saw an article in the local paper about a much cheaper type of scooter,
which was 'very popular with eg pensioners' who couldn't afford the more
expensive electrical scooters. These are a bargain £280!
Had a look at the website, and essentially they appear to be those
fashionable microscooters all the kids/city workers have at the moment
(although they are probably out of fashion already) *but* with a seat
attached, and batterypowered.
I thought it might be of interest to some of you - obvious advantage
would be portability, I would think. Not suitable for longer trips :o)
I'd be intrigued to see how practicable some of the present
scooter-users here think it might be.
Picture and spec here:
http://www.etcbikes.co.uk/bikeelectric/page5.htm
claudia
Oh dear I am not impressed ! it looks rather wobbly. Sorry to be
negative but here goes !
Can you imagine elderly people nipping around on them? they'd be better
off getting a real scoota a la Supergran :o)
I'd wondered about getting a real road scoota but realised I couldn't
sit unsupported.
I don't think they're a bargain at all. You always have to take
distance with a pinch of salt. And it varies with user weight and
incline. It says max user weight is 120 kilos - how much is that in
stones?
you can get micro scootas from £20 - £40. I've be intrigued to hear
about Agnes uses hers, and if it helps prevent aching legs.
but i am sure some m,e folks would like it
after we all lie different scooters i bet
i like 4 and i bet some like 3 etc]
<snip details>
> Oh dear I am not impressed ! it looks rather wobbly. Sorry to be
> negative but here goes !
LOL.
I did think it might not be ideal - but maybe useful for some?
I was thinking about the regular moans about inability to put
wheelchair/scoota in back of car, or someone relatively able but saving
energy on walking (though still need to balance, grip, etc.)
>
> Can you imagine elderly people nipping around on them?
I'd quite like to see it :o)
> I don't think they're a bargain at all.
I forgot to put quote marks around the £280 - as I didn't have much of
a clue whether or not it is the bargain it claims to be.
You always have to take
> distance with a pinch of salt. And it varies with user weight and
> incline. It says max user weight is 120 kilos - how much is that in
> stones?
a stone is about 6.6 kilos..errr about 18 stone?
Ta for your comments :o)
still, might be useful idea for some.
claudia
yep they do look a bit titchy don't they :o)
and carrying things would be difficult too...
claudia
Mailspeed Marine have an offer on folding bikes, the 16" wheel
jobbies. £139 each or 2 for *£259*!! I don't know if they're the 3
speed ones though. I wouldn't advise a single speed bike unless for
Lincolnshire or somewhere equally flat (York?).
Icarusi
--
remove the 00 to reply
On Wed, 22 Aug 2001 22:07:58 +0100, icarusi spake thus:
> <company name snipped> have an offer on folding bikes, the 16" wheel
>jobbies. £139 each or 2 for *£259*!! I don't know if they're the 3
>speed ones though. I wouldn't advise a single speed bike unless for
>Lincolnshire or somewhere equally flat (York?).
>
>Icarusi
Are these bikes powered or pedal bikes? Sounds a bit too good to be true to
find a bike, whether petrol or electrically driven, at that price! Mind you, I
wouldn't be able to use one because I wouldn't have the strength to keep it
upright after a short distance, but then I'm expecting to have the money to
buy a scooter new (not that I would buy new when second hand can be so much
cheaper and leave money for a holiday) when my DLA appeal goes through, the
back pay should look quite god for the few days it stays in the bank :)
Haven't looked at that site, but did see something interesting in
a local disability-aids shop today that might be more practical.
It was a steerable front wheel with a motor and battery pack that you
could bolt onto an ordinary wheelchair. It lifted the wheelchair's
front wheels off the ground so you had a slightly tilted-back electric
tricycle. The frame looked well made, welded aluminium like a good
mountain bike.
It would have been much lighter than a conventional scooter. On the
downside, it was no shorter, and the limited size of the battery must
have meant limited range. And you couldn't just clip the thing on,
it would need some heavy spannering. Probably only works with some
wheelchair frame designs.
But it should be far cheaper than a regular scooter, at least if you've
already got a wheelchair. Anybody out there used one?
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>
>> saw an article in the local paper about a much cheaper type of scooter,
>> which was 'very popular with eg pensioners' who couldn't afford the more
>> expensive electrical scooters. These are a bargain 280!
>> Picture and spec here:
>> http://www.etcbikes.co.uk/bikeelectric/page5.htm
>
> Haven't looked at that site, but did see something interesting in
> a local disability-aids shop today that might be more practical.
>
> It was a steerable front wheel with a motor and battery pack that you
> could bolt onto an ordinary wheelchair. It lifted the wheelchair's
> front wheels off the ground so you had a slightly tilted-back electric
> tricycle. The frame looked well made, welded aluminium like a good
> mountain bike.
>
> It would have been much lighter than a conventional scooter. On the
> downside, it was no shorter, and the limited size of the battery must
> have meant limited range. And you couldn't just clip the thing on,
> it would need some heavy spannering. Probably only works with some
> wheelchair frame designs.
>
> But it should be far cheaper than a regular scooter, at least if you've
> already got a wheelchair. Anybody out there used one?
I saw that on Tomorrow's World, it looked very good; I'm glad it's made
it into shops, and so soon (usually TW is the kiss of death). I think it
had a bracket that permanently attached to the wheelchair, then the main
wheel/handlebars/motor unit could be quickly and easily attached and
detached.
The main point of it though is that it's fairly fast and can cope with
rough ground, so people can have a bit more fun in their wheelchairs.
--
TH * http://www.realh.co.uk
> Are these bikes powered or pedal bikes? Sounds a bit too good to be
true to
> find a bike, whether petrol or electrically driven, at that price!
Pedal only, but you can get electric units to attach to any pedal
bike.
Mind you, I
> wouldn't be able to use one because I wouldn't have the strength to
keep it
> upright after a short distance
You can still buy out-riggers, but they'd compromise the foldability a
bit. Realistically the bike would suit someone who can walk a
reasonable amount, but gets tired and lives in a flattish area. I find
I can go further because I'm sitting, and in flat areas, once moving,
the pedalling is very light excercise compared to walking.
> I don't know if they're the 3
> speed ones though. I wouldn't advise a single speed bike unless for
> Lincolnshire or somewhere equally flat (York?).
I checked the website and they are 3 speed inc. carry bag, which seems
to be just like mine. A good £140s worth, if you've ever priced
folders in your local bike shop?
http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/mailspeed/details.asp?QLID=MD259105