And with those tiny wheels and today's potholed roads you might even experience heaven quite soon!
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A-Bike Electric *finally* arrived!
- Thread starter ocb
- Start date
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And something else that is good. I looked on their website, expecting this bike to be £1000 plus, but £699.99
that's amazing value for such an ingenious design.
The standard 6" wheel A bike is £249.99, the 8" wheel model £299.99, so there's £400 for the electrics. Probably right given the very small battery.And something else that is good. I looked on their website, expecting this bike to be £1000 plus, but £699.99
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It might not be such a face planter as we all think. The seat is positioned quite far back, so it might ride over the potholes pretty well.
The video looks like it was filmed in London, so surely they did lots of testing on the London roads, which aren't amazing BTW.
Get some Schwalbe Fat Franks on there and this could be the ultimate commuter
The unpowered A bike in the 6" wheel version has been sold for over 10 years and the 8" wheel version for 5 years, so I doubt they needed to do any testing of road characteristics.
I think when riding these one has to keep a very close eye on the road surface all the time. It wouldn't take much of a rut or dropped drain to be dangerous.
No Fat Franks on this, the A bike tyre pressure is 90 psi.
A Bike Central
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C
Cyclezee
Guest
Phew, couldn't stand that Kiwi, I had an exhilarating ride this evening in the dark through the cooling rain with the temperature at a balmy 12 degrees, what could be better.I have been out fishing in the sun for the last week... 21°C announced for tomorrow...
A-Bike Electric Trip blog 30.12.2015
After my short 3km trip a couple of weeks ago, I finally got the chance to do a more indicative (short – 6.5km) commute today.
Cyclemeter says it took me 35mins of ride time, average of 10.75km/h. I should mention that I am not at all confident in my abilities plus the bike’s abilities, and on top I was trying to figure out a very new route in an unfamiliar area through a hilly park with some dodgy (as in totally wrong) google maps directions.
My fastest was 25 km/h downhill on a decent road. The ride profile is quite hilly, with ascent/descent of 80+ meters (and more than one up/down) – overall it’s an ascent.
Technical side of the bike.
1. The clunking noise from the cassette reported by the other users is most definitely there. Hard to say exactly what triggers it, but it’s there.
2. I had to stop and tighten the tiny little kick stand. It kept dropping down. Thankfully it’s a tiny trailing thing, so all it did was rub off some of the plastic foot and make a noise.
They could have done with having a fastner/lip/clip to hold it better in place.
3. No control panel is a less annoying than I thought it’d be.
4. Low pedals, high speed corner – I had a pedal strike. Thankfully uneventful.
5. There are small metal pins which impact my inner thigh, just before my knees, if I let me legs get too close to the upper spar. I can’t see why they didn’t use a more flush option
6. Unfolding is pleasantly straight forward.
Folding is a bit more of a challenge. There is a plastic lip on the cassette that the front is meant to go onto. I can never get it into place – and even when I do, it doesn’t stay there during lugging the thing around whilst folded. Seems like pretty straight forward engineering to me. They do provide a large elasticated cloth band with Velcro to keep it together. A bit sad that it needs this.
7. Integrated lighting would have been nice, and I doubt would have added that much to the cost (or possibly as a reasonably priced option?)
8. When folded, after 100 or 200m, I really felt the 12kg weight. Given its height when folded – and my previous kick scooter habits – I wanted to drag, or at least walk the thing (imagine a suitcase with 2 or 4 wheels scenario). Nope, not possible. There are probably good reasons why it’s not possible – but it definitely detracts from the usage experience. I possibly should remove the battery and stick it in my backpack – but that defeats the purpose of “quick unfold and go”. A harder engineering challenge, but one they should look into.
Performance and handling
1. I suffer a lot from Rider Induced Oscillation (aka a bit wobbly, too much so for my comfort).
My natural pedaling rhythm often sees the steering pull slightly left or right.
I’ve tried lifting the saddle more and keeping my back straighter – but I can’t totally get rid of the wobble from time to time. Which is a major concern for me, as being wobbly in traffic is a no-no.
Maybe it’s just me, I’ve spent several months using a kick scooter and haven’t done much cycling at all recently.
2. Ride is rock hard. Not in a cool way. In a wooden cart with no suspension over cobblestones way. The only saving grace is that the seat is rather comfy and takes some of the impact out.
I have gone over cobblestones (they feature a lot in Belgium), and I would be cautious especially if it’s wet.
3. The instructions say the bike shouldn’t be jumped up kerbs etc, and only driven on flat surface. Yep, that’s fine if you’re using your a-bike electric to tootle around an airfield (I can see this being a minor hit with private pilots who fancy an extremely portable clubhouse->aircraft stowable ride). However, even cycle paths have lowered kerbs sometimes. Not to mention open joints on concrete roads etc which are “sportif” with 200mm wheels plus solid tyres.
That said, the bike doesn’t seem to mind small front wheel “hops”, I can’t ever see me jumping off a kerb though.
4. As the bike is so light, and the weight balance surprisingly good – even my unfit 75kg mass was able to do steep hill starts with ease. It’s evident the motor doesn’t sense and kick in until a couple of revolutions – but this is probably less an issue on this bike than other heavier pedelecs.
5. Uphill performance? Probably the fairest thing to say is that it’s a very small 250w motor with a tiny 24v 5.8ah battery driving – in my case – an “all up” gross weight of 90kg. All that coupled to a single speed/no external gearing drive train. Moderate hills are quite pleasant. Fun actually. Steep hills, the legs get a good workout. That’s not a bad thing though.
I have to finesse this a bit, there might be a lower speed which can get me up steep climbs with a bit less leg work. To report back on.
6. Brakes are good enough so far. Not tried in wet conditions.
Initial conclusion
It’s not the “perfect commuting bike” I would obviously have preferred.
The wobble is my biggest concern. I’ll see how that goes with practice.
I don’t see me ever using it in the wet, or even on wooded cycle paths where tree roots have caused bumps/cracks etc (aka the first few KM of my preferred route).
Inability to wheel it whilst folded is more than annoying.
On the more positive side, it’s remarkably solid feeling when unfolded. Seat is very good.
I’m absolutely no extrovert – but the looks of amazement/amusement do make me chuckle just a little.
On my initial sortie, the first 2 cyclist I passed nearly fell off as they rubber-necked the bike!
Further reports will hopefully follow.
After my short 3km trip a couple of weeks ago, I finally got the chance to do a more indicative (short – 6.5km) commute today.
Cyclemeter says it took me 35mins of ride time, average of 10.75km/h. I should mention that I am not at all confident in my abilities plus the bike’s abilities, and on top I was trying to figure out a very new route in an unfamiliar area through a hilly park with some dodgy (as in totally wrong) google maps directions.
My fastest was 25 km/h downhill on a decent road. The ride profile is quite hilly, with ascent/descent of 80+ meters (and more than one up/down) – overall it’s an ascent.
Technical side of the bike.
1. The clunking noise from the cassette reported by the other users is most definitely there. Hard to say exactly what triggers it, but it’s there.
2. I had to stop and tighten the tiny little kick stand. It kept dropping down. Thankfully it’s a tiny trailing thing, so all it did was rub off some of the plastic foot and make a noise.
They could have done with having a fastner/lip/clip to hold it better in place.
3. No control panel is a less annoying than I thought it’d be.
4. Low pedals, high speed corner – I had a pedal strike. Thankfully uneventful.
5. There are small metal pins which impact my inner thigh, just before my knees, if I let me legs get too close to the upper spar. I can’t see why they didn’t use a more flush option
6. Unfolding is pleasantly straight forward.
Folding is a bit more of a challenge. There is a plastic lip on the cassette that the front is meant to go onto. I can never get it into place – and even when I do, it doesn’t stay there during lugging the thing around whilst folded. Seems like pretty straight forward engineering to me. They do provide a large elasticated cloth band with Velcro to keep it together. A bit sad that it needs this.
7. Integrated lighting would have been nice, and I doubt would have added that much to the cost (or possibly as a reasonably priced option?)
8. When folded, after 100 or 200m, I really felt the 12kg weight. Given its height when folded – and my previous kick scooter habits – I wanted to drag, or at least walk the thing (imagine a suitcase with 2 or 4 wheels scenario). Nope, not possible. There are probably good reasons why it’s not possible – but it definitely detracts from the usage experience. I possibly should remove the battery and stick it in my backpack – but that defeats the purpose of “quick unfold and go”. A harder engineering challenge, but one they should look into.
Performance and handling
1. I suffer a lot from Rider Induced Oscillation (aka a bit wobbly, too much so for my comfort).
My natural pedaling rhythm often sees the steering pull slightly left or right.
I’ve tried lifting the saddle more and keeping my back straighter – but I can’t totally get rid of the wobble from time to time. Which is a major concern for me, as being wobbly in traffic is a no-no.
Maybe it’s just me, I’ve spent several months using a kick scooter and haven’t done much cycling at all recently.
2. Ride is rock hard. Not in a cool way. In a wooden cart with no suspension over cobblestones way. The only saving grace is that the seat is rather comfy and takes some of the impact out.
I have gone over cobblestones (they feature a lot in Belgium), and I would be cautious especially if it’s wet.
3. The instructions say the bike shouldn’t be jumped up kerbs etc, and only driven on flat surface. Yep, that’s fine if you’re using your a-bike electric to tootle around an airfield (I can see this being a minor hit with private pilots who fancy an extremely portable clubhouse->aircraft stowable ride). However, even cycle paths have lowered kerbs sometimes. Not to mention open joints on concrete roads etc which are “sportif” with 200mm wheels plus solid tyres.
That said, the bike doesn’t seem to mind small front wheel “hops”, I can’t ever see me jumping off a kerb though.
4. As the bike is so light, and the weight balance surprisingly good – even my unfit 75kg mass was able to do steep hill starts with ease. It’s evident the motor doesn’t sense and kick in until a couple of revolutions – but this is probably less an issue on this bike than other heavier pedelecs.
5. Uphill performance? Probably the fairest thing to say is that it’s a very small 250w motor with a tiny 24v 5.8ah battery driving – in my case – an “all up” gross weight of 90kg. All that coupled to a single speed/no external gearing drive train. Moderate hills are quite pleasant. Fun actually. Steep hills, the legs get a good workout. That’s not a bad thing though.
I have to finesse this a bit, there might be a lower speed which can get me up steep climbs with a bit less leg work. To report back on.
6. Brakes are good enough so far. Not tried in wet conditions.
Initial conclusion
It’s not the “perfect commuting bike” I would obviously have preferred.
The wobble is my biggest concern. I’ll see how that goes with practice.
I don’t see me ever using it in the wet, or even on wooded cycle paths where tree roots have caused bumps/cracks etc (aka the first few KM of my preferred route).
Inability to wheel it whilst folded is more than annoying.
On the more positive side, it’s remarkably solid feeling when unfolded. Seat is very good.
I’m absolutely no extrovert – but the looks of amazement/amusement do make me chuckle just a little.
On my initial sortie, the first 2 cyclist I passed nearly fell off as they rubber-necked the bike!
Further reports will hopefully follow.
The wobble is probably in part due to there being little gyroscopic element with those tiny wheels, plus the fact that smaller wheels lead to "faster" steering. i.e. Twitchy.
And the cobblestone like discomfort is inevitable as such tiny wheels will pick out every small undulation. The standard even smaller wheel unpowered model must be murder on anything other than a perfect surface.
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And the cobblestone like discomfort is inevitable as such tiny wheels will pick out every small undulation. The standard even smaller wheel unpowered model must be murder on anything other than a perfect surface.
.
My reference to this bike would be the brompton:
- Is it lighter? Maybe a little bit but not much. A brompton is 11kg. Electrified we can have 14kg
- Is it smaller? Just slightly but not much either
- Is it easier to ride? No, doesn't look good at all with so small wheels
- Is it easy to maintain? Too many custom parts, so no
So if I'd have to choose, I'd still keep the brompton over this bike.
- Is it lighter? Maybe a little bit but not much. A brompton is 11kg. Electrified we can have 14kg
- Is it smaller? Just slightly but not much either
- Is it easier to ride? No, doesn't look good at all with so small wheels
- Is it easy to maintain? Too many custom parts, so no
So if I'd have to choose, I'd still keep the brompton over this bike.
a 14kg electric Brompton is indeed difficult to beat. It goes to show that often the ride quality of an e-bike is limited by that of the host mechanical bike.
A-Bike Electric ride log 31.12.2015
Happy Hogmanay!
Even though it had rained a bit early on, I decided to chance it.
Cyclemeter says it was 8oC, wind 22km/h from SSW (crosswind for my journey). Ground was a bit damp, but no standing water.
Ascent/descent of 75m.
Distance 4km this time - I learned my lesson for yesterday! Average speed 12km/h . Ride time 26min.
What can I add to yesterday’s update?
Well – the wobble is still there. I stopped and tried pulling the seat post even higher, hoping being further up would help. I definitely need to dismantle the rear post assembly as the clamp for the seat post is impossibly hard. I put a hole in my glove trying to get the clamp closed.
I got to test my wet cobbles theory. One section I tried today was downhill for about 100m on rough cobbles – not even the shiny “pierre bleu” so typical in many parts around here. Even taking it cautiously (cyclemeter says between 5-10km/h) I felt the bike slide out slightly at one point.
There was one section where I had to do a 1.5km detour if I stayed on the road, or carry the bike up some steps (say 50m in distance?). Unfolded and on my shoulder, the bike was like nothing to carry - even for a mid 40s unfit bloke. It’s more comfortable carrying the unfolded bike on my shoulder than it is folded. At the top, it was more of the cobblestones for 100+ meters – so I walked until I got to road.
I did finesse the steep hill approach. It will do it’s best to assist, and the bike can go quite stably (wobble excepted) at surprisingly slow speeds. I still had to put some decent leg effort in for some heavy sections – but I don’t mind that. As I said yesterday, moderate uphill sections are grin inducing given what the bike has to work with
The bike certainly has its limits in speed also. On flat road, pedaling moderately it felt like it wouldn’t want to go much more than 15-20km/h. The small wheel factor has it boundaries, but I knew that before buying it.
Forgot to mention - yesterday’s ride left the bike with half battery. Hard to say precisely, it only offers 4 LEDs on the battery charge indicator.
I also definitely miss not having integrated lighting. Last night I had to go a small 1.5km in the dark, and had left my little clip-on light at home (and again this morning…aaargh!)
Happy Hogmanay!
Even though it had rained a bit early on, I decided to chance it.
Cyclemeter says it was 8oC, wind 22km/h from SSW (crosswind for my journey). Ground was a bit damp, but no standing water.
Ascent/descent of 75m.
Distance 4km this time - I learned my lesson for yesterday! Average speed 12km/h . Ride time 26min.
What can I add to yesterday’s update?
Well – the wobble is still there. I stopped and tried pulling the seat post even higher, hoping being further up would help. I definitely need to dismantle the rear post assembly as the clamp for the seat post is impossibly hard. I put a hole in my glove trying to get the clamp closed.
I got to test my wet cobbles theory. One section I tried today was downhill for about 100m on rough cobbles – not even the shiny “pierre bleu” so typical in many parts around here. Even taking it cautiously (cyclemeter says between 5-10km/h) I felt the bike slide out slightly at one point.
There was one section where I had to do a 1.5km detour if I stayed on the road, or carry the bike up some steps (say 50m in distance?). Unfolded and on my shoulder, the bike was like nothing to carry - even for a mid 40s unfit bloke. It’s more comfortable carrying the unfolded bike on my shoulder than it is folded. At the top, it was more of the cobblestones for 100+ meters – so I walked until I got to road.
I did finesse the steep hill approach. It will do it’s best to assist, and the bike can go quite stably (wobble excepted) at surprisingly slow speeds. I still had to put some decent leg effort in for some heavy sections – but I don’t mind that. As I said yesterday, moderate uphill sections are grin inducing given what the bike has to work with
The bike certainly has its limits in speed also. On flat road, pedaling moderately it felt like it wouldn’t want to go much more than 15-20km/h. The small wheel factor has it boundaries, but I knew that before buying it.
Forgot to mention - yesterday’s ride left the bike with half battery. Hard to say precisely, it only offers 4 LEDs on the battery charge indicator.
I also definitely miss not having integrated lighting. Last night I had to go a small 1.5km in the dark, and had left my little clip-on light at home (and again this morning…aaargh!)
Just sell it and get an electric brompton. You'd be able to ride at 35km/h safely. It's more reliable and access for parts would be easier.A-Bike Electric ride log 31.12.2015
Happy Hogmanay!
Even though it had rained a bit early on, I decided to chance it.
Cyclemeter says it was 8oC, wind 22km/h from SSW (crosswind for my journey). Ground was a bit damp, but no standing water.
Ascent/descent of 75m.
Distance 4km this time - I learned my lesson for yesterday! Average speed 12km/h . Ride time 26min.
What can I add to yesterday’s update?
Well – the wobble is still there. I stopped and tried pulling the seat post even higher, hoping being further up would help. I definitely need to dismantle the rear post assembly as the clamp for the seat post is impossibly hard. I put a hole in my glove trying to get the clamp closed.
I got to test my wet cobbles theory. One section I tried today was downhill for about 100m on rough cobbles – not even the shiny “pierre bleu” so typical in many parts around here. Even taking it cautiously (cyclemeter says between 5-10km/h) I felt the bike slide out slightly at one point.
There was one section where I had to do a 1.5km detour if I stayed on the road, or carry the bike up some steps (say 50m in distance?). Unfolded and on my shoulder, the bike was like nothing to carry - even for a mid 40s unfit bloke. It’s more comfortable carrying the unfolded bike on my shoulder than it is folded. At the top, it was more of the cobblestones for 100+ meters – so I walked until I got to road.
I did finesse the steep hill approach. It will do it’s best to assist, and the bike can go quite stably (wobble excepted) at surprisingly slow speeds. I still had to put some decent leg effort in for some heavy sections – but I don’t mind that. As I said yesterday, moderate uphill sections are grin inducing given what the bike has to work with
The bike certainly has its limits in speed also. On flat road, pedaling moderately it felt like it wouldn’t want to go much more than 15-20km/h. The small wheel factor has it boundaries, but I knew that before buying it.
Forgot to mention - yesterday’s ride left the bike with half battery. Hard to say precisely, it only offers 4 LEDs on the battery charge indicator.
I also definitely miss not having integrated lighting. Last night I had to go a small 1.5km in the dark, and had left my little clip-on light at home (and again this morning…aaargh!)
Beat bike looks like something to try for sure! This is the thing - I've done some serious searching, and that's the first time I've seen that....A Brompton looks very nice, even non-electric.
Mid to full sized foldable is my next endeavour. I already have my eye on a couple, need to make a move though.
The next 2 days the trains are on strike here. Roads will be unusable on my commute, so the a-bike electric will just have to earn it's crust tomorrow.
I took the seat post assembly apart - but even that didn't help. Basically the outer tube of the seat post is a smidgen too tight. Hard to imagine that's unique to my bike - would be curious to hear how others have gone on with the seat post.
I also had an "aha!" moment regarding portability.
My Ltrott/E-TWOW has an optional velcro strap carry handle (16 euro). The Ltrott has the problem that it has the weight distribution of a hammer. The velcro carry strap helps a lot.
I played a bit with the a-bike strap and got better with the folding part. It feels a lot more viable as a portable bike now with this velcro strap.
Would a more comfortable way to get to work be to have someone drag you there by the ankles, whilst naked, along a route lined with shards of broken glass which have been drenched in tabasco sauce?A-Bike Electric ride log 31.12.2015
Happy Hogmanay!
Even though it had rained a bit early on, I decided to chance it.
Cyclemeter says it was 8oC, wind 22km/h from SSW (crosswind for my journey). Ground was a bit damp, but no standing water.
Ascent/descent of 75m.
Distance 4km this time - I learned my lesson for yesterday! Average speed 12km/h . Ride time 26min.
What can I add to yesterday’s update?
Well – the wobble is still there. I stopped and tried pulling the seat post even higher, hoping being further up would help. I definitely need to dismantle the rear post assembly as the clamp for the seat post is impossibly hard. I put a hole in my glove trying to get the clamp closed.
I got to test my wet cobbles theory. One section I tried today was downhill for about 100m on rough cobbles – not even the shiny “pierre bleu” so typical in many parts around here. Even taking it cautiously (cyclemeter says between 5-10km/h) I felt the bike slide out slightly at one point.
There was one section where I had to do a 1.5km detour if I stayed on the road, or carry the bike up some steps (say 50m in distance?). Unfolded and on my shoulder, the bike was like nothing to carry - even for a mid 40s unfit bloke. It’s more comfortable carrying the unfolded bike on my shoulder than it is folded. At the top, it was more of the cobblestones for 100+ meters – so I walked until I got to road.
I did finesse the steep hill approach. It will do it’s best to assist, and the bike can go quite stably (wobble excepted) at surprisingly slow speeds. I still had to put some decent leg effort in for some heavy sections – but I don’t mind that. As I said yesterday, moderate uphill sections are grin inducing given what the bike has to work with
The bike certainly has its limits in speed also. On flat road, pedaling moderately it felt like it wouldn’t want to go much more than 15-20km/h. The small wheel factor has it boundaries, but I knew that before buying it.
Forgot to mention - yesterday’s ride left the bike with half battery. Hard to say precisely, it only offers 4 LEDs on the battery charge indicator.
I also definitely miss not having integrated lighting. Last night I had to go a small 1.5km in the dark, and had left my little clip-on light at home (and again this morning…aaargh!)
You just described a typical commute using SNCB. Except, you missed the part where the person doing the dragging would cost 125 euros per hour (excluding taxpayer subsidy), be a miserable customer-unfriendly troll, and still go on strike at least 5 days this month.
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