[A-Bike City] First impressions

[Eukleides]

Hello

My A-Bike City was delivered today, and I just took it for a 15-mn spin.

Here's my report as compared to the CarryMe SD and a regular bike:

• The A-Bike is very hard to ride, as it has a very strong tendency to go sideways; It takes constant strength to have it go straight ahead. I was a bit tired at the end of that 15mn ride. I really didn't feel safe with cars passing me by
• The handlebars are really too small; I guess making them longer would partly correct this balance issue
• As you slow down (not that you can go fast on that thing), you'll lose balance really quickly and must put your foot down or you'll fall
• The front wheel makes some noise as it spins. Maybe it's just mine and it needs some tweaking
• Although the pedals work just like other folding bikes, I failed putting the pedals back to their initial position. Pressing inwards doesn't work
• The four screws at the center are protruding and keep hurting the rider's thighs, even with jeans:

Unless I missed some tweaking to make this bike more stable, at this point, I feel like I just wasted 350€

HTH,

[Eukleides]

I found how to fold the pedals: Unlike the CarryMe, you must first use your thumb to pull the thingie (sorry for the technical word) inside the pedal before pushing and folding it.

It appears that Mayhem has a 30-day return policy, so hopefully I'll be able to get a refund.

[Amuro Lee]

Before you ride an A-bike, you have to inflate the tyres up to 90psi. Otherwise, the rolling resistance makes you hard to pedal.

Although A-bike is hard to ride comparing with other traditional bikes or folding bikes, I still like it.
It is not a bike for touring or leisure and only suitable for short-distance rides. However, I found it very effective for multi-modal commute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOadFVB9JVU

Of course, it is a compromise on the handling and ride comfort in order to make it folded in such a small package as well as a quick and convenient folding.

Different bikes have different handling characteristics to which everyone ride on a new bike has to take time to get used, I think.
http://www.a-bike.co.uk/?qa_faqs=q-the-steering-seems-a-bit-twitchy-on-first-use-why-is-this

Many people find that it is hard and unstable to ride a unicycle while some people enjoy riding their unicycles very much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXx5sJ6vyaA

[Eukleides]

Thanks for the infos. I didn't check the pressure on the tires (they looked fine, and the bike being brand new, I didn't even think they might need extra air), but found it just too unstable to ride safely on the road, any hole or bump on the road is a killer, and it takes too much strength to keep straight or go over hills with even a very small slope.

I guess this bike is fine for use on bicycle lanes for very short rides with no need to carry anything. I understand why the industry has pretty much standardized on 20" wheels.

This said, it's a very slick design. Great piece of work.

[Abiker]

Hi I am from Singapore and I just received my a bike city yesterday.

After a thorough check, I was off to a 10km ride. Initially the bike feels wobbly and difficult to control but after 3 km I was enjoying the ride( except for my buttocks)

It's true that the stock seat has to be change, likewise for the seat post length. I cycle straight to a bike shop to change it after the ride.

It takes a lot of focus to ride the bike. Personally I don't like riding on roads cause it's not safe(even with my roadie). Singapore has got strict rules on cycling on pedestrian walkways, but I suppose with wheels like the a bike, I can't possibly get fined ya!

I got a crazy idea of completing a triathlon on the A bike.

[Garry]

Thats a funny idea and could be great publicity for the A-Bike. Go on then, and take lots of photos for us!