elliptigo

[sookiesue]

I saw a guy riding one of these on the road today. I had to play around with google searching until I found out what it was.

http://www.elliptigo.com/

Getting that low-impact elliptical workout and being able to go outside to do it seems great, but I think I'd be terrified to ride that down a hill!

Anyone else seen one out on the road or know anyone who has used one?

I'm just curious...I'm not planning on buying one!

[goldfinch]

I'm curious too. I saw one in a bike shop in Minneapolis--they are huge!

[emily_in_nc]

I have never seen one in person, but I think it looks really fun! I don't know how hard it would be to go uphill, though, and like you, I think I'd be scared of the downhills!

[7rider]

A friend of mine has one that he uses for commuting. His was the first one sold in Maryland. Now, I saw them at our local Performance store.

My friend saw folks using them on a recent STP ride, I think, and he said it was a "gotta have" for him. He has a blast on it. Says it's a real head turner, and hasn't noted any problems with hills. Not as fast as a bike, but he moves along just fine on the flats.

I can't imagine how you would turn that thing around in a small area. It's like an aircraft carrier and weighs about as much!

[OakLeaf]

I wonder how much adjustment there is for fit ... and if the fit out of the box is as splayed-out as stationary ellipticals.

If it were fixed gear it would be terrifying on descents (and it would probably take a very heavy person to control it). I'm assuming it freewheels. Still, I don't know that I'd really want to get it up over 30 mph or so. But that's probably just a matter of getting used to it. Experienced downhill skiers might enjoy that kind of thing.

Ideally I suppose you'd have a handlebar control to switch from freewheeling to fixed gear so that you'd have reverse in tight spots.

[PinkBike]

I rode one at Performance a few months ago. It was fun but personally I'd rather ride. It was a workout, tho. Turning wasn't really hard, it does freewheel. For me stopping was kinda scary.

I saw a guy riding one in the Tour of the Tucson Mountains. He was on the 70-mile start, I dont know if he finished or not. That's one tough dude.

[emily_in_nc]

I think it would be great fun in Florida, where it is dead flat. Other that that, I agree...too difficult to control, stop, and scary to descend. I bet it would be a real hit in a retirement community down in Fla., though. Can you imagine the reactions you'd get?!

[HillSlugger]

I saw someone on one in the park a month or two ago. Seemed strange to me.

[Catrin]

I saw one in use yesterday in my area, I guess their target market are runners who can't handle the impact any more but still want to run outside??? I don't see this product being around too long but who can say? At least it gets them outside.

[Jiffer]

I've seen one or two around. Probably on a cycling event somewhere. Very interesting!

[jyyanks]

There is one at my LBS and it's HUGE. It looks interesting but l can't imagine it being very versatile or easy to transport.

[Pedal Wench]

I saw on at the summit of Cottonwood Pass in Colorado. I was blown away that he could do such a big climb on that thing!

[Aggie_Ama]

My LBS has one, I rode it and it was fun but isn't something I would spend money on. For one thing they are pretty pricey if I remember correctly. They are a bit awkward to steer, I remember it being scary to stop and they are huge. For me I am pretty sure the the novelty would wear off really fast.

[Tri Girl]

don't know that I would buy one, but they look very cool- and very good at mimicking running without the pounding.
Descents are scary on my normal bike- I don't know that I would like them on that...but then again... maybe I would. If I ever see one- I'm going to beg for a test ride.

[lauraelmore1033]

I saw three of them on the STP a couple of years ago. Looked like they were promoting them, but they made it look like a LOT of fun. They seemed to float past me on the longview bridge and quickly climbed out of view. The next year, there was a guy riding one on the Cascade Training Series rides in the yellow group (12-14 mph average) but I didn't see him after the first three rides--after the rides started getting really hilly. I think those three people were super fit "ringers"--intended to make the elliptigo look effortless and fun.