A few answers for your frequently asked questions
Purchasing, Reserving, Warranty InformationComparing the ElliptiGO 8S to other bikesTest RidesOperating, Riding, and PerformanceBackgroundTechnical Specifications |
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Purchasing, Reserving, Warranty Information
How much does an ElliptiGO 8S cost?
The MSRP for the ElliptiGO 8S is $2,199 plus tax. For those customers who cannot pick up their 8S at our warehouse in San Diego, there will be an additional charge for shipping.
Is the model you are showing on the website the production model you will be shipping to customers?
Yes. The bike in the photographs and videos on the website is the production model that is currently being manufactured.
Why do I need to reserve one? Why is there a wait list?
We are only manufacturing a limited number of 8S "Signature Series" models. Many of these have been pre-sold and we will start delivering them to customers in February 2010. The next set of "Signature Series" models will be available sometime in April and we are currently taking order for these bikes.
How do I get on the wait list for an ElliptiGO 8S?
To be added to the wait list, please click here or on the "Reserve" link at the top of this page. In addition to providing contact information, you will be required to put down a $750 deposit to reserve your bike. Of course, your deposit is fully refundable and will be applied in full towards the purchase of your ElliptiGO 8S.
Is my deposit refundable?
Yes. The deposit is fully refundable.
If I reserve/purchase an ElliptiGO, when and how can I get it?
The first 250 ElliptiGOs are scheduled to arrive in San Diego in February 2010. These cycles will be distributed from our warehouse mostly to residents of San Diego County. We will not ship any of these 8S's. We expect to receive our next set of ElliptiGOs in April 2010 for distribution in a limited region. We expect to begin shipping bikes throughout the U.S. somtime during the summer of 2010. Shortly thereafter, we expect to begin shipping cycles internationally. We will provide additional details about delivery timing as we get more insight into what is likely to happen and when the ElliptiGOs are likely to arrive.
Do you offer a warranty?
Yes, we guarantee that the 8S will be free from manufacturer defects for one year from the date of purchase.
What is the return policy?
We offer a 60-day money back guarantee. Any customer can return the 8S for any reason within the first 60 days after delivery and receive a full refund of their purchase price.
What colors/options are available?
The 8S is available in blue, green and black. See our product overview page for color samples.
How can I buy one?
The first step is to place a deposit through our website. The first bikes are scheduled to arrive in San Diego in February 2010. These bicycles will be distributed from our warehouse mostly to residents of San Diego County. We will not ship any of these 8S's. We expect to receive our next set of ElliptiGOs in April 2010 for distribution in a limited region. We expect to begin shipping bikes throughout the U.S. somtime during the summer of 2010. Shortly thereafter, we expect to begin shipping cycles internationally. We will provide additional details about delivery timing as we get more insight into what is likely to happen and when the ElliptiGOs are likely to arrive. Payment of the remaining purchase price plus tax and shipping, if applicable, will be due upon pick-up or shipment.
Comparing the ElliptiGO 8S to other devices
Are there other fitness devices out there like it?
We’ve never seen any. There are several different outdoor exercise vehicles that are propelled by different methods, but we’ve never seen any two-wheeled cycles designed to replicate outdoor running without the impact. There's a three-wheeled elliptical tricycle on the market, but again, it's quite different from the ElliptiGO.
How does it compare to the recumbent bicycle?
An elliptical bicycle is very different from a recumbent bicycle. In fact, it’s sort of the opposite. Recumbent bikes usually have a pretty big seat with a back rest; the ElliptiGO 8S has no seat at all. The recumbent rider usually pedals a recumbent bike with his legs parallel to the ground; the ElliptiGO rider’s legs are perpendicular to the ground. Standing up and pedaling most recumbents seems out of the question, while elliptical bikes are designed so that the rider is standing the whole time. The recumbent rider’s visibility is usually limited because the recumbent rider is usually lower to the ground, making it harder to see him and harder for him to see around obstacles like cars, bushes, walls, etc. In contrast, the elliptical cyclist's visibility is unusually good because his line of sight is elevated and his whole body is visible, making him easier to spot for drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists. His high riding position enables him to see over cars, trucks, and SUVs, reducing the likelihood that he will have his vision blocked by obstacles. Finally, the recumbent rider pushes pedals in a circle to propel his bike while the elliptical cyclist takes strides that are similar to walking or running to propel an elliptical cycle.
Test Rides
How can I test ride an ElliptiGO 8S?
Click here or on the "Test rides" link under "Experience" and follow the instructions on that page to sign up for a test ride.
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Operating
What type of footwear is recommended when riding the ElliptiGO 8S?
The ElliptiGO can be ridden using almost any closed-toed shoe that does not have a high-heel. We recommend running shoes for workout rides, mostly because they are comfortable and tend to breathe well.
Will the ElliptiGO 8S fit in a standard rack?
The 8S will fit many standard roof and trailer hitch racks; however, it will not fit all of them. We will provide a list of suitable racks on our website in 2010.
How does the braking system work?
The braking system consists of hand levers that actuate rim brakes on the front and rear wheels.
How many speeds are there?
The 8S has 8 speeds, all contained in the rear hub. The rider can select them by using a “trigger shifter” located on the handlebars.
How does it do climbing hills?
The ElliptiGO 8S is a great climbing machine, mostly because the whole system is designed for the rider to be "out of the saddle" and use his weight to generate torque with every stride. In fact, climbing is probably the best thing an elliptical cycle does. Because the ElliptiGO 8S has eight speeds, the rider can select a gear ratio that enables her to climb hills comfortably. We typically include a steep hill climb in any ride we do. Climbing’s tough - but it’s a great workout.
What is cruising speed and max speed?
Cruising speed on the 8S is about 15 miles per hour. On a flat road, a strong rider can comfortably reach 20 miles per hour and a really strong rider can exceed 25mph. The rider's high drag coefficient becomes advantageous during descents where the elliptical cyclist will rarely break 30mph, facilitating speed control during descents.
Stride length
The stride length is the linear distance a point on a rider’s foot travels during the power stroke of the pedaling motion. The 8S has a longer stride length than typical indoor elliptical trainers. The 8S's stride length is adjustable and can extend out to 25.5” or down to 18”. Most indoor ellipticals have a fixed stride length of around 19". We have found that the longer stride length makes the riding experience feel more like running.
Width of rider stance
One of the things we noticed when using an elliptical machine was that the drive arms seemed to be spaced further apart than our feet would be when running. We measured several elliptical trainers and they had widths of up to 11" between the centerline of the drive arms. We designed the ElliptiGO 8S to provide the least amount of distance we could between the foot platforms, so the distance between the centerline of each drive arm on the 8S is about 9-inches and the space between the inside edges of each foot platform is about 3.5-inches. We believe this narrower design contributes to the running-like experience.
Can multiple people use the same bike?
One of the nice features that the elliptical bike retains from the indoor elliptical trainer is that people of different sizes can use the same machine with little or no adjustment. Unlike bicycles, where the seat and frame have to be set differently for riders of different body configurations, most people will be able to ride an elliptical cycle comfortably for a test ride without any adjustment at all. For longer rides, the ElliptiGO can be quickly adjusted to provide an optimal experience for the rider. The height of the handlebars and their distance away from the rider can be adjusted, as can the stride length and foot position. However, the frame itself remains the same, enabling riders of drastically different sizes to share the same bike.
Is it hard to get on?
We’ve found that very few people are unable to ride the ElliptiGO 8S the first time they get on it. Like anything new and different, it takes some getting used to, but it's easy to ride and more stable than it looks. Come take a test ride and find out what it is really like.
Is it hard to balance?
We’ve found that the ElliptiGO 8S requires about the same amount of balance as is required when riding a bicycle or scooter. Come take a test ride and find out what it is really like.
How long does it take to get comfortable on it?
We’ve found that most people get comfortable on the ElliptiGO 8S within 5 minutes of riding it and many within 30 seconds. Come take a test ride and find out what it is really like.
How do you transport it?
The ElliptiGO 8S comes with a foldable steering column that reduces its height to 27”. As a result it can fit standing up in the back of most SUVs and station wagons and some hatchbacks. This feature allows two or three ElliptiGOs to be transported side by side in these vehicles. The ElliptiGO will also fit on various available racks and mounts.
What’s the best way to adjust it to fit me?
Probably the best way to adjust it for a particular person is to get the person on the 8S and look at his/her posture. If he/she is too hunched over, raise the handlebars. If he is reaching too far forward, rotate the handlebars back. If the stride length is too long, shorten it. What you’ll find is that there is a wide range of potentially comfortable configurations for any one rider and finding the optimal riding configuration can be done pretty quickly.
Can I use my ElliptiGO with a stationary trainer?
We believe so. There are several stationary trainers on the market that will likely work with the ElliptiGO, however we have not had the opportunity to thoroughly test them. As a result, we do not sell one or have a recommendation at this time. We expect to create a custom trainer for ElliptiGO 8S that will provide an exceptional indoor experience sometime in the next several years.
Background
Patent protection
The ElliptiGO 8S and the Elliptidrive propulsion system are covered by U.S. Patent No. 6,663,127, Taiwan Patent No. 564,233 and several other patents pending in the U.S. and internationally.
Is the ElliptiGO 8S the first model we've built?
We have been designing, developing, and testing elliptical bicycles since 2005. The ElliptiGO 8S is our 6th iteration on the concept.
Product Specific - Technical
What components are on the ElliptiGO 8S?
The 8S uses commercially available components from a variety of industries that can be repaired or serviced by a technician who is trained to service bicycles. The only custom parts are the frame, steering column, drive arms, and adjustable crank assembly.
How much does the ElliptiGO 8S weigh?
The 8S weighs 37 pounds.
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