PRODUCT REVIEW

VELOVISION ISSUE 32 DECEMBER 2008 24 MICRO BIKING

The Pacifi c CarryMe may not have received the same level of media attention as the superfi cially similar Sinclair A-Bike (reviewed in Issue 23) but I’d heard several reports that it was a far more capable performer. So we tested one to fi nd out…

BACKGROUND The CarryMe is one of the products Pacifi c Cycles of Taiwan make under their own name – they also make a huge variety of frames for other manufacturers, mostly in aluminium. It’s a personal favourite of Mr Lin, the Pacifi c CEO, who has ridden his own bike many thousands of miles in many countries. It’s imported to the UK by Airnimal Europe, and they bring in two models: the singlespeed (as tested) and a two-speed version, which uses a bottombracket gearbox which they call a ‘Speed Drive’, presumably from Schlumpf, though it’s not spelled out. This gives a 165% overdrive gear, jumping the gearing from the singlespeed’s 48" to a faster 80". Prices for 2009 are not yet set as we go to press, and may fl uctuate for a while given the ongoing swings in currency rates. But as a ballpark idea, the base prices in 2008 were £259 for the singlespeed, and £369 for the two-speed. Many accessories and spares are available, including the allimportant tyres and tubes (£9.99 each and £4.99 respectively). Our bike was also provided with the extension rear rack (£15.99) and front rack (£19.99). Finally, we also had the carry case (£24.99) and a thin fabric dust cover (£14.99). Not provided were mudguards (£9.99). Again, these are all 2008 prices, so treat as provisional. In the UK at least the singlespeed CarryMe comes only in white, and the two-speed in silver. More heavily built readers should note, by the way, that there’s a height limit of 185 cm

PACIFIC CARRYME

(6' 1") and a max loading (rider plus luggage) of 80 kg. As I exceed both of these limits somewhat, I exercised a certain caution while riding the bike for review purposes, but the CarryMe coped perfectly well. But I do recommend you stick to the limits for normal use.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Unsurprisingly the CarryMe arrives in a slender box. Assembly simply involves removing packaging and unfolding the bike. It’s evident even at fi rst glance that this is a far more ‘serious’ machine than the A-bike. There’s no plastic here; instead there’s a aluminium frame with chunky plates holding wheels and folding sections. Everything is shiny, neatly machined and has a quality feel. It has a proper saddle, too! Perhaps the defi ning characteristic of a microbike is tiny wheels, and the CarryMe’s are pretty small, at 8" (around 200 mm) diameter. That’s noticeably larger than those on

than the A-bike. There’s no plastic here; instead there’s a aluminium frame with chunky plates holding wheels and folding sections. Everything is shiny, neatly machined and has a quality feel. It has a proper saddle, too!

of a microbike is tiny wheels, and the CarryMe’s are pretty small, at 8" (around 200 mm) diameter. That’s noticeably larger than those on

the A-bike (6") or the solid plastic 5" tyres of the Mini125 (see review in Issue 16). The CarryMe uses pneumatic tyres, infl ated to 5.8 bar, via angled valve stems which should allow access for most pump heads. As with the A-bike, I used a shock pump to infl ate the tyres – a little slow, but very controllable. The tyres are mounted onto rather natty-looking aluminium wheels, seemingly machined from solid and with conventional braking surfaces

ISSUE 32 DECEMBER 2008 VELOVISION

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