Segway

jimmypippa

I just thought that as this doesn't seem to have been dscussed recently, I'd like a larf...

I'm in favour of it bacause I think it might act as a "gateway drug" to cycling, as you could get a really decent bike for the same prices, and you wouldn't be limited to 12mph, nor to 12 miles on the flat...

I also think that standing up (essentially stationary) for an hour would probably be more tiring than cycling, or walking for an hour.

Anyway, if it were legal in the UK, how many people here could actually use a segway on their commute.

I couldn't because it would run out of juice each way.

roger_merriman

i think they attaully are a bad idea, really, a solution looking for a problem.

il_principe

jimmypippa wrote:

I just thought that as this doesn't seem to have been dscussed recently, I'd like a larf...

I'm in favour of it bacause I think it might act as a "gateway drug" to cycling, as you could get a really decent bike for the same prices, and you wouldn't be limited to 12mph, nor to 12 miles on the flat...

I also think that standing up (essentially stationary) for an hour would probably be more tiring than cycling, or walking for an hour.

Gateway drug? the Segway is just another excuse for the lazy and obese not to have to walk. The only similarity it has with cycling is that it's done on 2 wheels, it doesn't even require balance.

As for being more tiring, I fail to see how.

Stupid things.

STEFANOS4784

Yup very stupid things, i wouldn't feel comfortable on one as they are lazy-b@stardmobiles and find them quite comical, really don't seee the link to cycling :?

jimmypippa

Actually I can think of one use for the segway, if one doesn't like mobility scooters...

It is the calssic case of a solution looking for a problem. Now why do I think of Lembit Öpik?

nielsamd

:idea: Heh I wonder if a human-powered Segway could be developed (HPS?) I realize there' some sort of electric flywheel in the thing... what if there was human power spinning the flywheel...

Get, coat, etc. .....

coffeecup

If a chimp can learn to ride one.... :shock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pFv8CAniYQ

and the pop song....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp9Gm-aRe5A

crankycrank

I've seen a few around where I live. Almost all of them are used by tourist companies doing short rides around the local sights for bored vacationers. They're really a nuisance to anybody using the bike/jog/walk paths. I do occasionally see a guy who rides one around talking on his Bluetooth with his laptop mounted on the steerer. Very cyborg. I wish they would go away. :twisted:

Mithras

My Reason for destroying all Segways

woodyonthebeach

What is there score for scalping one (ok not very hard but hey) are they going to be up there Sinclair C2

jimmypippa

coffeecup wrote:

If a chimp can learn to ride one.... :shock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pFv8CAniYQ

and the pop song....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp9Gm-aRe5A

Being a Steve Bell fan, I thought that you might have been referring to this:

biondino

I reckon that secretly EVERY SINGLE POSTER on this board would love to have a go on one. Don't deny it, we won't believe you

roger_merriman

oh i'd love a go but i can't see much use for it behond the ooh odd thing for a while.

tardington

Esp after Heston on those 'Great British Food Fight' adverts!

lost_in_thought

biondino wrote:

I reckon that secretly EVERY SINGLE POSTER on this board would love to have a go on one. Don't deny it, we won't believe you

I would! I'd also like a go on a recumbent, a TT bike, a sinclair C5, an urban mover electric skateboard....

I heart a good gadget I do.

Mr Sworld

Mithras wrote:

My Reason for destroying all Segways

I can see the US criminals now!

'Quick! Walk fast! There's a tubby cop on a Segway.'

If he fired his gun would the gyro compensate for the recoil?

Underscore

lost_in_thought wrote:

biondino wrote:

I reckon that secretly EVERY SINGLE POSTER on this board would love to have a go on one. Don't deny it, we won't believe you

I would! I'd also like a go on a recumbent, a TT bike, a sinclair C5, an urban mover electric skateboard....

Well, I can only claim to have ridden a Segway and the C5 and have to say, while the Segway is a hoot, the C5 was really not that much fun. The closest it got to entertaining was on downhill bits where, due to its aerodynamics, you can get up quite a bit of speed. However, when you come to stop, you have two choices: 1) a rim brake on the small, plastic front wheel, which doesn't slow you down at all, it merely produces a burning smell when used at speed, or 2) a disc brake on one rear wheel only that is either not braking at all or locking the rear wheel solid. I also managed to roll the C5 (thanks to that rear brake and a bit a youthful exuberance), which has an added frisson of danger due to the fact that you are pretty much sat on a lead-acid battery...

However, I highly recommend a spin on the Segway, should the opportunity present itself.

_

STEFANOS4784

nielsamd wrote:

:idea: Heh I wonder if a human-powered Segway could be developed (HPS?) I realize there' some sort of electric flywheel in the thing... what if there was human power spinning the flywheel...

Get, coat, etc. .....

lol, you could rig one of those cross trainer jobbies from the gym up, quality 8)

nielsamd

lol, you could rig one of those cross trainer jobbies from the gym up, quality Cool

Yes. The idea is to look as foolish as possible.
I sort of envisage the [HPS] as working like a bagpipe.... pump up some power into it when you feel like it... not necessarily while its needed. You could do all the exertion while waiting at red lights for example.

don_don

I remember seeing a kid's TV article about 'Segway hockey' - basically a bunch of fat American kids playing polo on Segways.

They were trying to sell the novelty and skill involved, but I couldn't help thinking 'why don't you just get off and get some f8cking excercise!!' :roll:

Christophe3967

lost_in_thought wrote:

biondino wrote:

I reckon that secretly EVERY SINGLE POSTER on this board would love to have a go on one. Don't deny it, we won't believe you

I would! I'd also like a go on a recumbent, a TT bike, a sinclair C5, an urban mover electric skateboard....

I heart a good gadget I do.

Yes, except the C5. I once drove a Reliant Robin, which was pretty scary. I'd want to swap that for maybe Chris Hoy's Dolan.

el_presidente

I have had a go on a segway, it is hilarious fun although useless for most practical applications as far as I could tell. It is so easy to learn, after about 30 minutes I could go at max speed and stop in on a dime, reverse at speed , 360 spins, slalom course, and rock the thing back and forth. Highly recommended if you get a chance.

jimmypippa

Mithras wrote:

My Reason for destroying all Segways

Is he twice the cop that you are?

wgwarburton

biondino wrote:

I reckon that secretly EVERY SINGLE POSTER on this board would love to have a go on one. Don't deny it, we won't believe you

I'd probably have a go if the opportunity were handed to me on a plate.... would go out of my way, though....

What I'd like to have a go on is an Ordinary... must be possible somewhere (I've seen museums advertise the opportunity, though not recently). I think there are a couple of people who make them, but havn't seen anyone that hires them out.

Anyone know where I might look...?

Cheers,
W.

Feltup

There was a guy riding a Segway at Paris Airshow, cruising between the stands and it seemed ideal for that. He then got talking to a very pretty lass on the stand opposite mine and you would never guess it but she managed to talk him in to letting her have a go. Not stopping to take off her extremely high stilettos she gets on puts it straight into full steam ahead and promptly destroyed half the stand across from her.

Best thing that happened at that show!

Stewie Griffin

One of my ex bosses had a C5 and I rode/drove it on several occasions, quite scary on main roads I can assure you. You realise when a lorry overtakes you that your head is at wheel level and that you and the C5 would be little more than a speed bump to them.

The Police in Schiphol Airport* buzz around on Segways and they do get an impressive turn of speed up.

*Doooooooood, that Policeman is floating.

MrChuck

I fancy a go- saw a tour group on them in Paris and it did look kind of fun, there's something about them that brings a smile to my face!
But it's hard to see the point really. I can see how they'd be handy for airports/warehouses/oil tankers or whatever but then so would a bike.

biondino

I saw a tour group in Chicago - I have a 30-sec video of them all streaming past somewhere but for now this pic'll have to do:



I also saw a police officer on one in Chicago:

MrChuck

biondino wrote:

Is this the 2X2 version? I like it!
But it's still pointless.

jimmypippa

WGWarburton wrote:

biondino wrote:

I reckon that secretly EVERY SINGLE POSTER on this board would love to have a go on one. Don't deny it, we won't believe you

I'd probably have a go if the opportunity were handed to me on a plate.... would go out of my way, though....

What I'd like to have a go on is an Ordinary... must be possible somewhere (I've seen museums advertise the opportunity, though not recently). I think there are a couple of people who make them, but havn't seen anyone that hires them out.

Anyone know where I might look...?

Cheers,
W.

My dad's neighbours used to race Old Ordinary bicycles, they got sponsored to fly to Tasmania for the world championships one year, and Japan the next.

Ther were also slow races, and I have vague recollections of seeing photos of bunnyhopping...

chuckcork

Mithras wrote:

My Reason for destroying all Segways

C'mon Mithras, I bet for the US Police it comes with a coffee and donut holder option!

Then I bet you'd want one?