionally, people need to stay away from each other as much as possible.

It is not easy to see an end to all of this.   It is hard to know if quarantine enforcement will loosen or tigthen.  Again though,  keeping distance is critical for all of us.  We need to do so without becoming Anti-Social at the same time.

Be well, Be Safe.
Keep in touch with each other.

Landis Arnold

4-29-2020,  Niwot, Colorado