General Cycling Discussion - Segway technology on a bike

Wouldn't it be handy if you could come to a complete stop on a bike and stay balanced? I wonder if the Segway gyros could be used on a bike to do this? Might also cause handling problems though and interfere with steering since the gyros would hinder the ablilty to lean. Maybe they should put gyros in SUV's to keep them from rolling over!

I think some people can do that (stay on their bikes at a stop) but I don't remember what it is called.

track stand.

Originally posted by scubagirl
I think some people can do that (stay on their bikes at a stop) but I don't remember what it is called.

It's called "unclipping one foot from the pedals at a red light". I still think this Segway/Ginger/whatever it is this week is a bit of a joke. I'm quite happy with the bike I have now thankyouverymuch.

I think it would be great to be able to come to a complete stop an balance. Also, I think it could help with low speed handling problems. Maybe it could be used to keep a bike from "drifting" to the side as you look to the side or over you shoulder.

Alas, I think any device like this would not only be expensive, but that word cyclists seem to hate - heavy!

Originally posted by Generic Rider
I think it would be great to be able to come to a complete stop an balance.
Some people can do this. Personally I've never found it particularly onerous to put a foot down.


Originally posted by Generic Rider

Also, I think it could help with low speed handling problems.
You don't need a gyro to do that, only practice.


Originally posted by Generic Rider

Maybe it could be used to keep a bike from "drifting" to the side as you look to the side or over you shoulder.
You don't need a gyro to do that, only practice - and it is the rider doing it, not the bike. The bike only does what you 'tell' it to do.


Originally posted by Generic Rider

Alas, I think any device like this would not only be expensive, but that word cyclists seem to hate - heavy!
A well trained inner ear isn't any heavier than a poorly trained one.

Originally posted by Danny Y
Wouldn't it be handy if you could come to a complete stop on a bike and stay balanced? I wonder if the Segway gyros could be used on a bike to do this? Might also cause handling problems though and interfere with steering since the gyros would hinder the ablilty to lean. Maybe they should put gyros in SUV's to keep them from rolling over!

I don't know about you, but I thought the Segway would be a significant improvement over a bike. One of a bike's problems is its high top speed-- the 17mph limit of the Segway is a welcome safety measure. Then there is the very long range of a bike. That too is best reined in, and the heavy and power-hungry gyroscopes will bring that much more sanity to bicycle riding.

My bike is too light, too. It gets blown around by the wind, and a thief could easily pick it up. It would be better to weigh the bike down significantly with electric motors and gyroscopes.

Anyway, please don't get the wrong idea, Danny. I don't mean to mock your initial question of whether it would provide any benefit to have the Segway set-up on a bike. I was just reminded of the risible hype surrounding that silly scooter.

Leaving aside any drawbacks, I'd assume Segway gyros could balance a bike. Turning would have to be done at slower speeds, though. It'd be fun to try such a thing.

Enough already, did anybody see the Southpark show about IT? Hilarious, I could see where removing the seat could keep a person firmly planted on a bike.