prospective rider New Electric Unicycle Rider

[The Moo]

Hello all!

I have never ridden an electric unicycle before and am wanting too start riding! I live in a steep mountainous town (some hills are 15°) and wanting an easy transportation type to get me between town/work/home. Here are some things I would want in the electric unicycle. At least 15° hill climb, be able to ride at least 5km on steep hills, be able to go around 15-20km/h, and not easily broken (since I will definitely crash a lot) and be able to carry me (150lbs).

I have been looking at buying an EUC for more than a year now and I have finally decided to put down the money to get started! I have been looking at buying the King Song 14D but I need input from the experts (you guys) not unhelpful beings (my alter ego). Also money is not a big problem since I have a part time job (but please keep it below $1500 CAD).

Can anybody help me?

[Jon Stern]

Sounds similar to my commute, here in the SF Bay Area. At Jason from eWheel's advice, I bought a Solowheel Glide 3 (same as an Inmotion V8). I've been commuting on it for the past two weeks.

My ride is ~5.5km, with 150 - 180m of total elevation gain (depending on the route). The Glide 3 handle it very well. The top speed is about 30kph. Oh, I weight ~130lbs, but I'm riding with a backpack with a large Macbook, and wearing protection.

[Chili D]

Have never ridden until I got my first wheel almost 1 month ago. Can’t be happier with my KingSong16S. Very smooth, tough shell with solid build quality, punchy power, plenty fast, and handles hills fine when I was in the San Fran today. 

 

Good luck. 

[RockyTop]

`The KS16s is worth the extra money. The 14D and V8 can also do what you are asking. 

[mrelwood]

I think the V10(F) is the only wheel from the past year that might have trouble delivering what you ask (overheating issues). Other than that the wheel specs have by far surpassed your demands.

That said, it is very common that once the skills settle, the rider realizes how useful and fun riding is, and will ride a lot further, faster, and more often than planned. That’s when the current specs start to matter. While light in weight, the V8 is an old wheel with a small battery, and if you get bitten by the EUC bug (like so many riders do), it will have quite a limited speed and range. Perhaps even power (=safety).

The 16S is a great wheel. It will still be a fun wheel to ride even if you get ”bitten”. Only notable negative is the high-pitched motor sound that is quite a bit louder than on most other wheels.

[Flying W]

I commute on a 16s and live in a hilly area by the house but work is in a flat area. I weigh 180 but my riding weight is 195 and the 16s goes up hills just fine. This is my second wheel (1st "real" wheel) so I haven't tested the durability yet but it is very solid. 

The sound it makes doesnt bother me and helps to let people know I'm there. Having been "bitten" my next wheel will be a little faster and have longer range but not due to feeling like I'm outgrowing the 16s, I just naturally already want more. On smooth ground I can cruise at 20mph, no beeps, no tiltback, and that is plenty fast enough. 

At your weight the 16s would not have any issues with your hills at all. 

The only problem I'm currently having is that EUCs are like motorcycles....one is never enough. After seeing Marty hit overheat hill on his MCM5 I know I need one too, and a long range wheel......its a rabbit hole for sure. The 16s seemed like a very good all purpose wheel and so far it had exceeded my expectations. I can take a fast charger with me to do longer rides and charge while eating lunch. 

I leaned on this forum for a while before getting a wheel. No one here will steer you wrong. I think this hobby only attracts really cool people.