five reasons to buy Ninebot z10 and 5 for not buying it

[alex5454]

hi all guys I am undecided for my top of the range I already have a v10 and an S2.

I am undecided between NIKOLA - KS 18L and Z10 ...

what do you recommend because you prefer the z10?

[stephen]

If you've already got 2 wheels and not to bothered about more range i think the z10 is unique wheel it's just different definitely a good choice , I'd like the ks16x for the range and off road 

[Guest PogArt Artur]

2 hours ago, alex5454 said:

hi all guys I am undecided for my top of the range I already have a v10 and an S2.

I am undecided between NIKOLA - KS 18L and Z10 ...

what do you recommend because you prefer the z10?

I myself upgrading to Z10.

I loved the wheel since first look, then I went confused by many different opinions around.

A week ago I had a great opportunity thanks to @stephen, to have a go on Z10 and MSX at same time...

This is when all my doubts disappeared, and I know there's no any other wheel I'd like upgrade to.

But my taste was always different a bit, so don't follow my thoughts too tight, lol

I'm aware of Z10 behaving different, and I know I need to adjust my skills to safe riding it.

 

[alex5454]

my daily journey is 12 + 12 km ... with v10 I arrive perfectly in the evening with 45% of remaining autonomy. sometimes I have not good asphalt sections. I wanted to know if Z10 gives me greater stability. (and aesthetics is total) XD.

although KS 18L and Nikola are really nice wheels.

 

[stephen]

19 minutes ago, alex5454 said:

my daily journey is 12 + 12 km ... with v10 I arrive perfectly in the evening with 45% of remaining autonomy. sometimes I have not good asphalt sections. I wanted to know if Z10 gives me greater stability. (and aesthetics is total) XD.

although KS 18L and Nikola are really nice wheels.

 

I know it's hard but you could do with trying the z10 first its a good wheel once you've adapted to it , the msx though is amazing over all terrains with the 3" tyre the nikola is a good option also , i think this one is your choice 🤔 i use different wheels for different outings

[Kens]

Five reasons to buy:

1. Very safe and stable wheel. I'm sure Segway have higher safety standard, R&D budget and testing time than any EUC manufacture out there. I don't have any fear that my Z10 will cut out on me like other wheels when I pushed it to the max. I know that this wheel is actually capable way more than what Segway deems safe. There is an app in this forum that can unlock more speed for Z10 to support my point.

2. Look and feel of the wheel is superb. The first time you touch this wheel in person you will instantly feel the difference in build quality and engineering (Imagine touching MacBook the first time vs Toshiba laptop). Everywhere you touch there is not any cheap feeling material. This continue to the internals and even the apps. It feels so polished.

3. It got all the feature that I want: Retractable handle, build in stand, functional mudguard, lift sensor, bright head light, enough battery for most groups rides, and some extras like LED bling and speakers if I need to have extra fun.

4. 4.1" wide tire. Eat bumps and pot holes like it was nothing. I can quote @houseofjob here..

5. It's smaller in person. All videos and pictures out there does not do this wheel a justice (in my opinion). Is actually more compact when you see it in person.

 

Five reasons not to buy:

1. You need the money to purchase Z10 in the next 3 month.

2. You only ride once a month or less. Theres a battery drain issue when the wheels is off. (There's solution to this already in the forum or just ride it often ).

3. Want to ride 40+ miles in 1 charge. I wish it got 1600Wh battery.

4. Does not want to re-learn to ride this wheel. It got unique riding characteristics. The wheel behave differently at low speed and high speed. If the road is crown to much then this wheel will want to pulled you to the curb and to your demise..

5. Does not want to buy better safety gears..

[Planemo]

I agree with all of Kens points. Although I only have a Z6, the points I make are relevant to any Z so I will try to add a little more to the discussion.

Reasons to buy:

1. It looks bad ass. Nothing else comes close. From the first time I saw one I knew I would have one. Every other wheel currently out there either looks boxy, tacky, poorly made, presents light shows akin to a 70's disco or, in typical Chinese fashion, looks like it came from Pocahontas or a kids christmas toy. (Flame suit on at this point).

2. It exudes quality of build. Yes there have been problems with power boards and DOA battery packs but problems with boards are unlikely now and doa batteries can be revived. Other than that, everything about the Z is stout. I think Marty Backe coined the right description in that it is 'dense'. Its like comparing a top notch audio amp like a Krell to a cheapo Goodmans. The Krell feels like its honed from a billet of stainless but the Goodmans feels like a crisp packet. That stoutness however incurs weight. More about that point later.

3. I feel utterly safe on the wheel. I cant put my finger on it but it just seems like it has so much more to give than my kahunas will allow. Admittedly I haven't reached the max of the wheel yet but as Ken mentions, it just feels like the Segway influence has engineered the wheel to be totally safe if kept within design parameters. I compare it to a Suzuki Hayabusa I once owned - totally planted unless you do something really stupid. However, 'planted' can, on this wheel, give you a false sense of security. I will also come onto that later.

4. User friendliness. The wheel and the app just work. Bit like an iphone. No fuss, no drama. I do however ride with the excellent Wheelog app but only because it hooks up with my Samsung Galaxy watch and displays what I need without having to hold my phone. For setting up the wheel, changing parameters or just generally nosing around the 'guts' of the wheel, the Ninebot app is flawless.

5. Stability at low speed. I still cant believe how nimble this wheel is at crawling pace. Relevant if around people/sidewalks/crossings. Yes a smaller wheel can be nimble too, but the Z does it with far less effort. I can crawl with the Z far easier than my V5F and I put it down to its huge mass carried very low with (relatively) low footplates on a wide tyre. On the Z, all the weight is centered around the wheel itself - if you turn it off and swing the handle fowards and backwards theres very little weight carried above the top of the wheel. Far less than the V5/V8/V10 with their batteries mounted on top of the wheel. I cant comment on other wheels but I can say that Ninebot designing the motor (offset) to allow the battery to sit alongside and also balance each other out is a stroke of genius.

Reasons not to buy:

1. As Ken pointed out, the Z follows camber. This becomes particularly tiring if, like me, you have numerous drop kerbs (driveways)  to pass whilst riding on a sidewalk. In the UK, sidewalks (pavements) are often only 4 feet wide and often intersected by driveways exiting residences. With houses as they are in the UK, these drop kerbs can be every 30 feet. Its a pain, and you need to be on the ball because if you relax your concentration the camber change will hit the Z's tyre and have you into the road before you can say 'lovely ride this is...' My word 'planted' refers to surface conditions not involving sudden cambers, ruts or raised ridges. Thats not to say you cant deal with it, but you need to be aware of it. Constantly. Call it the 'Z learning curve' if you like. It can be mastered (search YouTube for Chooch offroad videos) but a Rolls Royce the Z aint. Go for an MSX or 18l if thats your bag.

2. Weight. The Z is heavy relative to its battery size. May not be a problem (it isnt for me) but 25kg isnt light for a 995Wh wheel. Part of this (IMO) is down to the build quality and part of it is down to the massive gauge wiring needed throughout the wheel and motor to deal with the (relatively) low voltage.

3. The power button. Yes it could be seen as a minor point but a quick press of the fairly exposed button to turn the wheel on or off is a bad move. I haven't had any major issues but I have turned the wheel off several times whilst manourvering the wheel and its a pain. Can be helped by buying or making a raised section around the power button.

4. Handling in general. The Z commands a different rider technique depending on speed. This can come as quite a surprise to the uninitiated. At low speeds, the Z handles like most other wheels (other than being incredibly planted, balanced and stable at super low speed) but as speed increases (I have found it to be between say 12 and 15mph but others may have different views depending on tyre pressure etc) you need to adopt a 'hanging off' style like a race motobike as the usual low speed footplate inputs just wont work and you will find yourself going straight ahead. Now, low and high speed techniques aren't the real problem, the issue is the 'dead zone' between the two. Which technique do you adopt? I refer you back to the 'Z learning curve'.

5. I'm starting to struggle now... Maybe support? At present the Z isnt supported outside of a few countries. This could be a deal breaker or no problem depending on your outlook. There are plans to bring the Z to the EU but nothing set in stone yet. Even Ewheels in the US has stopped marketing the Z due to power board and DOA battery problems. Its a big consideration for a buyer, but I am afraid I cant help you here with the decision. Thats down to you with your personal risk factors.

To summarise...if I had the money for another wheel, and I could pick anything available at the moment....I would upgrade from my Z6 to a Z10.

It wouldn't have the mileage and all-round usability of an MSX or the comfort of an 18L/XL, but I will stick to the track-tuned, finicky, highly strung and demanding Civic Type-R Z10 at the moment 

 

[stephen]

21 minutes ago, Planemo said:

I agree with all of Kens points. Although I only have a Z6, the points I make are relevant to any Z so I will try to add a little more to the discussion.

Reasons to buy:

1. It looks bad ass. Nothing else comes close. From the first time I saw one I knew I would have one. Every other wheel currently out there either looks boxy, tacky, poorly made, presents light shows akin to a 70's disco or, in typical Chinese fashion, looks like it came from Pocahontas or a kids christmas toy. (Flame suit on at this point).

2. It exudes quality of build. Yes there have been problems with power boards and DOA battery packs but problems with boards are unlikely now and doa batteries can be revived. Other than that, everything about the Z is stout. I think Marty Backe coined the right description in that it is 'dense'. Its like comparing a top notch audio amp like a Krell to a cheapo Goodmans. The Krell feels like its honed from a billet of stainless but the Goodmans feels like a crisp packet. That stoutness however incurs weight. More about that point later.

3. I feel utterly safe on the wheel. I cant put my finger on it but it just seems like it has so much more to give than my kahunas will allow. Admittedly I haven't reached the max of the wheel yet but as Ken mentions, it just feels like the Segway influence has engineered the wheel to be totally safe if kept within design parameters. I compare it to a Suzuki Hayabusa I once owned - totally planted unless you do something really stupid. However, 'planted' can, on this wheel, give you a false sense of security. I will also come onto that later.

4. User friendliness. The wheel and the app just work. Bit like an iphone. No fuss, no drama. I do however ride with the excellent Wheelog app but only because it hooks up with my Samsung Galaxy watch and displays what I need without having to hold my phone. For setting up the wheel, changing parameters or just generally nosing around the 'guts' of the wheel, the Ninebot app is flawless.

5. Stability at low speed. I still cant believe how nimble this wheel is at crawling pace. Relevant if around people/sidewalks/crossings. Yes a smaller wheel can be nimble too, but the Z does it with far less effort. I can crawl with the Z far easier than my V5F and I put it down to its huge mass carried very low with (relatively) low footplates on a wide tyre. On the Z, all the weight is centered around the wheel itself - if you turn it off and swing the handle fowards and backwards theres very little weight carried above the top of the wheel. Far less than the V5/V8/V10 with their batteries mounted on top of the wheel. I cant comment on other wheels but I can say that Ninebot designing the motor (offset) to allow the battery to sit alongside and also balance each other out is a stroke of genius.

Reasons not to buy:

1. As Ken pointed out, the Z follows camber. This becomes particularly tiring if, like me, you have numerous drop kerbs (driveways)  to pass whilst riding on a sidewalk. In the UK, sidewalks (pavements) are often only 4 feet wide and often intersected by driveways exiting residences. With houses as they are in the UK, these drop kerbs can be every 30 feet. Its a pain, and you need to be on the ball because if you relax your concentration the camber change will hit the Z's tyre and have you into the road before you can say 'lovely ride this is...' My word 'planted' refers to surface conditions not involving sudden cambers, ruts or raised ridges. Thats not to say you cant deal with it, but you need to be aware of it. Constantly. Call it the 'Z learning curve' if you like. It can be mastered (search YouTube for Chooch offroad videos) but a Rolls Royce the Z aint. Go for an MSX or 18l if thats your bag.

2. Weight. The Z is heavy relative to its battery size. May not be a problem (it isnt for me) but 25kg isnt light for a 995Wh wheel. Part of this (IMO) is down to the build quality and part of it is down to the massive gauge wiring needed throughout the wheel and motor to deal with the (relatively) low voltage.

3. The power button. Yes it could be seen as a minor point but a quick press of the fairly exposed button to turn the wheel on or off is a bad move. I haven't had any major issues but I have turned the wheel off several times whilst manourvering the wheel and its a pain. Can be helped by buying or making a raised section around the power button.

4. Handling in general. The Z commands a different rider technique depending on speed. This can come as quite a surprise to the uninitiated. At low speeds, the Z handles like most other wheels (other than being incredibly planted, balanced and stable at super low speed) but as speed increases (I have found it to be between say 12 and 15mph but others may have different views depending on tyre pressure etc) you need to adopt a 'hanging off' style like a race motobike as the usual low speed footplate inputs just wont work and you will find yourself going straight ahead. Now, low and high speed techniques aren't the real problem, the issue is the 'dead zone' between the two. Which technique do you adopt? I refer you back to the 'Z learning curve'.

5. I'm starting to struggle now... Maybe support? At present the Z isnt supported outside of a few countries. This could be a deal breaker or no problem depending on your outlook. There are plans to bring the Z to the EU but nothing set in stone yet. Even Ewheels in the US has stopped marketing the Z due to power board and DOA battery problems. Its a big consideration for a buyer, but I am afraid I cant help you here with the decision. Thats down to you with your personal risk factors.

To summarise...if I had the money for another wheel, and I could pick anything available at the moment....I would upgrade from my Z6 to a Z10.

It wouldn't have the mileage and all-round usability of an MSX or the comfort of an 18L/XL, but I will stick to the track-tuned, finicky, highly strung and demanding Civic Type-R Z10 at the moment 

 

Bravo 😊😊👍well said ,, I'll second that definitely 🤘

[Werner]

I  can totally agree with my previous speakers:

The Z10 is a unique wheel and makes fun at all speeds. 

I pumped up from a One S2 and was shocked at the first time when trying to turn. But after a few tries I loved it,  and i love it still!

Great wheel, so much fun. And the look is great too. 

Not any issue till now!  😎😍