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Where can I try Streetrowing?
Team Streetrower is attending a number of events in the UK and Europe throughout 2007 - see the Contact page.
We are also happy to arrange test-rows by appointment at a convenient location - Eton's Dorney Lake is a good place to take your first strokes. In other countries existing Streetrower owners
are often willing to let others have a go and we can help to put you in touch where possible.
Where can I buy a Streetrower?
Streetrowers are sold directly through this website - go to the section 'order online' and then e-mail your order to us at sales@streetrower.com. Your Streetrower will be custom built to your requirements and we will reserve your place in the production schedule once we have received your 50% deposit.
How do you steer?
Press the 'joyrocker' (a pressure sensitive rocker switch style joystick) with your thumb to the left or right and the clever electronics do the rest.
A bit like playing a computer game, the electric steering actuator is moved to
match the position of the joyrocker and will return to centre when you take your
thumb off. Electrowsteer 2 also incorporates multi-speed steering operation so that
when you steer agressively or from full-lock to full-lock the actuator takes power
from two 12V batteries rather than one. This ensures the Streetrower can easily
negotiate tight turns and manoeuvres. If you are reluctant to put your trust
entirely in electronics, despite their proven reliability, it is reassuring to
know you can quickly operate a lever next to the brake to disengage the electronic
steering, giving you manual control of the steering via the kingpost extension /
steering arm where the brake lever is mounted.
How do you stop?
When you want to slow down for a corner or junction, you can operate a brake lever fitted to the rowing handle that brakes the rear wheel. For agressive or sustained braking
a lever mounted on the manual steering arm is operated with your right hand, leaving your left hand on the rowing handle to control the steering. The powerful drum
brakes on the front wheels will bring you and the vehicle to a halt very quickly if necessary. Mounting the brake lever on the
frame / manual steering arm provides lateral support when cornering and braking agressively.
How fast can you go?
How hard can you pull??! Or to keep rowing coaches happy, how hard can you PUSH? Most of the power in the rowing stroke comes from the legs. How high you can jump
depends on how hard and fast you can work your leg muscles, and rowing is similar in that respect. Pulling the handle as you open out your back and
follow through with the arms ensures that the vehicle is accelerated as much as possible during each stroke. It's not just about how huge your muscles are either.
Having a smooth stroke and building your core stability (abs and lower back) as a result of Streetrowing, will help you propel the Streetrower more efficiently
and achieve greater speeds. Avererage cruising speeds on the Streetrower are around 15mph with a top speed of over 30mph. Being closer to the ground
also increases your sense of speed in a similar way to go-karting, so either way, you're guaranteed a lot of fun!
Can you go uphill?
Going up gradual inclines on the Streetrower is no problem, as demonstrated in the video clips. Just like rowing into a headwind in a boat, you have
to work a bit harder and undulating routes provide a natural 'interval session'.
If you plan to use your Streetrower in very hilly areas we can fit variable gears for you via some jiggery pokery or larger freewheels that make each stroke feel lighter.
The advantage of a fixed gear ratio is that the Streetrower can be built lighter and
achieve better reliability. The rowing stroke is not as well suited to steep hill climbing as continuous pedalling
because between strokes (during the recovery
phase) the vehicle will inevitably slow down no matter how low the gear. For flat or gradually undulating terrain Streetrowing is sublime!
Is it road-legal?
To reassure yourself that the Streetrower is road-legal please consult relevant legislation for the region or country in which you live.
For those in the UK the CTC (National Cyclists' Organisation)
and the Department for Transport
have relevant legislation on their websites. The main requirements of UK pedal cycle legislation relate to the use of appropriate lights, reflectors, bells and helmets.
Your new Streetrower will be fitted with a bell and reflectors and other safety accessories are available such as lights and flags. Your safety is of vital importance to us and we advise you to be cautious and to request the addition of any equipment to your Streetrower by us that will make for safer streetrowing.
Forwards or backwards?
Come on...!! This is a question only ever contemplated by rowers, for whom the thought of moving backwards at over 15mph down a busy street, seems
no more crazy than getting up at 5am to get down to a river or sit on a rowing machine in a gym. If you've had the chance to look at
the video clips you will know that streetrowing is a forwards facing activity. Streetrowing is exciting but not necessarily suicidal.
Does it really feel like rowing?
To answer this question we need to think about what rowing feels like. This is inevitably a matter of perception, but here at Team Streetrower we
recognise the feeling of rowing as the rhythmical cycle of 'stroke' and 'recovery'. During the stroke you smoothly accelerate the boat/Streetrower
by pushing and pulling forces in your legs, back and arms, squeezing on the power - the 'surge'. Between strokes you
have the recovery, where you relax, allowing the boat/streetrower to glide, or 'run',
the rear (driven) wheel freewheels/coasts, you slide your feet back towards the seat at whatever rate is comfortable,
and allow the handle to retract as slowly or as quickly as you like. We are confident that the Streetrower replicates
the feeling of rowing extremely accurately. Because the seat is fixed and your feet slide your centre of gravity moves
back and forth less relative to the direction of travel than in a boat. This means that although you are rowing
forwards rather than backwards the genuine feeling of rowing is not diminished.
What kind of grips are available for the rowing handle?
Wood is still the choice of oar handle for many rowers while sculling grips are generally rubber or plastic. Your Streetrower handle can be fitted with grips of your choice or a Concept 2 model D handle if you wish.
Why three wheels?
With the stability of three wheels the Streetrower can more accurately simulate the rowing position and technique used by competitive rowers. Designs
with only two wheels have to compromise the rowing position and technique to create a practical vehicle. The Eletrow-steer
system also lends itself to a vehicle with the stability of three wheels where constant adjustments to the steering are not required for balance. Sitting on the
Streetrower and taking your first few strokes is easy because you don't need to think about balancing it as well as learning the technique.
Where can you race?
This is where things get really exciting. Currently Streetrowers are raced at British Human Power Club
events, on motor racing tracks such as Castle Combe, at velodromes and on public roads. Competition is across a range of categories to suit the
speeds of the different types of vehicles. This is the final nail in the coffin for the indoor rowing machine!! In due course we intend to organise races solely for Streetrowers - National and World Championship.
How can Streetrowers be transported?
Your Streetrower can be dismantled by removing the wheels, fairings
(Pro version) and front pulley support arm. Dimensions are given in the
specifications section. Alternatively it will fit diagonally
in the back of an estate/station wagon car without any disassembly or strap it
to the roof of a car with roof bars. It is also possible to tow the Streetrower in a trailer.
Is there a limit to how big or small Streetrower riders can be?
Streetrowers are built to order and there
is no limit to the size of individual that we can cater for. For example,
we have built a Streetrower for a 200cm rower with a
weight of over 100kg. If you order a Streetrower for yourself it will also be quickly adjustable for use by shorter
individuals.
Send your questions or comments to: info@streetrower.com
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