jooaa

Anyone ride one, or something similar (6" wheels)? I could use a micro-foldable bike, but I'm wondering what the ride is like. Sorry if this post has happened before but searching for "A Bike" doesn't narrow the results much!

Thanks...

Rincewind8

A search for "Sinclair" got me to this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=sinclair

jur

ebay is flooded with cheap Asian copies which from what I gather do not last long at all. The a-bike has a loyal following so it can't be all bad. But it's very slow, only just faster than walking.

lee_rimar

I picked one up cheaply on eBay just to try it. There are enough zoobombers (look it up) and other eccentrics in this town that I expect to resell it on Craigslist without taking too much of a loss.

To answer your question: It's ride-able, just barely. Gravel, potholes, other less-than-perfect surfaces are its downfall. It's possible that the "genuine article" (Sinclair, DAKA) rides somewhat better from being better made, but I really think the wheels are the problem.

My Strida (16" tyres) is much smoother and I can carry it onto a bus/train without problem - that may be as small a wheel as is practical.

A few CarryMe owners might want to chime in with their opinion of smaller wheels.

jooaa

Thanks. I've read a few other threads and I don't think I'll go smaller than 16".

lecky

I've riden a friend's sinclair a-bike. It's fine for very short journeys on reasonable road surfaces, not going through too much traffic, it's slow compared to a proper bike, but not compared to walking; it probably justifies itself for some limited functions. My friend who owns it loves it, he has a very small flat and a girlfriend who hates clutter, he can really carry the thing anywhere and everywhere without it being a drag, it takes him around the neighbourhood, or to the station. I'm 6'2" and it's potentially leathal for me because of the high risk of it flipping backwards (my friend has a thudbuster on it which makes this risk even more hilariously prevalent). It's not a replacement for a proper bike.

OldiesONfoldies

I've sung the Carry Me song long enuf - so not going to say much except this may be the perfect micro-folding bike. Not too expensive and rides VERY impressively. Beats A-Bike for riding performance easily (with all due respect to the A-Bike brethren). I have ridden both... My brother owns an A-Bike.

https://www.pacific-cycles.com/news_d...&cat0=2&cat=17

OnF

jooaa

Yeah, if I get a micro, it'll be the Carry Me. Too bad it's not as cheap as the ebay A-bikes!

lee_rimar

Ah, yup -- the CarryMe is next on my list of bikes to try. As soon as I find the ca$h and/or a bargain on one...

geo8rge

I saw a guy ride one to his car in a large parking lot. It worked for him.

OldiesONfoldies

Hi LR, I too own a Strida 3 and its another amazing bike too. I love this and the CM, both have their strengths and weaknesses. The ride of the Strida is more comfy due to bigger wheels and upright ride position. But the CM is surprisingly just as fast (if you can call a Strida fast).

And if you plumb for the Dual Speed with the unique Swiss designed speed drive (https://www.schlumpf.ch/sd_engl.htm) 30kmh cruise is a reality!

A hard choice really but if your commuting demands handling the bike thru dense crowds and ability to carry a laptop bag, the CM just pips it. But Strida has generous spoonful of style!

lee_rimar

On second thought -- this cheap A-Bike knock off isn't too bad.

I wasn't too keen on it at first, and have been keeping under my desk at work. Not because I was planning to ride it, but because I have it advertised for sale locally and it would be more convenient fro people to come see it during the day.

BUT ... I've taken it out for errands on my lunch break a few times, and it's, um, well -- not too bad. Definitely faster than walking. That might not sound like high praise, but still better than my first impression.

Dahon.Steve

I disagree.

I have the A-Bike and it's much faster than walking. However, I could not recommend the bike for anyone over 5'8 because it is too small.

Yesterday, I exited the light rail and walk across the street. A girl who also left the train started out way ahead of me and was nearly up the block. After unfolding the bike, I easily caught up to her and she was almost a whole city block ahead of me.

My daily trip to work would take about 20 minutes to walk it. With an A-Bike, it's more like 12 minutes.

lee_rimar

Steve, do you have a genuiune SInclair make, or a knock-off?

If (when) my cheaper one breaks, it may not be worth repairing. But if the "real" A-bike is really better made, more solidly built, I'd be inclined to replace it with that.

Gues I'm looking for feedback from someone who ha both the real deal and the cheap knowck off and can tell me in which areas they differ.

cyclistjohn

This forum may help you there, as some contributors have experience of both.

https://www.abikecentral.com/forum/

Dahon.Steve

I have the real A-Bike and didn't buy off Ebay. It's the only folder I have that will actually fit between your legs while seated in a bus. I take a non-commuter coach which has no horizontal seats like the ones you would see in a city bus. Therefore, the footprint of the bike is critical and a Brompton or Dahon Curve would be too big to fit between my legs. Furthermore, the overhead bin is not large enough for a 16 inch folder so the A-Bike is the only choice. A Strida would work too but they still don't have an American distributor.

lee_rimar

Yes, a Strida would work as you describe and they don't have a "real" USA distributor. But Stida.ca (yeahbike) seems pretty happy to sell across the border.

I have a Strida also and use it for my commute most (but not all) days. I keep the A-bike under my desk at work and use it for errands on my lunch hour. So I always have a bike in town, even if I take the bus to work

Lowest price I see for genuine A-Bike is around US $250. Will wait until my cheapo fails (as it will) until "upgrading."

willzz

i rode the A bike..
just alittle bit better than walking..
you have to watch for every crack,bump,etc..
or you'll be sorry..
also not suited for a tall person...
with all the joints in the frames..very loose ..
it feels like you are trying to balance yourself all the time..
so if you really want all the short comings of the A bike..
then go for it..
just my 2 cents..