Electric Bikes - Electric barstool, or viable transportation alternative?

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Brian
10-08-09, 09:45 PM
At Interbike this year, there were plenty of bikes with electric assist, and a few that seemed to be all-out electric scooters. And then there was the SBU (http://focusdesigns.com/).

http://www.industryoutsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/sbu-202x300.jpg

It's a self-balancing unicycle. Those are footrests, not pedals. To go forward, lean forward. I guess you lean back to stop. It's like a Segway for people with balance. It's definitely not a bike by any stretch of the imagination, but as far as distribution goes, bike shops would be the most logical choice. Oh, it weighs almost 25 pounds, and sells for about $1,500.

So, which is it?

AllenG
10-08-09, 10:22 PM
Same thought as the Yike Bike (http://www.yikebike.com/).
Nice design study, but more a peg looking for a hole than anything else.
Brian
10-09-09, 06:20 AM
Apparently, anyone can jump on the Yike Bike and go. The SBU has a learning curve.

Rin
10-09-09, 10:46 AM
Here is another barstool by Hondahonda-develops-new-personal-mobility-uni-scooter (http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/honda-develops-new-personal-mobility-uni-scooter.html)
cerewa
10-09-09, 12:05 PM
Apparently, anyone can jump on the Yike Bike and go. The SBU has a learning curve.

Yike Bike looks like it should be easy to balance for anybody who can balance a bicycle well, because the steering works like a bicycle.

Self Balancing Unicycle : I'm sure it must be self-balancing in the forward/reverse direction (like a Segway) but not self-balancing in the left-right direction (different from a Segway).

Unlike a bicycle, left-right balance is achieved by changing the direction of the all the lower half of the bike+rider at once. On a bicycle, you won't build skills in twisting your knees and butt left or right unicycle-style for balance.

PS - post above intended to link to http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/honda-develops-new-personal-mobility-uni-scooter.html
Brian
10-09-09, 12:08 PM
On my way home from work yesterday, I saw my neighbor on his unicycle. He stopped, balanced for a moment, then did a little bunny hop over something on the sidewalk. Not sure why, but it made me smile.