The space saving bicycle

So you want a bicycle, but you just don’t have the room to store it? Well, why not check out the Clive Sinclair designed A-Bike, which claims to be the smallest and lightest folding bike in the world.

It folds down to the size of an umbrella and can easily fit just about anywhere. The A-Bike looks easy enough to fold and store, but do those tiny grocery cart wheels have what it takes to carry my weight around? I’m a bit skeptical, so I did a bit of digging to see what others thought.

A-Bike claims that the height limit of the rider is 6′3″, but many users on the A-Bike forum say that that is stretching it. I’m 6′2″ and I just don’t see this thing fitting me very well. The seat looks awfully uncomfortable too. It looks to be about the size of a large sandwich. I don’t believe that it would be very comfortable on longer Bike rides, but I don’t think A-Bike riders are going to be cruising around on any long treks.

So, I guess if you are looking for a tiny bike to ride to the bus station, subway staion, or to work this may be the bike for you. If you do ride the A-Bike to work, the chains are hidden inside the frame so that will save your pant legs from getting torn or covered in chain grease. Granted you may look a bit silly, but I guess that is the price you pay for saving storage space.

Watch the A-Bike in action:

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Posted by Matt on Jul 6, 2007 | Comments | Tweet This

10 comments posted

  1. Posted by Andamom - 07/06/2007

    I learned when looking for a stroller, what a pain it can be to have anything with small wheels. The larger the wheel in this case, the smoother the ride. If you have bumps or steep inclines, this is not the bike you want to be on.

    There are folding bikes that are a much better option.

  2. Posted by PJ Doland - 07/06/2007

    There are definitely better folding bikes on the market, if you’re aiming to have something suitable for extended riding.

    This thing is designed for very short rides in urban environments, and the overriding design goal was to have it be as small and light as possible. You could actually take this on a plane as a carry-on, which is kind of cool

  3. Posted by Jerry Brito - 07/06/2007

    PJ- I hate you. I want one of these things now. -JB

  4. Posted by jeffu - 07/06/2007

    I WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy awesome!

  5. Posted by Chad - 07/07/2007

    This would have been perfect for college! I just lived about 6 blocks away. It was close enough to walk, but for those occasional mornings when I woke late, this would’ve come in handy. It would have also saved time in the commute between buildings. It’s a huge campus, and two classes were opposite each other on campus. I rode a bike to school earlier on, but after two were stolen, I never bought another one! How awesome would this have been to zip back and forth between class, and keep it with me at all times!

  6. Posted by DL - 07/08/2007

    My first thought was … cobblestones.

    Ow!

  7. Posted by Lauren - 07/09/2007

    why not just get a scooter?

  8. Posted by BobbyEsq - 07/09/2007

    or walk?

  9. Posted by Andrea Casalotti - 07/12/2007

    Get a Brompton; practicaly the same volume, but a real bike

  10. Posted by Anonymous - 07/16/2007

    meh…it looks like it weighs about the same as a Xootr. I have a Xootr and it’s great!

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