Gotway/Begode EXN as a beginner wheel???

[upbnsfrrfan]

Hi guys. First time again in the forum. Anyway, I need everybody's opinion and advice in terms of purchasing my first wheel. I have been web shopping around to see which ones I would end up with. Basically, I've looked at Inmotion, Kingsong and Gotway/Begode.  I checked all their models, features and handling abilities but somehow I always end up on the EXN. I love it's looks, features and it's wide tires.  I'll probably going to use it mostly for all around city and work commuting for now. Do you guys think the EXN is an ok beginner or an overkill? Thanks in advance for all your tips, opinions and advice.

Larry

Edited April 9, 2021 by upbnsfrrfan

[Tawpie]

If you keep coming back to EXN, you MUST buy it. You can learn on pretty much anything if you're determined (well, maybe not a monster pro, you'll kill your back), and few things motivate like a substantial financial commitment. Lighter wheels are generally easier to learn on but folks have learned on Shermans. Keep in mind your learner wheel will get banged up, so you can't be too much in love with it's virginal good looks because they don't last long. But you won't care too much, you can't see the scratches when you're riding anyway.

Edited April 9, 2021 by Tawpie

[KAY GEE]

I would say this again, as a beginner, it's better to start with a smaller wheel like the Inmotion V8 or Kingsong 16S, if you end up not riding, then you can sell the wheel.

if you end up falling in love with riding EUC's or uni, then those smaller wheels gives you the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of riding which is gonna involve you dropping and bashing your pristine wheel before the clamour for more range kicks in which is a given, then you could go for the Gotway EX.N and keep the smaller wheel for your friends to try out or grocery shopping etc.

The Gotway EX.N and Veteran Sherman are powerful wheels and I personally wouldn't recommend it to newbies/beginners, just like you don't buy a Ferrari, Mustang or Chevy Camaro as your first car after passing your test.

My two cents, you're more than welcome to disagree with my opinion.

 

 

 

Edited April 9, 2021 by KAY GEE

[RockyTop]

WOW!! 
Here is my take.

If you can afford the EXN as a first wheel you can afford to buy a learning wheel like the V8 or other mid sized wheel. It will make learning easier. When you are done with the learning wheel you can keep it as a backup wheel, give it to a friend, sell it or toss it in your car as an emergency escape vehicle. 

If you can barely afford the EXN than you need to buy a learning wheel to protect your investment in the EXN. It will get banged up during the learning process. 

[.....]

I'd snag a much lighter wheel as a first wheel. I still prefer my 18L over my sherman for MOST things. There's something to be had about NOT spending nearly $3k on a first wheel. Also smart idea to not have a heavy ass brick to contend with for learners. Definitely doable, but meh.. Buy a good 16 or 18" wheel used or at a bargain. You won't end up owning just one anyhow. May as well learn on something less expensive and easier to handle.

[meepmeepmayer]

15 hours ago, upbnsfrrfan said:

but somehow I always end up on the EXN

Get the EX.N! Always trust your instincts regarding which wheel to choose.

14 hours ago, Tawpie said:

If you keep coming back to EXN, you MUST buy it.

Exactly!

[null]

While a smaller EUC is easier to handle and less if an issue to bang up, it’s still a lot if money. Many people have learned on larger EUCs, I’d say go for it but pad it well.

[Surfling]

Larry,

    I says you WANT the EXN but as a beginner, prolly NEED something lighter for a better learning curve. Just giving another vote on practical advises others posted.

That said, I would assume you're sizable enough to handle an 80-lb rocket under your feet. So protection matters. Good luck 

[upbnsfrrfan]

Thanks for the all the advice, greatly appreciate it. I did own a V8 before but only for a really short time not even enough for me to fully practice just because of a sudden family crisis and after that forgot about it and also have to do a quick sale on my V8 😕  Size wise I'm just average 5'6" / 140. Hmmm decisions decisions 😁

Edited April 9, 2021 by upbnsfrrfan

[upbnsfrrfan]

It's calling me.......

 

Edited April 10, 2021 by upbnsfrrfan

[.....]

43 minutes ago, upbnsfrrfan said:

It's calling me.......

 

Now take a few moments to look at the images of the INSIDE of the wheel and what to expect for build. It may slow your drooling just a hair . Big wheels are fun, but can also be a total pita. Any need to carry up stairs of lift onto transportation? Any specific range requirements? You better buy something before you go insane. The virus us real, you will own multiples shortly thereafter.

Edited April 10, 2021 by ShanesPlanet

[YourAubsome]

I've only had EUCs for a little over a month. I started with a S18, then got a mten3 for my daughter, and my EXN should arrive in the next 2 hours!!

As far as learning on a big wheel goes: I have now taught 4 people how to ride wheels including my daughter who just turned 6. Everyone has wildly different experiences. I literally hopped on the S18 and rode off (first time ever trying a wheel). I have a huge amount of action sports experience (basically everything on wheels, snow, and water) so I'm not your typical person.

My friend bought a Sherman and I taught him how to ride it. It took me about 30 minutes to train him to ride it in 20 seconds bursts all on his own (with assisted starting) and he is maybe a little above average in terms of athleticism and action sports experience. I consider myself a good teacher as he was the 3rd person I taught and I figured out the ideal location (old tennis courts are perfectly flat and no one cares if they get scratched when you drop a wheel) and technique (no time to explain technique I use now, but its way better than what I saw others suggesting in videos) for teaching someone. He actually owned the Sherman for 3 months and tried to learn to ride it on his own multiple times without any luck. He then saw a video I posted on facebook of my daughter riding a wheel and that's when he texted me telling me had a brand new Sherman sitting in his closet and asking if I could teach him how to do it! 

My girlfriend has minimal action sports experience but is an athlete (me and her play very competitive volleyball 3-4 times a week). It took her about 20 minutes to ride the mten3 in short bursts on her own and another 30 minutes to start on her own and ride for longer durations. I started her on the mten3 just because I was using the s18 at the time.

My 6 year old daughter took about as long to learn as my girlfriend but she's exceptionally talented at these types of things (she rides an adult electric scooter at 25 MPH 😲)

I met a guy a few days ago at a friends house who wanted to try my S18 but I was not in the teaching mood (its a lot of work the way I do it) so I told him your welcome to try it all you want in the back yard (on grass) but its going to be very hard and you likely won't get it. He tried it for about 10 minutes and I was amazed that he was actually getting started and riding for 10-20 feet in bumpy grass so I knew I had to give him a chance on the road. I assisted him on the road for a few minutes and he was pretty stable but I didn't want him dropping the wheel so I told him if he could ride it better in the grass then I would let him try it on the road again. 10 minutes later he was riding on the road by himself without a problem (at low speeds). 

If you have the right skillset and determination then you can start with whatever you want. Other people will tell you its dumb to start with something huge. I bet you I could have jumped right on the monster pro and rode off the first time (my first time ever riding an EUC). 

Edited May 11, 2021 by sevin7
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[JohnnyV8]

Get a smaller wheel-  being able to make a wheel roll is not understanding how to ride the wheel. There are niceties which are best to find out on something that is not going to hurt you when you find out. 
 

 

[Mrd777]

Definitely get a smaller wheel especially if it’s primarily for city riding. I love my ex.n , however it’s a lot of wheel for city riding and for learning on. I use it more for long range speed run rides where I’m maintaining 30 to 35 mph. It’s heavy lifting it up steps and pushing it around in supermarkets, restaurants etc. it’s a fabulous wheel but I’d pick something smaller, lighter and quicker (not faster) like the Tesla 2 or 3. It’s also less then half the price.

[KPul]

I recently got an EX.N as a first wheel. I also let my GF use it to learn. It took us both about 1h to learn to ride alone, a bit shaky and without turning. Add another hour perhaps to be able to start without support. After a few days, riding was fairly smooth. I let my two brothers try after I learned my own lessons and they could stand up and ride (without support) "shaky" after about 5-10 min each. The wheel was dropped around one time per person. Only some smaller scratches.

 

I dont agree with people putting out generic warnings about big wheels as first wheel. The fact that it is heavy does have implications for riding. But the size/weight itself doesnt make it a bad first wheel. A small wheel would 100% have been worse for me after about 2h of learning and perhaps not even better for the first 2h. With the big wheel I could tell (and convince) my brothers that the only thing they needed to do was to jump on and then as quickly as possible lean forward as much as they dared. The wheel would never let them fall forward/backward and with momentum they couldnt fall to any side. Not sure I would have told them that with a smaller/weaker wheel and not sure whether the gyro effect (i.e. value of gaining momentum) is as obvious with a smaller/more wobbly wheel.