Saturday, November 28, 2009
Bike mileage
The bike is still running strong. It now has 88 km on it as recorded on the computer. Adding some extra mileage for the time I was using it when I first it without a computer on it, I figure that it has close to 100 km on it. It is holding up well other the the items that have been replaced. The frame still is feeling solid. With winter coming soon, The bike will be stopped being used. Given the time of year I feel that getting 100 km on the bike is great. I have grown to like this compact design of bike type. They are very small to store indoors and make short trips done normally done by walking quicker. The only real draw back is the lack of any type of rack to carry a small light weight load. I have seen a clip-on type rack that attaches to the seat post. I may try one of these items on the bike to see how it works.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Bike Frame Quick release design
I do not know about other users of this bike but I find that the rear quick release assembly to be not as well designed as it could be. My will come off the bottom section of the frame when the bike is unfolded. The main
problem I see is the fact that the quick release bolt holds the section on place. That is the only fastner on the assembly. If the bolt that holds the assembly becomes loose, this when the part comes out. The problem with this is that the nylon bushings are in the bottom tube come out when the top tube is pulled.
I looked at a tripod design I has. It is a Manfrotto art 190 model. The design of the legs locks is a very good one. It uses a double fastner system that locks the mounting assembly
on to the tripod leg. The locking fastner that locks up leg sections are separate from primary fastner that locks the assembly into place. I could see something like this being used on the A-bike design to improve locking quick release assembly. The single fastner design used now to me does not really cut it. This tripod inspired design looks far better. I think that this bike design is basicly sound and small details like this only inprove the bike.
problem I see is the fact that the quick release bolt holds the section on place. That is the only fastner on the assembly. If the bolt that holds the assembly becomes loose, this when the part comes out. The problem with this is that the nylon bushings are in the bottom tube come out when the top tube is pulled.I looked at a tripod design I has. It is a Manfrotto art 190 model. The design of the legs locks is a very good one. It uses a double fastner system that locks the mounting assembly
on to the tripod leg. The locking fastner that locks up leg sections are separate from primary fastner that locks the assembly into place. I could see something like this being used on the A-bike design to improve locking quick release assembly. The single fastner design used now to me does not really cut it. This tripod inspired design looks far better. I think that this bike design is basicly sound and small details like this only inprove the bike.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Replaced the pedals.
After only using the bike for about a week, another weak area showed up. It is the pedals. I liked the folding pedals design. I have used a set on my mini recumbent bike 11 years ago.
The main difference between the two pedal designs is in the construction of the bearing housing section of pedal. The older ones on the recumbent bike uses a cast alloy body allowing the a long bearing life. The structure is rigid and the bearings will not move around because of this. Although I not use a cycling computer on this Mini Max bike, I do know that I have at least 200 km on the bike. The pedals are still in good working order.
The A-bicycle on the other hand uses pedals that are made of plastic. This includes the section thar houses the bearings. The bearing section uses two halfs that are riveted together. After only about 45 km distance put on the bike, the right pedal was already showing signs of use and stress. I noted the pedal was loose on the axle. Not a good sign
. I figure the way the pedal was made and the materials used where not standing up far speeds I was getting on the bike.
I had a set of non-folding that I had been given to me years ago. These are an alloy type pedal that I really like. I was given a case of these from a local home hardware store. These pedals where not needed and I gladly took them. The pedals going to the A-bike are new out of the box. Although they lack the folding design, I think that they will be better suited to my style of riding.
As a note as to how the bike has cost so far, here is a break down of all the costs to date. Based on 45km distance ridden to date.
- Cost of the bike- $124.00
- Cost of the seat- $57.00
- Cost of the seat post- $18.00
- Cycling Computer- $12.00
- Lights- $26.00
- Rear seat bag- $12.00
- Pedals- $0.00
Total- $249.00**
Total operating cost per km, $5.53 per km. As long as no other items wear out or break, I am hoping that this operating cost will go down a lot.
Here is a comparison of operating costs to the road bike I used in the speed test runs. Based on 440 km distance to date.
- Cost of the bike- $284.00*
- Replacement 90mm headlebar stem- $90.00
Total- $374.00
Total operating cost per km to date- .85 cents per km. I hope the A-bicycle gets within this range when used more next year.
This is the rear mo
unted seat bag I added to help carry small items. Just a small item to help make the bike a bit more useful. The tool kit that came with the bike is now placed in this bag.
*- The bike was an early present from my girlfriend. The bike has been used for four months. From August, 2009 to Nov. 10, 2009.
**- The A-bicycle has been used for one week as of Nov.10, 2009.
The main difference between the two pedal designs is in the construction of the bearing housing section of pedal. The older ones on the recumbent bike uses a cast alloy body allowing the a long bearing life. The structure is rigid and the bearings will not move around because of this. Although I not use a cycling computer on this Mini Max bike, I do know that I have at least 200 km on the bike. The pedals are still in good working order.
The A-bicycle on the other hand uses pedals that are made of plastic. This includes the section thar houses the bearings. The bearing section uses two halfs that are riveted together. After only about 45 km distance put on the bike, the right pedal was already showing signs of use and stress. I noted the pedal was loose on the axle. Not a good sign
. I figure the way the pedal was made and the materials used where not standing up far speeds I was getting on the bike.I had a set of non-folding that I had been given to me years ago. These are an alloy type pedal that I really like. I was given a case of these from a local home hardware store. These pedals where not needed and I gladly took them. The pedals going to the A-bike are new out of the box. Although they lack the folding design, I think that they will be better suited to my style of riding.
As a note as to how the bike has cost so far, here is a break down of all the costs to date. Based on 45km distance ridden to date.
- Cost of the bike- $124.00
- Cost of the seat- $57.00
- Cost of the seat post- $18.00
- Cycling Computer- $12.00
- Lights- $26.00
- Rear seat bag- $12.00
- Pedals- $0.00
Total- $249.00**
Total operating cost per km, $5.53 per km. As long as no other items wear out or break, I am hoping that this operating cost will go down a lot.
Here is a comparison of operating costs to the road bike I used in the speed test runs. Based on 440 km distance to date.
- Cost of the bike- $284.00*
- Replacement 90mm headlebar stem- $90.00
Total- $374.00
Total operating cost per km to date- .85 cents per km. I hope the A-bicycle gets within this range when used more next year.
This is the rear mo
unted seat bag I added to help carry small items. Just a small item to help make the bike a bit more useful. The tool kit that came with the bike is now placed in this bag.*- The bike was an early present from my girlfriend. The bike has been used for four months. From August, 2009 to Nov. 10, 2009.
**- The A-bicycle has been used for one week as of Nov.10, 2009.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
New light
I needed a more powerful light on the bike. The little book was is not really up to the job. The one problem I noted on it was the bracket that holds the light was too small to fit on to the handlebar. I had to drill out the hole on the mount to allow a larger and longer bolt. Once this was done, the light was put on to the bike. The light is a L.E.D. type and puts out a lot of light for the size the light is. I retained the little as well. It is nice to have back-up light on the bike. This bike is now a well equipped commuter bike.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Nice ride!
I had to do some running around putting in resumes for work today. I decided that is was a good time to take the A-bicycle in to town as well. With the computere mounted on it and most of the problems with the bike either fixed or at least identified that could happen, I enjoyed taking the bike out after doing some job hunting.
I took the bike to a section of bike path in London, Ontario, Canada. From this spot, I took off on a ride. Up to this point, I was getting about a speed of 12kph for an average speed. The traffic levels in my home town are on the low side. My run on the London ride took on a mix of bike path and roads. The ride lasted for 36:35 minute/ seconds. I was surprized at rest of the run. The total distance I rode was 8.6 km in length. My average speed was 14.1 kph! The max speed was 25.1 kph and this was going down on slight grades on the pathway and road sections. On the road, I found myself holding speeds in the 18 to 20 kph range and holding this with comfort. I was running around the 90 rpm pedaling range. I figure that this doing good when you factor in the small wheel size and dual chain being used.
That is for now. I keep liking this type of small wheeled more and more.
I took the bike to a section of bike path in London, Ontario, Canada. From this spot, I took off on a ride. Up to this point, I was getting about a speed of 12kph for an average speed. The traffic levels in my home town are on the low side. My run on the London ride took on a mix of bike path and roads. The ride lasted for 36:35 minute/ seconds. I was surprized at rest of the run. The total distance I rode was 8.6 km in length. My average speed was 14.1 kph! The max speed was 25.1 kph and this was going down on slight grades on the pathway and road sections. On the road, I found myself holding speeds in the 18 to 20 kph range and holding this with comfort. I was running around the 90 rpm pedaling range. I figure that this doing good when you factor in the small wheel size and dual chain being used.
That is for now. I keep liking this type of small wheeled more and more.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Added cycling computer
I needed a way to measure the way the the bike rides. This means mearsuring speed at which the can travel at. Given the size of the wheels and the gearing it has, one would expect a very low speed. Although this is not a full sized you get a bit of a surprise as to ho
w well it does go. to measure the speed of the bike, I mounted a Mongoose cycling computer to the A-bike. A wireless type cycling cycle would be the ideal for this bike but all I could get was a wire based cycling computer. It may end up getting a wireless unit down the road but for now, this one will have to do. I use this same type on my other bikes so I know they all give me reliable accurate readings. This bike was never really designed to have a cycling computer put on it and
the one main item I had to get creative on was the mounting of a magnet on the wheel. I lost the magnet that came with the cycle computer and had to go to a dollar store top pick up a fridge magnet. I took off the clip assembly that was on it and glued the magnet on to front wheel. I used the instructions for setting the computer so it reads the size of the front wheel. You basicly set a number on the computer to "read" the wheel size. I found out that the size of the wheels on the bike are only 7.5 inches, not 8". To set the number, you take the size of the wheel and multiply this by 3.1416. the number you get is 23.5575. This number must be converter into metric so you can enter the number into the computer. Times the number 23.6 (I rounded the number out) by 25.4. The entered number on the computer comes to 598. Once this is done, the computer now can read of a accurate speed for the bike.
After mounting the set-up cycle computer on to the bike, I did a ride of 4.6 km long. This would fall well within the bounds of the urban commutering it has been designed for. The riding time was measured at 20 minutes and 42 seconds. The max speed reached was 18.9 kph. The average speed was 13.3 kph. This falls below the speeds set in the ads but with the gearing set-up this bike uses, this works out to to accurate based on gearing charts I have from books I own. I am maintaining an average of 65 to 70 rpm. My peak rpm is 90 at 18.9 kph.
Anything added to this bike is subjected a very bumpy time. The computer is moving on the ties it has on the bumpy sections of road. This bike demands you be on where guard at all times. The handling is very quick. I tried a number of times to adjust the moving computer and the steering was very quick to react the the small change in hand postions. The light was being affected as well. On bumpy roads, the light was flicking off and on. At least the light is there to make it legal for night time riding. The tail light works great. It is nice and bright.
w well it does go. to measure the speed of the bike, I mounted a Mongoose cycling computer to the A-bike. A wireless type cycling cycle would be the ideal for this bike but all I could get was a wire based cycling computer. It may end up getting a wireless unit down the road but for now, this one will have to do. I use this same type on my other bikes so I know they all give me reliable accurate readings. This bike was never really designed to have a cycling computer put on it and
the one main item I had to get creative on was the mounting of a magnet on the wheel. I lost the magnet that came with the cycle computer and had to go to a dollar store top pick up a fridge magnet. I took off the clip assembly that was on it and glued the magnet on to front wheel. I used the instructions for setting the computer so it reads the size of the front wheel. You basicly set a number on the computer to "read" the wheel size. I found out that the size of the wheels on the bike are only 7.5 inches, not 8". To set the number, you take the size of the wheel and multiply this by 3.1416. the number you get is 23.5575. This number must be converter into metric so you can enter the number into the computer. Times the number 23.6 (I rounded the number out) by 25.4. The entered number on the computer comes to 598. Once this is done, the computer now can read of a accurate speed for the bike.After mounting the set-up cycle computer on to the bike, I did a ride of 4.6 km long. This would fall well within the bounds of the urban commutering it has been designed for. The riding time was measured at 20 minutes and 42 seconds. The max speed reached was 18.9 kph. The average speed was 13.3 kph. This falls below the speeds set in the ads but with the gearing set-up this bike uses, this works out to to accurate based on gearing charts I have from books I own. I am maintaining an average of 65 to 70 rpm. My peak rpm is 90 at 18.9 kph.
Anything added to this bike is subjected a very bumpy time. The computer is moving on the ties it has on the bumpy sections of road. This bike demands you be on where guard at all times. The handling is very quick. I tried a number of times to adjust the moving computer and the steering was very quick to react the the small change in hand postions. The light was being affected as well. On bumpy roads, the light was flicking off and on. At least the light is there to make it legal for night time riding. The tail light works great. It is nice and bright.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Added lights to the bike.
To make this bike night legal, I added a front and rear to it. Here are pictures of the lights in place. The front light is just a dollar store reading light strapped I the the middle of the steering stem. The front light is not very bright but the bike is at least legal to on the road at night. Given the size of the lig
ht, it's small, puts out a surprising amount of light. The light is basiclly a small LED reading light that has a clip to hold to a book. It is small and fits the design of the bike well. The rear light is a Bell red flasher unit that is nice and bright. It uses a hand tightening nut so it can be moved if needed without the need for tools. The bike is now ready for any time of day, if is nice out of course!
ht, it's small, puts out a surprising amount of light. The light is basiclly a small LED reading light that has a clip to hold to a book. It is small and fits the design of the bike well. The rear light is a Bell red flasher unit that is nice and bright. It uses a hand tightening nut so it can be moved if needed without the need for tools. The bike is now ready for any time of day, if is nice out of course! Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Small bike repairs
This is the second day of using the bike. The first big change over was replacing the seat. I had the seat and needed the seat post. A local bike shop had one so it was bought. With the new seat in place now, the bike rides far better now. The seat type is a male, hybrid type seat that as a hole on it. The base is gel so it makes for a comfortable place to be now. 
The second item to come up was the rear quick release assembly on the lower frame folding section. This was loose and came off the bottom section frame. It is to be locked to the rear bottom frame section. With this part coming loose, the folding a
nd unfolding of the bike could not be done. On top of this, the quick release section was be bumped off of the place it is when riding making the frame very loose after trying place it back without any type of glue. The bike is not as tight as non-folding bike to start with and this loose quick release assembly makes this bike not safe to ride. It is a problem that can be fixed and I did. I bought a tube of epoxy glue and glued the rear quick release assembly back on to the section it needed to to be on. I hope that this fixes this item on the bike and it holds in place for a while. The bike now folds and unfolds with no problems. If I where the type of person that demanded a perfect out of box product, I would have sent this back. Seeing that I like to fix things and get them working right, I do not mind doing these small fixes. Given the price of the bike, I was expecting a few small things that had to be repaired. 
Another small problem that came up was two of the screws that on the rear band brake assembly feel out due the bumps the bike was being subjected and is still going to be taking. I found one of the screws but the other one had to be replaced. Given the many small parts on this bike, regular safety checks should be done. This is 
true of any bike, not just this bike design.
Although I need not use lock-tight one the ones I put back in, this would be a good idea increase the chances keeps these fastners in place in they where to be taken out and put back in due to them loosening.
The only real problem with the bike now trying to stop using it all the time. I do not what to break it. The new seat allows me to ride for a fair amount of time. The seating postion is set more the over the pedals. Compared a regular non-folding bike riding postion, it feels almost like standing straight. This means there is less power being put into the pedals but given the fact that the frame and drive train of the bike are weaker then a rigid welded frame bike, you work around this and enjoy the bike on it's terms. The other real problem I have is I can not really take the bike (or any of the others I own) in the near future since winter is coming. I will try to get out as much as possible before the cold weather comes in.
nd unfolding of the bike could not be done. On top of this, the quick release section was be bumped off of the place it is when riding making the frame very loose after trying place it back without any type of glue. The bike is not as tight as non-folding bike to start with and this loose quick release assembly makes this bike not safe to ride. It is a problem that can be fixed and I did. I bought a tube of epoxy glue and glued the rear quick release assembly back on to the section it needed to to be on. I hope that this fixes this item on the bike and it holds in place for a while. The bike now folds and unfolds with no problems. If I where the type of person that demanded a perfect out of box product, I would have sent this back. Seeing that I like to fix things and get them working right, I do not mind doing these small fixes. Given the price of the bike, I was expecting a few small things that had to be repaired. Another small problem that came up was two of the screws that on the rear band brake assembly feel out due the bumps the bike was being subjected and is still going to be taking. I found one of the screws but the other one had to be replaced. Given the many small parts on this bike, regular safety checks should be done. This is 
true of any bike, not just this bike design.Although I need not use lock-tight one the ones I put back in, this would be a good idea increase the chances keeps these fastners in place in they where to be taken out and put back in due to them loosening.
The only real problem with the bike now trying to stop using it all the time. I do not what to break it. The new seat allows me to ride for a fair amount of time. The seating postion is set more the over the pedals. Compared a regular non-folding bike riding postion, it feels almost like standing straight. This means there is less power being put into the pedals but given the fact that the frame and drive train of the bike are weaker then a rigid welded frame bike, you work around this and enjoy the bike on it's terms. The other real problem I have is I can not really take the bike (or any of the others I own) in the near future since winter is coming. I will try to get out as much as possible before the cold weather comes in.Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Bike has come!
After ordering the A-bike copy, it came at 9:30 am on Nov. 3rd, 2009. It was well packaged. I was totally open as to what to expect.
The first item of note was the type of tires used on the bike. After reading how the original bike used air filled tires, I was surprised to see the bike I bought used solid tires. I have mixed feelings on this. While I look forward to not getting flat tires, I what to see how long these solid tires last. Time will tell. The bike unfolded in about 30 seconds. I was not trying to do the unfold in any speedy manner.
The second item I noted was the seat set-up. The seat post uses quick release clamp and a series of holes in the seat post frame. There is a small pin built seat post to act as lock pin. This feature does work but not well as in there is no strength to hold the seat up. The overall build quaility is solid but there are areas that show this bike not being built to a high build standard. The fenders on the bike are part of the rear gear cover and the front fender is part of the fork cover assembly. There was a gap in both the front and rear assemby sections on the bike I received.
The next set after unfolding the bike was to check the overall fit of the various fastners. For someone expecting to get a bike to get up and go, you should really fine tune this bike before using it. I do this with any bike I buy. I need to know that the bike is safe to use. Fine tuning this bike is a simple manner tightening the items like the seat post. I found after riding the A-bike for bit I really needed to tighten the quick release for the seat stay in one place without moving.
After getting the bike unfolded, it was time get it on the road to ride. The first thing I noted about the bike was the seat. In a word, it works but it is very uncomfortable. Although the seat design works well for it folding up, it does not work from th
e riders side. It is just too small. This original seat will be replaced by regular bike seat. The ride quality of the bike on the rough side when riding rough pavement. The ride does smooth out on concrete based roads that this area has. The brakes on the bike are not too good. When compared my mountain bike and the V-brakes it uses, the brakes on the A-bike almost not work. They are very weak but they do stop the bike. Although the bike is slow, once you up to speed, the bike rolls along better then I thought it would be. Compared to the scooter test I did, the larger 8" wheels rolled better. The frame was solid given the fact that it has many folding points on it. For someone to compare this cute folder to a rigid bike like a alumium framed road bike is very unfair. I have test ridden tis bike about 8 to 9 km this day.
As it stands now. I like it. The seat needs to be replaced but that the only real big item I see so far. As to long term life of the bike, only time will tell this. I hope it lasts for some time. I like this design concept!
The first item of note was the type of tires used on the bike. After reading how the original bike used air filled tires, I was surprised to see the bike I bought used solid tires. I have mixed feelings on this. While I look forward to not getting flat tires, I what to see how long these solid tires last. Time will tell. The bike unfolded in about 30 seconds. I was not trying to do the unfold in any speedy manner.
The second item I noted was the seat set-up. The seat post uses quick release clamp and a series of holes in the seat post frame. There is a small pin built seat post to act as lock pin. This feature does work but not well as in there is no strength to hold the seat up. The overall build quaility is solid but there are areas that show this bike not being built to a high build standard. The fenders on the bike are part of the rear gear cover and the front fender is part of the fork cover assembly. There was a gap in both the front and rear assemby sections on the bike I received.
The next set after unfolding the bike was to check the overall fit of the various fastners. For someone expecting to get a bike to get up and go, you should really fine tune this bike before using it. I do this with any bike I buy. I need to know that the bike is safe to use. Fine tuning this bike is a simple manner tightening the items like the seat post. I found after riding the A-bike for bit I really needed to tighten the quick release for the seat stay in one place without moving.
After getting the bike unfolded, it was time get it on the road to ride. The first thing I noted about the bike was the seat. In a word, it works but it is very uncomfortable. Although the seat design works well for it folding up, it does not work from th
e riders side. It is just too small. This original seat will be replaced by regular bike seat. The ride quality of the bike on the rough side when riding rough pavement. The ride does smooth out on concrete based roads that this area has. The brakes on the bike are not too good. When compared my mountain bike and the V-brakes it uses, the brakes on the A-bike almost not work. They are very weak but they do stop the bike. Although the bike is slow, once you up to speed, the bike rolls along better then I thought it would be. Compared to the scooter test I did, the larger 8" wheels rolled better. The frame was solid given the fact that it has many folding points on it. For someone to compare this cute folder to a rigid bike like a alumium framed road bike is very unfair. I have test ridden tis bike about 8 to 9 km this day.As it stands now. I like it. The seat needs to be replaced but that the only real big item I see so far. As to long term life of the bike, only time will tell this. I hope it lasts for some time. I like this design concept!
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