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= A-bike =
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Introduction
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The A-bike is a folding bicycle released by Sir Clive Sinclair in the
United Kingdom on 12 July 2006. It was designed by Hong Kong design
agency Daka, in collaboration with Sinclair Research, over a 5-year
period. It was announced to the public in 2004. Clive Sinclair
envisioned the A-bike, and Alex Kalogroulis was the main designer. It
weighs and folds to , small enough to fit in a rucksack. The first
version had wheels, which was increased to in later models. In 2015,
an electric version, the A-Bike Electric, was introduced to the public
as part of a Kickstarter campaign.
History
=========
The A-bike was designed by Sinclair Research, in collaboration with
Hong Kong design agency Daka, over a 5-year period. It was announced
to the public in 2004. Clive Sinclair envisioned the A-bike, and Alex
Kalogroulis was the main design engineer. It was released on 12 July
2006, and was priced at £199. The official Europe distributor, Mayhem
UK, hoped to sell 25,000 units in the first 12 months. By 2007 it was
being noted that a "large number of counterfeit" A-bikes were
appearing in China and elsewhere.
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.
In 2008 the Mark-II version was released: officially known as the
A-Bike Plus. This version had strengthened aluminium tubing, a new
air-sprung cushioned saddle, and an upgraded drive mechanism. The
Mark-III version was released in 2010, and was officially known as the
A-Bike City. The main changes were larger wheels and it was priced at
£299.99.
Characteristics
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The A-bike is a small wheel bicycle with wheels, increasing to in
later models. The original model weighs , and folds to reducing its
volume to about 25% of its original size. A twin-chain system enables
the bike to travel about per crank rotation despite the bicycle's
small-diameter wheels (). The crankcase housing almost completely
encloses the drive mechanism, protecting it and preventing oil stains
on clothing or floor surfaces.
Media appearances
===================
In November 2006, A-bike was featured on UK television programme 'The
Gadget Show', alongside the Strida. The distribution company behind
the A-bike was featured on the UK Television programme Badger or Bust
broadcast on 5 June 2007. In the 'Top Gear epic race' Car vs. Train 2.
Richard Hammond and James May carried A-bikes in their suitcases and
unfolded them to bike from a ferry dock to a cable car.
A-Bike Electric
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In 2015, an electric version, the A-Bike Electric, was introduced to
the public as part of a Kickstarter campaign. The design featured
wheels, as well as a larger seat and sturdier frame. The funding
campaign was successful and production began before the end of the
year.
See also
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* 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
License
=========
All content on Gopherpedia comes from Wikipedia, and is licensed under CC-BY-SA
License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
Original Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-bike
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