Tactical too far .

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http://www.yellowjersey.org/swiss.html

Since the introduction of this ultimate patrol vehicle in 1995, the Swiss (who are immersed in radical social changes of late, what with allowing women to vote starting in the 1990s and for some inexplicable reason recognizing the silly United Nations, which is comprised of many lesser states that the Swiss certainly could have really done well without) have since disbanded their bicycle patrols so there will be no more of these fine machines.

http://www.lickbike.com/i2787050.htm
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The world's toughest bicycle! This bike is the genuine article, identical to those issued to Swiss army bicycle troops. It has a Reynolds 500 steel frame, Magura hydraulic brakes, Shimano drivetrain, with Edco cranks and hubs. Front and rear racks provide incredible load capacity, with the rear rack being interchangeable to carry different loads (i.e: machine gun, bazooka, ammunition box). A fully functional tool kit is also included, in it's own case.We will beat anyone's price by $5.00. Made in Switzerland

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1325485.stm

End of road for Swiss army cyclists

Swiss terrain demands very high fitness levels
By Claire Doole at a Swiss training camp
A platoon of army cyclists whizzes through the Swiss countryside - the last reminder of a past era, which saw soldiers on bicycles as the backbone of the defence force.
But it is the end of an era for Switzerland's army bicycle brigade.
The world's last remaining regiment on two wheels is to be gradually disbanded by 2003.
 
Geez, I wonder what one of those things cost...
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Well if the toilet seat on a P3 Orion aircraft goes for $300, then I can only guess what this'll cost. :neener:

My son's going into the MARINES, he does those skate board tricks, I can only imagine what he and his fellow bike and board enthusiasts would do with these.

I can see them now doing 360's and flips in full digit-camos!:D

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of course this Monkey bike would be ideal, it could fit in their back packs.

monkeybike.jpg
:D
 
Noise seems to be the biggest reason...or lack of noise I should say. Even a motorcycle with a quiet muffler puts off a heck of alot more noise then a mountain bike.....and they require no fuel.
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Noise-Maybe if a sniper.
Fuel-Since when was the armed forces concerned about fuel.
Delivery platform- a few hundred pounds doesn't seem like much of a payload.
 
:scrutiny:

Noise-Maybe if a sniper.
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Or a small unit that needs discretion and speed. 10mph over level terrain isn't hard on a decent mountain bike. On foot, you might be lucky to do half that (and you'll be alot more tired).

Fuel-Since when was the armed forces concerned about fuel.
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A unit operating without resupply might be concerned about fuel. Not to mention, a fueled vehicle will need fuel to be supplied to it. This adds just that much that needs to be supplied.

Delivery platform- a few hundred pounds doesn't seem like much of a payload.
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Hmmm...a Blackhawk helicopter, an infantry or specops squad, and thier motorcycles.....oh crap....can't load 12 motorcycles into a Blackhawk....
:neener:
 
Great.

Now I want a Swiss Army Combat Bicycle.

That's just plain cool.
But $3450.00?

Maybe I'll just get a gokart and see what I can mount on that.

edit: just had a thought. What does the average full combat load-out for a Marine weigh? And since I've never tried it, how difficult would it be to balance and maneuver such a load while on a bike? Maybe some sort of panniers would be in order.
 
$3400 is a buttload for a bicycle like that. Thats how much a racing quality Road bike can cost... my road bike was $1800.

Panniers, and/or a quality trailer like Burly's flatbed, which also folds.
I think a full loadout is up to about 120lbs, but probably gets cut down depending on the mission. I've ridden with a large pack and its not too bad, as long as you're not negotiating rough terrain.
 
120 lbs...wow... my respect goes up even further for those guys.
its not too bad, as long as you're not negotiating rough terrain
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For some reason I kind of think that being able to decide the terrain of the conflict is a little bit out of the abilites of even the USMC. :D

But, then again, I've always heard that the wise warrior picks and chooses his battles... so maybe they could.

oh yeah and Atc1man? That link goes to a company that 'specialize in building flexible, robust systems using open, standards-based architectures and tools.'
oh and they also provide 'enterprise-level, Internet applications consulting and development services' which is nice and all, but a little difficult to get on a bike.
 
I have a Trek 4900 that cost me $450. Excellent bike, tough as nails. It's my SHTF vehicle - no gas needed, easy to maintain, all-terrain, and can be parked anywhere. Of course, the downsides are that it has little-to-no storage space, goes only about 15-20 mph (less when I'm tired :) ) and can only seat one.

Army mountain bikes are a good idea. A bit specialized, but hey, what the heck?...:)
 
That link goes to a company that 'specialize in building flexible
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Crap, it was suppossed to go here my mistake. Here's the flatbed trailer.

Well, the wise warrior also has a diverse toolbox, full of enough options to match any challenge that may arise. I'd venture a guess that not alot of training goes into riding horses these days....yet our guys in Afghanistan are riding horses all over the place.

Mulliga: Consider adding panniers or a bicycle trailer. You can even find a used kids trailer for $50 or less if its in fix-me-up condition.
 
Of course its tactical! It has the two most important tactical features (no, Skunk, not carbon fiber and chrome). The two most important tactical features are:

1) Its black.

2) Its overpriced.
 
QBG,

Remember, the Vietnamese used bicycles for years on the Ho Chi Minh Trail to resupply forces in the south. The would haul hundreds of pounds of rice, ammo, and weapons on a single bike, walking along side it for hundreds of miles. (And some people still wonder why we couldn't win their 'hearts and minds'.)

These bikes would be good for airborne forces, as they can be dropped rather easily and then be used by the soldiers to get off of the DZ in a hurry. They wouldn't be ideal for a combat patrol, but they do have their applications in military use.

BTW, when I was an artillery forward observer, I carried as much as 150 - 180 lbs on my body at a time. Things like radios, GPS, binos, laser designators, night sights for said laser deginators, food, water, batteries, ammo, carbine, sleeping gear, spare clothes all begin to add up, especially if you've got to carry it all yourself.

Frank
 
Not kidding,

The Finnish army still has the issue bikes, thousands of'em. Beats foot march anytime, three times the distance a day with a lot less effort and attrition. A company will have two trained and equipped bike techs to keep them wheels a'runnin'. I'd guess that still only our early response brigades are entirely mechanized.

No Swiss hi tech either: a sturdy frame with real phat 28" wheels, a dang good seat, cargo racks on the bars and back, one gear ratio :D and the ever-reliable foot brakes. Might cost all of 50€ apiece and will take unbelievable abuse. My issue bike was number 313 like Donald Duck's car... a career mil buddy gave me one later for birthday and had it... shhhh... über-tactically stealth painted!

Riding with full combat gear is no problem. You strap the bergen up front (to cushion the numerous combat dismounts in the ditches) and sling your Valmet on your back. Dismounting a company of men off the road and deep in the woods takes all of ten seconds... :D

Next week, the tales of transporting crew-served weapons on skis... :scrutiny:
 
In the Norwegian military there is even a manual about how to fall off a bike the right way! :scrutiny:
Procedure:
  1. In a clear loud voice shout: "HELP! I AM FALLING!"
  2. Stear the bike to the right.
  3. In an orderly fashion, fall gently to your right side.
    [/list=1] :rolleyes:

    Oh, and for skis, when hanging on a line (Behind snowmobile or other vehicle), if you start to fall you shout a warning, and then fall to the outer side of the line...
 
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