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 5.7 kilograms (13 lb) and folds to 67×30×16 centimetres (26.4×11.8×6.3 in), small enough to fit in a rucksack. The first version had 6-inch (15 cm) wheels, which was increased to 8 inches (20 cm) in later models. In 2015, an electric version, the A-Bike Electric, was introduced to the public as part of a Kickstarter campaign.
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]
Characteristicsedit
The A-bike is a small wheel bicycle with 6-inch (15 cm) wheels, increasing to 8 inches (20 cm) in later models. The original model weighs 5.7 kilograms (13 lb), and folds to 67×30×16 centimetres (26.4×11.8×6.3 in) reducing its volume to about 25% of its original size. A twin-chain system enables the bike to travel about 3.2 metres (10.5 ft) per crank rotation despite the bicycle's small-diameter wheels (6 inches or 15 centimetres). The crankcase housing almost completely encloses the drive mechanism, protecting it and preventing oil stains on clothing or floor surfaces.
Media appearancesedit
In November 2006, A-bike was featured on UK television programme The Gadget Show, alongside the Strida.[7] 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 Electricedit
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 alsoedit
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
Referencesedit
^ ab. Bike Biz. 8 July 2004. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
Chief Design Engineer Alexander Kalogroulis explains the folding unfolding procedure on YouTube
Heald, Claire. "A-bike, no less". Review. BBC.
December 18, 2023
bike, folding, bicycle, released, clive, sinclair, united, kingdom, july, 2006, designed, hong, kong, design, agency, daka, collaboration, with, sinclair, research, over, year, period, announced, public, 2004, clive, sinclair, envisioned, alex, kalogroulis, ma. 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 5 7 kilograms 13 lb and folds to 67 30 16 centimetres 26 4 11 8 6 3 in small enough to fit in a rucksack The first version had 6 inch 15 cm wheels which was increased to 8 inches 20 cm in later models In 2015 an electric version the A Bike Electric was introduced to the public as part of a Kickstarter campaign A bikeA bike folded Contents 1 A Bike 1 1 History 1 2 Characteristics 1 3 Media appearances 2 A Bike Electric 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksA Bike editHistory edit 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 edit The A bike is a small wheel bicycle with 6 inch 15 cm wheels increasing to 8 inches 20 cm in later models The original model weighs 5 7 kilograms 13 lb and folds to 67 30 16 centimetres 26 4 11 8 6 3 in reducing its volume to about 25 of its original size A twin chain system enables the bike to travel about 3 2 metres 10 5 ft per crank rotation despite the bicycle s small diameter wheels 6 inches or 15 centimetres The crankcase housing almost completely encloses the drive mechanism protecting it and preventing oil stains on clothing or floor surfaces Media appearances edit In November 2006 A bike was featured on UK television programme The Gadget Show alongside the Strida 7 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 editIn 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 editSinclair 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 bicycleReferences edit 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 amp 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 KickstarterExternal links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to A bike 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 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title A bike amp oldid 1175896012, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
