Rating: 4 / 5

ON 2/8/2010 CALLED LYDIA AGAIN AND EXPLAINED PROBLEM. LYDIA SUGGESTED THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE BATTERIES BUT THE CHARGER PURCHASED FROM THEM AT THE SAME TIME. AGREED TO REFUND ORIGINAL SHIPPING AND REPLACE THE CHARGER. HAVE UPGRADED RATING DEPENDING UPON WHETHER THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED.

5 March 2010– further info:

For your

info though, the problem is not the charger but the way the batteries are

manufactured. When they are put in a flashlight, they must be put in so

that the positive end, contacts the negative end of the battery in front of

it. The rolled edges of these batteries are done in such a fashion that

they do not make a good contact and thus the flashlight will not function. I have showed this to two local dealers along with comparable Ultrafire

Batteries. The comparable batteries have a slightly built up center

section of the positive terminal, which insures contact— and they work

fine. Below is an copy from Amazon of my upgraded comments which indicate

your willingness to send me a new charger and note I also mentioned

information to see if this solves the problem. I can only conclude that

the batteries as manufactured by Tenergy may work in some situations but not in the application of the Brand New M30 Triton Flashlight which I use on

duty. The comparable 18650 units made by Ultrafire though seem to function

perfectly. The issue then, as initially suspected, was not one of not

charging, but more the issue is failure of the batteries to be able to make a secure electrical connection due to the rolled edges of the outside coating.

I am sorry I could not be more positive as the batteries just do not function with the equipment I have, yet others do. Perhaps those users using only one 18650 would find them useful, but when two are required to be stacked, the contact between them is interrupted. I would be happy to return all 8 Batteries, for credit, but will just eat them and learn from experience.

Rating: 2 / 5

Strengths:

1)It is light.

2)The aluminum frame is rigid and very well made. I expect many years of good use. Rust may be a thing of the past.

3)The front stainless steel disk-break is solid. I don’t see this feature on many bikes of this type.

4)The design is unique and attractive to some. I am a fan.

5) All the tools are hidden beautifully within the frame and seat post. There is no need for an additional tool pouch.

6)The drive train is surprisingly strong (no chain) and clean (one of the main reasons I bought it). It’s made of the same material as some motorcycle’s drive trains. It is very quiet. The only sound you hear on the road is the tires.

7)It comes apart in seconds.

8)There are quite a few optional accessories that add more functionality to the bike.

9)The high pressure tires mean faster rides and less work (think road bike).

10)When the handlebars and pedals are folded, it takes up very little space.

11)Carrying handle integrated into the design. It allows for a balanced one-hand operation.

12)Adjusting the bike for different size riders is a breeze.

13)The absence of a top tube means you can get on and off very fast and easy. This is specially attractive for people with stiff limbs like me.

Weaknesses:

1)The rear brake should only be used in emergencies (as specified by the manufacturer). It is not meant for everyday use. The front brake is enough for most applications.

2)Use of the front break can be an adventure. Unless you enjoy going over the handle bars (which will happen if the front brake is firmly engaged at high speeds), you have to monitor your speed, specially when going down hill.

3)The gear shifter is not very reliable. I can count on two of the four gears consistently.

4)The four gears limits it’s use to fairly flat areas.

5)The unique geometry puts the center of gravity pretty high on the bike. That means you have to ride low on steep hills or the bike will pop a willy on you.

6)Breaking the bike in half is only useful if you are going to transport it in your vehicle (for trips to the beach, park, vacations, etc.). It is unpractical for commuting on buses, the metro, or train. The pieces are too large and clumsy to be carrying around on both hands. The optional carrying bag is not practical for this purpose, either.

7)Replacing the rear tires is not intuitive; I had to look at the instructions on their website.

8)Non-standard parts may be hard to find.

9)Due to the limited production, low advertising, and high price, the bike may not be around for too long ( I hope it catches on with consumers).

10)Tubes are readily available at most bike shops, but the tires aren’t.

I’m a fan of the bike and I hope it catches on.

My bike is currently set up with a few accessories that I strongly recommend. The rear basket and fender are a must if you go grocery shopping. So far I’ve been able to take it inside the store with no issues. The fenders are essential in rainy areas. They are made of nearly indestructible material and work well. The cup holder and bell are nice to have, but the repair kit is a must (it hides neatly inside the seat post). The head and tail lights are essential, but I decided to get them somewhere else.

The bike fits nicely inside my Mini Cooper when it’s broken in half. I can fit this bike and my wife’s Bike Friday into her ‘05 Rav4, and still have room to spare. If you own a larger vehicle I would recommend the standard compact bike. You will save your self a couple hundred dollars. The breakaway model has limited functionality. A Bike Friday makes a better commuter and overall bike, but they are more expensive.
Rating: 4 / 5

Es lo ideal para las cámaras alpha, además, va en línea con el diseño de la cámara Sony Alpha 350 y todos los modelos de Alphas. También la oferta fue muy buena, pues incluía una batería original
Rating: 5 / 5