Is there anything one can do to increase the foldiness of a Roma? I'm
struggling to use the packaging my Mibo came in to pack up the Roma to
put it on e-bay. I think the trouble's the handlebars. Is it possible
to take out the handlebars for transport?

Regards, Ruth

...yes I realise this is an odd question, but it would be useful for
going into shops with 'no scooters' signs, and I'm also considering
the possibility of leaving the xootr locked up somewhere in the middle
of town.

I currently use the kickbike far more often than the xootr, and the
main reason for that is that I have to be right in the middle of town
to get good-enough pavement (=sidewalk).

I'm on the list for bike lockers at the local station, which would be
just-about ideal for me -- kickbike into the station and xootr from
there, but I may well take a year or so to go up the list.

Anybody got any useful input, possibly including 'don't'?

Regards, Ruth

Hi, just wanted to let everyone know that the xootr importer in Israel created a
clever promo for xootr.  Your feedback would be appreciated on youtube and also
here in the group.  thanks!
By the way I own all the xootr models and love them all.
you can check the xootr promo either through the xootr site or through youtube
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDiG75SxDHU

I used to have a job that involved my taking a bus to downtown Salem,
OR, then Xootring a mile to the clinic where I worked.

I have a Cruz (I think it's the name, the Xootr with a wooden deck). I
went in rain, ice, etc. Not infrequently, the Xootr would go
underwater, as the gutters would be filled with water.

It was a bit tricky on ice, but I never had problems with slipping on
wet streets, other than needing to be careful with manhole covers and
similar bits of metals. Brakes always worked fine for me.

I think I had 2 crashes in the several years I did that commute, one
of which was from slipping on a metal utility hatch. I always wore a
helmet.

I got to work with wet socks at time, but not bruised!

chas

I took my Roma to Houston and rode it for 4 days last week, one of them
after a passing rain.

You can ride in the rain, but your front brake is significantly
weakened, and you're more dependent on the rear brake. Braking overall
is significantly impaired.

Also the little wheels are skiddy on damp surfaces, and I lost control
in a car park as I swerved around a deep puddle. Next time I'll wear gloves.

I've not owned my Xootr Roma long enough to know long-term effects but I
predict from my experience on other small-wheel bikes that its easier to
get dirt inside the moving parts when riding through damp.

So Xootring in rain should be avoided or at least minimized.

Part of why I picked the Roma is its smaller+lighter for carrying and
I'm ok to simply have it over shoulder as I walk with umbrella on the
wet days.

I thought rain was meant to be a very bad thing for a Xootr, both
because it suddenly runs out of brakes, and because you're not meant
to get the thing with the bearings wet.

Is this right?

The chap at the bike shop I bought my Roma at says he uses his Xootr
every day, including in the wet.

Boyfriend says I should be able to use my Roma in the wet if I go
slowly (i.e. do not need to brake). When I told him I'd heard you were
not meant to get the thing with the bearings wet, he was extremely
underwhelmed -- if you're meant to use the thing in the street, he
thinks it should be made so it's OK in rain.

Regards, Ruth

I ended up getting the Roma because it's more handleable for a short
woman. It's long enough and heavy enough to be noticeable,
unfortunately (if they'd done a mag-alloy one I'd have gone for that),
but it can share a shoulder with a small backpack and it's got extra
put-under-ability. I was quite impressed that in Costa Coffee (a
Starbucks-alike over here) I can actually fit its folded form under
the overhang of the comfy seats so I can sit with my feet in front of
it.

I'm not working on putting my kick foot up; I think that's a bit
committing and I am afraid of unfriendly pavements. At the moment I'm
just going slowly and trying to sort out my balance.

Regards (...is two scooters too many for any reasonable person?...) Ruth

--- In xootr@yahoogroups.com, "powershrimp" <powershrimp@...> wrote:
>
> Carry-on I have never tried. Please let us know if it works.
>
>

So on flight from SFO to IAH (Houston), with Continental, I packed the Xootr in
the bag and padded it to survive the hold, but then simply carried it on waiting
to be challenged. I had no issues at security, no issues at the gate, no issues
on the flight. To limit how much space I took, I placed it in an empty bin, with
the handlebar in the corner of the bin, and being a Roma, it's got a narrow
profile and it simply took that almost-useless part of the overhead bins too
narrow for most luggage right at the very back. Then other passengers boarded,
filled the bin in front of it.

The flight was full, the stewardess did note the long bag, somewhat triangular
and directed smaller bags to be put in front of it but otherwise no special
attention.

Really nothing to worry about!

Not sure I'd get away with it on all flights. Technically, it exceeds the limits
of handluggage but being a "T" shape its quite easily to accomodate as at the
head of the T - the handlebars, it takes up the most room but the rest, the
wheels go into that wee narrow bit which are difficult to fill anyway.

I've left my Xootr Roma in its bag in my office in Houston and use it around
Houston for my local transport, so my Xootr shouldn't need to fly it anywhere
for a while.

Thinking about if I buy another Xootr for keeping in San Francisco.

Haven't got my xootr yet, but have surprisingly acquired a kickbike,
and have been manhandling it from Kent through London to Ipswich,
which was not unlike portaging an unpleasantly-large boat, I imagine.
I am *very* grateful to the succession of kind gentlemen who helped me
with stairs.

Am not sure how much I'll use it, but it was £50 (=$82), so I thought
it was worth a punt.

The difference from the razor/micro style kid-scooter is very
startling. Dunno whether it's possible/necessary to change the
handlebars because it feels really stretched, but I'm not sure whether
that's just the difference from the kid-scooter. It's fun to manhandle
on the flat (if impossible on stairs), and it took me about two kicks
to be sold on it -- low rolling-resistance and gliding on imperfect
pavement. And the brakes actually work, which is very cool as I never
got the hang of a kick-brake.

I'm still aiming to get a xootr because of the handleability/
portability and not having to park it, but the kickbike is scary,
scary fun, as in, it really moves.

Has anyone on this list used both, and if so how do they compare on
imperfect pavement? I wouldn't use any scooter on buckled pavement,
but gravelly concrete and almost-invisible pavement cracks or slight
inclines don't seem to trouble the kickbike at all, while they're
really awful on a kid-scooter.

Regards, (..."I have a machine that goes (very slightly) voom!"...) Ruth

...has been using the little scooter in clear patches of the local
shopping centre (i.e. when there weren't too many people around).

Suddenly a long effortless glide started to happen, and I developed
the ability to steer the thing, curving gently around the corridor at
the end to get to the escalator. I think that's because it takes away
my severe concentration on surface and incline, which is stopping me
doing that on the street even on relatively clear pavement. Plus,
unlike the street corner I could see ahead better. Also, in the street
I seem always to be wavering between too-fast and too-slow.

If the Xootr gives me a glide even half like that on clear pavement
I'll be very happy.

Thanks, Taz, for further useful info. Still have a mental/physical
block against even resting my wrong foot on the deck and trying to
kick. I think I'll try to consult a physiotherapist and see if they've
got any useful help for balance practice, practising the step-up-and-
down, and making my first move with the wrong foot. After which, once
I can get started, I can practice, even if it's comparatively less
efficient than with the dominant foot.

I can manage a gliding push on really good pavement on the flat, when
I start to balance better and bring the kick-foot down in a light
rocking heel-to-toe motion that I can imagine might get efficient when
I get the hang of the thing properly (as opposed to realising I'm
actually accelerating and coming to a stop by jumping off).

I do feel it's worth keeping trying, as this is it for me as far as
self-propelled wheels goes. I'd probably get the hang of a trike, but
be forced into the street to play with wheeled traffic, where I
wouldn't feel or be safe. As for a bike, my balance would be off, and
I doubt I'd be good enough at starting and stopping for pavement
riding (which is only doubtfully legal anyway). I can already fit in
on the pavement as a slightly-faster-than-before pedestrian, stopping
and starting easily to fit in with pedestrians, even as a fairly-crap
scooter-rider.

Regards, (...still keeping on trying...) Ruth

I'll add a bit to this. I've been a longgggg time Xootr owner. Back to the
original 1st Gen model. I've owned over 30 Xootr's so far. No, I didn't break
them, I've given quite a few away when traveling to disadvantaged kids in
foreign countries.

I have a few kids of my own and I've watched what they've gone through to learn.
Each child seemed to have a dominant leg just most people have a dominant hand.
I never let my children just use their one leg without requiring them to switch
to the other.

I'd have them count 10 strokes on their left leg and then 10 on the right. I
started out a bit lower than 10 as they had some difficult doing more than 5 at
first but I worked them up to 10 in about a month. It seemed that if they
switched more often than 10, it wasn't as efficient. I encouraged them to do a
longer smooth stroke rather than a short stab (if on level ground). The shorter
stab, (starting with the "pushing" foot about even with the resting foot seemed
best going uphill. On the flats, it was better to "reach" more with the pushing
foot and "pull" it toward you and then continue the push.

With a physical disability, you may have to go for more of the short stabbing
pushes than the long reach-pull-push versions when you are starting out.

Like any 2 wheeled vehicle that needs to balance, sufficient speed is necessary
to have it balance. I have found that minimum speed is about 3-4 mph's to have
stability. I can go slower but it is more "wobbly".

I have also done extensive testing of how far my glide is on the crappy pavement
where I live. Good pavement has a huge effect on how far I can glide with one
push. I take my Xootr every day to a bus that I then ride to work. It is uphill
(averaged) to the bus an the opposite back. I ride the same route every day. I
have tracked it on my GPS and calculated the time as well as how many kicks. I
have no determined that based on my habits, size, road surface and weather
conditions that I average 33' feet for every push of my Xootr. Considering my
average stride is about 3 feet (in dress shoes), my Xootr improves my efficiency
about 11:1. It is MUCH better if on smooth pavement.

Take the time to work up to it and you'll eventually get it. Repetition is the
key. My kids thought they'd never get it. Now they want to race me all the time.
I recently injured my knee (not riding) and the Xootr is a blessing to help me
get around the major city where I work. I can barely move it at the moment and
if it wasn't for my Xootr, it would take 20 minutes to walk from the bus to my
office. Even with my injured knee it only takes about 5 minutes.

One last point of advice. Don't look down when riding. Look forward! Your eyes
are your steering wheel to some extent. Where you look is where you will go. If
you look down, that is where you will go...

Don't expect immediate braking ability when you first use them.
The brakes typically take a second to clean themselves off when first applied.

I've ridden thousands and thousands of miles on Xootrs. A great scooter and
never had one leave me stranded yet. I have worn down quite a few wheels though
through use. Don't ever EVER ride in the rain!!! I can't stress that enough.
Those little tires are amazingly efficient but they are terrible when wet, damp,
moist, etc! Brakes are non-existent when they are wet as well.

A good friend of mine spent almost a month in a hospital in Europe because he
didn't head my warning to avoid puddles while riding. It was a dry day but he
thought it wouldn't be a problem to run through a puddle and ignored my advice.
He went through a deep puddle and then decided to make a hard turn with the
slick tires. It goes without saying to avoid snow as well. I've done it a few
times but wouldn't recommend it. I did think about making little skis for it
though. ;-)

Good luck!

-T

--- In xootr@yahoogroups.com, Ruth Bygrave <rbygrave@...> wrote:
>
>
> On 4 Aug 2009, at 05:32, merwin wrote:
> <snippage>
>
> Thanks v much for the detailed information, merwin -- will keep
> trying. So far cannot do anything with the left foot on the deck as it
> seems totally uncontrolled.
>
> Boyfriend (who knows more about fitness than I will ever know) says he
> can't imagine using a scooter other than left-foot-kick, so I assume
> it could well be more of a handedness issue than to do with my
> spasticity.
>
> Is there anybody else on this list that uses their scooter in a non-
> optimal way (left foot hovering over the ground, unable to swap feet),
> or is it just me? I even feel that putting both feet up would be too
> 'committing' for me at present (cannot test this because of the small
> deck size of the scooter I'm using). Although my pattern of use may
> improve when I get the xootr because I'll have the chance to use
> brakes properly -- there's no chance for me to feel stable enough to
> learn to use a kick-brake so far.
>
> Regards, Ruth
>

On 4 Aug 2009, at 05:32, merwin wrote:
<snippage>

Thanks v much for the detailed information, merwin -- will keep
trying. So far cannot do anything with the left foot on the deck as it
seems totally uncontrolled.

Boyfriend (who knows more about fitness than I will ever know) says he
can't imagine using a scooter other than left-foot-kick, so I assume
it could well be more of a handedness issue than to do with my
spasticity.

Is there anybody else on this list that uses their scooter in a non-
optimal way (left foot hovering over the ground, unable to swap feet),
or is it just me? I even feel that putting both feet up would be too
'committing' for me at present (cannot test this because of the small
deck size of the scooter I'm using). Although my pattern of use may
improve when I get the xootr because I'll have the chance to use
brakes properly -- there's no chance for me to feel stable enough to
learn to use a kick-brake so far.

Regards, Ruth

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Had more success with taking the little scooter for a kickabout today.
It glides on really good fresh pavement and grinds on anything less,
which is annoying because often the imperfections aren't visible to
the naked eye. Haven't fallen off so far (phew).

When I was about 8 and learned to use a kick scooter, I was more
affected by the cerebral palsy than I have been since, particularly in
the right leg.

I never learned to kick using the right leg, and now I cannot seem to
force myself to. It would obviously be better for exercise (am
currently kick-kick-kick-kick jump-off-and-walk...). Also cannot even
practice any both-feet-on moves as am using a Razor/Micro style
scooter to start with and cannot put both feet on... and am not sure
whether I can nerve myself up to have my left foot anywhere but
hovering over the ground.

Anybody got any hints for learning a sense of balance?

Regards, (...still alas only a *very little* bit of riddim...) Ruth

...on a smallish kick-scooter I'm using for practice. (Atom x145.
Weight rated for 100kg).

Was woefully inadequate, despite the wheels being bigger than a Micro/
Razor. Doesn't feel particularly safe on microscopic pavement
imperfections, and it's apparently not safe for going downhill (it
says on the instructions). I'm expecting the xootr to be much better
on slightly-rough pavement. Also, the Atom really seems to notice only-
slightly-visible pebbles.

Also, despite remembering getting on well with a kick scooter when I
was a kid (*far* better than I ever did trying to ride a bike), I seem
to be living proof that one *can* forget... A few awkward kicks with
left foot hovering over the ground, and I felt rather bent forward
over the handlebars (if I try to stand back a bit it has a tendency to
want to leave the ground unnervingly).

Oh well. I'll go to the road the library's on, where there are wide
new pavements and the road's up again so no car traffic, and have a go
tomorrow. Probably early in the morning where no-one can see me being
A Idiot, complete with ridiculous safety gear.

Regards, Ruth (...who will give the Atom to the nephews after
practicing on it for a couple of weeks, when I'll go on holiday near
the only shop in the UK that sells Xootrs -- still intend to get one
if I'm physically capable of coping with it...)

Precisely. Ergons are going onto my Xootr as well as the Birdy.


--- In xootr@yahoogroups.com, "Nigel Healy" <nh.nigelhealy@...> wrote:

> Have you consider Ergon grips? I love them on my Brompton.

Check the photo album "steamcat's Xootr mods". By adding 3" to the overall
handlebar width, there's plenty of room for a light as well as a bell. I've
never regretted making this change to both of our Xootr MG's.

And I ALWAYS wear cycling gloves. I've takem 2 tumbles on our city sidewalks
commuting to work. One was gentle - the other hurt. But the gloves definitely
saved some skin.

Laurie....




--- In xootr@yahoogroups.com, "Nigel Healy" <nh.nigelhealy@...> wrote:
>
> --- In xootr@yahoogroups.com, "powershrimp" <powershrimp@> wrote:
> >
> > I have a front light, a clip-on rear light, a bell and a pair of gloves. I
think they are all mandatory.
> >
>
> Thanks, I was thinking similar. I have enough bike bits to probably not buy
anything.
>
> > In the future I am planning to add custom handlebar grips with vertical end
bars for faster movement
>
> Have you consider Ergon grips? I love them on my Brompton.
>
> >and a removable handlebar basket for shopping because hanging >plastic bags
on the handlebar no longer feels acceptable.
>
> Why not backpack?
>
> I see Xootr do their own thing
> http://xootr.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/crossrackOnScooter.jpg
>

--- In xootr@yahoogroups.com, "powershrimp" <powershrimp@...> wrote:
>
> Carry-on I have never tried. Please let us know if it works.
>

Will do, I have a 45 inch l+b+h dimension limit, measuring it now. I've seen
people bring guitars. It looks bigger in the bag than naked, but I need the bag
to pad it with clothes in case I have to check it.

I got to Elite status with Continental so I get my bag on early, fingers
crossed.

My current thinking if I get issues with it as carry-on, I'll leave it in
Houston where I'm working, but if I have no problems then keep with me on all
flights as I live in Xootr'ing distance (6 miles, so about an hour?) from my
home airport and nice workout before the 4 hour flight.

I also bought a waterproof jacket, for Xootr'ing in Houston thunderstorms, had
to Xootr with an umbrella! I read a review saying brakes don't work in wet and
the bearings don't like wet, is that true?

--- In xootr@yahoogroups.com, "powershrimp" <powershrimp@...> wrote:
>
> I have a front light, a clip-on rear light, a bell and a pair of gloves. I
think they are all mandatory.
>

Thanks, I was thinking similar. I have enough bike bits to probably not buy
anything.

> In the future I am planning to add custom handlebar grips with vertical end
bars for faster movement

Have you consider Ergon grips? I love them on my Brompton.

>and a removable handlebar basket for shopping because hanging >plastic bags on
the handlebar no longer feels acceptable.

Why not backpack?

I see Xootr do their own thing
http://xootr.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/crossrackOnScooter.jpg

I have a front light, a clip-on rear light, a bell and a pair of gloves. I think
they are all mandatory.

In the future I am planning to add custom handlebar grips with vertical end bars
for faster movement and a removable handlebar basket for shopping because
hanging plastic bags on the handlebar no longer feels acceptable.


--- In xootr@yahoogroups.com, "Nigel Healy" <nh.nigelhealy@...> wrote:

> I know its just a scooter, but my Brompton is just a bike and it transformed
my life, so hoping my Xootr does too. It needs lights, and I need something
better than shouting, like a bell.
>

Carry-on I have never tried. Please let us know if it works.


--- In xootr@yahoogroups.com, Nigel Healy <nh.nigelhealy@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks - but doesn't answer my specific question, which is carry-on
> hand-luggage and its allowance by TSA and the airline.

Thanks - but doesn't answer my specific question, which is carry-on
hand-luggage and its allowance by TSA and the airline.

I'm planning on simply testing this at the airport on Sunday by being
there early enough to be refused at security by TSA and having to check
the bag in. I will pack with clothes aroud the sharp bits.

My ideal situation is hand-luggage, if I can get that through then it
allows me the possibility of Xootr'ing the 6 miles from the airport to
get some pre-flight exercise, and keep the Xootr with all the time.

Ben Brown wrote:
>
>
> I can second that, still waiting on the damaged baggage claims people
> at JetStar for my SNAPPED Mg caused by the same 'monkey baffoons'.
>
> Ben
>
> On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 6:25 AM, Nigel Healy
> <nh.nigelhealy@... <mailto:nh.nigelhealy@...>>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>     Hand luggage? Your emails implies checked luggage. My question is
>     when
>     I'm handling it, I'm putting through security and I'm carrying
>     onto plane.
>
>     I'd never check anything in, had to many monkey baffoons lose or
>     break
>     stuff.
>
>
>
>     powershrimp wrote:
>     >
>     >
>     > As discussed many times before, you can easily take your Xootr
>     on any
>     > flight without any charges inside your regular luggage. As also
>     > mentioned earlier, if you carry the scooter independently in
>     nothing
>     > but a bag, it will be destroyed by the handlers who routinely throw
>     > everything to the ground from shoulder height.
>     >
>     > If you wrap the scooter all around in a ton of clothing, the
>     handlers
>     > will not be able to ruin it.
>     >
>     > --- In xootr@yahoogroups.com <mailto:xootr%40yahoogroups.com>
>     <mailto:xootr%40yahoogroups.com
>     <mailto:xootr%2540yahoogroups.com>>, "Nigel
>     > Healy" <nh.nigelhealy@...> wrote:
>     > >
>     > > Want to fly from San Francisco to Houston with Continental,
>     take my
>     > Xootr Roma.
>     >
>     >
>
>
>

Hand luggage? Your emails implies checked luggage. My question is when
I'm handling it, I'm putting through security and I'm carrying onto plane.

I'd never check anything in, had to many monkey baffoons lose or break
stuff.


powershrimp wrote:
>
>
> As discussed many times before, you can easily take your Xootr on any
> flight without any charges inside your regular luggage. As also
> mentioned earlier, if you carry the scooter independently in nothing
> but a bag, it will be destroyed by the handlers who routinely throw
> everything to the ground from shoulder height.
>
> If you wrap the scooter all around in a ton of clothing, the handlers
> will not be able to ruin it.
>
> --- In xootr@yahoogroups.com <mailto:xootr%40yahoogroups.com>, "Nigel
> Healy" <nh.nigelhealy@...> wrote:
> >
> > Want to fly from San Francisco to Houston with Continental, take my
> Xootr Roma.
>
>