Winter has finally arrived! There is not too much show but it is colder now. The bike has seen very little use but I will get it out when I can. For those interested, I bought the bike from this location. http://www.snhobbies.com/product_info.php?products_id=414. If you live in Canada, this looks like the place to get one. I had the store owner deliver the bike in a timely manner. Not to much more is going to be written on this blog for a while. There will be more written about the longer term use of this bike in the spring of 2010.
Steve.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
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.
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