[ImaCynic]

@lordofthemark 190557 wrote:

People are trying to change that

https://mashable.com/article/escooter-lifespan-shared-new-models/

It seems these companies were a bit naive when it comes to understanding the type of abuse these machines might see. But better durability usually translates to higher cost, it will be interesting to see how they navigate through this. Wonder what the life expectancy of a regular e-scooter user is?

[ImaCynic]

Oh the leash… remember this?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]20059[/ATTACH]

[ImaCynic]

@dbehrend 188748 wrote:

Quartz had an interesting article on the lifespan of Bird Scooters in Louisville, KY.
https://qz.com/1561654/how-long-does-a-scooter-last-less-than-a-month-louisville-data-suggests/

The authors found that the average scooter had a lifespan of 28.8 days and traveled 163.2 miles over 92 trips. They also estimated that Bird lost $293 per scooter.

I recall reading somewhere that someone analyzed Lime data in DC and estimated those scooters lasted about 28 days.

I like that scooters are getting people out of cars and provide another great option for short trips. I’m a little concerned about how much waste might be involved.

Fascinating numbers. Wonder what the original business cost/revenue projections pitched to the investors looked like.

[ImaCynic]

@dkel 190486 wrote:

Clearly it would be safest to slather one’s entire body with KY before going for any bike ride.

Slather the whole body takes too long, just dip yourself in this and you’ll be good to go:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MR3IVO/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_7?smid=AOSZMT5RQVVJA&psc=1

[ImaCynic]

Just did a ride over the weekend that went out to Hoopers Island in MD’s Eastern Shore. Did the same ride couple of years ago and flooded roads cut short the excursion onto the island. This year while the roads are not flooded, the Chesapeake Bay seemed precariously close along the route. Once on the island, one glaring thing was the number of “For Sale” signs dotting the yards there.

Met and chatted with another cyclist that is familiar with the region and discovered that not only the island is being impacted by the rising sea level, but the land is actually sinking. I seriously doubt any plans are being devised to address this issue there other than to move away and letting it be reclaimed by the Bay. Did a google search once I got back and found this:

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/underwater-rising-seas-threaten-dmv-homes-cemeteries-infrastructure/65-54ef778d-0841-4e91-838b-4de880af4c87

Yes, I actually saw a flooded cemetery. Do this ride next year if you like to see just how real this issue is.

[ImaCynic]

@Steve O 190238 wrote:

I’m volunteering at the Armed Forces Cycling Classic in the morning, but like Sunyata, perhaps I can ride out and meet at the lockhouse.

Sarah and I are doing the same thing for AFCC. Perhaps we can coordinate the ride out afterwards?

[ImaCynic]

@Steve O 190335 wrote:

I rode 28s all the way to Pittsburgh. You’ll be fine.

Not everyone is a bada$$ like you!

[ImaCynic]

@mbroad 190386 wrote:

And the Navy is planning to invest big $$$ in DC to adapt to this flooding/sea level rise. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-01/pentagon-weighs-14-foot-flood-wall-at-historic-navy-yard-in-d-c

Oh no, not another wall!

[ImaCynic]

@huskerdont 190313 wrote:

Something I observe anecdotally every time I ride on the line (to avoid the door zone) on Quincy.

That study seems to conclude though that segregated infra is needed, but of course, segregated has its own detractors.

I suppose it should be noted that in the Australian state where the study was carried out, there is no legal passing distance requirement, although I doubt that makes a huge difference.

I’d argue that any minimal passing distance rule is pointless as most drivers have no clue as to the size/position of their vehicle in a lane, let alone a relative distance from it.

[ImaCynic]

@josh 190239 wrote:

My annoyance with it lies more in the pseudo-advertising-copy. I really have my doubts that it’s actually a fixed gear, although I was unable to confirm or reject this suspicion looking at the article (only hint is that the article isn’t included in the “Fixies” category). I get that language changes, but using “fixie” or “fixed gear” to describe the aesthetics of something when it’s functionally very different still annoys me. One of the other bikes linked to in this article is described as a “stunningly minimalistic e-fixie” that has “fixie style” handlebars, but “the charge is obtained through an energy recovery sytsem, when going downhill or freewheeling”.

I doubt that this is a fixie as well as fundamentally it would not work, safely. Since this does not appear to be a cycling-centric publication, perhaps the author is unaware of the subtle differences between a fixie and a single-speed.

[ImaCynic]

@phog 190221 wrote:

The utmost in the “stealthiest” bike category would be type that have not only the batteries hidden in a slender frame, but eschew the hub motor in favor of a miniature, high performance motor built into the seat’s down tube. In either case, it is an engineering challenge to pack a powerful motor, and the amperage to drive it, into a small package… and a premium is being paid for the “stealth” part.
IF a cyclist is determined to use the boost only in the “startup” and “hill climb” exclusively, AND the regenerative braking charging circuit is very efficient, it may be able to carry on without an external charge.
The weight is a problem; with it pushing 30 pounds, you may have better results riding an exquisite, lively, lightweight $3,000 non e-bike than this $4000+ bike.
For my money, I’d rather leave my ego at the door and get an e-bike at a fraction of the cost, and not try to fool anyone. The cost of the power to charge an e-bike battery is negligible.
I like the innovation though, equipping a bike with a quality, light frame with lightweight, efficient e-bike componentry could provide the best of both worlds.
That hub and the beefier spokes aren’t going to fool the critical eye though, if that’s the game here…..

There may be a motor that can fit in a seat tube, but I doubt there is a battery of any real capacity that can. Current trend is to hide all the cables on a conventional bike, so why is it okay to let them all hang out on an e-bike? I consider the solution here more elegant than stealth. More importantly, being able to condense 250W into a 3kg drive package, INCLUDING the battery is a rather impressive feat.

I believe the game changer here is allowing the rider to be the battery charger, so if one ever feels the urge to “blow off some steam” on a bike, it would be put into good use here. After all, human, according to the Matrix, makes for an excellent battery.

[ImaCynic]

@phog 190235 wrote:

I agree with that… I’ve always been a thrifty cyclist myself… but I’m positing that at over $4,000, this e-bike with a diminutive 250-watt motor is placing itself at a price point higher than a most exotic non-ebike. As for the “fixie” aspect, I’d agree that having e-bike power removes much of the need for gearing… a 3-speed would be ideal.

The article did mention that much of the cost are from the components choices rather than the drive package itself. I’m sure we all know how quickly that can add up. It also pointed out that there are other bikes using the same system that is half the cost, so this can appeal to a larger crowd. As far as gearing goes, most electric powertrains, including the one used in Tesla, are “single” speed.

[ImaCynic]

GoPro has trimmed their product line considerably, so there isn’t much choices remain. If he doesn’t care about having the latest and greatest, check out HERO5 as I believe they offer the best value. He should also check out the recently discontinued Session line if he wants something more discreet.

[ImaCynic]

https://www.bicycling.com/news/a27289655/red-cup-project

[ImaCynic]

@sjclaeys 190116 wrote:

Forget getting a folding bike, get one of these when they come on the market.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]20009[/ATTACH]

Why even bother with a bike at that point, just go with one of these?

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