We should have seen it coming...

[Tuckervill]

Maybe the "5 miles" thing has to do with the thing's cruising distance at max speed? The article doesn't really clarify that. It gets 200 miles to the gallon, but it doesn't hold a gallon of gas--it holds a bottle's worth.

I think it's a good idea. Would I buy it? Maybe, under the right circumstances.

Karen

[KnottedYet]

the actual company website has lots of info: http://revopower.com/the_wheel-specifications.html

[bean fidhleir]

I hear people claiming the new 2-stroke engines are clean, but I've never seen any data, only handwaved claims. The only data I know of says that a 50cc 2-stroke is worse for particulates than a 1.0 liter car.

[alpinerabbit]

The data I know of is standing behind a 2-stroke at a redlight and seeing, and smelling, what comes out from behind. No solution.

We have electrically aided bikes here. At least you could put up a solar panel or wind turbine in your yard to power that sans fossil fuel.

[OakLeaf]

There are clean direct-injection two-strokes, but them ain't it. Below a certain displacement (50cc?) they're not subject to the same emissions regulations as other motor vehicles, so they still use the old, dirty technology.

[sgtiger]

I think that even with an inefficient engine it would still use less fuel than a car that is fuel efficient to move a person short distances. So, in that case, it still seems better than a single occupant vehicle.

However, I would rather have a Stokemonkey when and if I ever get a cargo bike. Then I could comfortably peddle when I wanted to while being able to have assistance when I needed it. Some people even use them on regular bikes due to mobility issues. A friend of ours, Gypsie, had hers mounted to a recumbent that she used during her rehibilatation from an accident to help her up the hills around her home. After her recovery she moved it to an Xtracyle to help her haul her DS and cargo. She and her DH are car-free. Anyhow, her DH has one mounted to a Bakfiets and he helped to push me up a couple of the steeper hills near their home(West Seattle) after a cargo bike ride. I was totally surprised how powerful it was. I'm a total hill wimp even when I'm not trying to pull our child trailer(~30lbs) with DD(~30lbs) in it. But boy, did it ever feel like I was trying to pull a boulder at the end of that day! I could definitely feel the difference from when he had his hand on the trailer and when he took it off. BTW, he had his DS and my DS in the Bakfiets box:


The Stokemonke is the red cylindrical thing behind the box:

More pics of the cargo bike ride:
http://alexandchristine.smugmug.com/...9977#191584882

[madscot13]

yeah I like the stokemonkey too. I don't have an extra cycle and I don't think I will be picking one up for a while though.

[F8th637]

I rode a pedi-cab in the Chelsea neighborhood of NYC. I thought it was a blast!

I don't get the point of a gas-powered bicycle either. Might as well ride a moped like someone else said.

[Pax]

I don't get the point of a gas-powered bicycle either. Might as well ride a moped like someone else said.

Lots of States require a drivers license to ride a moped, a gas or electric powered bike doesn't have that requirement.

[smilingcat]

oooo I love the idea of stokemonkey. I partner can't ride a bike because of her knee. With this she can let the stoke monkey do the work. And we could use the bike do our local errands like TJs and farmers market.

Do they have tandem Xtra cycle? equip it with stoke monkey then I can pedal she can sit and let the sstoke monkey do the work for her and we do our shopping!!! What a wonderful idea.

I'm soo tired of driving a car.

Smilingcat.