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Brompton bike online! Large range of Brompton bikes always in stock, as well as a wide range of spares. Call us to arrange a Brompton demo ride

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We are now stocking the TREK Ride+ electric bikes. Call us to arrange a Ride+ Demo ride!

11 Loc 11 Lochrin Place hrin Place,, EdinbEdinburur gh EH3 9QX gh EH3 9QX TTel:el: 0131 228 6633 E-Mail: 0131 228 6633 E-Mail: infinfo@biko@biketretr ax.coax.co.uk.uk www.atob.org.uk

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A to B 81 Dec 10 A to B m a g a z i n e

Available from selected outlets, online at www.exacteditions.com or by annual subscription on 01305 259998 or www.atob.org.uk

£13.80 (United Kingdom), £19 or US$27 (overseas airmail)

Issue 81 December 2010 A to B 40 Manor Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 2AX, England

ISSN 1460-0587 . tel 01305 259998

email (subscriptions & advertising) teresa@atob.org.uk (editorial) atob@atob.org.uk . web www.atob.org.uk

Editor David Henshaw . Administration & Proof-reading Teresa Ridout

Contributors Tony Flecchia, Martin Rosendall, Andy & Sue Black

Printers Henry Ling . Next deadline 21st January 2011

Another year and another book.Working in joint authorship with Richard Peace of Excellent Books we’ve written a book on the history, technology and everyday use of electric bikes. See the review on page 4, and if you would like a copy for yourself or a friend for Christmas, we have every confidence that (unlike last year) the book will be back from the printers (Somerset rather than Shanghai) in good time.You can order from our web site, or by one of the other options on page 41.

Meanwhile, we’re making a small price increase from 1st January (or 31st January if you’re renewing with the form sent with this issue). A to B has sold for £2.30 a copy, and £13.80 a year for an astonishing five years.Three years ago we introduced Miniature Railway at £2.50 an issue, but never quite got around to increasing the price of A to B to match.Yes, we really are going to blame the increase on the need to simplify administration. Feeble excuse or not, it will certainly make life easier for Teresa.

Plenty of interest in this issue we hope, from Brompton touring in Italy to battery charging. Hope you continue to enjoy A to B as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it for you. DAVID HENSHAW

ike Dodd

M

:l in Shrewsbur y isposa iled up for d les p ic yc il b l Ma

Roya

:COVER

Contents Book Rev i ews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 A to B L e t t e r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 A to B News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 P i vo t ’s Co r n e r : S i n c l a i r X - 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 Te s t e d : Ra l e i g h Ve l o - C i t y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 Te s t e d : B i rd y Hybr i d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4 Curren t A f f a i r s : T h e R oya l Mai l B i c y c l e Debac l e . . 2 8 Tr ave l : Ca r r y o n Up T h e T i b e r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4 Te s t e d : Te c h n o l i n e - B L 700 Cha r ge r . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 9 A to B Sm a l l s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 0

www.atob.org.uk

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A to B 81 Dec 10