A-bike

A-bike

The A-bike is a type of folding bicycle invented by Sir Clive Sinclair in the United Kingdom and released on July 12, 2006. It weighs convert|5.5|kg and folds to 67x30x16 cm - small enough to fit in a rucksack.

The A-bike was designed by a team at Daka, Hong Kong and Sinclair Research Ltd over 5 years, and was originally announced in 2004. Clive Sinclair envisioned the A-bike and Alex Kalogroulis was the main design engineer.

Characteristics

The A-bike's telescoping structure reduces its apparent volume to about 25% in its collapsed state. A twin-chain system enables the bike to travel about 3.2 metres per crank rotation despite the bicycle's small (6 in diameter) wheels. The crankcase housing 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 the 5th June 2007.

A-bike was featured 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. The magazine "A to B" described the A-bike as a "fabulous folder, but almost unrideable". [Folding Bikes. A Buyers' Guide. A to B magazine. http://www.atob.org.uk/Buyers'_Guide.html#A-bike Updated May 2008, accessed 30th September 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://www.a-bike.co.uk/ Official A-bike website]
* [http://www.sinclair-research.co.uk/a-bike.php Sinclair Research - A-bike]
* [http://www.abikecentral.com/aboutabike.html A-Bike Central]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd0gzgdw1nY Inventor Alexander Kalogroulis explains the folding unfolding procedure (YouTube video)]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/5173612.stm BBC Review of the A-bike]


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