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Launched in United Kingdom in 1985, the Sinclair C5 was a battery-assisted tricycle
Launched in THE United Kingdom in 1985, the Sinclair C5 was a battery-assisted tricycle
created by British inventor, Sir Clive Sinclair. The C5 was steered by the handlebar
created by British inventor, Sir Clive Sinclair. The C5 was steered by A handlebar
beneath a driver's knees and powered by a small electric motor making it unnecessary
beneath THE/no article driver's knees and powered by a small electric motor making it unnecessary
for the driver to pedal. C5's top speed of twenty-four km/h was the fastest allowed
for the driver to pedal. THE C5's top speed of twenty-four km/h was the fastest allowed
in the UK without driving licence. The retail price was £399, plus £29 for delivery
in the UK without A driving licence. The retail price was £399, plus £29 for delivery
which was expensive for the time. Both media and the public ridiculed the C5 during
which was expensive for the time. Both the media and the public ridiculed the C5 during
1980s and it was a commercial disaster, selling only around 12,000 units. In fact, the
THE 1980s and it was a commercial disaster, selling only around 12,000 units. In fact, the
design was an impractical one: from the beginning, there were the serious concerns
design was an impractical one: from the beginning, there were serious concerns
about the C5's safety in traffic because it was so low to ground. In addition to this, the
about the C5's safety in traffic because it was so low to THE ground. In addition to this, the
driver was exposed to the wind and the rain and the cold weather tended to shorten
driver was exposed to the wind and the rain and cold weather tended to shorten
battery life. The lack of gears and seat-to-pedal adjustment and the fact that a motor
battery life. The lack of gears and seat-to-pedal adjustment and the fact that THE motor
overheated on the long hills, were also serious problems. The motor turned out to be
overheated on long hills, were also serious problems. The motor turned out to be
essentially useless for climbing hills, with even the gentle slopes requiring the driver to
essentially useless for climbing hills, with even gentle slopes requiring the driver to
pedal. Sinclair spent the millions of pounds on developing the C5 and its failure
pedal. Sinclair spent millions of pounds on developing the C5 and its failure
bankrupted a company and cost him his reputation. It will long be remembered in the
bankrupted the company and cost him his reputation. It will long be remembered in the
UK as the spectacular and comic failure, but was Sir Clive's idea just ahead of its time?
UK as a spectacular and comic failure, but was Sir Clive's idea just ahead of its time?
