With the convenience that comes from an electric unicycle scooter, it’s easy to see why these devices are quickly becoming a popular method of transportation. And as more-and-more people realize the environmental benefits of using a self-balancing unicycle (SBU), it’s expected that their popularity will only continue to rise.
If you are planning on buying an electric unicycle scooter, understand that there are various models available for you to choose from. There are both standing and seated options, as well as units with varying speeds. No matter what you plan on using your SBU for, you can bet that you’re likely to find a ride that is perfect for your needs.
There are an increased number of electric scooters on the market. In order to help you sift through all of the options out there, here’s an electric unicycle buyers guide that will inform you of the considerations to make in your search.
Things To Consider
Seated Or Standing
The biggest factor that most people notice right away with electric unicycles is that they come in both standing and seated options. A seated unicycle looks like your traditional model that you might see with pedals. The standing unicycle is a newer technology that is quickly growing in popularity as a method of short distance transportation.
Another difference between seated and standing scooters is how you control them. While sitting down on an electric unicycle with a seat, riders will lean forward to accelerate or back to slow down and stop. With standing SBUs, the rider will lean their entire body in order to make the scooter operate, which may take a bit more time adjusting to.
If you’ve never ridden a unicycle before, there will be a bit of a learning curve. As you purchase your electric unicycle scooter, plan long-term and think about whether you want a standing or seated unit.
Speed
Everyone wants to go fast, but you’ll want to plan for practicality here. Your average unicycle scooter will go no more than 10 miles per hour. This is an average speed because faster SBUs would require licensing and permits. Therefore, don’t necessarily look for an electric unicycle scooter that is only highlighting speed. After all, you’ll quickly realize how fast 10 mph feels when riding on a scooter versus being inside of a car.
Size
How large of a self-balancing unicycle do you think you’ll need? The reality here is that larger adults will need bigger scooters than smaller children. In addition, some SBUs have weight limitations, which is something you’ll want to consider if you weigh more than 230 lbs. These one-wheeled scooters have a lot of pressure on their single axle, so avoid going over the weight limitations. Doing so risks serious injury to the rider.
Riding Capabilities
Most one-wheeled electric scooters are going to be limited in terms of the terrain that they can take on. You’ll want to be riding on mostly flat surfaces with minimal inclines or hills. The truth is that most of these unicycles simply don’t have the power it takes trudge up a large hill. However, we’ll help you find some of the better options that have riding capabilities that can handle varying terrain.
Battery Duration
You won’t be getting as far on a one-wheeled self-balancing unicycle as you will be in your car. However, you still want to look to buy a SBU that is able to handle the distances you’ll be traveling. In most cases, SBUs can go for upwards of two hours on a 90-minute charge. At an average max speed of roughly 10 mph, that gives you nearly 20 miles of distance on a single charge. Keep in mind that many different factors will come into play here. But in general, you can estimate that 15-20 miles is a solid expectation for battery life on a SBU.
Maneuverability & Control
Learning to ride a unicycle takes time. That being said, there are certainly some SBUs that maneuver and handle much better than the competition. The easier the electric scooter is to control, the more enjoyable it will be to ride. Be sure to factor in the turning radius and balancing systems inside of an SBU, both of which will be influential in the overall control you have while atop your electric unicycle scooter.
Price
You’ll quickly see that there is quite the price gap between SBUs that are on the market. Some models cost just a few hundred dollars, while others can be several thousands. Everybody has a budget; and most budgets can afford an electric unicycle scooter.
Appearance
Once you have everything else figured out, look to see if your SBU comes in different color options. You may want to find a color that fits your personality, and this will turn even more heads than the scooter itself.
Before You Start Riding…
It is a lot of fun to ride an electric unicycle scooter. However, there are still some things being worked out.
Rules & Laws
There are certain laws and rules that limit the use of SBUs. Before you purchase your electric unicycle scooter, make sure that you’ll be able to ride it once you unbox it. There’s nothing worse than investing in such a great machine, only to realize you can’t ride it without being punished by law.
Ride Safe
Lastly, as hopefully this will stick in your mind as it’s the last thing you see, don’t forget to purchase a helmet with your SBU. Not only will it take you some getting used to, but accidents can happen at any time. To stay safe while riding your electric unicycle scooter, strap on your helmet before you take off.
Electric unicycle scooters are incredibly fun. In addition, they are also very practical for those living in urban areas. That being said, there are certainly different features and options that are offered through each SBU. To make sure that you find the option that is best for you, consider this electric unicycle scooter buyer’s guide as you purchase your next ride.
