ElliptiGO - Evans 'Ride It' Liphook Sportive‏ Report

I'm continuing to train for the Thruxton 100 which is just one week away now and will see whether I can break the 100 mile ElliptiGO WR (5h50m). Two weekends ago I took part in an Evans Ride It Sportive. These events are really good value all priced at £17.50 regardless of the distance you select. And there's usually 3-4 distances to cater for all abilities. 

I went for the value for money 90 mile option and had booked this whilst holidaying in Hungary as something to focus on when I returned and get me straight back into it. I had a good drive down to Liphook (South of Farnborough). For most folk a 70 mile trip isn't something you have to plan for... You just jump in the car, tap in the postcode and off you go right. But things change when you own a full electric car. I'd identified a rapid charger on the M3 (Fleet Sevices) which charge the Leaf to 80% battery capacity in just 45 mins. And it worked out perfectly to get me there and back home  So with the Leaf fully laden with the ElliptiGO I set off. One cappuccino and a breakfast wrap later the Leaf was charged and I was soon at Liphook school and registering. 

I chose the earliest depart time (8:30am) and lined up alongside other cyclists. The GO getting a bit of attention from the organisers. When there's different distances the question is always - "are you doing the long route"!? A smile and positive affirmation is my usual response.

The route difficulty was categorised as a 3/5 so it was by no means flat and would meander through the best countryside that Hampshire has to offer with many climbs on route. Some steep and some long, but with plenty of flattish sections too. The Elevation profile from Strava is below:

When I registered for the event my only intention was to get the miles in and not to ride at a particular pace or push it to hard. But with Thruxton only weeks away and little doubts over my fitness and ability to challenge the World Record creeping in I needed to put in a performance that would encourage me and show that the record attempt is a possibility. So I decided to push the pace hard from start to finish.

This was also the first real test too of the new 11-speed hub in 'race conditions'. This would give me more top end speed and enable me to push on whilst riding the flatter sections and even downhill maintaining a much higher tempo.

It was a great ride, well organised with bright pink arrows at every turn so you couldn't go wrong. The roads left a little to be desired with many surfaces sending constant vibrations through the handle bars. But the scenery on route as you rolled through the English countryside kept me engaged throughout as the miles rolled on. 

The other 'dry run' for Thruxton was to not stop at any of the aid stations on route but ride straight through. I had enough fluids for the 90 miles plus some cereal bars. It all worked out great and I pushed hard throughout the ride especially on the hills to strengthen the legs and hopefully make a very flat Thruxton race track feel that bit easier.

The summary stats of my ride are as follows:

I managed to maintain 17mph average speed for the first 50 miles (which is the speed I need for Thruxton) but the hills got steeper and longer in the second half so obviously the average speed dropped. I was still very happy however to maintain 16mph over 90 miles and finish in a time of 5:38. An honest morning's work which has given me a lot more confidence for Thruxton :-)

#1 ElliptiGO Tech Talk - Tyres (Updated May 2020)

[This post was updated in May 2020 with additional photos and information, updated web links and a few new tyres :-) Please leave a comment to add to this article with your own experiences which I will then include in the post.]

In #1 Ultra Disco Stu's ElliptiGO Tech Talk I'm discussing tyres (UK spelling! :-). This post covers 20" tyres used on the ElliptiGO Long Stride models, Arc and the original SUB. MSUB and RSUB models are not covered. Although you will find many of the tyres reviewed here in a 26" size to fit the MSUB/RSUB.

The great tyre debate seems to rumble on on the ElliptiGO Facebook Group page. [edit: I wrote this article in 2014! It's now 2020 and there are still regular questions posted about tyre choice for the ElliptiGO.... What's faster?.. What gives me better puncture protection?... What's lightest?.. What's cheapest?]

The intention here is to outline the main brands and tyres used by riders that are compatible with the ElliptiGO [Long Stride/Arc/original SUB] to provide a useful resource to all ElliptiGO riders whether you are a newbie or seasoned rider looking to replace or upgrade.

ELLIPTIGO STOCK TYRE

10 years on and all ElliptiGOs [Long Stride/Arc/original SUB] still come out of the factory with Kenda Kwest (20" x 1.5") fitted as standard. 

Kenda Kwest stock ElliptiGO tyre

It was described on the Kenda website as a 'performance road tyre' but I'd question. The Kwest is definitely a solid touring tyre but with no real stand out features. I would put it in the 'value' category. They roll quite well but are fairly heavy and don't feature any puncture resistance which is something ElliptiGO riders tend to look for to best avoid time consuming roadside incidents. The Kwest is the cheapest tyre in this review so if you are buying on a budget then they will serve you well and are totally adequate for the job.

Kenda website update: As of May 2020 the Kwest tyre no longer features on their website so it looks to be discontinued now. What will ElliptiGO do going foward!? Perhaps read my blog and start fitting my recommended top choice ;-)


SCHWALBE MARATHON RANGE

The tyre of choice for most ElliptiGO riders looking to replace/upgrade the factory Kwest's is a tyre from the Schwalbe Marathon range. The entire Marathon range comes with GreenGuard or SmartGuard - a patented puncture resistance rubber cushion that runs inside the length of the tyre and provides great protection from glass, nails and other foreign objects out to ruin your ride. 

I'd suggest that there are four main tyres suitable for the ElliptiGO in the Schwalbe Marathon range: Marathon Original, Marathon Racer, Marathon Plus, and if you are going onto the trails or just want a really beefy grippy tyre there is also the Marathon 365 GT.

The chart below shows the full range of Schwalbe tyres with puncture protection ranked from 1 - 7, as well as their key purpose. And below that you will see some cutaway illustrations that show the different protection systems.

Schwalbe puncture protection chart

Schwalbe puncture protection types

The Schwalbe Marathon Original tyre is the cheapest in the Schwalbe range and provides good puncture resistance with GreenGuard protection - a 3mm elastic rubber cushion.

Marathon Original tyre with GreenGuard

The Marathon Original is not a low profile tyre and has a much larger depth than the factory fitted Kenda Kwest's. As a result this tyre is ONLY compatible with the ElliptiGO 8S and 11R which have a larger clearance on the front fork. The Marathon Original will NOT FIT the new Long stride C series (3C / 8C). And I'm not sure whether it fits the Arc or SUB either.

I have happily ridden the Marathon Originals for thousands of miles on my 8S in the early days of ownership. They are bomb proof and perform well in the wet so overall they score very well as an all rounder. If you are looking for a bit of speed though then the Originals are probably best avoided as they have a higher rolling resistance. However for most riders the difference is barely noticeable and only if you are really pushing it.  

Schwalbe Marathon Original website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon


The Schwalbe Marathon Racer is a lower profile version of the Marathon Original which is compatible with ALL ElliptiGO models. It's described by Schwalbe as the fastest and lightest Marathon tyre.

Schwalbe Marathon Racer

Schwalbe Marathon Racer tread pattern

It features HD-Speed-Guard providing the highest level of Kevlar Guard, but it doesn't offer the same high level of protection as GreenGuard on the Originals. As expected is has a lower rolling resistance and slightly less aggressive tread pattern than the Originals but I think these differences are subtle. Overall the Marathon Racer is a great all rounder that is a serious contender if you are prepared to compromise slightly on puncture resistance in favour of speed and a tyre that weighs half of the Originals. 

Schwalbe Marathon Racer website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-racer


The Schwalbe Marathon Plus is next up!! This is the tyre of choice for many ElliptiGO riders. It does everything extremely well, and features the best puncture resistance in the range (Level 7) with SmartGuard which is a major benefit for many riders not keen or confident removing the rear wheel on the ElliptiGO.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus SmartGuard puncture protection

Note that the Marathon Plus 20" tyre comes in two different profiles. 20x1.35 and the 20x1.75. It's the 20x1.35 that you will need. The 1.75 profile is too large and isn't compatible with the ElliptiGO.  

The 1.35 is a low profile tyre, providing low rolling resistance and looks the business too. The Plus has a good tread pattern similar to the Racer which clears water fast in the wet, and provides great all round grip in all conditions. Many riders who ride the Plus speak very highly of them. They can't really be faulted. They are however the heaviest tyre in this review, but then again the ElliptoGO weighs in at over 20KG (long stride) so weight saving isn't really a priority for most riders. But perhaps if you are riding the Arc or SUB and wanting to go light then this tyre probably won't be your first choice.

As an aside if you are a bit of an eco warrior like me and like to do your bit for the environment then you may be interested to know that the special rubber puncture compound in the Marathon range is made partly from recycled materials.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-plus


The Schwalbe Marathon 365 GT is a new addition to the marathon range. It has an extremely aggressive tread pattern for a 20" tyre. If you are looking to take your ElliptiGO off-road then this is the tyre for you. But interestingly according to the marketing blurb on their website its not sold as an off-road tyre but as a tyre for all all seasons. Hence the 365 name! So if you want maximum grip, or ride a lot in wet or slippery conditions then perhaps the 365 is what you need in your life.

Schwalbe Marathon 365 GT tread and DualGuard puncture protection

Off-roading on the Long Stride!! Eeek not for everyone!

SUMMARY OF SCHWALBE MARATHON RANGE

In summary all the tyres in the Schwalbe Marathon range have great durability and last many many thousands of miles. So you really can't go wrong with any of them. If pushed to recommend one particular tyre from this range then for me it would have to be the Marathon Plus. They are the work horse in the range (with thoroughbred performance!) and are definitely worth the extra money. And in my opinion this is the tyre that ElliptiGO should be fitting as standard on all their models out the factory.

The full Schwalbe tour range can be viewed here: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour



FEELING THE NEED FOR SPEED!?!

Schwalbe also have a new entrant to rival the Marathon which is specifically designed for speed. Now we're talking!!! :-) The Schwalbe Durano Plus still features their patented puncture resistance technology (unusual in a racing tyre) but is very low profile and much narrower than the Marathon range.

Schwalbe Durano Plus

Available in 20" (wheel diameter) so suitable for the ElliptiGO (20 x 1.1). The Durano features two choices of puncture resistance - RaceGuard, and SmartGuard. SmartGuard provides the highest level of puncture resistance and adds a little extra weight to the tyre. But with the ElliptiGO this is hardly a concern as shaving off precious ounces isn't a priority. This is a great performance tyre. They are fast with very low rolling resistance (so especially great for climbing hills and flat speed challenges! ;-) and also provide good levels of grip in the dry. They aren't the cheapest tyre but other reviews online report them being very durable and lasting a long time so comparable with the Marathons. I didn't have as much confidence in the wet when riding the Durano's though so they are best kept for summer riding.

Schwalbe Durano website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/road-reader/durano-plus


A newer sporty tyre perfect for the ElliptiGO from Schwalbe is the Kojak. This is in their 'Tour' range (so not listed as a racing tyre) but as you can tell from the lack of tread it has a smooth compound. I'm currently riding the Kojak's on my long stride 11S and they are great. They feel faster than the Marathon range, and I'm enjoying them a lot. They don't offer as much shock absorbing qualities as the marathon range though, so when riding on particularly poor road surfaces with cracks, lumps and bumps you can feel the road more. The compound seems to last very well. At first I thought they would wear out very quickly but this hasn't be the case. I do like these a lot and can definitely recommend them.

Schwalbe Kojaks

Schwalbe Kojak website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/kojak


Continental

The next two tyres in our review is from well-known tyre brand Continental. They know a thing or two about tyres so I was excited when I originally came across the 'SportContact'. Like the Schwalbe Durano it's a very low profile and narrow tyre. The lowest profile tyre in this review in fact, and placed side by side with the Marathon Original it's half its size! It also features a puncture resistant band which works. I didn't get a single puncture in over 2,000 miles of riding these. I may just have been very lucky!

Continental SportCONTACT

The SportContact is a super slick tyre with the tread seemingly non-existent, but look more closely and there is a wave along the centre of the tyre which is actually extremely effective at clearing water quickly on wet surfaces. I was extremely impressed with this tyre having purchased it - it is a high performance tyre and coped very well with everything I threw at it on tough UK roads (these aren't the smooth Californian boulevards!). It is a very fast tyre too.

The disappointment with the SportContact is it's durability. Even after just 500 miles it was showing signs of wear and tear and by 2000 miles approx my rear tyre had worn through the rubber to reveal the weave underneath. I only paid £22 each for these but I still expected it to last much longer than this. In comparison to the Marathons which last many many 1000s of miles, the Marathons and even the Duranos represent much better value for money a day to day tyre. In summary the SportContact is a great racing tyre but best reserved just for this purpose and not daily riding. It's worth noting that it's not the easiest tyre to fit on the rim either.


Also from Continental is the 'ContactSpeed'. I'm riding these on my 30 speed ElliptiGO Arc at the moment and I have to say they are awesome. If you want to ride fast on flat dry roads then these might just be what you are looking for. They have an interesting tread pattern too. I think these may just be an updated version of the SportContact. Certainly the name is very similar, as is the design and profile.

Continental SafetySystem Breaker for puncture protection

The SafetySystem Breaker in these tyres is made up of a Kevlar reinforced high-strength nylon fabric. Without increasing the weight or rolling resistance noticeably, it protects against punctures and contributes to a longer lifespan of the tyre. I don't think these tyres will do the same mileage as those in the Schwalbe marathon range but that's to be expected as its meant for speed and fun!

Continental Contact Speed website link:
https://www.continental-tires.com/bicycle/tires/urban-tour/contact-speed

ElliptiGO Review: GOing where no Ultra Runner has gone before

It occurred to me whilst holidaying in Hungary and unable to ride that for the three and half years that I've owned my ElliptiGO I haven't written a product review of this truly unique machine. So let's put that wrong to right here. So many product reviews I read on the web are fairly dull so I want this review to be about both man AND machine, and the influence it has had on me and my training.

My question to you the reader is 'Shouldn't you be a little curious as to why and how the ElliptiGO has had such a positive impact on my training and racing'? ... In my marathons, ultra running, and more recently long distance cycle brevets. So let's try and convey my passion for the ElliptiGO, and it's real training potential, and ultimately let you decide.

We need to start at the beginning because it provides some important context for my story. It was Summer 2010 when I first stumbled upon the ElliptiGO. At the time they weren't even available in the UK and are a US invention. Dean Karnazes (a huge inspiration for my Ultra Running) is endorsed by ElliptiGO but it went beyond pure product sponsorship. This bit of kit isn't some fitness gimmick plugged on Tele-Shopping channels by shiny A list athletes - it's a serious cross-training device that can do wonders for your running. And ultimately as I have found through the last 3 1/2 years moves you way beyond this narrow focus and expands your horizons, goals and adventures. Move to the current day and Meb Keflezighi integrated it into his preparation for the 2014 Boston Marathon and won at age 38 as the underdog against some stiff Kenyan competition. And the latest ElliptiGO ambassador on board is no other than the all time greatest distance runner - Haile Gebrselassie.

Meb Keflezighi and the new ElliptiGO Limited 'Meb' Edition

All Hail Haile!!

However I don't expect a few name drops to convince you. This is suppose to be a product review so let's dive straight in, with a self-styled interview covering both man and machine. The most obvious place to start is -

What the heck is an ElliptiGO?

If you are completely in the dark you can explore the website at www.elliptigo.com for lots of pics and videos. But here's one feature ultra running inspiration Dean Karnazes!

The Official ElliptiGO strap line 'Run Without Impact' nicely sums up both it's purpose and major benefit. When asked I often describe the ElliptiGO as a Cross-Trainer on wheels. A simple concept but that's what it is and why it's so effective. I could never spend more than an hour tops on one in the gym, but with the ElliptiGO you take all the training benefits of a cross-trainer into the great outdoors.

"But I don't like cross-training, I'm a runner and I like to run. If I wanted to be something else I'd take up cycling or swimming"...

Indeed! And this summed up where I was too. As runners we all know we should cross-train more to reduce risk of injury and all those miles pounding the pavements and trails but we don't. We don't because I don't think there was a serious alternative to running that would get you 'run fit' until the ElliptiGO came along. That's a very bold statement I know but I genuinely believe it to be true.

So what are the benefits of the ElliptiGO?

The benefits in my real-world opinion (proven through 3 1/2 yrs of ownership) include truly zero-impact workouts reduced injuries (read: no injuries), greater speed and flexibility than running to GO places, trains ALL the running leg muscles (not just the quads like cycling), provides a great high aerobic workout with high heart rate and lungs pumping again akin to running and not cycling. And surely the biggest benefit of all and the reason I'm still hugely passionate about the GO three years on is that is really really good fun! 

Why did I buy one? 

I'm a sucker for marketing... Haha only joking. And as they weren't even for sale in the UK I actually had to convince myself that I needed one as no one else was telling me I did. The scenario in late 2010 was the imminent birth of our second child in April 2011. I was right in the middle of my crazy love for all things ultra and had '100 mile' fever - A serious infection that leaves the host unable to resist signing up for any ultra in the calendar, and the longer the race the more serious the side affects. These include hours and hours of training away from family in the very early hours every Saturday morning to sneak in a quick 30 miler before breakfast. There is a point to this by the way.... And this was it. With our second child on the way my training time would be severely compromised (and rightly so of course). So the GO provided an answer as to how I could continue to train for ultras by reducing my run mileage and weekend running, and instead integrate the GO into my 22 mile commute to work. That was the plan and the original reason I bought one, well that and the fact that I just love gadgets and anything a bit different. The ElliptiGO certainly fits this description.

What does the ElliptiGO feel like to ride?

I vividly remember my very first ride with Idai (European ElliptiGO Sales Director) back in 2010. Idai lives in Milton Keynes just up the road from me, so we arranged to hook up at his house and take the GO for a spin. I already remember by this point that I had convinced myself I needed/wanted one so a lot was hanging on this one ride not to disappoint. It didn't! The immediate sensation on your first ride is how high up you are because you are standing up on the GO. But unlike many would assume it's not weird having no saddle as it doesn't feel like a bike at all. The feeling and ride sensation is very unique to the GO so once you ride one you don't find yourself making these comparisons. It has a long reaching stride (which can be adjusted for shorter riders), and it REALLY works the leg muscles BUT importantly in a controlled manner with zero-impact. This is where it differs hugely from running which can trash your muscles and lead to injury if you over do it. The upright posture is also great for your back and pelvis with no lower back discomfort and you can look down on most road users! It also works the core muscles really well if you engage them correctly.

Does it have any gears and brakes?

Yes and Yes. When I bought mine back in the 2010 (just after Christmas). There was just one version - the 8S which has the Shimano Alfina 8-speed hub gear. It's a great bit of kit with very smooth gear changeovers and great ratios which are enough to get you up 25% gradient climbs (when trained!) and a top speed of 20-24mph on the flat and unlimited on the downs! It's important to note here that the GO isn't a 'fixie' so it can free-wheel. There are now 3-speed, 8-speed and 11-speed versions available as of this review to suit different riders needs and budgets (August 2014).

Brakes are standard V-brake set-up so nothing unusual here. And whilst we are making bike comparisons the GO has a standard handlebar set up so you don't move your arms forwards and backwards like a gym cross-trainer just in case you were wondering ;-). It sits on two 20 inch rims - the type you would typically see on a city bike.

So how effective is the ElliptiGO as a cross-trainer and does it replicate running?

Now we are getting into why I bought the GO. So the question here is - has it delivered on the promise? Oh yes is the answer! I truly believe (and if anyone wants to offer up an alternative I'm all ears) that there is no better way to cross train for running than the ElliptiGO. And many world elite athletes agree with me. The way I started to train on my ElliptiGO back in 2011 is perhaps not where everyone would start but I was training for ultras at the time so naturally I also wanted to extend this to ElliptiGO riding. My first real target race on the ElliptiGO was the Chiltern 100 which at 110 miles and 10,000 feet on climbing is no small undertaking for a glorified cross-trainer on wheels. But here serves the point and an answer to another key question often asked by cyclists as they ride alongside me...

What's that thing like on the hills?

I completed the Chiltern 100 in 7.5hrs so there's the answer. It can definitely climb hills and even give road bikes a run for their money. And if to further prove the point I very recently completed the Mille Cymru Audax 1020km (635 miles) in under the 75 hour cut off which had an advertised 50,000ft of ascent - that's one and half Everest's! But we digress...

Back to the cross-training affect of the ElliptiGO. I think a couple of key races in May 2014 perfectly demonstrate the ability of the ElliptiGO to get you 'run fit' without actually getting in many run miles. I trained for the Milton Keynes marathon almost exclusively on the GO replacing my speed/tempo sessions, routine runs and long runs with the GO. I ran a 3:11 at MK which is my second fastest marathon time ever on virtually no 'run training'. But I see it very differently these days as for me the ElliptiGO IS run training. It's no longer something I see as just 'cross-training' to supplement my running - it's so effective that it IS running and has completely changed the way I train.

Coming back to the other race I completed in May 2014. I ran the Centurion Running South Downs Way 50 mile ultra run in 8 hours flat - again on virtually no specific run training. So a marathon is only 26.2 miles and can be fluked (perhaps) although I'd argue that point. But running 50 miles non-stop with 10,000ft of gain and no 'run training', no long runs etc, is that even possible? Well yes it seems it is and not only did I run 50 miles I also ran it at an incredibly consistent pace and didn't slow down at all for the entire 8 hours passing half the field in the second half of the race. So the point I'm making here is that ElliptiGO can give you both speed AND endurance in running. Oh and just to add, after I ran the SDW50 I drove straight to Tonbridge, Kent and completed the Castle100 cycle sportive (106 miles) on my ElliptiGO the next day.

So I hope I have emphatically answered the question about the GO's pedigree and cross-training ability. It's perhaps worth noting here that my ElliptiGO mileage in May was consistently around 250 miles per week and I was riding every day. ElliptiGO miles can be easily converted to 'run miles' by dividing by 3 (backed up by scientific research may I add :-). Thus in May I was getting the training benefit of 80 run miles per week. So perhaps my race performances aren't so surprising after all. And another point to note here is that I was putting in these high mileage weeks without the impact which is why on the ElliptiGO you can consistency smash out very high volume weeks without trashing your legs or run the risk of injury (pun intended!). It really is a WIN WIN situation in my eyes.

So Stu do you actually run anymore?

Well this is the one unintended consequence of the ElliptiGO. I bought it to cross-train but now I spend anywhere between 15-20 hours on the GO in a typical week which doesn't leave as much room for running. And in a complete reversal of how it use to be - I now almost view running as cross-training to get 'ElliptiGO fit'. As the two compliment one another very well. Having said this it's worth noting that it took over 3 years to get to this point and naturally things evolve over time. So I'm not saying for one second that what I have described is the typical experience - everyone is different. I think it's also worth noting here that I did integrate the ElliptiGO into some serious run training in the first half of 2013 when I was training for the Western States Endurance Run. As part of this training I completed my fastest half marathon time (1:20) which was 7 minutes quicker than I had previously run, and a marathon time (2:59) which was 18 minutes quicker than my previous best.

So what else haven't you told us about the ElliptiGO that any prospective buyer or reader might be interested in?

A big part of owning an ElliptiGO is being a part of the awesome global ElliptiGO Community. This includes both the AMAZING and unparalleled support and service you receive from ElliptiGO Inc the company, as well as the growing global network of ElliptiGO owners and enthusiasts via the Facebook and Strava Group pages. I do ride from time to time with other riders locally (mainly events) with a few friends who aren't too far from me, but the rest of the time I am immersed in and support folk from across the pond, Europe, and Asia.

Coming back to the support received from ElliptiGO Inc I haven't come across another company that puts their customers right at the centre of everything they do. Their service ethic is superb and they really do make you feel part of something unique and special. They want to see you grow as an ElliptiGO rider and to get the very most from their product and they provide this support in a number of ways. Through a great technical service department on hand to answer all your questions. They have also recently started to arrange special 'Challenges' that riders can sign up to. In May for example was the 'Every Day In May' challenge which explains why I rode every day in May. Plus there is the Get On The Map Initiative which encourages riders to 'log' all official cycle races on the website which attains points for mileage covered. I'm currently leading this :-) and have until the end of September to hang onto top spot. ElliptiGO Inc also host the Annual World Championships in San Diego. I haven't afforded this trip yet but plan to maybe GO one year with the family when my children are a bit older.

Are there any downsides or other things to be aware of to owning an ElliptiGO?

Like any bike it requires maintenance and care to keep it in tip top condition and riding smoothly. So normal stuff like adjusting and replacing brake blocks, checking cables and of course repairing punctures are all part of the course. This last subject is one that stirs lots of debate on the Facebook page in regard to tyre choice to avoid punctures. The reason it's a big deal for some riders is that changing a rear puncture on the ElliptiGO is more involved than a standard bike because of the hub gear and tensioning bracket. After a little practice though it's no big deal. Most parts on the GO are also available in standard bike shops so sourcing parts is not an issue. The rollers and tracks (now we are getting technical) which is the part of the ElliptiGO that the drive arms which you stand on are fixed need regular cleaning. This keeps them moving smoothy and reduces noise. One down side is the noise if you neglect this, and stones do have a habit of jumping into the tracks but this doesn't do any damage and they pop out after a while.

So what's next for the ElliptiGO and running?

Having completed the Mille Cymru Audax ride in June which was a mega long distance adventure I'm now turning my attention to two goals for the remainder of 2014 - having a crack at the ElliptiGO 100 mile world record in September at the Action Medical Research Thruxton 100 event, and whilst training for this also simultaneously train for the Snowdonia Marathon in late October where I would like to run as close to 3hrs as possible (and it's not flat!). My training for both events is uniquely going to follow a proper structured training schedule incorporating both the ElliptiGO and running as planned and structured sessions. The schedule has been prepared by Greg McMillan Running - a US elite marathoner and run coach. Greg has linked up with ElliptiGO to provide ElliptiGO riders with this opportunity to 'train smarter' by incorporating the ElliptiGO into their run training. Of course I've already been doing this but perhaps I actually now need to start running a bit more!

So have I convinced you the reader to try out the ElliptiGO for yourself?

I thoroughly recommend a test ride if you are even the least bit curious! As a new ElliptiGO Affiliate I receive a small gesture of appreciation from ElliptiGO Inc for any successful referrals. Another great example of how ElliptiGO have integrated the customer into what they do. All I ask is that if you do buy one online then please click the 'Buy an ElliptiGO' link at the top of my blog which takes you straight to the Official ElliptiGO Store and tracks my referral. And of course it might take some time to decide so please don't forget where you heard about it first on Ultra Disco Stu's blog and return to this page. Thanks.

If anyone has any questions about the ElliptiGO that I haven't covered here then please do add a comment to this post and I would be more than happy to respond.

Main Websites:
www.elliptigo.com
www.elliptigo.co.uk