Ultimate Sports, Inc. Details the Advantages of ePower's RIDE - MSNBC

JohnG · 01-28-2009, 07:22 PM

<img alt="" height="1" width="1">
Ultimate Sports, Inc. Details the Advantages of ePower's RIDE
MSNBC - 4 hours ago
ePower's RIDE competes against industry leader Segway in the personal transportation sector. Segway's police model is currently used by over 450 police ...

Read the full article...

Source: Google News

Bob.Kerns · 01-29-2009, 12:11 PM

"ePower's RIDE competes against industry leader Segway..."

Price, range, speed, an weight capacity seem to be the primary points of comparison they're touting. They also claim a stability advantage, but I don't see anything in the video that makes me suspect it's true. Except for climbing curbs -- thats pretty good.

The price claim seems to be a lie; the price sheet puts it at about $6K.

It looks like it could take on the T3 though.

MaddFinn · 01-29-2009, 01:32 PM

I've had the chance to test the T3 & Segway side by side, and although those 3 wheeled vehicles do go faster and run longer, an experienced Segway rider can take sharper turns at higher rates of speed than the 3 wheelers do. The 3 wheelers also tend to slide out from under you when turning at speed on a flat smooth surface and I know of a few who were interested in purchasing a 3 wheeler that had crashes on them (sliding). They also have many more mechanical parts to them, and are really an electric motorcycle, so you have brakes, cables, etc, to deal with.
And with 3 points of contact on the ground, you really feel every little bump on the road. And try putting one in your trunk to bring somewhere!
About the only real advantage is, they are much easier for new riders to learn to ride, otherwise, the Segway is much better all-around patrol vehicle.

Bob.Kerns · 01-29-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddFinn

About the only real advantage is, they are much easier for new riders to learn to ride, otherwise, the Segway is much better all-around patrol vehicle.

The other advantage I've heard is that you can just step off one to do things, and it won't fall over. Something to make it self-balancing (like the old e-stand) might be a good thing for a police package, despite the drawbacks.

Or a kickstand. A real one. (My milk-bottle and tape mod to the stock "noodle" is still going strong, to my surprise!)

KSagal · 01-29-2009, 02:52 PM

I dunno...

I have seen these or similar trikes in action. When you say that they are easier to learn to ride, does that mean learning how to be able to safely turn them at 10+ mph?

The problem with a device that goes 20 mph but cannot turn at that speed is that people can make them move easily, but will fall off them faster because of it.

On a straight race, they have an advantage... In the normal slolom of a fesival, or even just uneven sidewalks, curb cuts and cobblestone are issues that make turns over 10mph very dicy on these units...

Time will tell.

Bob.Kerns · 01-29-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSagal

I dunno...

I have seen these or similar trikes in action. When you say that they are easier to learn to ride, does that mean learning how to be able to safely turn them at 10+ mph?

The problem with a device that goes 20 mph but cannot turn at that speed is that people can make them move easily, but will fall off them faster because of it.

On a straight race, they have an advantage... In the normal slolom of a fesival, or even just uneven sidewalks, curb cuts and cobblestone are issues that make turns over 10mph very dicy on these units...

Time will tell.

What I think would do it, would be to challenge them to a polo tournament.

Let's make it a 5-way matchup.

Segway (reigning champs, yeah!)
T3
RIDE
Officers on bicycles
Officers on foot

The results ought to shut up the morons who complain any time a paper prints that a police department bought Segways.

It won't, of course, but it should.

I'm pretty sure bicycles would come in last, and Segways would retain their title handily.

But I worry about injuries for all the rest. Officers on foot might survive OK.

Five-Flags · 01-29-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob.Kerns

"ePower's RIDE competes against industry leader Segway..."

Price, range, speed, an weight capacity seem to be the primary points of comparison they're touting. They also claim a stability advantage, but I don't see anything in the video that makes me suspect it's true. (emphasis added) Except for climbing curbs -- thats pretty good.

The price claim seems to be a lie; the price sheet puts it at about $6K.

It looks like it could take on the T3 though.

Actually, watching their own video proves the lie on this. Watch closely on the "tight turns" segment (at 1:28) when he tries a 360°, and you'll see the left rear wheel lift about three inches off the ground before he breaks out of the turn to keep from losing it.

bentbiker · 01-29-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Five-Flags

Actually, watching their own video proves the lie on this. Watch closely on the "tight turns" segment (at 1:28)

Where might one find this video. I don't see it at ePower or ultimate Sports.

MaddFinn · 01-29-2009, 11:14 PM

The attraction to the 3 wheeled devices as explained to me by some who demoed them, was that anyone can step on one and go, compared to some people who are weary of stepping on a 2 wheeled self balancing machine, and when performing my job, I've run into a few of those. When stepping off the 3 wheeler you have to set the brake. But as some of you have noted, turning a 3 wheeler at speed isn't easy. The nice thing about the seg is, to turn you naturally lean into the turn, on a 3 wheeled device most tend to remain upright. And regardless of how much you try to lean on the 3 wheeler, if you take a tight fast turn on a smooth surface, such a factory floor, you skid, I know cause I've done it. Doing the same exact turn at the same speed on a segway I didn't skid.
Other advantages the Segway has it that it fits through doorways, so you can use it to patrol inside and outside, the 3 wheelers need a wider door. And when patrolling in a building with elevators, the Segway fits nicely and turns nicely in an elevator, a 3 wheeler isn't very elevator friendly. You'll also see some cops in airports on Segways take them up escalators, try that on a 3 wheeler!

Five-Flags · 01-30-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentbiker

Where might one find this video. I don't see it at ePower or ultimate Sports.

Wow! I'm stunned! I actually beat John to a link!

From their front page, select personal transport vehicles or follow this link:

http://www.epowersynergies.com/content/ride_0.php

Have a great day

01-28-2009, 07:22 PM	#1
JohnG Uber Administrator Wise Segway Elder Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Greater Boston Posts: 6,996	Ultimate Sports, Inc. Details the Advantages of ePower's RIDE - MSNBC <img alt="" height="1" width="1"> Ultimate Sports, Inc. Details the Advantages of ePower's RIDE MSNBC - 4 hours ago ePower's RIDE competes against industry leader Segway in the personal transportation sector. Segway's police model is currently used by over 450 police ... Read the full article... Source: Google News

01-29-2009, 02:52 PM	#5
KSagal Glides a lot, talks more... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pelham, NH, USA. Posts: 10,356	I dunno... I have seen these or similar trikes in action. When you say that they are easier to learn to ride, does that mean learning how to be able to safely turn them at 10+ mph? The problem with a device that goes 20 mph but cannot turn at that speed is that people can make them move easily, but will fall off them faster because of it. On a straight race, they have an advantage... In the normal slolom of a fesival, or even just uneven sidewalks, curb cuts and cobblestone are issues that make turns over 10mph very dicy on these units... Time will tell. __________________ Karl Ian Sagal To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Well done is better than well said." (Ben Franklin) Bene factum melior bene dictum Proud past President of SEG America and member of the First Premier Segway Enthusiasts Group and subsequent ones as well.

01-29-2009, 12:11 PM	#2
Bob.Kerns Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Marin County, CA Posts: 3,783	"ePower's RIDE competes against industry leader Segway..." Price, range, speed, an weight capacity seem to be the primary points of comparison they're touting. They also claim a stability advantage, but I don't see anything in the video that makes me suspect it's true. Except for climbing curbs -- thats pretty good. The price claim seems to be a lie; the price sheet puts it at about $6K. It looks like it could take on the T3 though.

01-29-2009, 01:32 PM	#3
MaddFinn Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NH Posts: 53	I've had the chance to test the T3 & Segway side by side, and although those 3 wheeled vehicles do go faster and run longer, an experienced Segway rider can take sharper turns at higher rates of speed than the 3 wheelers do. The 3 wheelers also tend to slide out from under you when turning at speed on a flat smooth surface and I know of a few who were interested in purchasing a 3 wheeler that had crashes on them (sliding). They also have many more mechanical parts to them, and are really an electric motorcycle, so you have brakes, cables, etc, to deal with. And with 3 points of contact on the ground, you really feel every little bump on the road. And try putting one in your trunk to bring somewhere! About the only real advantage is, they are much easier for new riders to learn to ride, otherwise, the Segway is much better all-around patrol vehicle.

01-29-2009, 11:14 PM	#9
MaddFinn Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NH Posts: 53	The attraction to the 3 wheeled devices as explained to me by some who demoed them, was that anyone can step on one and go, compared to some people who are weary of stepping on a 2 wheeled self balancing machine, and when performing my job, I've run into a few of those. When stepping off the 3 wheeler you have to set the brake. But as some of you have noted, turning a 3 wheeler at speed isn't easy. The nice thing about the seg is, to turn you naturally lean into the turn, on a 3 wheeled device most tend to remain upright. And regardless of how much you try to lean on the 3 wheeler, if you take a tight fast turn on a smooth surface, such a factory floor, you skid, I know cause I've done it. Doing the same exact turn at the same speed on a segway I didn't skid. Other advantages the Segway has it that it fits through doorways, so you can use it to patrol inside and outside, the 3 wheelers need a wider door. And when patrolling in a building with elevators, the Segway fits nicely and turns nicely in an elevator, a 3 wheeler isn't very elevator friendly. You'll also see some cops in airports on Segways take them up escalators, try that on a 3 wheeler!

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