Curb Question - Can I go over them?

[Kristina]

Please forgive my bringing up what is probably old news. I started searching the archives, but decided it would be far quicker to just ask.

I was told by an acquaintance who has a friend who runs a Segway tour company somewhere in the Texas/Louisiana area (I realize that is a broad area!) that is is a perfectly simple and easy thing to go over curbs on a Segway. I have not tried it, as I can't work up the nerve to do it until I've gotten the scoop from the experts. No, I didn't watch the Segway "don't kill yourself" video.

Please share your experience with me-- can I go over a curb, dropping down from the sidewalk? I don't think I would try climbing a curb even if I wanted to, but dropping down could be useful. Baltimore's sidewalk ramp system is far from complete & I not infrequently have to either dismount or backtrack to find a ramp.

Incidentally, I have a gen 1.

-Kristina

[quade]

It is possible to go down curbs. It can be somewhat jarring and you definitely have the possibility of losing control if you've misjudged something.

If you can manage it, try to find some smaller drops to practice on first.

[Segwaiian]

For what it's worth, if you search Segway of New Mexico on youtube, there's a guy on an i2 dropping in off a curb without problems, and there's a video with someone on an i2 going down a long flight of outdoor stairs. :eek:

I wonder if they played around with tire pressures for these stunts?

I haven't personally tried either stunt, but I'm sure you'll read comments from gen1 and gen2 gliders very shortly with personal experiences. I wonder which is more capable for this maneuver, a gen1 or gen2?

I'd wear a helmet the first time I try something like this, and maybe my old knee and wrist guards from when I used to go blading. ;)

I would also wonder if there are any issues with tires/wheels and mechanicals if one does this. Should be an interesting thread.

Aloha,
Roger

[LibertySegway]

I would've never tried to go down a curb of any height before I started playing polo and pushing Yoshi to the limits. Now I do it all the time. Mind you if there is a ramp nearby I'll take it instead but your average curb is no problem.

I have a curb sized drop going out my front door onto the porch and another from the porch onto the driveway. I used to power assist my Segs both ways but not anymore. :D

Softer tires do lessen the jolt quite a bit. If your sidewalks are as bad as the ones here in Sacramento softer tires are the way to go a good part of the time. It may bring down your range a bit but not too much.

[Seginaway]

Please forgive my bringing up what is probably old news. I started searching the archives, but decided it would be far quicker to just ask.

I was told by an acquaintance who has a friend who runs a Segway tour company somewhere in the Texas/Louisiana area (I realize that is a broad area!) that is is a perfectly simple and easy thing to go over curbs on a Segway. I have not tried it, as I can't work up the nerve to do it until I've gotten the scoop from the experts. No, I didn't watch the Segway "don't kill yourself" video.

Please share your experience with me-- can I go over a curb, dropping down from the sidewalk? I don't think I would try climbing a curb even if I wanted to, but dropping down could be useful. Baltimore's sidewalk ramp system is far from complete & I not infrequently have to either dismount or backtrack to find a ramp.

Incidentally, I have a gen 1.

-Kristina


I glide on an X2 and frequently drop down curbs of varying heights. The X2's bigger tires keep the jarring to a minimum but it is still a jolt. Also, if you DON'T DROP DOWN EQUALLY with both tires leaving the lip and arriving at the bottom at the same time you can find yourself thrown off quite easily.

As far as climbing a curb, I wouldn't do it. If you don't keep both motors and tires synched you can cause the machine to twist violently and throw you to the ground. It is a lot easier to keep the tires synced dropping down than it is climbing up.

[Segwaiian]

Seginaway, thanks for providing the curbside consult.

So, it sounds like dropping in onto a sideways-sloping surface from a curb, like turning off a sidewalk to traverse onto the street, is sketchy.

Do you guys inch up to the edge of the curb and then drop over, or take it at speed?

Aloha,
Roger

[Seginaway]

I always slow down to almost a stop before I leave the top of the curb. I do this so as to align both tires and make sure that they make contact on the road at the same time and to be able to see that the roadway is clear of vehicles just in case. The danger here is that you get sideways or one wheel lands in advance of the other in which case you can be whipsawed right off the machine.

[dgbint]

Katrina do watch the video.
It does expalin quite a number of small things to be aware of.
It is worth 15 minutes ( or so ) of your time.

The answer to your question is yes ( but don't try it on your first day, gain a bit of experience and confidence beforehand ).

The machine can do it easily, it is you that is the greatest variable.

To safely go down a kerb:

1 Approach it square.
2 Look before you leap, observe that the landing spot is clear ( no sand, no gravel ).
3 Observe that there is no adjacent traffic, cars, bikes other pedestrians, who might get spooked and do something unpredictable.
4 When safe, slowly glide straight through .
5 Bend your knees for the landing.

With practice you will be able to do it fine.

Good Luck
Michael

[Neelix]

When going square off a curb, be sure that you don't go TOO slow off of it. If you're very hesitant, you could go over the edge just enough to start going down, and then inadvertantly lean back, spinning your tires against the curb. That's not fun. You don't have to go off fast, by any means, but this is a situation where being super slow could be dangerous.

If you have an i2 and you're really sure of what you're doing, it's possible to go off curbs at an angle. You're more likely to bang your batteries and it takes a little bit of experimentation (read: possible tumbles) to determine the minimum approach angle, but you can do it.

What is really different about going off at an angle as compared to going off square, though, is that you must keep your speed up. Don't stop or hesitate, just go. If you hesitate you're almost sure to bang your batteries.

Work up to this, if you do it at all. Start out going off square.

[Seginaway]

Neelix,

You are definitely right about not hesitating. Once you start over the edge, you've GOT to keep going. I imagine that an inadvertant lean backwards when you're on the lip would only be a pretty sight to the onlookers.

Never tried to drop one wheel at a time. I thought that the extreme angle, one tire down - one tire up, would be too difficult to maintain control. Also was concerned about the batteries, hate to have to prematurely replace one, but that may not be a problem.

I'll have to try this on some of the smaller height curbs we have around here to see how it works.

[terryp]

I skimmed the responses so far, and didn't see any mention of the 'safe' way to go off a curb. Align the wheels with the curb, step one foot off the platform, and gently lean the Seg forward. Once off the curb, step back on and go. It's very easy. Of course it's possible to jump a curb if it's not too high, but the step-off method is safer and almost as fast.

When going up a curb, it's safest to get off, step in front of the Seg, and gently lean it toward the curb while lifting slightly. If you stay behind the Seg while leaning it into the curb, it's harder to supply the lift required, and the wheels can lose traction and start spinning wildly. It's scary enough that you'll never try it again.

[MagiMike]

:rolleyes:Please share your experience with me-- can I go over a curb, dropping down from the sidewalk?
-Kristina

Try going here ===> http://www.segwaychat.com/bookofseg/

Find the very short video labled Phillip Torrone - curbs

Its not only a visual answer to your question but done by the grand old master of segway chat (PT)

[segwaypilot]

I glide on an X2 and frequently drop down curbs of varying heights. The X2's bigger tires keep the jarring to a minimum but it is still a jolt. Also, if you DON'T DROP DOWN EQUALLY with both tires leaving the lip and arriving at the bottom at the same time you can find yourself thrown off quite easily.

As far as climbing a curb, I wouldn't do it. If you don't keep both motors and tires synched you can cause the machine to twist violently and throw you to the ground. It is a lot easier to keep the tires synced dropping down than it is climbing up.

I to have a and X2 drop of curbs all the time even go up them depending on size but Ive taken a spill or to getting the technique down:)

[Segwaiian]

Low lips/curbs, ~2-1/2" or less in height, are not a problem going down one wheel at a time if I proceed at low speed (Probably strolling speed or slower.). After I get the first wheel down the lip, I pivot as I bring the trailing wheel over the lip so that I'm going straight ahead when both wheels are on the lower surface, on a path roughly perpendicular to the lip.

I can get up a vertical lip of about 3" or less by creeping up and stopping briefly with both wheels against the lip at the same time, then rocking my i2 up over the lip. I am careful when rocking the Segway forward not too lean forward so far that I would take a header and I come back to about vertical on the backstroke. In other words, I don't lean backwards past vertical after rocking the Segway forward. If I don't make it over the first time, or maybe two attempts, I look for another way around the lip or dismount and walk my i2 over it. Trying this maneuver on a standard height curb is beyond my present comfort zone. :D

Consider wearing a helmet the first few times you try going up this way or be prepared to dismount quickly. I wear a helmet whenever gliding, anyway. :)

Aloha,
Roger

[Segwaiian]

I skimmed the responses so far, and didn't see any mention of the 'safe' way to go off a curb. Align the wheels with the curb, step one foot off the platform, and gently lean the Seg forward. Once off the curb, step back on and go. It's very easy. Of course it's possible to jump a curb if it's not too high, but the step-off method is safer and almost as fast.

When going up a curb, it's safest to get off, step in front of the Seg, and gently lean it toward the curb while lifting slightly. If you stay behind the Seg while leaning it into the curb, it's harder to supply the lift required, and the wheels can lose traction and start spinning wildly. It's scary enough that you'll never try it again.

Is the "safe" method for curbs different with gen1 and gen2 models? I seem to recall the safety video that came with my i2 recommending always staying above the i2 when walking it both down and up curbs or steps with the LSF facing me. I sometimes have to get my i2 down a seven-step flight of stairs. There's not enough room to walk next to it and I wouldn't want to be below the machine if I lost control of it.

Oh, yeah. For those i2 newbies viewing this string, be sure the height adjustment knob on your LSF is fastened securely. I had the shaft unexpectedly loosen on me once as I was maneuvering my i2 down some stairs. No witnesses, but I sure felt klutzy. :D

Aloha,
Roger

[Segwaiian]

:rolleyes:

Try going here ===> http://www.segwaychat.com/bookofseg/

Find the very short video labled Phillip Torrone - curbs

Its not only a visual answer to your question but done by the grand old master of segway chat (PT)

Oh, cool! I'm gonna watch the entire series later tonight.

Shoulda watched this before commenting on terryp's post. Now I understanding what he was describing.

Apologies, Terry.

Aloha,
Roger

P.S.: Where is Phillip Torrone these days? If he should post, I will read with proper respect. :)

[Neelix]

Neelix,

You are definitely right about not hesitating. Once you start over the edge, you've GOT to keep going. I imagine that an inadvertant lean backwards when you're on the lip would only be a pretty sight to the onlookers.

Never tried to drop one wheel at a time. I thought that the extreme angle, one tire down - one tire up, would be too difficult to maintain control. Also was concerned about the batteries, hate to have to prematurely replace one, but that may not be a problem.

I'll have to try this on some of the smaller height curbs we have around here to see how it works.

The one wheel at a time thing really doesn't work very well. On normal curbs you'll nearly always bottom out and scrape up the bottom of the machine.

The angular descent that I was describing is quick; you literally just ride off the curb, at an angle. You have to be moving at a decent rate in order to clear it and not bottom out. It's really less of a "one wheel now the other" motion and more of a straight shot.

It shouldn't be attempted on the gen1, though, because the rigid handlebars completely change the dynamics of the maneuver.

As a sidenote, your batteries will be able to handle the impacts. They're well built, structurally, and I trust them.

[Neelix]

When going up a curb, it's safest to get off, step in front of the Seg, and gently lean it toward the curb while lifting slightly. If you stay behind the Seg while leaning it into the curb, it's harder to supply the lift required, and the wheels can lose traction and start spinning wildly.
It's scary enough that you'll never try it again.

This, a thousand times.

The worst Segway injury that I've had was a badly bruised shin from when I tried to stand behind the machine and guide it up a curb. The lip of the curb was metal, and was apparently slicker than I expected. The machine spun its wheels quickly enough to begin to engage speed limiter, which tilted the thing back into me, cracking me in the shin.

Funny that I got my worst injury when I wasn't even riding it, huh?

[Jersey Girl]

Fly, Baby, fly!!! No problem as long as the curb is not > 8 inches (unless you're on an x2...wooo hooo:-)

[Seginaway]

The one wheel at a time thing really doesn't work very well. On normal curbs you'll nearly always bottom out and scrape up the bottom of the machine.

The angular descent that I was describing is quick; you literally just ride off the curb, at an angle. You have to be moving at a decent rate in order to clear it and not bottom out. It's really less of a "one wheel now the other" motion and more of a straight shot.

It shouldn't be attempted on the gen1, though, because the rigid handlebars completely change the dynamics of the maneuver.

As a sidenote, your batteries will be able to handle the impacts. They're well built, structurally, and I trust them.


Neelix,

What I get from you now is that you are really leaving the top edge of the curb at a small angle and at a fast enough speed that both wheels will land at one time. Is this correct?

If so, that's alot different than what I thought your first description was. This newly described process seems to be much more likely to be successful as long as the curb drop is not too much.

[Neelix]

Neelix,

What I get from you now is that you are really leaving the top edge of the curb at a small angle and at a fast enough speed that both wheels will land at one time. Is this correct?

If so, that's alot different than what I thought your first description was. This newly described process seems to be much more likely to be successful as long as the curb drop is not too much.

No, the wheels definitely land at different times. It sounds like "duh duh" when you land.

[JRjr]

Kristina, I sent you a private message yesterday... the upper right corner of these pages, where it says "Welcome..." (if you're logged in) will show you how to retrieve them. I was on this site for a long time before I even became aware of this option, so you may not even think to look there.

Jim

[Kristina]

I watched the "Book of Seg" video about curbs- ten seconds of genius, frankly. I feel a little sheepish that I didn't think of that on my own. The stepping off with one foot thing COULD NOT be easier.

That said, I did take Sir Gway over to the (empty this week) ballpark to the beautiful, clean, open sidewalks & curbs with no witnesses for my practice run :) Piece of cake. I tried his method of stepping off & leaving it in balance mode to pull up a curb, and that works pretty well, too. It shudders once I get it up & level again, but returns to happy face as soon as I step back on.

I don't know if I'll ever have the nerve (or the need) to just go tearing off curbs, but this one-foot-step-off skill is terrific. Thanks so much for the advice.

PS- call me dorky, but I ALWAYS wear a helmet. I value my brain!

[wwhopper]

that you will be rolling off of curbs with the best of them. Not 1 footers but normal curbs.

The machine is fine with it, you just have to get your head around it, and keep your knees bent, and it is just a bumpy glide. Face the curb, flex your knees and keep on rolling. The Seg does the rest of the work for you. For the first time have a spotter there to help you!

We train the Segs4Vets guys to do it as apart of their skills training to use the Segway, and those guys only have one leg or no legs, so I bet you can do it too!

Remember always go straight off a curb not at an angle, where one wheel is on the curb and one is off, that could cause you to bottom out, and that is not a good thing.

[PeteInLongBeach]

I had never seen the "1-foot step down" for curbs before. I have to say there is a certain elegance and flow to it, and it doesn't seem to take any longer than dropping down off the curb. I have to wonder if it is safer and less abusive of the machine also...

[pam]

Oh, yes. This is what INC (who was then LLC) included as part of the original training package for new owners (when everyone had to have training).

Took a little while to get the flow, but once you did, it was practically as fast as riding off. You could ride off a 3" curb, but for those 7-8" curbs, this was the recommended way to go.

I always thought that it had to do with the fact that under our feet were computer boards, and the extra pressure on the sensors (which impacted the boards) when you dropped from a distance could possibly damage the boards.
Pam