The ElliptiGO, a seatless bike that emulates running, is going to be launched early in 2010 after many years in development.
Rather than pedals, the ElliptiGO has 2 platforms on what you stand and press to deliver the drive towards the crank.
Its originator, Bryan Pate, came up with the idea after losing a chance to run for fitness through hip and knee injuries. He planned to carry on working out but found the riding position on a conventional bike uncomfortable and didn?t wish to be on a gym-style, stationary elliptical exercise machines.
Specification includes Shimano Alfine 8-speed gearing, aluminium frame and carbon fibre cranks. Claimed weight is 37 pounds (less than 17kg), and it will retail at US$1,999.
It’s not only targeted at runners seeking a ‘low-impact’ alternative though – Pate told BikeRadar the reaction from cyclists was much more enthusiastic than expected: “We are positioning the ElliptiGO to attract general fitness enthusiasts and especially current or former runners. Our initial findings were that hardcore bikers wouldn’t be interested.”
“My co-founder (Brent Teal) and i also are both former Ironman triathletes, so we’ve spent 1000s of miles in the saddle on both road and tri bikes along with done a large amount of biking. We belief that cyclists would treat an ElliptiGO rider like they do a recumbent-rider – either ignore him or create a snide comment. To our surprise, many cyclists are actually really receptive to the idea. We’ve found out that greater difficult the ride/event we have been on, the greater supportive cyclists are. When it comes to our customers, so far about 50 % of describe themselves as ‘general fitness enthusiasts’, of a quarter describe themselves as runners and also the other quarter as cyclists.”
Pate stressed what he felt were the main advantages of the ElliptiGO after completing the event: “Other cyclists begin to see the size the bike cheap there is absolutely no seat and so they conclude it should be far more challenging to climb on than their 16-pound Roubaix or Madone. The reality is, the ElliptiGO is heavy, but it climbs effectively along with the lack of a seat ensures that Six or seven hours in to the ride your body is still really comfortable and comfortable. At the end of the ride we had arrived significantly less ‘beat up’ than a conventional cyclist is and a lot better off than somebody that went running for long enough to find the same exercise benefits.”
This individual also sees widespread commuter / urban appeal for your seatless machine, when they is able to reduce the market price, stressing three major advantages over conventional bikes:
The rider is best capable of observe his surroundings because his line of sight is practically never blocked by cars or another objects. As an end result, he could be very likely to visit a potential danger earlier and thus convey more time for you to avoid it. This supplies such a greater a sense security on urban roads for the reason that rider feels more in charge of his area plus much more empowered. Plus, within the inland northwest better feelings than looking upon the motive force of the Hummer when pulling up to a stoplight.
The upright riding position also helps make the rider a lot more visible to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, making it not as likely that they’ll hit him. Because of the configuration of the pedaling system and deficiency of a seat, the ElliptiGO is way better for those wearing non-cycling attire. The lack of a seats means that there is no wet seat to sit on and yes it implies that women can wear skirts or dresses without having them get all bunched up or exposing by themselves to everyone. We didn’t realise that has been a difficulty, but we’ve had dozens of women mention it. Also, since the chain no longer has sufficient the way in which and there is no structural member higher than the plane of the pedaling motion, there’s nothing there to soil suits or jeans.
You now know a little about elliptigocomparisons, and hopefully this will assist you to figure out what exactly you need for ones lifestyle. Make sure you choose the perfect this elliptigo review