# Elliptical trainer combined with a bicycle = cool invention **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 21, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883 "2009-04-21T19:37:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/1 "2009-04-21T19:37:11Z")
Neat. I just stumbled upon this today. Apparently, a professor of biology at my university has invented a machine that combines the motion of an elliptical trainer with the mobility of a bike (as well as other things like a very fun-looking lean-to-steer system). [http://streetstrider.com/](http://streetstrider.com/) Dr. Kraus’s commentary and some action footage can be seen on the blog page: [http://streetstrider.com/blog/](http://streetstrider.com/blog/) I’ll definitely be investigating this. Looks like a hell of a lot of fun. ---
**Author:** ![MissIntent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/97f17d/32.png) [@MissIntent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissIntent)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/2 "2009-04-22T00:30:11Z")
Ah man I want one! It does look like fun. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/3 "2009-04-22T02:35:06Z")
That looks really exhausting, actually. Great idea, though! ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/4 "2009-04-22T03:07:57Z")
Seems like it might be a bit hairy to steer, and also possibly liable to topple over if turned too fast. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/5 "2009-04-22T04:03:15Z")
Doesn’t look like you could get up a hill either. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/6 "2009-04-22T05:19:56Z")
I’ve asked about these questions. I’ll let you know the responses. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/7 "2009-04-22T05:24:58Z")
I don’t feel like a big enough dork wearing lycra and riding my road bike. I need something to make me look even dorkier.\* What could that be… I think the OP found the answer. \*Spoken as a guy that rides a road bike and wears lycra. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/8 "2009-04-22T05:49:46Z")
It’s no dorkier than a recumbent. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/9 "2009-04-22T09:42:09Z")
Other non-traditional conveyance: [The Trikke and the Unscooter](http://www.unscooter.com/slider_news_details.php?Title=Comparing_The_Trikke_8_With_The_SLIDER_U8) ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/10 "2009-04-22T12:37:46Z")
It looks interesting, but how will it do on dirt roads? ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/11 "2009-04-22T13:47:29Z")
Looks pretty cool! I haven’t been able to bike in nearly 20 years - something about that particular movement KILLS my knees - but I _can_ use an elliptical! I wonder if any place has these for rent… Another alternative to a bike: [http://www.footbike.eu/](http://www.footbike.eu/) That looks interesting though I wonder how it’d be on the feet. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/12 "2009-04-22T14:26:14Z")
Boy, I can’t wait until these start showing up on bike/jogging trails. It’ll be like passing an RV on a country road. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/13 "2009-04-22T14:41:52Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Looks pretty cool! I haven’t been able to bike in nearly 20 years - something about that particular movement KILLS my knees - but I _can_ use an elliptical! I wonder if you have/had your bike set up incorrectly. Most casual riders seem to set the saddle too low, which is horrible for your knees. Some bikes have cranks that are too long for shorter riders. Also, if you’re using too high a gear, that also stresses your knees. > [@](#): > > Another alternative to a bike: [http://www.footbike.eu/](http://www.footbike.eu/) > > That looks interesting though I wonder how it’d be on the feet. I have one of those, though I don’t use it much. It’s fun. It’s very low impact and easy on your feet. It really exercises your knees though, because when you’re kicking the ground with one leg, the other leg is bent _and_ is supporting most of your weight. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/14 "2009-04-22T15:21:33Z")
I guess I don’t see the point. I have knee issues and I cycle and when the knees permit run, so I have at least some experience to go on when I say I find it very very hard to believe that this is lower impact than a properly set up standard bicycle. At the same time, it’s also going to be slower and less efficient. I second what **scr4** says. If your knees hurt when you’re cycling (but you can do an elliptical machine), either the bike is too small/seat too low or you’re in too high a gear. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/15 "2009-04-23T06:06:23Z")
The reply I received: > [@](#): > > The ETX product climbs hills very well which is due in part to the Shimano Nexus 8 speed system and the power one derives from the combined leg & arm lever propulsion. > > I explain the power one gains using both arms and legs as being like a 4 cylinder engine as opposed to a 2 cylinder engine. > > Overall stability is very good due to the tadpole trike platform. It’s actually more stable than a bicycle in that regard! > > Please let me know if you have any additional questions. > > Best Regards, > Garrett Watkins ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/16 "2009-04-23T06:12:55Z")
How can you be more stable than a bicycle? Unless you fail to lean into the turn, there is no such thing as “going over”. But perhaps this thing leans into the corners as well? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elliptical-trainer-combined-with-a-bicycle-cool-invention/493883/17 "2009-04-23T06:48:26Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > …I find it very very hard to believe that this is lower impact than a properly set up standard bicycle. At the same time, it’s also going to be slower and less efficient. Well, one benefit might be that it’ll use more muscle groups than a bike. If your aim is to exercise and burn a lot of calories quickly, it’s probably a pretty good way. But using more muscle groups doesn’t translate to increased power output. I used to have a [Thys Rowingbike](http://www.rowingbike.com/) which is a real full-body workout, and also as aerodynamic and mechanically efficient as any recumbent bike. It was still measurably slower than a regular recumbent bike. And this StreetStrider is _not_ as efficient and aerodynamic as a regular bike; it’s heavier, it has a huge frontal area, and the third wheel also adds rolling resistance. Still, $1800 isn’t a bad price considering the complexity, parts spec and (presumably) low production volume. And it does look like a fun way to exercise.