www.biketrax.co.uk Everything Brompton online - Delivered worldwide

All Brompton models and a wide range of spares, always in stock

Other folders by Dahon, Ridgeback, Pashley Moulton TSR

Commuting & Touring essentials also available online: - Reflective clothing - Dynamo hubs & lights - Pannier racks & bags

11 Lochrin Place, Edinburgh EH3 9QX Tel: 0131 228 6633 E-Mail: info@biketrax.co.uk

Quarterly !nspiration

GetVeloVision’s30theditionforreviews oftheinnovativeKogaVectortownbike, theSantosDual Travel Rohlofftandem, theSeiran24recumbentbikeandthe newWindcheetahSportCompacttrike. PlustherickshawridersofLhasa, the touringverdictonDahonCadenzafolders, Schmidt’snewEdeluxheadlight, and muchmore!Tryit, anddiscoveramost refreshinglyeclecticcyclingmagazine!

Introductoryprices: Sample£3, Subscription£20 (usually£6and£24)

Cardswelcome: Tel 01904438224 Ororderonline: www.velovision.com Cheques: toVeloVisionpleaseandsendto: VeloVision, FREEPOSTNEA11826, YorkYO103ZZ

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A to B 69 Jan 09 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$38 (overseas airmail)

Issue 69 January 2009 A to B 40 Manor Road,Dorchester,Dorset DT1 2AX,England ISSN 1460-0587 . tel 01305 259998

email (editorial) atob@atob.org.uk (subscriptions & advertising) teresa@atob.org.uk .web www.atob.org.uk Editor David Henshaw .Administration Teresa Ridout .Proof-reading Peter Henshaw Contributors David Henshaw,Peter Henshaw,Richard Peace,Tim Pestridge Artwork Diana Powell,Tim Pestridge .Printers Henry Ling . Next deadline 28th January 2008

AFREEGIFT! OK, we can’t knock 2 1 / 2 % off the VAT (magazines are zero-rated), but we’re determined to give everyone a jolly, recession-busting Christmas. If you have a friend, relative or even an elected representative who might enjoy a Christmas present of A to B, we’ll send them a six-month paper or digital subscription as a gift from you, absolutely free! Just visit our secure server at https://secure.virtuality.net/atobcom and complete the form, making sure to tick the ‘Gift’ box, write yourname in the ‘card name’ box, the code XMAS08 in the ‘Credit Card Number’ box, and ‘12/08’ in the ‘Expiry Date’ box.We’ll get in touch to discuss the gift wording. But hurry... the offer expires at midnight on 24th December. Couldn’t be simpler - even a banker could understand it. Probably. Best wishes and a whoozly Christmas to all.

Contents A to B Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

A to B News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Pivot Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

The Trial: Powabyke X-Bike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Technology: Vectrix Electric Scooter . . . . . . . . 26

The Trial: Free Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Tested: Carradice Carradry Brompton Pannier . . . . 33

Tested: B&MIxon IQ&Cyon LED lights . . . . . . . . 34

Tested: Brompton Sparticle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Tested: Puky ZL 16-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Tested: Panacruiser Crosstown 16x1 3 / 8 " tyres . . . . 44

A to B Smalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

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A to B 69 Jan 09