Originally Posted by
timo888
CarryMe versus Mobiky has clear weight/performance trade-offs. The CarryMe (8.5kg) is a single-speed with an 8" wheel (8 x 1.25" tires according to Pacific-Cycle) and the Mobiky is a 3-speed with a 12" wheel and 2.1" tire (and a model with a 16" wheel is on the way). Mobiky does much better on hills, and some reviews of the CarryMe say that cracks in the sidewalk can give its tiny wheels trouble. Braking on the CarryMe is not stellar. Mobiky offers disc-brakes for sure-stopping. The CarryMe is carried, the Mobiky can be rolled and carried. The extra weight does get you something.
They're in roughly the same street-price range.
Regards
T
Just a few points of contention:
1. In my opinion the 3-speed Mobiky is not better on hills than the Carryme due to being double the weight. While weight is normally not thought to be as important when riding, in this case the weight difference is so egregious that the extra gears aren't enough make up the difference.
2. I believe that the "review" (which is in reality just a two line rant from someone who obviously didn't even try to ride the bike for more than a block) using the phrase "cracks in the sidewalk" is quite disingenuous because sidewalk cracks can be found with all kinds of extreme characteristics. While I don't deny the Carryme's wheels would have trouble with literal walls of sidewalk lifted a foot or more into the air by tree roots just as 26" wheels would, the suggestion that gaps between slabs or even moderately broken up pieces would cause a problem is downright laughable. Some people just have an irrational hatred of small wheels.
3. The Carryme can also be rolled or carried.
4. The single speed Carryme is almost half the price of a Mobiky. Only the two speed Carryme is in roughly the same street-price range as the Mobiky.
You're right that the brakes on the Carryme are terrible. You do get more with the Mobiky for the extra weight, but I don't think it's nearly as much as you say it is. You get better braking and more comfort due to the wider/taller wheels and the longer wheelbase, but you can also get those from the Strida at around the same price and without all the extra weight.