Is the Begode Master way too much for a 1st timer?

[Funky]

6 hours ago, Hellkitten said:

A few of our local riders had some traditional unicycle riding experience and all of them picked it up much easier than most.  I obviously can’t say for sure if it was that background or that those people might just be better at picking up balancing activities than others. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I had no experience in any kind of EUC riding. Only regular bicycle for over a decade. And in general i was an "shut-in" who doesn't enjoy outdoor activities. And balancing gave me zero problems. I was staying on EUC with both feet on pedals, but in place for about 3 seconds before loosing balance, because i wasn't moving forwards. When i finally had enough at 4th day.. I did crazy superman lean and that got me going. When wheel started to move forwards - from that moment it was very easy.

I figure balancing in place for 4 days made me a pro.  Because soon as wheel started to move forwards - it was so effortless to balance/ride. Felt like you where simply standing. Second day of riding i was already riding true people/city - That easy.

Only stopping gave me little bit of issue. As sometimes i dropped wheel sideways, or put feet down to fast and wheel went forwards 1 meter and dropping sideways. At least for first week or so. One time wheel did a barrel roll (I saw tire/handle/tire/handle 2 times. Rolling like a coin, before stopping and dropping sideways. ) 

Edited March 11 by Funky

[noonewantstobepeterchris]

21 hours ago, Funky said:

Wrong.

 

Nope. They said they have a 20 mile commute in North America.

[noonewantstobepeterchris]

19 hours ago, xiiijojjo said:

And thank GOD that I didn't have access to an ET MAX after my first 20 hours, because I would have been gone and buried, a long time ago. 

You can absolutely wreck yourself on a Master. I should know, I am currently dead. 

Edited March 11 by noonewantstobepeterchris

[Funky]

24 minutes ago, noonewantstobepeterchris said:

Nope. They said they have a 20 mile commute in North America.

You where talking about the Author. And i was saying in general.  (Little bit miss read your comment.. )

Yup in his case - those smaller wheels would be pointless for sure. And i think he knows how big range he needs, so naturally anything that cant do double the range aren't even worth thinking. 

If he needs 20 miles, he should look for wheel that can do 40 miles. And Master should have it.  Simply because wheels operate the best when battery is on fuller side, rater than empty side.

[Funky]

23 minutes ago, noonewantstobepeterchris said:

I am currently dead. 

How are you typing then? Ghost? Zombie? Vampire? Ghoul? Reincarnated squirrel jumping on keyboard? 

[Cerbera]

2 hours ago, noonewantstobepeterchris said:

You can absolutely wreck yourself on a Master.

He's right. But much less chance of doing so if you take it very slowly and gradually work up to higher speeds and different terrain types.

Also, consider a break-away tether. Then at least you if you both go down the Master won't bounce itself to death and make you limp home trying to carry its remains !

Edited March 11 by Cerbera

[Punxatawneyjoe]

11 minutes ago, Cerbera said:

He's right. But much less chance of doing so if you take it very slowly and gradually work up to higher speeds and different terrain types.

Also, consider a break-away tether. Then at least you if you both go down the Master won't bounce itself to death and make you limp home trying to carry its remains !

I agree with 1/2 of this, i made the mistake of hitting the top speed on my v11 before i was really used to and relaxed on the wheel. I tried to pull a quick maneuver and slice over to the sidewalk at top speed and basically death wobbled into a sign avoiding the telephone pole next to it... luckily i was ok with just a sore wrist and shoulder since that's what hit the sign first and i had slowed to about 15mph before impact. Give it a hundred miles or so before you start adding some speeds above 25mph. Wobbles will come when your  legs start to get tired of if they are really tense and you aren't relaxed about the speed you are doing. As far as tethering a 100lb object to yourself, not a great idea IMO.

[Cerbera]

45 minutes ago, Punxatawneyjoe said:

As far as tethering a 100lb object to yourself, not a great idea IMO.

There's good arguments on both sides here, but the key word I used was 'break-away' !  I agree tying a rope between you and the wheel is a terrible idea, but if your tether both stretches and (repairably) breaks as it pulls the wheel over, to me that's the best of both worlds. You only got watch Dawn ride for a while to see just how many times that tether saves her machine (spoiler - it's about 10 times !)...

Edited March 11 by Cerbera

[Funky]

1 hour ago, Cerbera said:

He's right. But much less chance of doing so if you take it very slowly and gradually work up to higher speeds and different terrain types.

Also, consider a break-away tether. Then at least you if you both go down the Master won't bounce itself to death and make you limp home trying to carry its remains !

Simply don't go down then.. How hard is that. Do you often fall while walking? If yes - i think you need to see a doctor. 

Edited March 11 by Funky

[Finn Bjerke]

Break away tether is dangerous dont do it.  This might work : Some kitesurfers use it. It can stop the EUC from rolling to far away add some elastic string material to it. https://www.kitemana.com/flysurfer/roll-leash-72019

 

[Cerbera]

1 hour ago, Finn Bjerke said:

Break away tether is dangerous dont do it.

Why ?

[Panzer04]

4 hours ago, Funky said:

Simply don't go down then.. How hard is that. Do you often fall while walking? If yes - i think you need to see a doctor. 

Never ridden offroad? You should ride some MTB trails some time, it's a lot of fun

[Panzer04]

On 3/10/2024 at 9:50 AM, vashdash said:

Wow, holy snap. This is a lot to digest.

I guess I would like to thank everyone for their detailed and comprehensive input.

@Mango@Funky@meepmeepmayer@Voyager@Cerbera@Punxatawneyjoe@xiiijojjo@Panzer04

Thank you all so much for all the info yinz given.

To answer or maybe justify a few of my reasons for even considering the Begode Master in the first place. I've been riding on/off a regular unicycle for a few years now, so I felt pretty confident that I could persevere through the learning curve of an EUC. I also commute on a motorcycle so, I have most of the needed ATGATT stuff. I have my own garage stocked full of tools and fabrication equipment so, I'm very confident in my ability to fix, maintain, and fabricate any parts I would need for any EUC. Including building new battery modules (as long as I can source the 50E cells) and service any surface mount ICs (MOSFETS, etc) that may blow up.

I know I can lift the weight of the Master in/out of my car and I don't have any stairs I would need to contend with... I live in the suburbs.

I'll admit, I've never given thought to suspension vs no suspension when it comes to how it would affect my learning experience. Also, never thought about after market pads/handle/bumpers. I see them a lot in a bunch of videos and I guess if you want the EUC to hug you and be responsive then it's an absolute must. And I didn't know the Master had multiple versions and that v1 is basically shite. 

Having somewhat justified why I thought I could start off on a Master, what everyone has basically hinted at is correct. There is no substitute for experience, the fact is: I have never ridden an EUC before, I don't even have experience on hoverboards. And this is the reason I'm a little hesitant on getting a Master and just going for it.

TLDR: I guess I'll have to do some more soul-searching to see if I truly believe I can grow into a Master or if I'm just an over-confident squid that thinks he can start out on a Hayabusa because "I'll just out grow the CBR250 in 3 month". 

Everything I have heard indicates traditional unicyclists pick up EUCs almost immediately. That being the case, you'll be fine with a Master. Just take it slow working up to those speeds, learn how to hard-brake and deal with wobbles, etc. I have many fewer reservations about recommending a bigger wheel (and in any case I think the only annoying part is constantly dropping a 40kg EUC and not banging up your ankles etc :P)

I don't think bigger wheels are really comparable to motorcycles, oddly enough. They let you go faster, yes, but they don't have better acceleration like bigger motorcycles do. if anything, I could accelerate faster on a smaller wheel, but the top speed and limited power means you have to be much more aware of overleaning it. You are limited by the physics inherent to EUCs that mean you just can't accelerate and brake as quickly as you could on a motorcycle or in a car. Just take it as it comes, practice how to ride and before you know it you'll be flying around

I will strongly encourage setting good safety settings (ie. PWM tiltback and beeps) - Later begode firmwares make these available and IMO are a huge boon to safety, since you can consistently ensure you are aware of where the limits of your wheel lie and when you're getting close to exceeding them (unlike older "fixed speed" warnings and the like)

[Funky]

10 hours ago, Panzer04 said:

Never ridden offroad? You should ride some MTB trails some time, it's a lot of fun

I did in second month of owning EUC. Yes it was fun going up/down all the time over bumps and whatnot. But I stopped doing that because i was worried about my axle. (I'm 280lbs). Nowadays i'm more or less only using it for commutes.

I don't really see point of riding around endlessly anyways.. Not fun for me at least.

[Jayzao]

On 3/9/2024 at 1:04 AM, Funky said:

First and mostly have you tried carrying anything over 30kg? (Sure if you don't have a staircase or any need of lifting the wheel EVER.. Then weight can be ignored, otherwise THINK twice about the weight!)

I can say if i didn't need to carry my wheel ever i would have bought Sherman Max as my first wheel and also skipped learner. But good thing i don't need the range and speed. So my first wheel is also the learner and forever one.  (KS18XL) I don't need any bigger/faster wheel.

Secondly - Yes it will be harder to learn, because of weight. You will need to control the wheel with one leg while mounting/dismounting, but it's doable. Only downside is the learning stage MAY take 2 times longer, than if you where leaning on smaller wheel. Example 2 weeks instead of 1 week. (It also matters how skilled rider or how fast you learn new skills. Some rider can already ride in first hour. For some it may take days.)

Also learning and taking suspension wheel as first is kind of bad idea. Because you will be relaying on the suspension to shave your ass. Versus if you had non-suspension wheel as first one. Where you have learned the skill of watching all road imperfections and such. On suspension wheel it's more forgiving in that aspect. Because on non-suspension one you would have already crashed/faceplanted.

 

I would highly recommend padding your "new" wheel in shower mat or carton boxes and duct taping it all around the wheel. Yes it will look dumb as F, but at least you won't damage/scrape the wheel that much while learning. My wheel looked like big white plastic bag for the first week..  As i simply took shower mat and spun around it and duct taped around it.

I agree. I have regrets due to the weight. Otherwise, the wheel is incredible.
I bought a Begode Master V4 when my new Adventure needed repair. I figured I was new and learning and didn't want to go a month without a wheel.
The performance and low price attracted me. I purchased my machine from Clarkpedals and got the faring and pads for $2500.00.
However, I notice the weight often and feel it is too heavy when I hoist it into a car or up a short set of stairs. It is heavy. (57kg, I think)
 

But the point is this: I have considered selling the Master and buying something lighter for more daily use.

 

As a side note, I had analog Unicycle experience, which made little difference. It just takes some time and effort, and you'll be good.

[Jayzao]

2 minutes ago, Jayzao said:

 (57kg, I think)
Correction
The Begode Master V4 weighs approximately 79 to 81 pounds (about 36 to 37 kilograms) (Alien Rides) (eWheels.com) (Motorized Nation Ebikes Ltd.) (EUCO). This electric unicycle is equipped with a 3,500W motor, a 2,400Wh battery, and a top speed of over 50 mph (approximately 80 km/h). It also features an advanced suspension system, making it suitable for both street and off-road riding (eWheels.com) (Motorized Nation Ebikes Ltd.) (EUCO).

 

 

[bpong]

IMO, its okay you are starting on the master if that is what you want to do.  i started on a much smaller euc (glide3), then ended up riding a teslaV2 for 5 yrs.  and now im learning to ride all over again,  this time riding a lynx.  its been 3 weeks now, and im almost ready to ride on the street.  but i ended up this past weekend riding my teslaV2 and i barely could ride it cause i was so used to the height and weight of the lynx - it was the most squirrelly experience i ever had !!!  so, i feel that since you are strictly starting with a tall machine, and its abit heavier, you will eventually get used to it and ride it well.  if you plan on getting any more eucs in the future,  you will probably adapt quite easily especially if those same machines are in the same weight and power category.  and save a few bucks along the way too... now, i have to sell my prev wheels cause i dont see the point in owning them, even to keep one of them as a back up wheel....

[Funky]

6 hours ago, Jayzao said:

I agree. I have regrets due to the weight. Otherwise, the wheel is incredible.
I bought a Begode Master V4 when my new Adventure needed repair. I figured I was new and learning and didn't want to go a month without a wheel.
The performance and low price attracted me. I purchased my machine from Clarkpedals and got the faring and pads for $2500.00.
However, I notice the weight often and feel it is too heavy when I hoist it into a car or up a short set of stairs. It is heavy. (57kg, I think)
 

But the point is this: I have considered selling the Master and buying something lighter for more daily use.

 

As a side note, I had analog Unicycle experience, which made little difference. It just takes some time and effort, and you'll be good.

I probably could carry 35kg pretty easy. (My wheel right now is 26kg) But for ~3mile daily commutes on sidewalks - i don't need range/speed. I would take lighter wheel instead of wasted performance. As i need to lift it many, many, many times over the day..

[Jayzao]

On 7/16/2024 at 8:19 PM, Funky said:

I probably could carry 35kg pretty easy. (My wheel right now is 26kg) But for ~3mile daily commutes on sidewalks - i don't need range/speed. I would take lighter wheel instead of wasted performance. As i need to lift it many, many, many times over the day..

I ride this little guy to work most days. Lugging the Master upstairs when the elevator is out (which is pretty often) is a huge no-go.
I'll spring for a small commuter wheel at some point, but for now, this is it.

[Funky]

2 hours ago, Jayzao said:

I ride this little guy to work most days. Lugging the Master upstairs when the elevator is out (which is pretty often) is a huge no-go.
I'll spring for a small commuter wheel at some point, but for now, this is it.

Bruhh..

[Jayzao]

On 7/19/2024 at 1:26 PM, Funky said:

Bruhh..

I bought an S16 Pro from eWheels this morning as the e30 cuts out at low speeds.
We bought the e30 to give to the kids when we see them next month.
However, it was fun to ride around downtown for a minute. 

[Funky]

43 minutes ago, Jayzao said:

I bought an S16 Pro from eWheels this morning as the e30 cuts out at low speeds.
We bought the e30 to give to the kids when we see them next month.
However, it was fun to ride around downtown for a minute. 

Must be great to own one of a kind wheel, at least that has not been released to public yet.. Tell us how is the E30? Is it bigger and faster than E20?  Does it come with 3 wheels?

I personally won't buy anything till i see something better than 18xl.. (Lighter - same performance. Or same weight - better all-around.)

Edited July 22 by Funky

[Jayzao]

37 minutes ago, Funky said:

Must be great to own one of a kind wheel, at least that has not been released to public yet.. Tell us how is the E30? Is it bigger and faster than E20?  Does it come with 3 wheels?

I personally won't buy anything till i see something better than 18xl.. (Lighter - same performance. Or same weight - better all-around.)

e20. Good catch.
The two wheels are not very useful, but I think they would be great for a young child to learn EUC.
I don't think a third wheel will make that any better. Perhaps one big wide wheel, but that didn't work on hyper-scooters.
 

[Jayzao]

ChatGPT said the top secret e30 looks like this.....
For some reason it sucks at rendering anything that looks like an EUC..

Edited July 22 by Jayzao

[Funky]

11 minutes ago, Jayzao said:

e20. Good catch.
The two wheels are not very useful, but I think they would be great for a young child to learn EUC.
I don't think a third wheel will make that any better. Perhaps one big wide wheel, but that didn't work on hyper-scooters.
 

Was a joke.. E20 - 2 wheels. E30 - 3 wheels.

7 minutes ago, Jayzao said:

ChatGPT said the top secret e30 looks like this.....
For some reason it sucks at rendering anything that looks like an EUC..

Hmm battery/board inside motor hub = Win in my book. 24"+++ wheel size. Bigger wheel size - more space for board/battery. Next gen MONSTER wheels.  Add simple mudguard half around wheel and seat at top = good wheel.