A-bike
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/A-bike_stand_alone.jpg/170px-A-bike_stand_alone.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/A-bike_folded.jpg/170px-A-bike_folded.jpg)
The A-bike is a
A-Bike
History
The A-bike was designed by Sinclair Research, in collaboration with Hong Kong design agency Daka, over a 5-year period.[1] It was announced to the public in 2004.[1] Clive Sinclair envisioned the A-bike, and Alex Kalogroulis was the main design engineer.[2] It was released on 12 July 2006, and was priced at £199.[2] The official Europe distributor, Mayhem UK, hoped to sell 25,000 units in the first 12 months.[3] By 2007 it was being noted that a "large number of counterfeit" A-bikes were appearing in China and elsewhere.[4]
Early reviews praised the A-bike for being lightweight and easy to fold, but noted the flexing frame and uncomfortable saddle, and criticised the tiny wheels for being unsafe on uneven roads.[2][5]
In 2008 the Mark-II version was released: officially known as the A-Bike Plus.[6] This version had strengthened aluminium tubing, a new air-sprung cushioned saddle, and an upgraded drive mechanism.[6] The Mark-III version was released in 2010, and was officially known as the A-Bike City.[5] The main changes were larger 8-inch (20 cm) wheels and it was priced at £299.99.[5]
Characteristics
The A-bike is a
Media appearances
In November 2006, A-bike was featured on UK television programme
A-Bike Electric
In 2015, an electric version, the A-Bike Electric, was introduced to the public as part of a Kickstarter campaign. The design featured 8-inch wheels, as well as a larger seat and sturdier frame.[8] The funding campaign was successful and production began before the end of the year.[9]
See also
- Sinclair Zike - Sinclair's earlier attempt at a portable electric bicycle
- Brompton Bicycle - another British-designed small-wheeled bicycle
- Mini125 - a similar Italian-designed small-wheeled bicycle
References
- ^ a b "Sir Clive launches folding bike". Bike Biz. 8 July 2004. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ a b c "A-bike, no less". BBC News. 12 July 2006.
- ^ "Bike unfolds to tackle the urban jungle". IOL. 13 July 2006.
- ^ "Beware of counterfeit A-bikes". The Official A-bike Support Network. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010.
- ^ a b c "Sinclair A-Bike v Mobiky Genius". A to B Magazine. August 2006. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ a b "The A-Bike Plus (Mark-II)". Canadian Wind Rider. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ A-Bike & Strida Folding Bikes Tested - YouTube
- ^ Lloyd Alter (21 July 2015), "A-Bike Electric is the smallest lightest folding e-bike ever," Treehugger. accessed 10 September 2015
- ^ Kickstarter
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- * "Official website". Archived from the original on 2 April 2023.
- Chief Design Engineer Alexander Kalogroulis explains the folding unfolding procedure on YouTube
- Heald, Claire. "A-bike, no less". Review. BBC.