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Segway versus Recumbent

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Segway versus Recumbent

Old 03-13-08, 12:20 PM
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Segway versus Recumbent

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.
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Old 03-13-08, 07:32 PM
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I used to alternate between Segway and Recumbent to work. I had a change of job and there was no practical reason to keep the Segway. Ultimately the Segway was not helping me keep fit. Even though I cannot commute to work, it's nice to go for a bike ride early in the morning before work and I do like to ride my recumbent. On the weekends I ride a Tandem and trailer with my family.
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Old 03-14-08, 03:28 PM
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Segway? That's that scooter thing right?
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Old 03-14-08, 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by maddyfish
Segway? That's that scooter thing right?
Yep - A incredible amount of fun and has great practical use in specific commercial and personal applications otherwise an expensive toy. I was doing around 1000 miles/year on mine until I changed jobs.
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Old 03-14-08, 05:21 PM
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Segway: anything it could do, could have been done simpler with a battery powered scooter using tandem wheels - or 4 wheels. Also, it was/is the anti-recumbent.
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Old 03-14-08, 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
Segway: anything it could do, could have been done simpler with a battery powered scooter using tandem wheels - or 4 wheels. Also, it was/is the anti-recumbent.
Well I looked it up. Pretty expensive for an electric scooter. So its wheels are side by side, have to agree with the above, looks like just about any scooter will do the samething.
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Old 03-14-08, 09:13 PM
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If you think the Segway is a neat contraption, take a look at the iBOT.
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Old 03-15-08, 06:30 AM
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The Segway is unique - Because its a self balancing platform, you can easily perform 360 degree turns while standing still. The ability to move/crawl/turn/stop with full control is its unique attribute. Combined with powerful electric motors, you can climb and descend any grade.

I love it and would have one if I again if a had a practical daily/weekly use for it.
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Old 03-15-08, 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by djsincla
The ability to move/crawl/turn/stop with full control is its unique attribute.
You don't need a motorized device for those maneuvers - unless you're a para/quadraplegic. In which case you won't be able to stand on a Segway. Which reminds me of my favorite Segway cartoon...

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Old 03-15-08, 11:13 AM
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Segways are definitely neat, but they have two major drawbacks, they're way too expensive and you don't get any exercise using one. I'll take a bent.
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Old 03-31-08, 05:25 PM
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They also have a very short range the first ones offered about a 10 mile range, the latest with ion batteries are up to 24 miles. Hmmm, maybe they do offer some exercise if you have to drag it back home

What would an recumbet Segway look like? Check it out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv_Sf...eature=related
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Old 10-19-08, 05:23 PM
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I think the segway is a technological marvel.

I also think it is one of the dumbest things ever made.

A bike or ebike does just about everything better, more comfortably and wayyyyyyy cheaper.

Every one I see has one thing in common. It is owned by some sort of government agency. Almost no one is dumb enough to waste that much of their own money.
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Old 10-20-08, 12:55 AM
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I'd rather have one of these than a Segway.
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Old 10-20-08, 04:20 AM
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I would rather RIDE thand just STAND. Those Segways' are god for some applications, but for the average person I don't see them being of much good. Too friggin' expensive for starters. Then there is the limitations on battery power.

When I am pedaling I can go for as long or as short of a ride as I want to...AND say in shape while doing it!!!!
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Old 10-20-08, 11:19 AM
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One other problem I have with them. They are a rather complex machine. I see examples of them losing power and flopping over. This doesn't seem too bad, but, how about when the opposite happens? Let's say one of the sensors mistakenly decides that you are leaning hard forward and guns it. And the thing takes off and steamrolls a 4 year old.

This seams like a very possible scenario.
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Old 10-20-08, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by grampi
.... and you don't get any exercise using one....
Not true! They weigh a ton so you can get plenty of exercise draggin' it around and up the cellar stairs and whatnot.
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Old 10-26-08, 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted by atom bomb
They weigh a ton so you can get plenty of exercise draggin' it around and up the cellar stairs and whatnot.
That brings up another point about the Segway: what do you do when it breaks? If my bike were to break down out on the road somewhere, then in the absolute worst case I could still walk it or carry it to my destination. But what if you're stranded with a broken-down Segway? You'd have to call a friggin' pickup truck, the thing is way too heavy to carry any considerable distance...

Not that I'm denying the valid use-cases for the Segway which were pointed out by the original poster, of course. But I definitely wouldn't choose to rely on one on my commute to work.
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Old 11-21-08, 01:06 PM
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How about a pair of these? Circa 1907:

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Old 11-22-08, 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by djsincla
. . . there was no practical reason to keep the Segway. Ultimately the Segway was not helping me keep fit. . . .
Praise be to honesty! I really thought these forums were about muscle powered cycles.
Did I miss something?
Segways belong with motorcycles and mopeds . . .

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Old 11-22-08, 07:42 PM
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Indeed. I have always thought Segway's were a stupid waste of money. They have decent marketing and some decent tech in them, but solve 0 problems in the real world.
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