Introducing myself & thoughts on buying my first second wheel

[yoric]

I'm new here (this is my second post), so first I'd like to thank the community for bringing such good content. This is the best source of information about EUC I came across in the entire world wide web.

I literally spent like 50 hours from the past 7 days to read as much as I could, plus watching videos and pictures. That's really amazing all the information one can get from this forum. Passion is all over the place. I was thrilled to browse it all. I feel like knowing some of you guys, although you're perfect strangers, and I'm even more a stranger to you. This is a magic (and weirdness) of Internet I guess.

A bit about me: I bought an Inmotion V8 4 years ago (boy, time is flying), when it just came out. It has been the weirdest thing I bought, and the coolest thing I ever had.
I became one with it: I brought it everywhere I go. Even to do grocery, to fetch water 100 meters away, to baby-sleep my one year old baby, or for epic rides in the forrest/mountains. Overall, I found it a futuristic way to explore the world surrounding us. I surprised myself to go to some places of my childhood village I had never been before. I'm a sportive kind of guy, and I like to walk, but I'm amazed with how easy it feels to go from point A to point B, like almost instant teleportation. Thus, it's such a wonderful device to fulfill one's instinctive appeal to discover what's after this road, or what's behind this hill. I went to places I would never have been without and I'm glad I did. You may object it's even easier by car, but the magic here is to go almost everywhere a pedestrian can go (at least everywhere a bicycle can go). It also feels  totally different. I guess it's because of the minimalist design: it's an immersive experience.

I didn't expect to fall in love this much with it until I left for two years to Vietnam. I missed it so much. You realize you love someone the day he's gone, right?
Vietnam is not suitable to ride wheels, at least in big cities (I've stayed both in Hanoi and Ho-Chi-Minh), because of poor side walk condition, absence of bike lanes, and heavy scooter trafic taking all over the place.

Fast forward two years and I'm now in Spain. Perfect spots to ride a wheel are everywhere, my head is spinning and it hurts not to have a EUC under my feet. I count the days until I can get one. I can't think of anything but this, while eating, while sleeping, while pooping. Hopefully once I buy one my mental activity can go back to normal.

I've read tons to solve the classic dilemma: which wheel to choose? and where to buy it?
I really loved the V8, so I first wanted to buy another one (second hand). I didn't find any, and the thing is I wish I can go further, and faster when optimal conditions are met (smooth dry road, good visibility).
I read plenty about the reliable K16S, the compact MCM5, the 2.5'' wide V10F. The Nikola, Z10, MSuperX, Monster, KS18L... are out of my league. I'm also interested in smaller wheels like the Mten3 or v5F but they're shorter on range and I unfortunately don't plan to buy two models (short and long range) so I came to choose... the Tesla v2 (after ever changing thoughts).

With choosing the model also comes the budget and where to buy it.
I bought my first EUC for $700 and because I've been so satisfied, I didn't want to spend more unless it gives a clear advantage. For example, spending $900 or more on the V8F would not be worth it to me. But spending $1000 to double the range and x4 the power: I'm in.

Is buying a EUC from AliExpress really bad?
I'm really tempted to buy it on AliExpress for the price, despite of the 4 to 5 weeks delay (I already waited for 2 years). The seller I found is offering the Tesla for $1090 and has good reviews. This is also a cheaper price because of choosing the "rail transportation" instead of the default "air transportation".
The main concern I have is the following:

Will the EUC-World application be compatible with my wheel or not?
I am not sure how a big deal this can be (I never knew about this app until a few days ago). I guess this App can be pretty handy, and almost feel mandatory / addictive for long ride sessions?
I am actually not sure if buying the wheel on Ali will prevent the app from working? (I read contradictory informations, hence the confusion)
What I understood is some wheels are manufactured for the asian local market, and others for the outside world.
But I don't fully mesure the consequences of buying one destined to Asia.
(I actually bought my first wheel on AliExpress, and had no issue with using the basic App that comes with it, but now I wish I can use some more sophisticated App to review what I just ride on a map)

Other interesting topics I've searched on this forum, and may come back to later:

• Putting slime into the wheel to avoid flat wheel;
• Buying a pebble/smart watch to adjust one's driving style
• Equipment to prevent injuries (knees, wrist, head, elbow, torso)
• Apps to view and share EUC trips on a map
• Adding mirror to see what's happening behind
• Adding a better front light / rear light
• Buying a smart fast charger (does it worth it?)
• Laws and regulation in a specific city / country (in my case: Valencia / Spain)
• Do I need to pay for an insurance?
• Material to record videos while riding (360?)
• Housing to protect the wheel (if ever it exists for the Tesla)
• Contact other local riders to share and enjoy beautiful rides
• How everyone got injured, to rise self-awareness
   

Edited February 19, 2020 by yoric
Typo

[rolekl]

I've bought a v5f from Gearbest and just recently a Nikola from Ali. I've been lucky both times it seems. 

I'm still a beginner but my belief is that only Kingsong goes into the "local market hassle".

[yoric]

2 hours ago, rolekl said:

I've bought a v5f from Gearbest and just recently a Nikola from Ali. I've been lucky both times it seems. 

I'm still a beginner but my belief is that only Kingsong goes into the "local market hassle".

Thanks for sharing your experience with Gearbest, which is very AliExpress-like.

By the way, nice combo "V5F + Nikola" !

[gr8ps]

1. Buying via AliExpress: from what I gather, it's not so bad so long as the wheel works initially and you are fine with next to no after-sale support. 
2. EUC World - from what I understand, it is compatible with most Gotway and Kingsong wheels, the Tesla should be fine. Remember that EUC World is an android only application. 
3. I don't see any reason why buying from AliExpress would affect your ability to connect to a Gotway wheel. Sometimes there are issues with Kingsong where the wheel forgets the serial number.

A lot of your other questions are unique to you. From what I gather, the rules and consequences for riding EUCs are more severe in Europe compared to the US. I find the stock charger more than sufficient for my riding but I don't go on long rides and my batteries hold more range than I can comfortably ride in a day. 

Best of luck to you, I would recommend getting the Tesla. I started with a Kingsong 16S and I think if I started with a Gotway Tesla, I may not have felt the need to go out and buy a Nikola Plus, which cost an additional $2,500. 

[mrelwood]

 

Quote

1. EUC World - from what I understand, it is compatible with most Gotway and Kingsong wheels, the Tesla should be fine. Remember that EUC World is an android only application.

EUC World and DarknessBot (iOS) do not support speed settings, calibration or firmware updates on KS wheels with a serial number that identifies retail for inland China. That includes wheels bought from Aliexpress etc.

International KS versions might start appearing in Ali at some point. Or they might be available on request (and a fee).

Edit:

Lovely story by the way, @yoric! Amazing how strongly riding stays stuck with you... for two years! Earlier Finnish winters caused a 4 month gap for me, and no day went by where I didn’t think about riding. This winter: knobby MC tire with studs, and barely any snow, so I’ve kept on riding!

With the exception of KingSong wheels, Aliexpress is a viable source for purchase. Reputable sellers may offer spare parts as a warranty, just replacing them would be on you. Though I’d imagine a bunch of riders love working on their wheels almost as much as I do...

Seeing how much you loved the V8, I’d expect the Tesla V2 to bring you to happy tears and a level of excitement you never inagined!

Edited February 17, 2020 by mrelwood

[yoric]

17 hours ago, gr8ps said:

1. Buying via AliExpress: from what I gather, it's not so bad so long as the wheel works initially and you are fine with next to no after-sale support. 
2. EUC World - from what I understand, it is compatible with most Gotway and Kingsong wheels, the Tesla should be fine. Remember that EUC World is an android only application. 
3. I don't see any reason why buying from AliExpress would affect your ability to connect to a Gotway wheel. Sometimes there are issues with Kingsong where the wheel forgets the serial number.

A lot of your other questions are unique to you. From what I gather, the rules and consequences for riding EUCs are more severe in Europe compared to the US. I find the stock charger more than sufficient for my riding but I don't go on long rides and my batteries hold more range than I can comfortably ride in a day. 

Best of luck to you, I would recommend getting the Tesla. I started with a Kingsong 16S and I think if I started with a Gotway Tesla, I may not have felt the need to go out and buy a Nikola Plus, which cost an additional $2,500. 

Thanks for your effort in wrapping up my questions and answering them. It conforts my decision in buying the Tesla 2, and buying it on AliExpress, with the pros and cons it entails.
(To be fair, If I wasn't on a budget, I might have considered buying the KS16X for its extra off-road capabilities, but for now the Tesla 2 has the best ratio value/price I came with for my needs)

I won't buy a fast charger for now. As far as I understand, it's mostly for people riding 50 miles or more in the same day, and making a pause to charge back their wheel in two hours.

8 hours ago, mrelwood said:

 

EUC World and DarknessBot (iOS) do not support speed settings, calibration or firmware updates on KS wheels with a serial number that identifies retail for inland China. That includes wheels bought from Aliexpress etc.

International KS versions might start appearing in Ali at some point. Or they might be available on request (and a fee).

Thanks for those precisions about the KingSong models, it's better to know this before buying. If I were to buy the KS16X, I probably won't buy it from Bangood/AliExpress then.

8 hours ago, mrelwood said:

Earlier Finnish winters caused a 4 month gap for me, and no day went by where I didn’t think about riding. This winter: knobby MC tire with studs, and barely any snow, so I’ve kept on riding!

Really, 4 months without riding because of winter season, I guess winter is agressive in Finland. And you kept thinking about about riding every single day. Hahaha, I'm not the only one addicted. Those wheels are for sure addictive!

That's really cool having equipped your wheel with special tires. This must be tricky to install, but then it must gives a total new touch and feel for riding on snowy/muddy roads.
 

8 hours ago, mrelwood said:

Seeing how much you loved the V8, I’d expect the Tesla V2 to bring you to happy tears and a level of excitement you never inagined!

I'm sure it will. I just ordered it! This gonna be the longest month ever waiting it arrives from China!

Thanks to this forum I could contact some local guys where I live using a Telegram group. They shared maps where to ride, and it's beyond my imagination. I can't wait to ride all of those, wow, great moments ahead!

Spoiler

 

 

Edited February 17, 2020 by yoric
Added Maps

[mrelwood]

 

4 hours ago, yoric said:

Really, 4 months without riding because of winter season, I guess winter is agressive in Finland.

At least it used to be, snow and ice for up to that long. I had previously decided not to risk it even on snow. Now that I was finally prepared... sigh!

4 hours ago, yoric said:

That's really cool having equipped your wheel with special tires. This must be tricky to install, but then it must gives a total new touch and feel for riding on snowy/muddy roads.

The install wasn’t much more tricky than just a regular tire replacement, as long as you have sourced a tire that fits. Regarding the new feel... you can’t even imagine! Just yesterday I thought my brother was on the phone since he slowed way down. I waited for him and he said that he didn’t want to ride that fast on mud.

”You call THAT mud?!” 

Snow is the same, not much care in the world riding on it! It did take me a good while to learn to trust the tire, but apparently I now do.

Riding on snow, or even on wet leaves or thin mud used to be like walking on a slackline, very slow and careful. On my behemoth of an offroad tire it really is just ”riding”. I do wish other tire sizes than the MSX were better represented with offerings for real off-road and winter, as I believe the customer base now exists. Hopefully some day.

[yoric]

17 hours ago, mrelwood said:

Regarding the new feel... you can’t even imagine! Just yesterday I thought my brother was on the phone since he slowed way down. I waited for him and he said that he didn’t want to ride that fast on mud.

”You call THAT mud?!” 

Snow is the same, not much care in the world riding on it! It did take me a good while to learn to trust the tire, but apparently I now do.

Riding on snow, or even on wet leaves or thin mud used to be like walking on a slackline, very slow and careful. On my behemoth of an offroad tire it really is just ”riding”. I do wish other tire sizes than the MSX were better represented with offerings for real off-road and winter, as I believe the customer base now exists. Hopefully some day.

That's interesting, it means changing tires can make a huge difference depending on the ground / soil condition.
The only thing is to find such tire for a specific wheel model. Time will give us more choice hopefully :-)