  We propose a mechanical qubit based on buckling nanobars--a NEMS so small as
to be quantum coherent.To establish buckling nanobars as legitimate candidates
for qubits, we calculate the effective buckling potential that produces the
two-level system and identify the tunnel coupling between the two local states.
We propose different designs of nanomechanical qubits and describe how they can
be manipulated. Also we outline possible decoherence channels and detection
schemes. A comparison between the well studied charge and flux superconducting
qubits suggests several experimental setups which could be realized using
available technology.
