When I first watched Back to the Future over 20 years ago and saw Marty ride his hoverboard across the street, it seemed like such a far fetched concept. I thought to myself – there’s no way I could have anything as remotely like it in my lifetime. Granted, we don’t have hoverboards (yet), at least commercially available ones, yet, but we do have something that closely resembles them – the self balancing one wheel electric scooter. One wheel electric scooters are becoming increasingly more popular, as they’re incredibly fun and innovative. You’re basically riding on a single rubber wheel, and are assisted by balancing programming that does most of the work for you.
If the idea of riding a mix of unicycle, skateboard and segway sounds like something that’s right up your alley, then a self balancing one wheel electric scooter is precisely what you need. These devices are designed to give you a feeling similar to that of flying, and it’s the closet thing to hoverboards we currently have. If you’re a fan of electric transportation that can get you from point A to point B in a fun and relaxed way, an electric one wheel board is definitely something you should consider. However, these devices can get quite expensive, so it’s a good idea to know what you’re getting yourself into by learning how they work and what the pros and cons are before you decide to spend your money on one.
How Do Electric One Wheel Boards Work?
One wheel self-balancing scooters feature a sensor that gets activated once you place your feet on the device that’s activated by pressure-sensitive pads. The motor then activates, and you move forward by leaning forward, and slow down and stop by leaning backwards. The device’s torque engages, providing balance. Turning with a one wheel board takes some practice, and it’s done by leaning forward when taking a turn.
Most models can also be controlled by an application on your phone with Bluetooth connectivity. The application can also help you keep track of the battery life, and adjust the board for a more comfortable ride. You can alter the feel of the ride, the speed and enhance handling control. That being said, no matter whether you’re an experienced rider, or it’s the first time setting foot on one, these devices offer a setting for you.
Most models can travel up to 25-30 kilometres per hour. The battery life on most electric one wheel boards is about six hours. So if you plan on going for a lengthy ride, you should get your charging cable with you to plug the board on when you’re not using it. This makes electric one wheel boards a revolutionary, fun way to commute to work, run errands or just ride around the park in your leisure time.
Advantages of One Wheel Electric Boards
Depending on your weight and the type of surface you’re riding on, you can get about 20 kilometres on a fully charged battery. When you factor in all the kilometres you drive with a car, or the costs of a bus pass, over time, the one wheel board will start saving you money, despite its relatively high initial cost. These devices come with high-quality lithium batteries that are capable of providing multi-year service. And since all you need is some electricity to power the one wheel, you’re helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.
Furthermore, one wheel electric boards are very versatile. You can ride it almost everywhere, allowing you to get the most out of it no matter the occasion. One wheel electric boards are cleverly designed, and they’re equipped with the latest sensor, battery and motor technologies. With the rapid advancement in electric cars as well, we’ll see electric boards improving at a quick pace as well.
And of course, what’s better than arriving at your destination dry and fresh. You can get to work or back home after commuting feeling great as opposed to being drenched in sweat and needing a shower. Knowing you get to ride your one wheel board for a while can even make going to work and going back home a little bit more enjoyable. These devices are silent-running, and it’s like you’re riding on air. This means you get to cruise around and carve roads without an obnoxious motor sound clogging up the soundwaves. All of this makes one wheel electric boards ideal for board sport enthusiasts.
Some models, such as the ONEwheel XR are available with a variety of add-ons, such as a fender kit, rail guard and extra charger plug. But more importantly, one wheel boards from reputable manufacturers like ONEwheel come with lengthy warranties and free servicing so you can have peace of mind, because after all, they aren’t the most affordable devices when compared to electric skateboards, scooters, etc.