EUC in civil society?

[Blicky Te⚡️la]

Office meetings? Dinner dates? Meeting coworkers at the pub after work? 

I was walking my wheel though Whole Foods the other day and I think most of the looks came because of the insane light show that the KS18 projects (wish there was an easy way to turn them off then on).

What do you folks do? 

[eucinsea]

I live in Seattle proper and my EUC is my primary mode of transportation, I do not own a car. For this reason I take my euc almost everywhere I go.  I have never had a shop or restaurant/cafe give me any flack. I did once have a security guard ask me to carry vs wheel the euc across the nice marble lobby floor.

I will admit my newer KS 16x does make it a little harder than the Inmotion V8 I had before. Even my Fox Proframe helmet fit through the V8 trolly handle.

I usually get questions and curiosity about it more than anything else. I should sign up as an ewheels.com affiliate as many people as I send to the site ha.

I do get the a-hole cyclist ( maybe daily) who thinks only they (that one person not anyone else) should be only one allowed on the paths but I just laugh and if they try to start a pissing match I ask if they are just jealous. Usually makes them speed off and I let them.

As far as the lights, I use Darknessbot (for iOS) and there is an option to turn off the lights from within it. I cannot remember if the stock one has that.

 

 

[Hatchet]

The only negative experiences I have is with those darn bicycle guys in spandex, grr! I hate those guys, lol.

No store or hospital etc has ever had a negative to say about it. My wheel is my only transportation too, so it goes everywhere I do, or vice-versa I suppose. I've had people in the building remark that this was the first time they saw me without a helmet on.

 

[Biped Phil]

The grocery is easy:  you put the unicycle on the lower level of the cart.  

The dinner date should also be easy:  simply take them to a grocery.  

The office is nuanced.  If you are in the office because you are in search of a job, then by all means ride the unicycle.  Ride it right in.  Rock it back and forth before the receptionist.  You will be offered a full package (for forthrightness and bravery that are sadly lacking in the other employees), together with work-at-home privileges of at least four days a week.  On the other hand, if you already work at the office, then carry it in timidly, make polite apologies (bad knee for the bicycle), and stow it behind a desk.

Meeting coworkers at the pub after work is always a terrible idea, unicycle or not.  They may drink with you at work if they like, but they ought not burden your free time too.

[Rywokast]

On 9/2/2019 at 4:41 PM, General Principle said:

Office meetings? Dinner dates? Meeting coworkers at the pub after work? 

I was walking my wheel though Whole Foods the other day and I think most of the looks came because of the insane light show that the KS18 projects (wish there was an easy way to turn them off then on).

What do you folks do? 

why not just turn the lights off in the app? ive never had the lights on on any wheel ive owned most people dont even notice.. if i didnt have an option to turn the lights off, which so far every euc ive owned has, then i would just unplug them

[LanghamP]

On 9/2/2019 at 6:41 PM, General Principle said:

What do you folks do? 

Keeping yourself clean, bordering on sterile, is the expectation of the modern office. We move from HVAC house to HVAC enclosed car, to HVAC office space, the concern being how dirty you get crossing the parking lot. Apartment dwellers are looked upon with contempt, as they must walk through public spaces to get to their car.

Therefore keeping a wheel clean is the paramount task. While cleaning a wheel is trivial, keeping it clean is a monumental task. You can and will run over dog shit, plow through mud, and while you will be protected your wheel won't be.

You're essentially taking a filthy vehicle tire into polite society; best to keep it clean.

 

[Lillian]

19 hours ago, LanghamP said:

You can and will run over dog shit, plow through mud, and while you will be protected your wheel won't be.

You're essentially taking a filthy vehicle tire into polite society; best to keep it clean.

 

That's the very reason I wanted something smaller with a handle (skateboard-like, not the Mten) to compliment my EUC (V10) and carry into places where they may not want a tire rolling around.

[Scubadragonsan]

I do become carefree, self-indulging when I am riding my wheel, listening to my favorite music and munching my favorite snacks. A form of narcissism that few would want to tolerate or engage more than 5 minutes. Everyone and everything are blocked out! However, for some time, in the park, more than 10 squirrels and blue jays prancing around me perhaps for my snacks or admiring my skills seem to always fully engaging with me. They seem to give me the strength to try and practice new tricks on my wheel, a KS16S. Likewise, tossing them a few peanuts here and there, I admire their skills too--a kind of reciprocal respect. The squirrels make these lightning fast maneuvers chasing one another around the tree barks; the blue jays navigating through the tree branches with precision; I took on their spirits while practicing my maneuvers and tricks. We are members of a civil society with mutual feelings and respect because we find each other a joy to be with!

[Nothereanymore]

You just have to deal with it.  Bring it out more so people get used to it.

[Creative Nomad]

Interesting one. I've never given this much thought because it hasn't been an issue. I don't drive a car so it's necessary to use the handle to wheel my EUC around when not in use. If going in a public space the first thing I do is find an inconspicuous place where it isn't a tripping hazard. Perhaps it's the light that's the main concern? You could try a modification and create a flap to cover the headlight. Also cleaning the wheel often is a plus. I use car wax on the body and hose down the tyre carefully. I'm guessing most people are just curious about what it is. So just smile and walk proud! You're one of the first with the portable transportation of the future 

[Blicky Te⚡️la]

All good points. Since it’s so new just figuring it out. 

Coming from the bike commuting word I would always bike to dinner drinks etc. Its one thing to show up with a helmet in hand, a whole other walking in rocking full armor 😂 

[2 Drinks Behind]

Haven't done it a ton, but I wear a backpack when I'm riding.  Before I go inside a place I'll be for a while I usually de-gear: take off knee pads and wrist guards and put those in my pack.  Take off helmet and slide it over the trolley handle.  All I'm left with is my MC jacket.  Then I wheel the EUC in and find an inconspicuous location to rest it. 

[Blicky Te⚡️la]

1 hour ago, 2 Drinks Behind said:

Haven't done it a ton, but I wear a backpack when I'm riding.  Before I go inside a place I'll be for a while I usually de-gear: take off knee pads and wrist guards and put those in my pack.  Take off helmet and slide it over the trolley handle.  All I'm left with is my MC jacket.  Then I wheel the EUC in and find an inconspicuous location to rest it. 

Ahh I see...the argument for MC vs under body armor or pads 🤔 

[Rywokast]

2 hours ago, General Principle said:

All good points. Since it’s so new just figuring it out. 

Coming from the bike commuting word I would always bike to dinner drinks etc. Its one thing to show up with a helmet in hand, a whole other walking in rocking full armor 😂 

so just wear your normal clothes xD

[neurokinetik]

On 9/5/2019 at 3:35 PM, Creative Nomad said:

 Perhaps it's the light that's the main concern? You could try a modification and create a flap to cover the headlight.

Not necessary, at least on King Song or Gotway wheels.  Just hit the power button once or twice to cycle it on or off.

[Rywokast]

3 minutes ago, neurokinetik said:

Not necessary, at least on King Song or Gotway wheels.  Just hit the power button once or twice to cycle it on or off.

and inmotion and ninebot lol.. theres no euc where the front light is always on.. however most modern wheels will always have the tail light on, but thats not gonna stand out,, at least the thousands of times ive gone in to a store i have never noticed it

[Blicky Te⚡️la]

Your able to keep the lights off while the wheel is on? I prefer to walk with it on to make trolllying easier.

Lights aren’t the only thing though 

 

[Rywokast]

59 minutes ago, General Principle said:

Your able to keep the lights off while the wheel is on? I prefer to walk with it on to make trolllying easier.

Lights aren’t the only thing though 

the lights do not come on ever... i have them disabled in the app.. i dont get what you mean by making trolleying easier.. what i do is put in headphones and dont give a rats ass what anyone thinks or looks at haha, ive never once had a negative reaction

[Creative Nomad]

On 9/7/2019 at 2:29 AM, neurokinetik said:

Not necessary, at least on King Song or Gotway wheels.  Just hit the power button once or twice to cycle it on or off.

 Ah gotcha, I don't ride Kingsong so wouldn't know. From the description it sounded like he was unable to turn it off.

[Blicky Te⚡️la]

26 minutes ago, Creative Nomad said:

 Ah gotcha, I don't ride Kingsong so wouldn't know. From the description it sounded like he was unable to turn it off.

Yeah, didn’t realize it. 

I did however ride to meet my wife at the bar the other day. Asked the greeter if she could stash the wheel behind the host stand. 

[Creative Nomad]

11 minutes ago, General Principle said:

Yeah, didn’t realize it. 

I did however ride to meet my wife at the bar the other day. Asked the greeter if she could stash the wheel behind the host stand. 

Sounds like valet parking for EUC's. Nice!

[Blicky Te⚡️la]

Encountered a situation where it made sense for me to leave the wheel outside for bit, or at least stash it somewhere in the lobby.

It left me wishing I had some kind of lightweight minimum security lock on hand. Something like this https://ottodesignworks.com/shop?field_product_type_value=ottolock

 

Anyone ever lock their wheel briefly?

[LanghamP]

4 hours ago, General Principle said:

Encountered a situation where it made sense for me to leave the wheel outside for bit, or at least stash it somewhere in the lobby.

It left me wishing I had some kind of lightweight minimum security lock on hand. Something like this https://ottodesignworks.com/shop?field_product_type_value=ottolock

 

Anyone ever lock their wheel briefly?

Ottolock can be cut instantly with $12 tin snips. It can be cut with child scissors given a minute.

 

I use a folding bike lock with a combination. The links can slide flat between the very small space of the rim and the spoke.

[Blicky Te⚡️la]

10 hours ago, LanghamP said:

Ottolock can be cut instantly with $12 tin snips. It can be cut with child scissors given a minute.

 

I use a folding bike lock with a combination. The links can slide flat between the very small space of the rim and the spoke.

I’m coming from the bike world so I know about about this test. I checked out their upgraded version at my LBS and while it’s more robust, it is also wicked heavy, in which case you might as well carry a U lock.

I would never leave my EUC for any significant amount of time so was looking for low security...lightweight.

Also need something small and long enough to do the trick. 

What do you use..Abus?

[LanghamP]

50 minutes ago, General Principle said:

I’m coming from the bike world so I know about about this test. I checked out their upgraded version at my LBS and while it’s more robust, it is also wicked heavy, in which case you might as well carry a U lock.

I would never leave my EUC for any significant amount of time so was looking for low security...lightweight.

Also need something small and long enough to do the trick. 

What do you use..Abus?

I don't mind heavy, because it's not a bicycle you pedal. That being said I often use my 13 pound chain on my bicycle, because bike theft is a huge problem.

I have two combination locks, one is a cube RockBros while the other is the 8-9 mm chain from Kryptonite. I like chains because they are hard to cut with power tools, but a ulock gets cut within seconds with a cheap portable angle grinder.