Powerbocks to replace a bike?
October 29, 2010 3:39 AM   Subscribe

I need a new push bike. My old bike died. Typically I do short distance cycling to and from work - about 5 kms plus train journey to or from work (40km round trip by road, 50km by cycle path without the train). Other times when I need a bike it's generally for getting around the inner city (I live somewhere that's for inner city people in quasi-rural exile). My question is should I get some of these instead? Background here.

Additional information - I've been thinking of starting up recreational medium distance running (through forest mostly), and this looks like much more fun than regular running. I've also been thinking about getting a folidng bike instead of a regular bike, but I think unless it's a 3 speed hub gear system I'm not interested.
posted by singingfish to Health & Fitness (10 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I guess it depends on how often you want to miss work because of a trip to the ER. I mean, there are certainly risks associated with cycling (or driving for that matter) but the powerbocks seem to kick the danger up a notch. Not something I would want to commute with.

And I think you'd lose most of the mechanical advantage of a bicycle. Would you consider jogging to work? If not, I probably wouldn't go with the powerbocks.

Don't get me wrong, they look like a ton of fun, and I'd definitely love a pair if I had some sort of health insurance, but I know I'd break a bone with them eventually.
posted by Jawn at 4:24 AM on October 29, 2010


Response by poster: We do have free universal healthcare here in Australia, so insurance is not really an issue.

Generally I'm very open to new ways of doing things, but also I tend towards an over-cautious attitude towards my own physical wellbeing (hence my failure as a rock climber and a surfer). Therefore for my specific personality I don't think these are especially dangerous (although clearly they could be in the wrong hands).
posted by singingfish at 4:34 AM on October 29, 2010


Were you planning on replacing your bike-train journey with powerbock-train, or running the whole 50k to work in the powerbocks?

Universal healthcare is great but it doesn't mean breaking a bone isn't still a massive hassle (if the Australian healthcare is anything like the NHS there are looooong hospital waits). Plus, you know, it will hurt.

I would also look into how safe powerbocks are for off-road running. It seems like you'd be way more likely to slip on some gravel or trip on a root in them than normal running (since your eyes are further away from the ground and moving faster). Maybe find a powerbocking enthusiasts forum and have a look/ask some questions there.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 4:43 AM on October 29, 2010


...running (through forest mostly)

Though their website specifies that "The Poweriser® can be used on almost any surface. To user needs only to remember that the rubber foot must be able to achieve enough grip in order not to slip, just as when driving a car – on wet, smooth, slippery or icy surfaces, the car will skid more easily than on other surfaces – in the same way as the Poweriser®.", I'm not sure that the Poweriser is optimal for off-road travel.
posted by fairmettle at 5:00 AM on October 29, 2010


Response by poster: OK, so generally assume that I'd use it in the same conditions that I'd use a folding bicycle in then. Road, rough pavement, grass and high quality unsealed roads. I've never got round to the whole 25km to or from work by bike, so I don't see that I'd get around to it running.
posted by singingfish at 5:13 AM on October 29, 2010


If you're looking at an alternative to a bicycle, rollerblading would be the better option.

If you're only cycling 5km each way and then getting a train, a folding bike would definitely be the way forward. Note: the good ones like Dahon and Brompton are typically quite expensive. Another interesting folding bike (but no gears) is the very light Strida or if you're feeling like having a bit of a giggle, the A-Bike.

If you want to have the option of a either cycling 5km or 50km then a folding bike is going to be very slow going indeed at the longer distance.
posted by MuffinMan at 5:33 AM on October 29, 2010


Before you go any further - take a trip along your normal route and calculate how tall you're going to be using the powerboks. Also note that you're going to be bouncing a bit more and be even taller. Look for any obstructions, adjust your route. I don't know how easy it is to get on and off those things but also make sure you have a safe place to mount/dismount.

How heavy are they? Will they fit in a backpack or other bag? What about the safety equipment? You might have health insurance but please at least wear a helmet. You'll need to haul all this stuff around so weight/carry-ability might be a factor.

Unless you've already used powerboks, you're going to have a learning curve. If you have to wear nice clothes for work, wait to commute via powerbok until you're sure you won't ruin your clothes.
posted by jaimystery at 5:51 AM on October 29, 2010


Best answer: @MuffinMan: not necessarily so. I've done 42 miles (67 km) on my Bike Friday Tikit with no problem. Bromptons or the higher-end Dahons can do just as well. A good folding bike is just as capable as a regular diamond-frame bike, though you'll pay a premium in cost and maintenance for the folder.

@OP: Why limit yourself to a 3-speed hub gear on a folder? You can get folders with a derailleur drive, or with a 7- or 8-speed internally geared hub. Shimano will soon be releasing its 11-gear IGH, and (at the high end) there's the 14-speed Rohloff drive.

Where would you use the powerbocks? Seems like they'd be too fast for safe use on the sidewalk and not safe enough to use in the road, with traffic. I could imagine them being fun, if perhaps not terribly safe, for recreation, but not as a replacement for a bike.
posted by brianogilvie at 1:44 PM on October 29, 2010


Response by poster: Yeah,

Thanks for the answers. Looks like I'm in the market for a Brompton then :(
posted by singingfish at 5:55 PM on October 31, 2010


Coming back late to the discussion--I see a lot of Dahons on the Oxford to London train, as well as a lot of Bromptons. The Dahons are a *lot* cheaper. Take a look at them before deciding you need to drop the cash on a Brommie.
posted by brianogilvie at 9:12 AM on November 8, 2010


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