murrayfw
03-13-08, 12:20 PM
I have owned a Segway going on six years , actually three of them....got the newest version as they were introduced but nothing wrong with the last model at all. Also own a Tadpole Sun CX. I will be getting the BIONX electric assist soon due to physical requirements. I think I am qualified to comment on the comparisons. First of all, I frequent the Bent forums and also the Segway forums. Its kinda funny reading them both as both are positive they have the best form of transportation! I like them both for different reasons. I keep an accurate record of mileage and the three Segways have been ridden a total of almost 6K miles....summer and winter. I glide the Segway up to the front door of supermarkets, Home Depot, Sears, you name it......and glide right on inside with no problems. I do not race up and down the aisles but often stay with my wife at about 1 MPH. With the Bent, I ride up to the entrance and park it and go on inside and find an electric cart....which is very nice as I sit in a comfy seat the entire time instead of standing up. Most of the time I park the Segway too and ride the electric carts. Most stores nowadays have them, even to very small ones. I have an electric lift carrier for the hitch on the car and motorhome. It takes 22 seconds to load or unload. I can have it at street level before my wife can load her purse and get out of the car! I usually leave it on the car full time as finding I want it often. I also have an electric winch which pulls the Bent upright on the rear ladder of the motorhome. Also have and adapter to carry it on the car lift if need be. I built all of them. They are always garaged unless being used and have traveled thousands of miles. Thus I have the best of both worlds. I have not had a single repair on the Segway, nor needed any extras. I wish I could say that for the Bent!! The Segway is simple to ride. Just press one button to turn it on and step up on the platform...lean forward to go forward.....farther to go faster and less to stand still, which it will do all day...lean the platform back to move backward...tilt the lean/steer handle left or right to turn that way....They say average walking speed is 3MPH. If I am by myself and no one nearby I usually run about 6 MPH but sometimes early in the morning when there is no one in site I go up to the full 12.5 MPH speed for a little bit.....you get used to the curb cuts and where they are and usually make your trips that route.....they will jump curbs but it is not advised for safety sake. Of course there is a difference in original costs as I bought a low priced Bent, but as we all know you can pay many times MORE for a BENT.
I might add tht I am 86 years old and would not like to be without either one of them. They become intuitive in a short time. I never have to THINK what to do next....it is like normal walking.
I might add tht I am 86 years old and would not like to be without either one of them. They become intuitive in a short time. I never have to THINK what to do next....it is like normal walking.