Anybody here used a Sinclair A-bike, or a copy of one ?

[Tampon]

If you don't know what they are look here www.a-bike.co.uk

Want one for just pootling around London, not so much a bike as a aid to walking around. I.E. tube into London then use it once in Regents park and want to get to Soho without having the 30-45 minute walk. Also be nicer than sitting ont he tube in the summer.

Just wondered if anyone one here uses one, or one of the numerous copies ( probably just get a copy of it first to see what it is like and how much I would use it.

[sjg]

Rubbish. Tiny wheels are terrifying on anything but the smoothest tarmac, riding position is crap and the gearing is so short it's barely quicker than walking.

If it'll get used a lot, a Brompton is worth every penny. If it's more occasional, look for the Ikea ones (their staff christmas gift) on ebay which are cheaper and rideable at least.

[Tampon]

sjg said:

Rubbish. Tiny wheels are terrifying on anything but the smoothest tarmac, riding position is crap and the gearing is so short it's barely quicker than walking.

If it'll get used a lot, a Brompton is worth every penny. If it's more occasional, look for the Ikea ones (their staff christmas gift) on ebay which are cheaper and rideable at least.

Have you ridden one ? It is much quicker than walking. The position is weird and the seat is uncomfortable, but it is meant to be used as the final part of a trip rather than the whole trip, ie get off the bus/tube ride the mile home.

Brompton is far too big and heavy for what i want, they are great bikes but not for shooting down to the shops, pub for lunch, hopping on the bus to Acton to meet friends then crashing at a friends pad.

The A bike can be stored in a back pack, you can pop it under your chair in the pub, jump off it and half collapse it walk into a shop grab a paper and a bag of crisps come out and sec later your off again, try that with a Bromton.

The A bike isn't meant to be a bike in the conventional way, seat not that comfortable because it is designed to be small and light, but it doesn't matter as you will be off it in a few minutes anyway. It is not for Sunday rides in the country or the London to Brighton, just for nipping to the end of the road or to the bus stop.

Wondering more if any one has any long term experience of owning one, heard that the copies are pretty good, apart from maybe a problem with the plastic section where the seat post goes into the frame.

Edited by Tampon on Tuesday 8th April 10:19