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 the 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!