Must Have Accessories..

[jryan]

So, I know there are several accessories for your Segway, but I wanted to get some opinions on some must-haves. What to you is a must-have accessory? What do you need to have? What could you not live without? Just curious......

[BarryT]

Comfort mat - absolute necessity, if I were to pick one item. But then again, there are so many things...

[wwhopper]

That would be:

Comfort Mats, not sure if you have feeling in your feet, but I would think you would be more comfortable with them.

Handlebar Bag -to carry the Boris Treats in when you go out

Segway Lock - to secure the machine when you are off of it.

For you Jr you may want to think about getting the lower cargo frames and the support that goes around the golf unit to hold the bag support up. Now why I say that, is I have glided with Segsurfer, and he does not have much strength in his legs and he uses that to brace his knees on to glide. Sort of gives him something to hold on to. You may want to pm with him and get his take, or better yet meet up with him at FesT.

And for those late night runs to the 7/11 for Boris biscuits - a light. I like the Nite Rider lite better than the Segway light myself, better enginnered and works very well.

And a 3" PVC pipe joint from Home Depot to use as a parking stand.

But the biggest thing you will need is TRAINING, a good session of training on getting on and off the seg in a variety of situations, as well as using it in a variety of situations. You have some special needs, and that is not addressed in the basic training DVD. The thing no one wants is for you to get hurt. With the Segs4Vets folks they get a lot more training and testing than the average Segway buyer, because of their special needs.

It won't be long before you are gliding with the best of them.

Oh and for those winter glides, some extra traction tires (which I know will be at FesT for the i2)

[dearwestley]

A lock, front bag, lights front and back, lower cargo frame kit (helps to be able to haul things, but also makes it easier to lift in and out of the car, if need be) and at least one universal cargo plate kit. The hard cases, though convenient for lugging stuff around, they knock around a lot, and get in the way -- not a lot, but a bit, so I am now of the opinion that even though I think I look really cool with all that cargo stuff around me that the lower cargo frame kit and one cargo plat kit plus some bungees more than suffice. And, a kick stand.

And later, a really cool paint job. I'm thinking flames...

[jryan]

So I got a call from the guy who is going to be donating an i2. He said he ordered it today from somewhere in CA (not sure where). It is a new, i2, not sure the color. He said he included the commuter package, a kick stand, one side cargo bag (which I guess comes with mounts) and a ramp kit (for when I get a car). So, he placed the order and everything will ship out Friday!

I am very excited. Now, once I get a steady cash flow coming in, I can start looking at accessories. Seems like I'm pretty much covered anyway, but I always like to expand!

[DCTenor1]

I agree with all Will's suggestions except the Segway lock. It's fairly expensive and I've found that I hardly ever use it; I simply turn the Segway around and lock the LeanSteer Frame to a sign pole, using a U-Lock. When I first got the Segway, I was very paranoid and would use both the U-Lock and the Segway cable lock, but after a while I realized the U-Lock/alarm combination is pretty damn secure. That's all I use now. (And it's a lot easier to just go out and glide with the U-Lock attached to the frame with its standard connector; the Segway cable lock has to be put in the handlebar bag or wrapped around the handlebars or frame -- not very sleek.)

[jryan]

That would be:

Comfort Mats, not sure if you have feeling in your feet, but I would think you would be more comfortable with them.

Handlebar Bag -to carry the Boris Treats in when you go out

Segway Lock - to secure the machine when you are off of it.

For you Jr you may want to think about getting the lower cargo frames and the support that goes around the golf unit to hold the bag support up. Now why I say that, is I have glided with Segsurfer, and he does not have much strength in his legs and he uses that to brace his knees on to glide. Sort of gives him something to hold on to. You may want to pm with him and get his take, or better yet meet up with him at FesT.

And for those late night runs to the 7/11 for Boris biscuits - a light. I like the Nite Rider lite better than the Segway light myself, better enginnered and works very well.

And a 3" PVC pipe joint from Home Depot to use as a parking stand.

But the biggest thing you will need is TRAINING, a good session of training on getting on and off the seg in a variety of situations, as well as using it in a variety of situations. You have some special needs, and that is not addressed in the basic training DVD. The thing no one wants is for you to get hurt. With the Segs4Vets folks they get a lot more training and testing than the average Segway buyer, because of their special needs.

It won't be long before you are gliding with the best of them.

Oh and for those winter glides, some extra traction tires (which I know will be at FesT for the i2)

Oh yes, Boris will never have a shortage of biscuits, that would be considered neglect, to have a glide and not carry biscuits. Thank you for the other suggestions Will! My leg is doing a lot better, although nowhere near fully recovered it is making rapid progress. I will be transitioning to a cane later this week. The Segway is more to help with the heart problems than the leg.

That being said I hear you on the training. Unfortunately the nearest tour or dealer is an hour and a half away in Milwaukee! I will be sure to have a spotter at all times in the beginning though! Thanks for the advice, if anyone else has recommendations go ahead and carry on!

[wwhopper]

to learn all the little bits about using the Segway, and though you say it is more for your heart than your legs, you will need to use your legs to get up and stand on the machine, so for sure talk with SegSurfer (who is now at the mothership learning all there is to learn about Segways) to get his take on how he uses the seg with his limited leg usage.

Each person who has a disability who uses a Segway, uses it differently. I have never seen two that are the same, so take your time and find out what works for you.

And self training can sometimes teach you bad habits, so take the time to listen to others who may have other experiences and bring that into your using the seg.

One bad habit to avoid, never go low on those puppy biscuits!

[jryan]

to learn all the little bits about using the Segway, and though you say it is more for your heart than your legs, you will need to use your legs to get up and stand on the machine, so for sure talk with SegSurfer (who is now at the mothership learning all there is to learn about Segways) to get his take on how he uses the seg with his limited leg usage.

Each person who has a disability who uses a Segway, uses it differently. I have never seen two that are the same, so take your time and find out what works for you.

And self training can sometimes teach you bad habits, so take the time to listen to others who may have other experiences and bring that into your using the seg.

One bad habit to avoid, never go low on those puppy biscuits!

Yeah, I do see what you are saying Will! Thank you for the advice. I'm sure I'll catch segsurfer in livechat sometime in the next week or two! You are correct the leg will still pose a slight issue. I will most likely, within a month or two, be able to walk on my own. Unfortunately, it is said that due to inactivity, my leg will never be the same as it was.

So yes, I will be able to walk without assistance, but I will probably never be able to use it like I used to! But hey, there's no problem in my Segway helping me with two disabilities!

[MJEdelman]

I have the lower cargo frame and golf carrier on my I2 -- I take the golf carrier off when not golfing and that gives me a little extra flexibility -- I can tie-wrap some plates on the cargo frame to carry things, which is very handy. I also lock the Segway using the cargo frame rather than the leansteer.

I would also recommend the Segway Handlebar bag -- it holds a lot more stuff than you might think when looking at it.

I would also recommend a helmet with a red (flashing) light. You can pick one up cheap at any bicycle shop.

Also, some kind of reflective vest is a good idea. Also availble at a bicycle shop.

Finally, I would recommend some comfortable shoes -- even with the comfort mats!

Have fun and enjoy the Gliding!!

[Roland]

handlebar bag
lock <I have the segway cable lock>
cargo frames
side plates
kick stand
headlight
tail light
segway "accessory bar" for mounting headlights and bell etc.
bell <easier than constantly yelling "on your left">
bungee nets for cargo plates
copies of local laws related to segway use
cellphone with camera <in case you need to snap a shot of someone's license plate or face>
can of fix-a-flat
comfort mats
tire pressure gauge
<if you have a car> ramps or a segvator

[BarryT]

I have the lower cargo frame and golf carrier on my I2 --

Finally, I would recommend some comfortable shoes -- even with the comfort mats!

Have fun and enjoy the Gliding!!

If you can get some croc's or knock off's of them at large department store *(Target for 8 bucks). I have foot and leg problems and they are a miracle for me.

[scotty1024]

I hit three weeks on my i2 tomorrow. I pretty well did the "fully loaded" routine on mine.

Base i2 with Commercial Cargo Kit
Segway Lock Kit
Comfort mats
Handle bar bag
Segway ADA Handle bar bag sticker from Sedrowooley folks
Upgraded handle bar bag shoulder strap to kevlar comfort strap.
Segway head light kit w/accessory bar
Kickstand
The Big Brassy Bell ($14.95 at REI, seriously, that's its name)
planet bike Super Blinky Flash (tail light)
Garmin GPSMap 60CSx
Arc'teryx Theta AR jacket
Giro Atmos helmet
Pearl Izumi fingerless gloves
Progressive Insurance
Air horn
Pruning shears
Cytomax
Good shoes
Trojans (hey, you'll be exposed to hot chicks!)

The head light I haven't been too impressed with. What's really worked for me is my $39.95 Leatherman LED flashlight I got at Costco. Its hogged out of a solid bar of stainless steel, has a 3W LED with superior reflector, adjustable beam width (twist) and a solid wrist strap. It lets me shine where I'm looking, not where I'm going.

The Big Brassy Bell isn't so effective on The Bigger Brassier Belle's but generally works to advise other pedestrians of your presence. In my neighborhood many folks are H1B visa holders (with a high percentage of H-1B(aby) Visas as well) and thus a high percentage of them are fresh off the plane and their english and acculturation aren't too good for "On your left!" :D

I'm of two minds about the handle bar bag. On the one hand its nice to have for the reasons others have given, especially with a proper shoulder strap upgrade. If you have heart issues like mine then keeping your hands free is a huge need, holding things can get pretty painful. However, when you're learning how to use the Segway: that bag can get you in trouble! Stowing the strap is a pain so you stop stowing it. Keeping the strap from snagging becomes an issue. And if you cram too much in it: it unbalances your Segway and it operates "weirdly".

The cargo bags are excellent for secure out of sight assistive device transport. But you may need a towel to wrap things in to keep them from bouncing around too much. They also keep you from riding through most residential width door ways. I predict they may be an issue for me on the bus as well...

They also scuff easily. The man from Italy tells me I'm now gay because I put Hello Kitty stickers on mine to hide the scuff marks. Darn, I didn't realize the rode was that short! :D

The comfort mats may help with your legs and feet. I'm divided on this as well. I think proper shoes and NeoVita shoe inserts do more for my circulatory issues for my poor heart. Cytomax has been a big help too. A good mat in your cargo bags to sit your poor tail on when you need to take a break is perhaps a better investment: you can't sit on the Segway (at least not mine, I tried). Breaks are critical to not hurting yourself. You have to push but you need to not push too far and be prepared to take a break.

The lock needs a serious break in. Damn thing nearly made me black out twice struggling head down trying to work it. Avoid my circulatory issues and just lubricate it and break it in while you're sitting, calmly, with time on your hands. Buddhist "Ohmmmms" work well to keep me centered during such activities.

The Arc'teryx jacket is pricey. But so far it's been like Second Chance armor for me against the urban jungle up here. It takes a briar strike at 14.4 mph and shrugs it clean off. Ditto for other nasty flora. I've been highly impressed with it. Its supposed to be wonderful come rainy season. I can confirm that when its 82F: it breathes.

The Giro Atmos helmet I'm of two minds as well. It breathes like it isn't there, you can feel the wind in your hair. Its light enough to almost forget its there. But branch strikes have already taken a toll on mine after less than 3 weeks. I'm legally blind so sometimes I don't detect a tree branch in time and tilt my head to take it on the helmet. You may or may not have similar issues. Those shadows in harsh direct sunlight, I think even those with normal vision can miss a low hanging branch at 12.5 mph...

No way I'd ride with out a helmet. I've already performed one back plant and the dent in the helmet was very convincing of its necessity.

No way I'd ride without insurance. Too many crazy drivers on the road with no damn insurance and apparently no damn license from the way they drive!

My Air horn is my new tool against bad drivers.

Property owners don't always keep their flora off the sidewalks. Pruning sheers can get you through some of the worst of the urban jungle. I was ever so happy I didn't get the ankle holster model but instead got the serious takes down 3/4" branches model that fits nicely in the side pocket of the Segway handle bar bag (see, it gets heavy easily, one item by one item...)

Training.

Like anything else: know your limits. The only way to know them: go there. While you have a spotter in a safe place: back plant. Experience how the Segway reacts, how hard you hit, how your disabilities are impacted and thus how well you shake it off. You don't want to hit a curb cut wrong with cars whizzing by at 35 mph and find out about back plants in a couple seconds.

The Segway video is a joke. You want serious training videos? Youtube, search term: segway crash. Learn from the pros what the weaknesses are of your new buddy. Bravely let them go injure themselves so you can learn.

Some folks thought I was nuts to be practicing getting air on speed bumps. But after hitting the sidewalks and getting air and traction issues: the speed bump air jumps seriously prepared me. If your heart meds are like mine, sudden rapid changes in head position/balance can really zing you: right when you need it least.

Get very comfortable with narrow places. I've encountered all kinds of things that were done stupidly to sidewalks in just the few weeks I've been Segwaying. After all, when you're on foot you can turn sideways and crab walk right? :D

Car owners will back their cars into sidewalks and park them with 26" of sidewalk left for you. Car owners will back their cars into the sidewalk with you in it period.

Power poles and mail boxes cause strange curves, being good with your hips is handy.

And heart meds can make you very incredibly sensitive to rapid changes in head to heart elevation. I have to be very careful bending down for cross walk signal buttons, especially the new Rascal-friendly ones!

Practice portage, real portage, not dealer portage. The Segway can get weird when dragging it down into what appears to be a blast crater blown into a sidewalk by a contractor. Loose gravel, steep slopes, awkward lips, hazard lights, slippery caution tape, twisted bits of steel rebar: all kinds of just plain crap! And no way other than back the way you came or through buddy. It goes with out saying it'll be on a 15 degree slope and your heart will get uppity. You'll also learn not to yank on the handle bars but on the bar beneath the adjustment knob (yeah, I've been there for real).


Stairs. :(

I don't know about you, stairs suck right now for me. My heart really hates 'em. The hospital folks got a bit anxious about them too. If you think you know your stair limit, just remember how much your new buddy weighs.

I don't know any safe way to practice with hills. But hills can be an issue if you have any 15 degree to 20 degree slopes to deal with. The Segway reacts in a peculiar way if you hit a mile long steep slope first thing after taking it off charge. Your regenerative braking has no place to regenerate into and the Segway has no "real" brakes.

Exciting is a word right? Can be a bad word for folks with ticker issues. :D

Anger management. I don't know about your heart issues but mine come with "Don't get angry, you won't like what happens when you get angry."

The Segway is an attractive "nuisance".

Today I had a hottie bicyclist kicking my Segway because I had it cabled up to "her" bike rack: damn Segway dorks! She probably would have still kicked it if she'd known I was watching.

"Is that thing supposed to be on the sidewalk?"

I've been in fight or flight mode with dorks chasing me into rabbit mode. I'm pretty sure that episode contributed to my hospital visit. You've got normal vision, should be easier for you to deal with.

Don't be afraid to tell them: sorry, I'd love to stay and yell at you but my cardiologist says that could kill me. :D

Practice "limp mode". Most regular training is press the magic keys on the infokey controller and: here's an emergency shutdown, see you can step off easily in 10 seconds. Limp mode is I think very incredibly important to recognize if you are an independent disabled person using the Segway for mobility. With a heart condition you probably won't be dragging the dead Segway home or to someplace you can secure it. Maybe your buddy can't come for you, best to know you're running out and let the Segway get you as close to a safe place as possible. Your speed is steeply reduced so your radius to safety is shrunk considerably. Limp mode also throws off the Segway's balance. It reacts very differently, especially when loaded with a heavy handle bar bag.

Practice with the sunglasses you plan on using. I don't know if its the meds or my legal blindness but changing sunglasses threw off my Segway game.

And of course I'm a BIG believer in Wii Fit. Forget the exercise part, that thing seriously helps you tune up your core balance in a nice safe environment. Someone should use it to make a Segway training simulator.

Your cardiologist may like the Wii Fit more than the Segway and advise not skipping the exercise! :D

Garmin GPS that gives your street address is handy for when you need to call for a pick up. Flat tire, flat battery, flat body (pushed too damn far)... if your heart is half as bad as mine this is important. Segway can make your mood feel good, Segway get you feel tooooo good, Segway can make you feel like not stopping in time: you get in trouble. Have a dependable buddy with car and practice loading with them. Or have a dependable car service and practice loading with them.

You can also get Garmin GPS devices with integrated heart rate monitoring. Can be handy when going down steep slopes with full batteries: I'm doing 14.4 mph but I'm keeping my heart rate good!

Practice turtle mode, not just wide open. Maybe your recovery will be smoother than mine, I wish you all the best. But in my case I've had BAD DAYS. And a BAD DAY can begin after you're on the wrong end of the Segway trip e.g. out and about. Your reaction times can be off and turtle mode can be enough to let you limp home instead of calling for help. One word: dignity.

Three words: don't let dignity kill you.

Last important item: cell phone with GPS so it has E911. My ticker went sideways in a freaking hospital Emergency Room last week and I had to call 911 for help (best place to have a heart attack is in our ER: wrong!) The lack of E911 location service was a dangerous lack and I seriously advise avoiding my misery on that.

Yes, my Segway and I have been in harm's way a couple times in the first three weeks: Be Prepared.

[scotty1024]

Don't forget to take the doctors words of advice and carry a plastic card in your wallet identifying you as a cardiac patient. I suggest the card instead of the wrist band because your med list may be as long as mine.

After 911 got someone to help me in the ER they couldn't pull up my chart. Being able to flip out the plastic card for them may have saved my life.

If they adjust your meds, adjust the card, right then and there. Your meds can black you out and all they will have is the plastic card.

[Jendrik]

Does anybody have that "handlebar-bumper" ? Is it available in USA ?
We haven´t discovered it yet in Germany.

Jendrik

[jryan]

Don't forget to take the doctors words of advice and carry a plastic card in your wallet identifying you as a cardiac patient. I suggest the card instead of the wrist band because your med list may be as long as mine.

After 911 got someone to help me in the ER they couldn't pull up my chart. Being able to flip out the plastic card for them may have saved my life.

If they adjust your meds, adjust the card, right then and there. Your meds can black you out and all they will have is the plastic card.

Great Advice! I don't actually have a plastic card or a bracelet at the moment! I do have a Medtronic card that identifies the device that is in me and also has some free space that I use to list my medications! Suppose I should ask for a plastic card though! Didn't know there was such a thing!

[jgbackes]

The bumper never shipped.

Does anybody have that "handlebar-bumper" ? Is it available in USA ?
We haven´t discovered it yet in Germany.

Jendrik

[Jendrik]

Does anybody know, why ?
A handlebar-bumper could be verry usefull.

Jendrik

[wwhopper]

Does anybody know, why ?
A handlebar-bumper could be verry usefull.

Jendrik

The last one I saw in person was at the 2006 SegwayFesT in Long Beach California on Doug Field's machine.

With the large crew from Inc. attending FesT, someone will be able to answer that question.

[raphaduffi]

1. I´m new.
2. Sorry for my english

I like this kind of lights in the front of the leansteer. Does anybody know other models of lights for it?

[scotty1024]

My Pearl Izumi Slice finger-less gloves vanished during my ER admission and I'd been putting off the trip down to Redmond, WA to visit REI... but finally had to make it due to sweaty hands.

Having ridden the Segway for several weeks I tried on several gloves with a greater appreciation for my needs. But as usual, the REI folks had guided me well. I bought another identical pair.

I found a 2 person sized cooler with a sewn in shoulder belt that I could cinch tightly to the cargo carrier frame. Its a nice green color to blend with the metallic sage green of the i2. I found a matching color Trail Seat nicely sized to bungie to the cargo platform with the cooler.

I found a CO2 tire inflator and added that to my kit.

Added an emergency Space Brand blanket to my kit. May need it to wrap a poor pedestrian/bicyclist in after they get clobbered to help with shock.

Bought a set of scotch lite reflective stickers and I've been busy stickering to help keep me from being the poor pedestrian that needs the blanket.

I examined their slimey tire tube protectors and pondered. Figured I'd ask here if anyone has tried this on the Segway.

The Nike Dry Fit Golf Shirt with 35 UVPF got a good work out in the 84F heat today. Definitely recommend as good Segway clothing.

Afterwards, riding around Redmond Town Centere with a Starbucks Venti Lemonade in hand seemed to elicit many more happy comments from fellow pedestrians: looks like fun! It tasted good and the blended ice concoction went well with the 84F heat.

[Piet]

Yes! definitely must have. Great for the looks and perfect for the touch. The mats make your glide even smoother and give a very nice 'suspension' effect. Not only for the long rides.
THe difference with the standard mats is immediately evident. Worth the money, great quality.