Your 2nd Favorite Alternative Transportation

[lilnyc]

I have owned an electric scooter (Xootr EX3), a kick scooter (Xootr Street), an electric bike (heavy and large), folding bikes (Dahon), normal rollerblades, LandRollers and Skorpions skates.

All of that and the Segway PT is my FAVORITE! It's great in NYC where the pavement's rough and stopping on a dime is cruicial. I don't have to balance and it's very easy to control. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

But...

For portability, I would love to try the:

• YikeBike
• spnKiK
• SoloWheel

The SoloWheel really appeals to me because it seems to operate like the Segway (probably copied Segway's technology), doesn't require strapping anything on and is moderately priced.

What are your thoughts? Any alternatives that you own, would like to or have tested?

[KSagal]

I wish I had one of these technologies to offer up, but it might be interesting to have an exchange of sorts, kind of a conveyance technology fair. At some future event where we come for some social interaction, we could bring some other item for all to sample. I was at the segway fest where a brand new q was brought, and we all tried it.

[SegNerd]

I was interested in SpnKix too, but the specs are out now, and besides the fact that they are limited to a 5 degree incline, the stated weight limit is 180 pounds. I'm a little too fat.

Edit: I think I just found my answer.

[KSagal]

Originally Posted by SegNerd

I was interested in SpnKix too, but the specs are out now, and besides the fact that they are limited to a 5 degree incline, the stated weight limit is 180 pounds. I'm a little too fat.

is that per foot? That is the only way I can qualify.

I weigh in at 220. That is over the limit, but I know lots of people who are over the segway limit, and do not do too bad with that. I wonder how much margin is figured in.

[SegNerd]

Originally Posted by KSagal

is that per foot? That is the only way I can qualify.

I weigh in at 220. That is over the limit, but I know lots of people who are over the segway limit, and do not do too bad with that. I wonder how much margin is figured in.

Good question, but I just double-checked the site, and at http://spnkix.com/faq/, it says:

"Q. What is the rider weight limit for spnKiX?
A. We recommend no more than 180lbs."

I also noticed that the warranty is only 90 days. For a product that costs $700, that seems like kind of a "Sith move." (Keepin' it clean. )

[lilnyc]

Originally Posted by KSagal

I wish I had one of these technologies to offer up, but it might be interesting to have an exchange of sorts, kind of a conveyance technology fair. At some future event where we come for some social interaction, we could bring some other item for all to sample. I was at the segway fest where a brand new q was brought, and we all tried it.

That sounds awesome, KSagal. I could see that happening at the Jacob Javits in NY.

[SegwayDan]

Originally Posted by lilnyc

I have owned an electric scooter (Xootr EX3), a kick scooter (Xootr Street), an electric bike (heavy and large), folding bikes (Dahon), normal rollerblades, LandRollers and Skorpions skates.

All of that and the Segway PT is my FAVORITE! It's great in NYC where the pavement's rough and stopping on a dime is cruicial. I don't have to balance and it's very easy to control. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

But...

For portability, I would love to try the:

• YikeBike
• spnKiK
• SoloWheel

The SoloWheel really appeals to me because it seems to operate like the Segway (probably copied Segway's technology), doesn't require strapping anything on and is moderately priced.

What are your thoughts? Any alternatives that you own, would like to or have tested?

The SoloWheel looks interesting to me, too. I watched some of the videos they have on their site, and the thing looks pretty simple and relatively easy to control.

I also noticed the Asian girl in one video ride it up a pretty steep incline, which seems to indicate that it has a good amount of power--although she was rather petite.

It's still hard to tell from those videos how hard it is to stop fast, and they did mention that it was hard to balance when you're not rolling. So, I don't know how well it would work in NYC crowds, Lil.

[KSagal]

I am curious about those little stilts that remind me of the ones that plasterers use. They have a straight post, and a curved one. They had many videos out a few years ago, including some where people were running pretty fast. I do not recall their name.

I liked the solo wheel as well, most likely moreso than the motorized roller skate type devices. I have never been much of a skater, on ice or wheels. (or boards)

I am still looking for the segway sized hovercraft, or potentially a quiet jetpack (backpack).

I suppose the ultimate would be the boots that Spock wore at El Capitan.

[lilnyc]

Originally Posted by SegwayDan

The SoloWheel looks interesting to me, too. I watched some of the videos they have on their site, and the thing looks pretty simple and relatively easy to control.

I also noticed the Asian girl in one video ride it up a pretty steep incline, which seems to indicate that it has a good amount of power--although she was rather petite.

It's still hard to tell from those videos how hard it is to stop fast, and they did mention that it was hard to balance when you're not rolling. So, I don't know how well it would work in NYC crowds, Lil.

Great observation. SegwayDan. And yes, the lady in the video makes it look effortless. I'm also petite so she's a good example for me.

In NYC, there are some areas with smooth pavements, wider sidewalks, fewer crowds. Then you turn a corner and it's the opposite.

A device like this would be great (I think) because I could hop off and carry it when I stumble upon unfavorable conditions.

[lilnyc]

I came across this



Now I think it's best to not invest in anything else until I do a thorough search.

And as suggested earlier, there should be a convention with all of these. They're quite expensive and probably sans a return policy after use (understandably so).