OK - tipped off from Velo Vision site.
I won't take any comments personally;-)
Good advertising potential!
16 inch wheels are bit small although have used for years by Brompton and Australian trike and bike maker Greenspeed.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Stuff
Sinclair X-1 - electrically assisted recliner for 2011
(16 posts)-
Posted 14 years ago #
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Interesting, I would say we write it off at the risk of looking foolish(!)
I'm not convinced, however, Sinclair is not a fool, and small wheels are favoured I believe by the HPV crowd due to their greater efficiency (subject to a decent road surface!). The cheapness of the battery packs makes me wonder if they are under-specced, the weather protection can only be a good thing in the uk climate though...
Would be interested to know what the gearing etc is as well. "100% stopping power" made me laugh mind you, as opposed to what?!?
Oh and the advertising video is terrible! Who filmed it, his ageing grandparents on their mobile phones??? :-oPosted 14 years ago # -
Just saw a clip of it on an advert for the new wallace and gromit show I think.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Top marks for the naming, if nothing else.
In the constellation of Sinclair
There lurks a mysterious, invisible force
The white bike
of Sinclair X-1I'd've liked to see ISO349 rather than ISO305 wheels, and how to carry 'stuff' bigger than a briefcase. Sir Clive has always tried to promote minimal size personal mobility, and what the C5 lacked in the eyes of the public was height, a roof, gears and speed.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I think I might have seen a couple of those funny triangle bikes in London. I can't remember what sort of wheel size they had but they definately had that A-bike shape.
Posted 14 years ago # -
"I think I might have seen a couple of those funny triangle bikes in London."
Might have been Stridas - bigger wheels, but more practical - though saddle gets closer to handlebars if you raise it!!
Posted 14 years ago # -
Arellcat and what the C5 lacked in the eyes of the public was height, a roof, gears and speed.
....and normality I suppose. But then again everyone laughed at the orginal SmartCars but if you make enough of something and market it right you can sell. (Look at Yakult yoghurts which has had 12 adertising claims thrown out but still sells yoghurt and plastic in almost equal weights).
Min I think the A bikes you may have seen are Stridas. The Sinclair bike is like a microscooter with pedals. I reckon in-line skates would be safer and faster..
If the X-1 is to work then it must be able to carry luggage, have a decent engine, a mirror. Although the average car commute is short people do expect their bikes to be useful for longer journeys. Storage? - although it is relatively small.
Most general 'media' comments will be posted by people who don't cycle or have never even tried a recumbent type machine. Sinclair obviously enjoy a challenge and will quickly meet the 'roads are for cars and certain types of bikes' brigade. I'm nervous as people still think of the C5 when they see anything unusual.
Giant, Trek and Cannondale have all looked at concept bikes and got nowhere. The X-1 though is electric and not directly comparable.Posted 14 years ago # -
My prediction? As soon as there's any sort of sidewind it will be uncontrollable.
Otherwise, I'd ride one in rush hour no bother.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Strida-yes I think that might have been it. Thanks chdot and LB.
Posted 14 years ago # -
"Just make a car, everyone tells Sinclair"
lolX-1? Name already taken by Marvel and Sony Ericsson Xperia phones...
It wouldn't fit in our bike shed hence it is a non starter for me.Posted 14 years ago # -
Dave My prediction? As soon as there's any sort of sidewind it will be uncontrollable.
That's what I thought.
Sides are open though which gives less side area than some established designs already in use in NL.Violent side gusts effects all bikes on places like North Bridge.
A really big one could see the X-1 change lanes into Market Street...Posted 14 years ago # -
Looks like it may be bad in side winds, however the
only way to really test the effect of side winds is to get out and do some real life testing.
For example, people have said for years that "dustbin" fairings on motorcycles would be lethal in side winds, some of the MPG fanatics have since found a nice aerodynamic shell is better in side winds than a "conventional" bike. (Have a google for Craig Vetter's 80's fuel efficiency competitions for examples)
We still have things to learn when it comes to even the apparently obvious around two wheelers..Posted 14 years ago # -
Smudge We still have things to learn when it comes to even the apparently obvious around two wheelers..
I'm putting you down for a test ride if I ever get one...;-)I assume Sinclair will have done plenty on the airflow on this...
I'm getting hopeful again... (TGIF)Racing velomobiles move at 35mph quite easily - overtaking lighter recumbent bikes. But as X-1 has electric power its optimum speed is 15mph. Doesn't sound fast of course but if you can get up to and stay at that speed then it's fast enough. Small wheels though will take a hammering and suspension will be vital. I hope they do it right... many Dutch and German companies (eg Go-One) have been there and they have worked in bike business for decades...
Posted 14 years ago # -
"I think I might have seen a couple of those funny triangle bikes in London. I can't remember what sort of wheel size they had but they definately had that A-bike shape."
Somewhere my husband saw one with little mini-wheels - he described them as like scooter or buggy wheels - but now we can't remember where it was...
Posted 14 years ago # -
@laidback, I'll hold you to that ;-) I've not ridden a recumbent but it cannot be any scarier than a motorcycle and sidecar!
I thought 15mph was the limit that the assist could take you to but higher is legal under human power?I'd like to see it succeed but the more I look at it the less convinced I am, too many unknowns.
Otoh, I could see a ready market for illegal modifications and big battery packs....! (If the suspension/aerodynamics are half reasonable, *then* it could be a lot of fun :-))Posted 14 years ago # -
I thought 15mph was the limit that the assist could take you to but higher is legal under human power?
I think that's right. So you could point it down Kirk Brae and it will feel fast and go to 40 easily I'd reckon. So brakes will have to be good.
Or if it uses re-gen braking (like an Electric Bike Co's Trek with Bionix) then you can save brake wear and top up battery.
I'm certainly going to keep an eye on it to see how it develops.
Posted 14 years ago #
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