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Sir Clive suggested BikeBiz.com take the prototype A-Bike for a test ride before commenting again on the machine’s comfort factor.
"Bikes don’t like potholes at the best of times," he said.
"The A-Bike is more comfortable than you’d think. You wouldn’t know you were on a bicycle with such small wheels."
Sir Clive believes his bike – fully designed in London – will appeal to commuters who may not have thought about owning a folding bike to date.
At 5kg and "remarkably small in the bag", the A-Bike can be carried easily and "extends the use of folding bikes."
An early prototype was shown to cycle design guru Mike Burrows, who designed a folding bike for Giant (although the commercially-available version did not use much of Burrows’ radical design).
"We seek advice wherever we can," said Sinclair.
"Mike is an expert I respect."
Sinclair believes A-Bikes could be available by the second quarter of 2005. Worldwide sales would be handled by Daka; UK sales would be handled by Sinclair Research.
As well as retailing the $299 A-Bike via mail order ads and the Sinclair Research website, Sir Clive Sinclair would like take up from bike shops.
"We shall be launching through the retail trade," he said.
