A-bike
Encyclopedia
The A-bike is a type of folding bicycle
invented by Sir Clive Sinclair in the United Kingdom and released on 12 July 2006. It weighs 5.5 kilograms (12.1 lb) and folds to 67×30×16 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.
despite the bicycle's small-diameter wheels (6 inches (15.2 cm)). The crankcase housing completely encloses the drive mechanism, protecting it and preventing oil stains on clothing or floor surfaces.
, alongside the Strida
. The distribution company behind the A-bike was featured on the UK Television programme Badger or Bust
broadcast on the 5 June 2007. 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 bicycle
A folding bicycle is a bicycle designed to fold into a compact form, facilitating transport and storage. When folded, the bikes can be more easily carried into buildings and workplaces or onto public transportation or more easily stored in compact living quarters or aboard a car, boat or plane...
invented by Sir Clive Sinclair in the United Kingdom and released on 12 July 2006. It weighs 5.5 kilograms (12.1 lb) and folds to 67×30×16 cm, small enough to fit in a rucksack.
The A-bike was designed by a team at Daka
Daka
Daka may refer to:*Dáka, Hungary*Daka, Malawi* Daka Shoes, a fictional shoe company mentioned in the shows Drake & Josh and iCarly* The Daka skull, a homo erectus fossil from Dakanihylo, Ethiopia* a male Dakini...
, Hong Kong and Sinclair Research Ltd
Sinclair Research Ltd
Sinclair Research Ltd is a British consumer electronics company founded by Sir Clive Sinclair in Cambridge. Originally incorporated in 1973 as Ablesdeal Ltd., it remained dormant until 1976, and did not adopt the name Sinclair Research until 1981....
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 (10.5 ft) per crank rotationBicycle gearing
A bicycle gear or gear ratio refers to the rate at which the rider's legs turn compared to the rate at which the wheels turn. Bicycle gearing refers to how the gear ratio is set or changed. On some bicycles, there is only one gear so the ratio is fixed. Most modern bicycles have multiple gears,...
despite the bicycle's small-diameter wheels (6 inches (15.2 cm)). 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 ShowThe Gadget Show
The Gadget Show is a British television series focusing on technology and is broadcast on Channel 5. Originally a thirty minute show, it was extended to forty-five minutes, then later to fifty five minutes. Repeats have also aired on the digital channels 5*, Dave and Channel 5's Internet on-demand...
, alongside the Strida
Strida
Strida is a portable, belt-driven, folding bicycle with a distinctive 'A'-shaped collapsible frame, designed by UK engineer and designer Mark Sanders...
. The distribution company behind the A-bike was featured on the UK Television programme Badger or Bust
Badger or Bust
Badger or Bust was a British reality television series in which Ruth Badger helped to turn failing businesses into successful companies. The series was produced by Diverse Production for Sky One the series premiered on 8 May 2007...
broadcast on the 5 June 2007. In the Top Gear epic race
Top Gear Races
In Top Gear, a BBC motoring show, one of the show's regular features since 2002 is various forms of racing the presenters undertake, either against each other or against invited guests...
Car vs. Train 2. Richard Hammond
Richard Hammond
Richard Mark Hammond is an English broadcaster, writer, and journalist most noted for co-hosting car programme Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson and James May, as well as presenting Brainiac: Science Abuse on Sky 1.-Early life:...
and James May
James May
James Daniel May is an English television presenter, journalist and writer. He is best known for his role as co-presenter of the award-winning motoring programme Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond....
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".
Series
- A-bike
- Nigel Bike / Nigel A-bike (Sanctioned Chinese version of the A-bike)
- A-bike Plus (Refined version of the A-bike)
- A-bike Smart (Authorised versions of the A-bike in China)
- AS530
- AS530I
- AS530S
- AS530L
- AS530X
- AS730
- AS800S
- AS830
- AS850
- A-bike City (8" wheeled version of the A-bike)
- AE-bike (Electric version of the A-bike)