Is it worth it?? - Devil's advocate here...

[Saile Zeugr]

Allow me to run with this one - I´ll play the devil´s advocate maybe just to convince myself it is all worth it.

I bought my EUC because it looked sooooo cool when EUCs passed me in the park just "gliding", as if magically carried by some otherworldly force...

At the time I thought to get one, practice and that eventually I would probably be able to feel that esoteric - with barely giving a thought to protection beyond my bicycle helmet.

Then while the thing arrived, I started watching videos and seeing people more and more like if they were going into a war zone - proper helmets, knee, elbow and knee protections, and some going the full hog with motorbike full gear.

I now have in my amazon basket a cornucopia of articles as above... so before I click the "pay now" button, my question has become: "Is it all worth it?"

And I dont mean the monetary hit, but the potential physical hit that appears to be an inevitable feature with riding these things...

Why do we do it when a car can go faster, longer, drier, more confortably (and is safer), a motorbike can go faster (and is safer), a bicycle can go further, we do exercise (and is safer), a scooter can go... well, can go (but is safer), walking is healthier (and is safer) - why an Electric UniCycle!?

...don't get me wrong, I will get my gear, put it on and roll forth into another tomorrow. It is just that I´d love to hear some participants' comments as to why we do this against all the odds of eventually having a (serious) fall.

Lean in, Saile

[Tawpie]

Excellent question... the gear definitely hints that the risks are high. I'm far too old to be doing this kind of thing, "what gets broke, stays broke" (@Paulo Mesquita), and I decided I needed to buy many hundreds of dollars of gear that may or may not actually work so the cost was far higher than I planned on. I look stupid (maybe not 'more' stupid, but stupid none the less) on my wheel, it takes 10 minutes to get ready, 10 minutes to take it all off again. I have to lug a 55+ pound wheel up and down a flight of stairs and negotiate with the spouse about all the crap I've brought into the house. I keep a wary eye on my wheels when charging and am constantly thinking of how to build something for outside storage because they might start on fire.

Myriad reasons to stick with an ebike.

And still I now own 3 wheels. For me, it truly is magic. It's relaxing, it's loads of fun. Group rides are a blast—mixing with the kids and everyone's having a good time. Exploring places in the woods I wouldn't bother to walk. I could go on and on. My SO has an ebike and it's nice and ticks all of the boxes, but it's nowhere near as fun. Maybe I'm biased a bit because I've spent a fair pile of cash on this, but that money had been saved to update a 2012 computer—and I don't regret shifting it to wheels. Not for a second.

Edited January 6, 2022 by Tawpie
my mini is a 2012, quite a bit newer actually!

[RockyTop]

I become one with the wheel with more agility and grace than a bicycle. I get to see more and enjoy the freedom…. that’s why 

[RagingGrandpa]

1 hour ago, Saile Zeugr said:

a motorbike can go faster, a bicycle can go further, we do exercise (and is safer), a scooter can go... well, can go (but is safer)

EUC can be used in more environments than any 2-wheel machine. Walking pace, dense crowds, inside restaurants (trolly), tight turns; and at the same time mix with city traffic at 30mph. Unmatched versatility. You'll spend the first 6mos discovering all the places you can use it. Big fun.

 

Edited January 6, 2022 by RagingGrandpa
(MC is certainly not safer, removed that)

[.....]

I'm aware of the risks and still ride. For me, YES it's worth it. Some of life's most enjoyable things are far less than safe. I guess it boild down to a personal balance. If you're the type that lets the old lady stop you from riding a motorcycle. If you're the type that won't run because walking is safer. If you're the type that can't live in the moment because you are always preoccupied with 'what if's'..... nope, it aint gna be worth it. Statistically, you are probably more likely to die in a car crash. Is it worth it? For me, its an easy choice. You do realize that you dont HAVE to buy a crap ton of expensive gear to ride. Of course, mine's not a popular opinion, but nothing is stopping you from deciding your own level of protecive gear and to ride accordingly. Honestly, Living in a city at all, is not worth it to me. Yet, many will disagree with me. I guess its basically up to you to figure out. I will say this: It gets MUCH easier to ride after the initial learn curve. How dangerous it becomes is somewhat within you're control.

Riding an euc makes me feel alive. Paramotoring makes me feel alive. I have grown up doing things because of how they make me feel, NOT because they were safe. My biggest fear is allowing that fear to undermine new experiences and living. Once you become ONE with a wheel, you would surely laugh at the mere idea that it wasnt worth it. Want further proof?  Even those of us who are suspect about the quality of eucs, still ride. Me, I bitch and bitch, then I hop on a wheel and the bitching ALMOST stops. You wanna see an oddity. Watch some of my vid, you may even see a smile now and then. I know, preposterous, right?

Edited January 6, 2022 by ShanesPlanet

[OldFartRides]

The more I ride the slower I go. There’s more to see, hear, enjoy. If you’re in a hurry, take a car or motorcycle.

All these youngins with a need for speed never get hurt and will live forever…

 Best,

[Saile Zeugr]

Hi guys/gals!

Thanks so much for such inspirational posts.

To paraphrase a Will Smith quote: "God placed the best things in life on the other side of *risk*” - (he would say "fear").

I love some of the comments and would summarise the whole thread with:

3 hours ago, Tawpie said:

For me, it truly is magic. It's relaxing, it's loads of fun. Group rides are a blast—

 

3 hours ago, RockyTop said:

I become one with the wheel with more agility and grace than a bicycle.

 

3 hours ago, RagingGrandpa said:

Unmatched versatility. You'll spend the first 6mos discovering all the places you can use it. Big fun.

 

2 hours ago, ShanesPlanet said:

Riding an euc makes me feel alive. Paramotoring makes me feel alive.

 

2 hours ago, OldFartRides said:

The more I ride the slower I go. There’s more to see, hear, enjoy.

Thanks so much again, got me on the edge looking forward to my next ride.

Lean in! Saile

[Paul A]

agronick

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• Location: Rhode Island
• EUC: Gotway MSP

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Posted September 22, 2020

I had an ongoing problem with the msp that I could not hear the beeps at all. I had hit 41 so thought I would be good with an alarm at 37. I had a cut out with full gear face helmit, motorcycle jacket, shin guards and knee pads, wrist guards at 34. It seems the knee pads were not the best in the world. My knee and leg are shattered. I'm writing this from a hospital bed. Surgery is tomorrow and I'll have plates and nails in my leg for the rest of my life. 

Funny enough the ride was captured in euc.world including the ambulance ride. https://euc.world/tour/590631998943178

Heres a pic of me now and my friends being bros documenting the event.

Marty Backe, Meulebeest, DjPanJan and 2 others like this

•  

__________________________

 

Seems that those Leatt type shin guards, popular with EUC riders, are not actually all that effective in a crash.

 

[Scottie]

23 hours ago, Saile Zeugr said:

I will get my gear, put it on and roll forth into another tomorrow. It is just that I´d love to hear some participants' comments as to why we do this against all the odds of eventually having a (serious) fall.

We all have our reasons for riding an EUC.

It can be dangerous, but we do have some control over how dangerous it is by controlling our need for speed. If we ride like @OldFartRides and enjoy the scenery, we can step off / run off. Yes, we can get hurt even at low speeds, but odds are more in our favor and it should be a minor fall.

I like the way @ShanesPlanet summed up risk acceptance, and how it relates to being alive.

My thoughts about riding are very much agree with what @mrelwood expressed in his wonderful video. This is a "must watch"! 

[Boostnsvt]

I’ve had several injuries and still have pain from them. Some of the activities I did I still do, others I physically can not. I believe that for me I will continue to risk injury for enjoyment until I can’t anymore.

The seeing more and riding slower analogy applies to me as well. Recently I fractured my shoulder on skates and continue to skate but at a much slower and alert pace.

 

I’d also add that I believe electric vehicles are the future in transportation. Even in the USA where gas is cheap, saving money equivalent to a tank of gas with all the additional benefits is too much to pass up. The practicality of them already outweigh everything else.

Edited January 7, 2022 by Boostnsvt
Adding

[Funky]

19 minutes ago, Boostnsvt said:

I’ve had several injuries and still have pain from them. Some of the activities I did I still do, others I physically can not. I believe that for me I will continue to risk injury for enjoyment until I can’t anymore.

The seeing more and riding slower analogy applies to me as well. Recently I fractured my shoulder on skates and continue to skate but at a much slower and alert pace.

 

I’d also add that I believe electric vehicles are the future in transportation. Even in the USA where gas is cheap, saving money equivalent to a tank of gas with all the additional benefits is too much to pass up. The practicality of them already outweigh everything else.

Ofc it's the future. Electricity vs dino bones.. Can't wait solid state batteries, that don't explode or catch on fire. + 100% charge in ~20 mins, more battery life, 2x range for same weight = lighter wheels, or same weight for 2x range. That would be dream come true for euc riders.

[Scubadragonsan]

EUC for me is both practical and fun. True… car, motorcycle, bicycles....are all faster and can carry more! Car cost me $80 dollars a month, parking another $80; motorcycle $50 a month; public transport, $60; bicycle nothing. All these means of transportation are bulky and not faster. To and fro work takes me 18 minutes on an EUC…from my house door to my workplace door can be as quick as any of these other means of transport and cheaper. It only costs me $5 of electricity each month charging my EUC. At work, I put my EUC under my table; that's it...no parking, no walking from garage to workplace, no waiting for bus...   Whether or not EUC is fun is a subjective thing. But I have to agree with all other EUC riders on this forum and in YouTube: It is well worth it!

Edited January 8, 2022 by Scubadragonsan