About a week and a half ago, I had an interesting conversation with Jason Cary, a young bicycle builder on the West coast whose folding bikes are built with frames of welded magnesium tubing. Since I'm featuring a $169 diecast magnesium ultra light folding bike (just 23 lbs) on RideTHISbike.com, Jason suggested that readers may also be interested in a higher end welded magnesium bike that folds and offered to send one for me to review. Unfortunately, the Winter storm that hit the Rockies has kept the bike locked tight in a rail car in Denver.

In anticipation of the delivery of the bike soon, I wanted to post the information that I have pertaining to it. Once I receive it, I'll shoot some photos and report on how this folding bike rides.

Folding Bike Name: Aerlite-B

PRIMARY FEATURES
16 Inch Magnesium alloy frame, Shimano Nexus 3 Speed Internal Hub, Pro-Max V-Lock Brakes, Front and Rear alloy Fenders

SPECS
Weight ??? Bike Only: Overall weight with rack 24 Pounds or 10.9 k Frame weight is 3.3 Pounds or 1.5 k
Max. Size Fully Stretched: 54" from front to rear, 47" from top of handlebars to the ground fully extended, 36.5" from top of seat to ground
Folding Time: Less than 30 seconds
Max Rider Weight with High Pressure Tires: 300 pounds or 136.3 k
Rider Max. Height: 6'5"

COMPONENTS
Frame: Magnesium Alloy
Seat Post: Aluminum Alloy
Handlebar Stem: Aluminum Alloy
Handlebars: Aluminum Alloy
Saddle:Ergonomically designed Comfort Saddle
Brakes: Pro-Max V lock
Shifter: Shimano (Revo/Grip Shift Style)
Derailleur: Shimano Nexus Internal 3 Speed Hub
Crank set: 46 Teeth Aluminum 150mm arms
Chain: KMC Anti Rust
Spokes: Stainless
Number of Spokes: 20 Front and 28 Rear
Tires: 16x1.75, 35psi
Rims: Aluminum Alloy
Fenders: Aluminum Alloy
Pedals: Resin, Folding
Kick Stand: Stainless Steel

OTHER NOTABLE FEATURES
Rustproof, Virtually maintenance free, Available add-ons such as Shimano Nexus Auto-D (computer assisted shifting) 3 speed, 7 or 8 speed nexus hubs, front and rear lights with hub dynamo. Backed by the Betst Limited Lifetime warranty.

MSRP: $359 (with shipping @ $410)

OPTIONS
- Bell
- Aluminum Rear Carry Rack (w/45 lbs capacity) $39.99
- Bag $59.99

Buy It Now

More About This Folding Bike...
- photos of the Aerlite B magnesium folding bike (3 January 2007)
- review of the Aerlite B magnesium folding bike (11 January 2007)

Folding bikes

Labels: Aerlite-B, bike review, folding bicycle, folding bike, magnesium bike