Damn, this is effing hard... lol

[.....]

Just remember to NOT run up the access ramps on curbs at an angle doing 20mph. I took my euc out of town and finally rode around parking lots and down main street (35mph speed limits!) and sidewalks and all that good stuff. Only slight was hitting one of those ramps a tad late and at angle. Outer pedal took a chunk of concrete, collected orange paint, and luckily my momentum and stupidity mitigated the severe wobble induced. Fun times! Looking back on it, i bet you can already tell how FAST you've picked it up. Grats!

[meepmeepmayer]

7 minutes ago, Albatross said:

Oh no, she hasn't stopped expressing her dislike of the EUC since I got it.

I think the best course of action is to not even give her the idea she could have any influence over your wheels. Just packages showing up at the door when they do, that's the new normal now

[.....]

1 minute ago, meepmeepmayer said:

I think the best course of action is to not even give her the idea she could have any influence over your wheels. Just packages showing up at the door when they do, that's the new normal now

That only works for those of us smart enough to start a marriage under those conditions and FIGHT LIKE HELL to keep it that way for years to come. I've yet to see a man demote his wife from being his 'mom' , once she achieves that goal. I can see it now... 20 boxes arrive, she makes him move out back and live in them. Good news is that euc's come in pretty damn stout boxes. .

[Albatross]

She has been through this with Powered Paragliders (I used to fly when we just met), motorcycles, watches and other silly s#@t that I get into...

[Albatross]

I opened our computer yesterday and saw that she was looking up prices for a b8x electric unicycle.  Of course she got the v8f part wrong and the wheels that popped up were ninebot One e and c.  She is still trying to figure out how much I spent on it.  Money came from me selling a few vintage watches that I refurbished and from my paypal account, so she has no clue. 

[rainystateguy]

9 hours ago, Albatross said:

I opened our computer yesterday and saw that she was looking up prices for a b8x electric unicycle.  Of course she got the v8f part wrong and the wheels that popped up were ninebot One e and c.  She is still trying to figure out how much I spent on it.  Money came from me selling a few vintage watches that I refurbished and from my paypal account, so she has no clue. 

My friend Lyle passed away recently and I and a couple of other ham radio friends were over at his house helping his widow inventory and figure out how to sell his radio gear.  When she discovered his folder of receipts and invoices for the equipment she was flabbergasted. This was all paid for by money she had no idea he had, or was spending.  The 3 of us hams looked at each other with a smile and the same message in our eyes: "Way to go, Lyle.  You pulled it off!" 

Edited May 27, 2020 by rainystateguy

[.....]

7 hours ago, rainystateguy said:

My friend Lyle passed away recently and I and a couple of other ham radio friends were over at his house helping his widow inventory and figure out how to sell his radio gear.  When she discovered his folder of receipts and invoices for the equipment she was flabbergasted. This was all paid for by money she had no idea he had, or was spending.  The 3 of us hams looked at each other with a smile and the same message in our eyes: "Way to go, Lyle.  You pulled it off!" 

Best ending to a sad story, I've heard in ages. Only thing finer is hearing when a childless couple dies with a HUGE estate full of things, walls full of vacation photos and a MOUNTAIN of debt.    

Edited May 27, 2020 by ShanesPlanet

[Albatross]

6 hours ago, rainystateguy said:

My friend Lyle passed away recently and I and a couple of other ham radio friends were over at his house helping his widow inventory and figure out how to sell his radio gear.  When she discovered his folder of receipts and invoices for the equipment she was flabbergasted. This was all paid for by money she had no idea he had, or was spending.  The 3 of us hams looked at each other with a smile and the same message in our eyes: "Way to go, Lyle.  You pulled it off!" 

Wow, he kept the receipts.  I usually burn the evidence...

[rainystateguy]

7 hours ago, ShanesPlanet said:

*was it money she had, or was his and a typo?

Sorry, my bad.  It was money he had, that she didn't know about even though they had been been married for a very long time.  I shouldn't have corrected it after you had quoted it.

[meepmeepmayer]

2 hours ago, Albatross said:

Wow, he kept the receipts.  I usually burn the evidence...

Keeping bills and receipts is a beginner move indeed

Advanced move: burn, baby, burn

Pro move: fake receipts

Maybe we need a new subforum: "Wives and Wheels"...

Anyways (to stay on topic) when's your first GW or KS coming?

[Albatross]

Digging the KS16X or Tesla.  I need to sit tight for a couple of months.  I recently sold an old motorcycle that I had, but our main fridge crapped out, so money went to that.   I really want my 9 year old to learn how to ride so we can have this activity together, so will not be selling the v8f, will keep it for him.  Thought of getting him the Mten 3, but you guys are right, I will need a more powerful wheel soon, so I will save up for either a KS16X or Tesla. The wife seems mentally prepared for it, since when she asked I told her that I will be riding the v8f for at least a a year, she smiled and said that she is giving me 4 months, before there is going to be a new wheel in the garage and we will again have a hard budgeting conversation.  

 

[Unventor]

3 minutes ago, Albatross said:

when she asked I told her that I will be riding the v8f for at least a a year, she smiled and said that she is giving me 4 months, before there is going to be a new wheel in the garage and we will again have a hard budgeting conversation.  

I guess she knows you a bit to well....

In the other hand saving for 4 months give you time to check out if you need battery range or if new suspension models are as good as we hope for. 

I think the V11 will a hard wheel to get around as it it might be expensive to some but it has enough battery to do most jobs. And speed too. In 2-3 months time we shall see what normal owners think of their purchases.

The announcement today from IM is only making it better in my opinion.

[meepmeepmayer]

16 minutes ago, Albatross said:

The wife seems mentally prepared for it, since when she asked I told her that I will be riding the v8f for at least a a year, she smiled and said that she is giving me 4 months, before there is going to be a new wheel in the garage and we will again have a hard budgeting conversation.  

Just tell her you have a wheel subscription and wheels may just show up on short notice. Nothing you can do

[rainystateguy]

16 minutes ago, Albatross said:

  I really want my 9 year old to learn how to ride so we can have this activity together.

And so that you can continue to have a cameraman, now that your speed is such that he can't keep up.  

[Scottie]

1 hour ago, Albatross said:

Thought of getting him the Mten 3, but you guys are right, I will need a more powerful wheel soon, so I will save up for either a KS16X or Tesla.

I just got off the 16X minutes ago. It is a good wheel for big guys like us. Maybe not as fast as some other rockets, but way fast enough for me. It handles so well I feel like the Transformers Fat Ballerina when I ride it. But as @Unventor mentioned, that V11 is looking interesting also, and for now ... the same money from eWheels.

[.....]

3 hours ago, Albatross said:

Digging the KS16X or Tesla.  I need to sit tight for a couple of months.  I recently sold an old motorcycle that I had, but our main fridge crapped out, so money went to that.   I really want my 9 year old to learn how to ride so we can have this activity together, so will not be selling the v8f, will keep it for him.  Thought of getting him the Mten 3, but you guys are right, I will need a more powerful wheel soon, so I will save up for either a KS16X or Tesla. The wife seems mentally prepared for it, since when she asked I told her that I will be riding the v8f for at least a a year, she smiled and said that she is giving me 4 months, before there is going to be a new wheel in the garage and we will again have a hard budgeting conversation.  

 

just keep the v8F instead of selling at a loss, and put the 9yo on it. Hell, its ALL new to him, he wont know its big. The mten is very fun indeed, but not really great for a single wheel. With a v8 and something else big, youll have a better chance at riding together at a normal pace, as given enough time, he will also be just a cruisin'. Maybe not, but it aint like seeing a kid on a HUGE bicycle, wasnt common back in my day. Why? Poor parents havent enough money to upgrade as damn kids keep outgrowing shit. It was either go without, or learn to run and jump on that bike and hope one day you can reach the pedals from the seat... If you're smart, youll never GIVE the kid an euc, youll simply let him 'borrow' yours if he asks.  Youll also reserve the right to ride ALL of them at anytime with no argument, should your favorite be needing service. Ironically, my mother admitted that I had so little as a kid, they HAD to buy me a few things, JUST to have something to take from me when I was being a little shit. Beating my ass didnt seem to work. IN hindsight, nothing has changed, Im just bigger now.

Edited May 27, 2020 by ShanesPlanet

[Albatross]

I’m just floored at how much better I am at this!!!

Last weekend the wheel got away from me during dismount and I had to catch it. Slightly pulled my back in the process. Rode the wheel with slight discomfort since then.  Was getting gradually better. Legs and knees were killing me on Monday and Tuesday. Legs and knees got better, back still bothering me,  its  getting better. Took a day off riding yesterday. 
 

It’s raining outside right now, I’m “working” from home today. So situated the kids with homework and ran to the garage to put my gear on and got on the v8f. 
 

Wow, just wow.  I feel 100 times more relaxed on it. Take of was smooth with minimal correction. Rode for about a mile and then it started raining. Luckily I was back by my house.  Average speed was 17mph, top speed 20.6.  I’m amazed how smooth everything felt today. Changed my feet positioning with them being closer to the wheel. Before I was aiming to be somewhere in the middle. It feels much better. Also, changing the pedal pitch from 0 to -2 made a huge difference, I don’t feel like I’m hanging of the front of the pedals, just figured out that a slight discomfort that I was feeling before and that prevented me from relaxing more was this. 
 

Tried carving a little, but after a few rights and lefts. Tensed up and had to correct myself. 
 

New riding shoes are coming today. A pair of Vans Sk8-Hi. Looking forward to see the difference in riding in them vs my adidas boosts. Hoping the rain is going to stop so I can put a couple of more miles under my belt.  Want to feel confident enough to go on a bike trail this weekend. 

[Albatross]

Got a few short rides in between the raining. Actually worked up the nerve to hold something in my hands while riding. Here’s my first video riding. Using first gen GoPro I got for my son off eBay for $25. Actually enjoyed the process. Will look into getting a better camera.  
 

 

[.....]

51 minutes ago, Albatross said:

Got a few short rides in between the raining. Actually worked up the nerve to hold something in my hands while riding. Here’s my first video riding. Using first gen GoPro I got for my son off eBay for $25. Actually enjoyed the process. Will look into getting a better camera.  
 

 

You the man! That old ass gopro makes it feel like im about to watch a disco pop off, or some vhs porn. Cool ride man...you are now ready to post random BS in the video thread (j/k as theres no requirements aside from forum rules*no porn ). THanks for taking the time to edit and share!

 

[Albatross]

Tried venturing out in the dark. Rode around for 3.5 miles. Scared shirtless. Not ready for night riding lol. 

[meepmeepmayer]

Why, what's different?

[.....]

12 hours ago, Albatross said:

Tried venturing out in the dark. Rode around for 3.5 miles. Scared shirtless. Not ready for night riding lol. 

I noticed that too in my first couple hundred miles. Ride like the wind up and down my road all day. Nightfall comes and the same road became harder. Its all in the mind, but I do recall NOT trying to ride at night for a while. It wasn't me not seeing obstacles, it was like someone turned up the 'wobble knob' on the euc. Don't fret man, perfectly normal and it will just one day not be an issue. I can now ride at night and the 'wobble knob' must be deactivated. I will admit, the ks18 headlight isnt quite enough when going higher speeds, but a knuckle light or flashlight of some sort, solves this. Keep on keeping on man, you are explaining a natural progression. Its almost like you are putting into type, exactly how it was for me too.

[Albatross]

3 hours ago, meepmeepmayer said:

Why, what's different?

I don't know, but just like Shane said, wobbles galore!  I am sure its a mental thing.  I couldn't see very well ahead.  The v8f's headlight illuminates a few feet right in front of you and the rest is darkness.  Also, there were cars that were going around me and I was very stressed out because of that.  I tend to tense up and we all know what that leads to. I did try to ride around the neighborhood yesterday along with my kids on their bikes, to get used to ride with other people and objects moving around me.  It was very stressful, because again, every time something got closer to me I would tense up. 

[Albatross]

16 hours ago, ShanesPlanet said:

You the man! That old ass gopro makes it feel like im about to watch a disco pop off, or some vhs porn. Cool ride man...you are now ready to post random BS in the video thread (j/k as theres no requirements aside from forum rules*no porn ). THanks for taking the time to edit and share!

 

It's Dirk Diggler on a wheel...  That old GoPro surprised me though, $25 bucks and still doing it's thing.  But I am having fun with these videos, I understand why so many make them.  Adds an additional fun factor to the hobby.  I will look into getting a better camera eventually.  For now, I am working on selling some more of my hobby stuff, like some tools and a few vintage watches that I did work on to go towards a more powerful wheel in the next few months.  I am riding around my development and been venturing out to the neighborhood and my top speed is always around 20mph.  At this point, I am not sure that I want to go over 30 mph ever, but I am worried of overpowering the v8f and made a decision that my next wheel should have top speed not less then 30 mph.  Since budgeting is always an issue, I am seriously considering a new Tesla, unless I get lucky and get a used one for a good price. 

 

[meepmeepmayer]

24 minutes ago, Albatross said:

I don't know, but just like Shane said, wobbles galore!  I am sure its a mental thing.  I couldn't see very well ahead.  The v8f's headlight illuminates a few feet right in front of you and the rest is darkness.

Funny, for me it was the opposite. Not being able to see exactly how the ground was ahead made me relax. In daylight, every little bump and pothole and crack and twig looked scary (>50% going on unpaved terrain). In the night, you just ride over everything like it's nothing (because it is) in blissful ignorance and enjoy the coolness of the air and yourself

Anyways, all you need is more practice and maybe a heavier, tankier, more planted wheel and you'll roll in smooth confidence.