A-bike (Chinese copy)

Category: Review on Sir Clive Sinclair The Smallest Lightest Folding Bike

Posted by: 6-Sep-2007

Strengths: Very cheap, as the original will cost you 149Pounds (UK) [about 360AUD] so there is something missing! See below. Available on eBay - I got one for $10 + $15 postage from Melbourne.

Weaknesses: Cheap parts, thinner Alloy frame (not as advertised here as carbon composite), plastic not high strength ABS. It may last as long as 1 minute if it is overloaded. Best to see the real one - website http://www.abikecentral.com/ for more discussion.

Great folding design and low weight. Wheels too small - makes steering and bumps a horror. Obviously won't do gutters or steps or even hills. Great for flat roads and commuting very short distances.


The Chinese copy (there are over 40 Chinese factories doing it!) is very poor strength and will not last long. The plastic bits will break under load fairly easily - and an effective repair is most unlikely. Other copies exist too, so don't waste your money unless you pick one up off eBay or similar for about $30 or less. You may thing you're doing a great deal on a cheap price but really you are just throwing your money away on a short lasting copy. It really is a great pity that the REAL one is so expensive! The copies don't mention the British inventor, Sir Clive Sinclair because that will invite certain action from the real product manufacturers. This site/marketer may end up in trouble for doing so.

The tires are a bummer to pump up due to very little access to the valve. (The clear indicator that is is a Chinese copy is that the English translation for the tire tube valve type has been bungled to read "Shredder" rather that the correct "Shraeder").

The seat is uncomfortable and many have replaced it with a proper bicycle seat - see the "abikecentral" website.