hockinsk wrote:I've read this thread a few times, but no mention of what is physically different between a real and a fake A-Bike? Only discussion seems to be stickers and perhaps build quality, but what are the actual differences in materials & components please?
Actually, it is difficult to differentiate genuines and fakes by a galance. You can only differentiate them by workmanship, built quility and markings on the frames. However, the plastic parts used on fakes are much brittler and weaker than those used on genuines. The quality of aluminium parts used on fakes are also lower than genuines.
Heat treated 6061T6 aluminium alloy is used on the metal parts of the frame of a genuine A-bike:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6061_aluminium
30-45% GF PA66 polymer composite is used on the plastic parts of a genuine A-bike:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass-reinforced_plastic
http://www.abikecentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=272