Folding Bikes - Is Nightmare Alice Really Safer than a Folder?

This is an interesting claim:

http://www.marineaccessoriesllc.com/mini-bike.html

I see no reason for that bike to be safer than a folding bike. Presumably the manufacturer believes it's safer since it cannot fold up unexpectedly. But modern folders have latches that are very unlikely to release accidentally. The Alice what appears to be a very forward riding position, a very short wheelbase and tiny wheels that most likely result in a propensity for endos. All in all, I think a good folder would be safer than the bike marketed in the link.

that must be a joke......

disc brakes in front of the fork !
cool indeed..... lets hope ( actually we know it already, dont we ?) that those front brakes do NOT work.... otherwise its a fly into the drink ( well its a boating site, isnt it? )

joke for sure....

33 lbs will keep it firmly planted on mother earth ... maybe we can use it as an anchor ?

brakemeister

What's the wheelbase on that thing? I bet it's reeeeal comfortable.

Folders don't "unexpectedly" fold up--period.

If anybody wants this thing, send me the $387.50 and I'll send you something that will get you around just as well and is even more compact. I'll throw in free shipping . . .

. . . and send you a skateboard.

Gotta love the name though...

How can something so small weigh so much?.....Do your knees go over the handlebars?....

The more I've thought about this safer-than-a-folder offering, the more I find it of interest. I tried to learn more about Nightmare Alice, but I didn't find any references on a quick Google Search.

The 1816 Draisine has often been regarded as the worst bike every built, but I think Nightmare Alice may be a close competitor. Of course at 33lbs, Nightmare Alice has the weight advantage.

That thing is 33lbs? Dear gods.

the "unexpected fold" refers, I suppose, to Raleigh Ternty-type folders of the 1970s and 1980s, often badly made and always badly maintained by their idiot owners. There's no reason for even that old and crappy design to suddenly fold unless the user cocks it up.

But then, fear, uncertainty and doubt have always been great marketing tools. Just look at Microsoft.

But then, fear, uncertainty and doubt have always been great marketing tools.

That is what I was thinking, but couldn't articulate as well, when I read the ad copy.

I would think it would be wheelie prone if anything. That name is horrible.I would rather walk than use that thing.I have a 14 inch folder and even that is not as efficient as i would like 16 inch tires are the minimum as far as i am concerned.

I'm guessing that thing has about a 24 inch gear? WHOOOO! Spin city!

I gave a bicycle awareness presentation to a group of Scouts and their parents. At the end of the talk I told them I was so pleased with their attentiveness I arranged to have state-of-the-art racing bicycles available for everyone to try.

Of course, they were these "monkey bikes". We raced around the church courtyard. The kids had a great time because they beat their parents! Yes, we wore helmets.

This is a kid's toy, or at very best, a good cycling joke. By no stretch of the imagination could they be considered a commuting bike.

My 14 inch folder came stock with a 36 inch gear it was too low.At 24 gear inches I believe it is better to walk.