The 8" wheeled genuine A-bike

[Amuro Lee]

Side-by-side comparsions of 6" and 8" wheeled A-bikes

When folded, the 8" wheeled model is a bit taller than the 6" wheeled model


When unfolded, the 8" wheeled model is longer but lower than the 6" wheeled model


The crosspiece centre of the 8" wheeled model is longer than the same part of the 6" wheeled model


The upper steering joint of the 8" wheeled model is longer than the same part of the 6" wheeled model


The handlebar stem of the 8" wheeled model is longer than the same part of the 6" wheeled model


The seat stay of the 8" wheeled model is shorter than the same part of the 6" wheeled model


The crank case of the 8" wheeled model is bigger than the same part of the 6" wheeled model


The carry bag comes with the 8" wheeled model is much larger than the carry bag comes with the 6" wheeled model


There're slight improvements on the pump comes with the 8" wheeled model (left) over the one comes with the 6" wheeled model (right)


Photos source:
http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=13153068&page=2#pid266832790

[Job]

I received my 8" a-bike!

It looks indeed bigger and feels tauter / stronger than the old a-bike plus I had.
I don't have the old plus anymore, so side-by-side comparisons will have to wait till I meet up with the Amsterdam a-bikers.

I can confirm that the distance per pedal stroke is 335cm.
So that is slightly more than the 320cm of the old 6" version.
With me on the 8" a-bike this changes to 320cm, because the tyre compresses.
Compared with the 300cm for the old 6" this is a welcome improvement!

more observations later.

Job

[Stevbike]

I like the detail pictures of the two bikes side by side. The A-bike city has a lot of nice little details I feel make it a better bike some some riders.

stevbike

[Amuro Lee]

Photos taken outdoors.



Photos sources:
http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=13153068&page=3#pid267436127
http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=13153068&page=5#pid268403969

[Amuro Lee]

When unfolded, the 6" wheeled model is 1 inch taller than the 8" wheeled model.

The 6" wheeled A-bike Smart 730


The 8" wheeled A-bike Smart 850


Photos source:
http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=13153068&page=27#pid273286821

[Amuro Lee]

A close-up photo of a wheel used on the 8" wheeled A-bike


Photo source:
http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=13153068&page=28#pid274092181

[RollatorGuySweden]

Cool that they are at it and don't give up. I love that they finally decided to go 8" which is more of a standard then the very small 6".

I do understand that the comfort is much higher for air tire but if they had also sold them with solid wheels that would be so much more convenient for us that fail to do repair. To change inner tube is not easy on A-bike as I get it.

Still me being so totally obsessed with Rollator/Walkers would still hesitate buying one.

Here in Sweden they are only allowed in Shops if you put it in a bag/sac and in the Shopping Carrier the Shops have. You can not lock such small thing outside without it getting instantly stolen. Too attractive for long fingers. Sadly.

Now Rollators are not the fastest way to move around so sure everybody else should buy A8

He he he to the regular Folder guys only 20" will do. They would laugh at 8" even.

I have 12" on several folders and that is a joke they tells me. Hmm

Great that you guys still defend those of us that love ultra small packages.

Happy New Year to all of you.

[Amuro Lee]

I do understand that the comfort is much higher for air tire but if they had also sold them with solid wheels that would be so much more convenient for us that fail to do repair. To change inner tube is not easy on A-bike as I get it.

Actually, some lower models of A-bike Smart in China including AS530L and AS530S have solid wheels.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-bike#Series

[Amuro Lee]

More photos



Photos source:
http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=13153068&page=42#pid286693328

[Ed]

Amuro I know you like all types of weird bikes like the strida and abike. but you probably might have ridden a carry me also. how does the ride feel on the abike city vs carry me if you did get a change to fly around in one? now that they have the same sized wheels which would equal them up with the comfort factor but what about overall ride? I haven't seen anyone review an abike city yet but I love these tiny rare bikes just cause it's neat to pootle around short distances with. I myself would go for the abike city because of the more compact fold.

[Amuro Lee]

Hi Ed,

Although I've never ridden an A-bike City myself, I can tell you that the frame of CarryMe is more rigid than A-bike City becasue of their different frame materials, geometries and folding mechanisms. Furthermore, the speed of CarryMe is much faster and the ride quality is also far better than any model of A-bike.

However, A-bike City is more compact in size when folded, much lighter in weight, more portable and easier to store when it is not in use. Just like Strida, A-bike City can be folded or unfolded under 10 seconds after some practice but CarryMe usually takes more than 30 seconds to be folded or unfolded.

Here is a comparsion between the first generation 6" wheeled A-bike and the CarryMe DS version 2007.
http://www.abikecentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=584#p2196

Here is a gear ratios comparison among tiny wheeled folding bikes including differnt models of A-bike and CarryMe.
http://www.abikecentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1369&p=4050#p4050

Cheers
Amuro

[Amuro Lee]

A-bike Smart 850 @ Ride of Silence Hong Kong 2011



Photos source:
http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=13153068&page=45#pid289567624

[Ed]

that guy is everywhere! You are going to have to ask him for a review on this abike city next time you see him Amuro

[Amuro Lee]

that guy is everywhere! You are going to have to ask him for a review on this abike city next time you see him Amuro

I have asked him to do so and have forwarded the link of the post on bikeforums.net to him. However, he told me that he don't know English.

[Ed]

hahah! oh well darn. cause looking at the pictures that he's linked from you, it looks like that he has been all over HK with that new abike city. It must be a better ride now with the 8 inch wheels and probably improved the performance alot. Surprised no one has one to report yet especially on the main abike forum. I'm trying to save up for one but mainly trying to clear it with the wife since we have like 4 bikes between the two of us in the house!