this post was submitted on 01 Feb 2024
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micromobility - Ebikes, scooters, longboards: Whatever floats your goat, this is micromobility

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Ebikes, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, longboards, eboards, motorcycles, skates, unicycles: Whatever floats your goat, this is all things micromobility!

"Transportation using lightweight vehicles such as bicycles or scooters, especially electric ones that may be borrowed as part of a self-service rental program in which people rent vehicles for short-term use within a town or city.

micromobility is seen as a potential solution to moving people more efficiently around cities"

Feel free to also check out

!utilitycycling@slrpnk.net

!bikewrench@lemmy.world

!bikecommuting@lemmy.world

!bikepacking@lemmy.world

!electricbikes@lemmy.world

!bicycle_touring@lemmy.world

!notjustbikes@feddit.nl

!longboard@lemmy.world

It's a little sad that we need to actually say this, but:

Don't be an asshole or you will be permanently banned.

Respectful debate is totally OK, criticizing a product is fine, but being verbally abusive will not be tolerated.

Focus on discussing the idea, not attacking the person.

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[–] cubism_pitta@lemmy.world 14 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I got a fixed gear bike last year and a trailer to pull my kids around in (when they want to go with me).

I pretty much exclusively use that to get around and get groceries instead of my car now.

Even in the rain, it's just so much more fun to be on a bicycle than to drive.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

fixed gear bike last year and a trailer to pull my kids around

Please explain! I've been looking at single speed bikes, but I keep hearing "it's too hard" and "you'll never be able to carry weight with it!".

I'll admit that I ride with a cargo trailer (groceries), and I do have to use gears or it would be impossible to climb some of the hills we get.

[–] cubism_pitta@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Where I live is mostly flat and am running 46x16. Hills really wouldn't scare me too much (I still have brakes)

The biggest limiting factor I have found in towing is that there is a point where the trailer will unload my front wheel and then my steering becomes more of a suggestion (about 100+ lbs... I am routinely exceeding the suggested limits)

Here is an article about ratios. It's really about finding the least worst setup for your needs; easier hill climbs means more spinning when going down hills and lower top speed.

https://fixedgear.life/best-gear-ratio-for-commuting-single-speed/#:~:text=Common%20gear%20ratios%20for%20commuting,higher%20ratio%20like%2046%3A16.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

The biggest limiting factor I have found in towing is that there is a point where the trailer will unload my front wheel and then my steering becomes more of a suggestion (about 100+ lbs… I am routinely exceeding the suggested limits)

I read somewhere that the safe cargo limit for a bike trailer is approx. half the weight of the rider + bike.

So, if you weigh 160lbs, and your bike is 30lbs, the max recommended weight of the trailer and cargo should not exceed 95lbs.

I've hauled over 115lbs with my bike (loaded panniers + trailer), but never exceed 65lbs in the trailer due to size/volume limits of the trailer itself.

But I do find that heavy weight causes the trailer to "push" the bike in ways that feel unsettling. 100+ lbs would make me uneasy! It's amazing that you're doing it! Kudos!

[–] cubism_pitta@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

Thanks for that! I didn't know the math to work that out!

The pushing is not as scary because I don't exceed 10mph when that heavy of a trailer and because I can resist that pushing quite a bit with the pedals... which is a great feeling.