Project Amplify: Powered footwear for running and walking

Post by Zopieux » Sun, Oct 26, 2025, 9:33 PM UTC

kccqzy wrote: post #104

dan-g wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This sounds like a gross generalization of cyclists—I hope everyone’s friends aren’t this petty! I’ve gone on plenty of rides on an e-bike/not on an e-bike with folks doing the opposite and have never felt ostracized or made others feel ostracized. As other commenters posted, it gets even more people out on the paths who wouldn’t normally be able to keep up or might feel self-conscious, and I think that’s a really po…

I must admit I don't interact with all kinds of cyclists. My circle of cyclists are the ones who like indoor cycling as much as going outdoors, and they almost always have a power meter and like to challenge themselves for power PRs, and they tend to be Strava Premium users.

Post by rglullis » Sun, Oct 26, 2025, 11:43 PM UTC

wizzwizz4 wrote: post #115

rglullis wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> You could refuse to use an e-bike just like you could refuse to use an expensive bicycle. I don't know if we are talking about the same thing. I am taking the argument from OP about "people recovering from surgery might need electric assist to keep up with the A-group", and I'm questioning this need . If someone wants to have some assistance, then by all means go ahead and use it. I'm just not seeing why someone wo…

"Need in order to" is a common construction in English. It refers to a necessary condition, without placing any absolute constraints on the necessity. (Who's to say how the absolute "need" is defined? Do we need to live? Do we need good food, positive social interactions, exercise, shelter?)

Post by MengerSponge » Mon, Oct 27, 2025, 1:21 AM UTC

parineum wrote: post #124

brainwad wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think this is really true in general. When you climb a pass, the distance and elevation are fixed; the ebike riders buzzing by at twice your speed are not doing more work than you - they are avoiding some of the work inherent in the climb.

I think the key factor is amount of rides. On a one to one comparison, obviously an ebike is less work but how much more often are ebike riders riding? I don't own one but there have been plenty of times in my life where I go somewhere ina car that's in biking distance but don't because maybe there's a decent hill on the way and I don't want to arrive sweaty. The easy ride an ebike offers opens up more opportunities…

Post by rdiddly » Tue, Oct 28, 2025, 3:12 AM UTC

Koala_ice wrote: post #118

rdiddly wrote: post #113

All the "athlete" and "farther" and "faster" talk is all well and good, but kids are going to buy these, hack them, and use them to create the next generation of impossible dance moves.

Two possibilities can be true at once. I look forward to seeing both

Post by int_19h » Wed, Oct 29, 2025, 9:43 AM UTC

tavavex wrote: post #14

SilverElfin wrote: post #2

I don’t get the point. Maybe there’s a therapy angle? But otherwise if someone wanted to go faster they could go to a bike, e-bike, or car.

Bikes and cars are modes of transport. They're optimal for getting around at high speeds, but when you don't need them, you need to leave them somewhere, they're large and not very convenient. On the other hand, these are shoes. You put them on in the morning and can wear them anywhere outside, they're not separate things you need to handle. I can definitely see demand for this from people who walk all day long for t…