Comments on: The Myxercycle Part Three: What Is That? http://matthewebel.com/2008/08/16/the-myxercycle-part-three-what-is-that/ Piano Geek Rock Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:44:00 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Aaron http://matthewebel.com/2008/08/16/the-myxercycle-part-three-what-is-that/#comment-578 Aaron Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:16:56 +0000 http://matthewebel.com/?p=682#comment-578 I have a similar setup and I find myself riding instead of driving when I can. It really is more of an ultralight hybrid scooter than a conventional bicycle, a mix of electric and pedaling increases range and speed far beyond what normal bikes are capable of. If you want a workout, go easy on the throttle and make up the difference with the pedals. If you need to go somewhere that you don't want to be sweating upon arrival, just ride it like a scooter. I have a similar setup and I find myself riding instead of driving when I can. It really is more of an ultralight hybrid scooter than a conventional bicycle, a mix of electric and pedaling increases range and speed far beyond what normal bikes are capable of. If you want a workout, go easy on the throttle and make up the difference with the pedals. If you need to go somewhere that you don’t want to be sweating upon arrival, just ride it like a scooter.

]]> By: Matthew Ebel http://matthewebel.com/2008/08/16/the-myxercycle-part-three-what-is-that/#comment-577 Matthew Ebel Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:45:15 +0000 http://matthewebel.com/?p=682#comment-577 Grant- OH yeah... and as for regenerative possibilities with an electric bike, it's not a good idea. The way the mechanics/physics work, it would put so much resistance on the hub motor that it would effectively stop the bike. There's a reason the regenerative gear in the Toyota Prius is called the "Braking Gear". You're going to get a lot better efficiency applying the pedal power to forward motion than to recharging batteries (I think the best you're going to get is, like, <del datetime="2008-08-20T02:51:02+00:00">80%</del> <ins datetime="2008-08-20T02:51:02+00:00">20%</ins> return if you're lucky). Grant-

OH yeah… and as for regenerative possibilities with an electric bike, it’s not a good idea. The way the mechanics/physics work, it would put so much resistance on the hub motor that it would effectively stop the bike.

There’s a reason the regenerative gear in the Toyota Prius is called the “Braking Gear”.

You’re going to get a lot better efficiency applying the pedal power to forward motion than to recharging batteries (I think the best you’re going to get is, like, 80% 20% return if you’re lucky).

]]> By: Matthew Ebel http://matthewebel.com/2008/08/16/the-myxercycle-part-three-what-is-that/#comment-576 Matthew Ebel Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:40:14 +0000 http://matthewebel.com/?p=682#comment-576 Grant- Yes, a leg-powered bike is the most environmentally-friendly option. However, as you may have noticed in this video, there are plenty of people out there who already own bikes but <em>don't use them</em>. Why? Because they're work. I have no problem biking 12 miles... but I wouldn't do it every day, and I'm a skinny bastard in great shape. Just to get to a friend's house? And show up all soaked with sweat? Not to mention taking an hour or two to get there? The point of the Myxercycle is not to replace the bike, it's to replace the 3,500-pound van for the shorter trips. Grant-

Yes, a leg-powered bike is the most environmentally-friendly option. However, as you may have noticed in this video, there are plenty of people out there who already own bikes but don’t use them. Why? Because they’re work.

I have no problem biking 12 miles… but I wouldn’t do it every day, and I’m a skinny bastard in great shape. Just to get to a friend’s house? And show up all soaked with sweat? Not to mention taking an hour or two to get there?

The point of the Myxercycle is not to replace the bike, it’s to replace the 3,500-pound van for the shorter trips.

]]> By: Grant http://matthewebel.com/2008/08/16/the-myxercycle-part-three-what-is-that/#comment-575 Grant Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:26:26 +0000 http://matthewebel.com/?p=682#comment-575 Matthew - surely an environmentalist would stick to an ordinary bike, which is just as good at getting you around and isn't using electricity that's been produced by burning fossil fuels ? There's not a lot more environmentally-friendly than human leg-power ! Plus it gets people fit - combatting the obesity epidemic sweeping the US and the UK, as well as taking polluting cars off the road and helping the air quality. What you need is a fuel cell that charges up with pedalling, so that the energy is self-replicating ;-) Matthew – surely an environmentalist would stick to an ordinary bike, which is just as good at getting you around and isn’t using electricity that’s been produced by burning fossil fuels ? There’s not a lot more environmentally-friendly than human leg-power ! Plus it gets people fit – combatting the obesity epidemic sweeping the US and the UK, as well as taking polluting cars off the road and helping the air quality.

What you need is a fuel cell that charges up with pedalling, so that the energy is self-replicating ;-)

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