Sinclair c5

[z4chris99]

I want one, my tube commute is st and i like the idea of speeding off to work. now the man Maths...

How fast do they go and what's the range?
How do you recharge them?
Are the stable?

My commute would be 4.2 miles in central London, there and back on a charge ok?
How long till I'm crushed by a bus?

Any owners on here?

[DanielC4GP]

There is someone on here who bought one he found in a shed, repaired it and now uses it. He started a thread on it, think it was called "look what I just bought".

[Jayzee]

Did a quick Google and found this... http://www.sinclairc5.com/

All you need to know about them, apparently.

[Caruso]

Where can you keep it at work? I would be worried leaving it on the street.

[Jayzee]

Collectable - certainly for parts, so some bugger would probably nick it.

[z4chris99]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[z4chris99]

Caruso said:

Where can you keep it at work? I would be worried leaving it on the street.

We have underground parking can chuck it in there, or in one of the meeting rooms in sure the investors would love it

[Liquid Knight]

Get a recumbent.

[KDIcarmad]

There was one in Practical Performance Car fitted with a scooter motor. That made it both faster and increased it range. Still not really that practical! I know this does not relate to your question, but is interesting.



Above is the "Mini" El city or City El. It is build in Germany and I believe is still in production. It offer more than a Sinclair C5. A roof for one, better range and can kept up with traffic. No British importer that I know of.

If you want to know more, I would try the Battery vehicle society.

[Ian974]

I saw someone elses thread on their one the other day and I've been wondering whether it would be a good idea for commuting, but I think something like an electric BMX also seems to tick the 'useful but daft' box, and would probably be easier for parts etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSh8uGcFpJs

[Liquid Knight]

http://www.youtube.com/user/ChrisLuxembourg?featur...

Have a look at what this chap does.

[cuprabob]

Hired a C5 for a day when they came out when I was nut a lad. Battery lasted about 15 mins and then it was peddling. It was pretty unstable and dangerous if I'm perfectly honest.

[kamilb1998]

z4chris99 said:

Any owners on here?

I'm the guy that started the thread about my barn find.

The biggest range I've had from my battery on a nice, warm day is 13 miles with the motor on pretty much constantly. You could get more out of it if you're prepared to pedal. This is with a battery the size of the original (35Ah) using the original key switch & battery top assembly which does limit the size of the battery you can use.

You can get a wiring kit from c5alive.co.uk which allows you to use any battery you wish that will fit within the footwell and this will give you a bigger range but it's not very safe becasue there is no key so anyone can just get in it and drive off.

You recharge them just like you would with a car battery, using a normal battery charger that plugs into a wall socket.

Being slow (15mph max.) they are very stable under sensible use. I've done about 150-200 miles on mine over the last 3 months and haven't been crushed by a bus. If you are concerned about being seen you can get a high-viz mast (original optional extra) these seem to go for around £50 these days.

If you are looking at getting one the website I mentioned earlier (c5alive.co.uk) is a good place to have a look at, that's the place where I bought mine.