Shock absorbing footwear on a Segway?

ions82 · 09-10-2016, 06:49 PM

I've been trying to put at least a couple miles on my Seg each day (still a relatively new user.) I put between 18 and 20 psi in the tires. The sidewalks and streets around here aren't the smoothest, but they could definitely be a lot worse. I've been smoothing out the ride by using technique and finesse.

For me, the Segway is a mobility solution (partially paralyzed from spinal injury.) I wear ankle braces (AFO) that keep my feet from going wherever the wind blows. In the past, I had played around with Z-coil shoes (http://www.zcoil.com) in an effort to help with my balance. They work incredibly well, but I need to reconfigure my braces in order to use them. In riding around on the Seg, I started wondering if they might help to smooth out the ride. They aren't the best looking footwear, and the retail pricing is a bit steep. I have a couple pairs that I will try out ( once I get the braces made.) Has anyone else tried out such shoes on their Segway?

airdale · 09-10-2016, 08:25 PM

Do you have the comfort pads installed?

ions82 · 09-11-2016, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airdale

Do you have the comfort pads installed?

Nope. Just the regular rubber ones. May have to take a look at the comfort pads. A bit spendy At $150, but I'm guessing that they are pretty high quality (as is everything that is from Segway.)

fathertime · 09-11-2016, 07:42 AM

If you put only 15 Lbs. of air in your tires it will help a bit.

Save
Save

airdale · 09-11-2016, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ions82

Nope. Just the regular rubber ones. May have to take a look at the comfort pads. A bit spendy At $150, but I'm guessing that they are pretty high quality (as is everything that is from Segway.)

I feel there a must....Some times I can be on it a few hours and it helps greatly.

And yes lower tire pressure gives a softer ride, but a dew less miles on a charge.

Don M · 09-11-2016, 12:24 PM

You can cut two pieces of the 1/2" foam floor mats (Harbor Freight) and get much the same result as the $150 mats and save a whole lot of money. If you cut them carefully using the stock mats as a pattern, you can wedge them on there securely and they'll work fine. Try that first anyway and see how much it helps - I doubt the $150 ones will feel any better

Don

MagiMike · 09-11-2016, 01:07 PM

Might want to do a search in this forum for " zcoil shoes " There are about 10 threads with comments from various users. General trend seems to be they reduce shock by about 50% but the shoes look funny.

ions82 · 09-11-2016, 01:14 PM

I should've searched before posting. I wasn't on the forum for quite some time, so I forgot about such simple research methods. But I agree that the aesthetics of the Z-coil shoes are probably the biggest downside.

I'll try some If the mentioned floor mat. I actually have a bunch left over as I use it for "shadow" cutouts in my tool boxes. Definitely a much cheaper option, and the bandsaw will make short work of it. Thank you for the tip!

terryp · 09-12-2016, 11:10 AM

Zcoil shoes do help, are very comfortable, and great for hiking too. They do get interesting looks from people, but I think we're pretty used to that!

09-10-2016, 06:49 PM	#1
ions82 Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: ABQ, NM Posts: 309	Shock absorbing footwear on a Segway? I've been trying to put at least a couple miles on my Seg each day (still a relatively new user.) I put between 18 and 20 psi in the tires. The sidewalks and streets around here aren't the smoothest, but they could definitely be a lot worse. I've been smoothing out the ride by using technique and finesse. For me, the Segway is a mobility solution (partially paralyzed from spinal injury.) I wear ankle braces (AFO) that keep my feet from going wherever the wind blows. In the past, I had played around with Z-coil shoes (http://www.zcoil.com) in an effort to help with my balance. They work incredibly well, but I need to reconfigure my braces in order to use them. In riding around on the Seg, I started wondering if they might help to smooth out the ride. They aren't the best looking footwear, and the retail pricing is a bit steep. I have a couple pairs that I will try out ( once I get the braces made.) Has anyone else tried out such shoes on their Segway?

09-11-2016, 07:42 AM	#4
fathertime Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: chicago, illinois, USA. Posts: 665	If you put only 15 Lbs. of air in your tires it will help a bit. Save Save __________________ Jim Reynolds Segway of Chicago 515 S. LaGrange Rd. LaGrange, Il. 60525 (708) 352-1685

09-12-2016, 11:10 AM	#9
terryp Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Kenmore, WA, USA. Posts: 2,097	Zcoil shoes do help, are very comfortable, and great for hiking too. They do get interesting looks from people, but I think we're pretty used to that! __________________ 35K miles in 15 years!

09-10-2016, 08:25 PM	#2
airdale Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Arizona Posts: 555	Do you have the comfort pads installed?

09-11-2016, 12:24 PM	#6
Don M Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Ocean Springs MS Posts: 242	You can cut two pieces of the 1/2" foam floor mats (Harbor Freight) and get much the same result as the $150 mats and save a whole lot of money. If you cut them carefully using the stock mats as a pattern, you can wedge them on there securely and they'll work fine. Try that first anyway and see how much it helps - I doubt the $150 ones will feel any better Don

09-11-2016, 01:07 PM	#7
MagiMike Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston, TX, USA. Posts: 701	Might want to do a search in this forum for " zcoil shoes " There are about 10 threads with comments from various users. General trend seems to be they reduce shock by about 50% but the shoes look funny.

09-11-2016, 01:14 PM	#8
ions82 Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: ABQ, NM Posts: 309	I should've searched before posting. I wasn't on the forum for quite some time, so I forgot about such simple research methods. But I agree that the aesthetics of the Z-coil shoes are probably the biggest downside. I'll try some If the mentioned floor mat. I actually have a bunch left over as I use it for "shadow" cutouts in my tool boxes. Definitely a much cheaper option, and the bandsaw will make short work of it. Thank you for the tip!

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