The latest Sinclair gadget
By James Grahame
The gang over at Treehugger ran a story about the world's "smallest and lightest bicycle" today. They were so enthused by the A-Bike's foldability and ubercompactness that they neglected to mention the inventor -- none other than Sir Clive Sinclair (of Sinclair radio, computer, calculator, watch, television and puny electric car fame).
Sinclair products are binary: they either ignite the public imagination and sell million of units or invite the scorn of the global press before turning into monstrously expensive flops. We'll have to wait and see whether this product (jointly developed by Hong Kong based Daka Designs) catches on. My personal appraisal? It looks too goofy to become cool. But I said that about the Toyota Prius as well.
Here are some stats for your bemusement:
weight: 12 lbs (5.5 kg)
time to unfold: a mere ten seconds. Or ninety seconds if you're in a hurry.
tires: really, really small pneumatic ones.
size when folded: 0.3 cubic meters (1.1 cubic feet)
price: three hundredish dollars
release date: Julyish


