Over the past few years, electric unicycles have taken the personal transportation world by storm, offering an eco-friendly, efficient, and fun way to navigate urban environments and beyond. With an ever-expanding range of models and features available, selecting the right electric unicycle to suit your needs can be a daunting task. E-RIDERZ is here to guide you through the process of choosing the right electric unicycle for your needs. In this in-depth guide, we will delve into the crucial factors to consider before making your decision, ensuring you find the perfect electric unicycle companion for your lifestyle.
Assess Your Experience Level
Electric unicycles vary quite a bit in terms of their performance, riding style and difficulty, so assessing your proficiency with PEVs or other types of rideables is a great starting point. If you’re an absolute beginner, you’ll want to prioritize entry level EUC models that are robust and lightweight, so that you can master the art of electric unicycling with a little more ease. If you already have experience with PEVs or other activities requiring good balance, you may find it possible to learn to ride on any type of electric unicycle regardless of its weight, size or performance capabilities. Riders that have ridden manual unicycles will usually find riding an electric unicycle very easy and will pick up the techniques for riding it first time they try. For most other learners, it can take between 1 hour and several hours to get down the basic technique and ride around with a minimum level of proficiency and confidence.
Determine Your Usage
Identifying the primary purpose of your electric unicycle is vital in making the right choice. Are you planning to use it for daily commuting, leisurely rides in the park, or exhilarating off-road adventures? Understanding your intended use will help you narrow down the features and specifications that best match your requirements. If you are wanting an electric unicycle for commuting to work, your transit path will often rely on roads and footpaths that are often shared with other riders and pedestrians, so you will favour models that have good manevourability, telescopic handles for trolleying the unit beside you, a strong light (if you ride home when it is dark), a battery capacity that allows you to get to work without anxiety and good water resistance in case you are caught out in rain during your commute. For offroad or leisure riders, you may find stronger motors and suspension are preferrable to enable more technical riding in a variety terrain conditions, along with higher pedal clearance.
Consider Your Weight and Height
Electric unicycles have weight and height limitations to ensure optimal performance and safety. Before making a decision, carefully check the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure the model you choose can comfortably accommodate your weight and height. Typically you will want a stronger motor and larger battery if you are a heavier rider, and light weight riders will often find it easier to handle and accelerate on lighter weight unicycles (accessory power pads can be used to gain to gain more leverage for accelerating or controlling heavier electric unicycles). When choosing a model with suspension, keep in mind that an adjustable air shock absorber will be easier to dial in for you specific weight if you are light or quite heavy, compared to a spring shock absorber that will only offer suitable suspension in more narrow weight range.
Evaluate Battery Range
For daily commuters or long-distance travelers, battery range is a critical factor to consider. Calculate your typical daily travel distance and opt for a model with a battery range that offers sufficient coverage to avoid running out of juice during your journeys. It is usually better to choose a model with a battery capacity that is bigger than you need as a variety of factors (wind, temperature, hills, etc) can affect your range. Electric unicycles generally offer great efficiency for range, so even some of the entry level models can support 30+ kms on a single charge allowing you to charge during the day at your workplace if you need to refill the battery before your trip home. Leisure riders that want to use their electric unicycle for exploring on the weekends or joining in group rides with others will usually appreciate long range models with large battery capacity so they can ride for many hours and kilometers before needing to recharge.
Speed and Stability
Electric unicycles come with varying top speeds and stability. If you crave adrenaline and excitement, consider high performance EUC models which are able to reach speeds of 60-90kmph for riding on private property or race tracks. However, if you are riding in public around pedestrians or other obstacles and you just want a safe, convenient and stable ride, choose a model based on other features you are looking for. Entry and mid level models of electric unicycle will be able to comfortably reach speeds of 25-40kmph, so this doesn’t need to be a specification to concern you if you don’t want to ride fast. If you want a model that has higher stability, you can consider one that utlises a 3″ wide tyre which will offer more traction compared to a unit using a thinner 2.125″ wide tyre.
Terrain and Off-Road Capabilities
If you plan to explore various terrains or embark on off-road adventures, look for electric unicycles designed to handle rough surfaces. Offroad electric unicycle models have robust knobby tyres, higher ground clearance for the pedals, high torque motors and suspension systems to be better equipped to handle challenging environments.
Set Your Budget
Electric unicycles come in a wide range of prices, and it’s essential to set a budget that aligns with your needs. Determine your budget range and explore models within that range to find the best value for your investment. The price of the electric unicycle will increase proportionally with the size of the battery capacity and motor power, and models that have suspension are a little bit higher in price too for their given specification. Generally electric unicycles are low maintenance and don’t have a high ongoing cost for operation, since tyres usually have a minimum of 3000+ kilometers mileage before needing replacement. If you are riding in harsh offroad conditions where there is more wear and tear, models that have suspension may need the shock absorbers maintained or replaced over time which is an added expense.
Research Brands and Models
Thoroughly research various brands and models available in the market. Look for reputable brands known for their quality and reliability such as KingSong, InMotion, Leaperkim (Veteran) and Begode. Read customer reviews and consider the experiences of other riders to gain valuable insights into the performance of the electric unicycles you are considering. Some manufacturers such as King Song and Inmotion have a focus on producing good all-rounder electric unicycles that are reliable and of high quality, while other brands put more emphasis on high performance (such as Begode and Leaperkim) offering models that have higher specifications but are less beginner friendly.
Portability and Weight
If you plan to carry your electric unicycle on public transportation or store it in compact spaces, portability and weight become significant factors. For commuter friendly models, look for a unit that strikes a balance between performance and portability, ensuring convenience during your daily commute. Having a trolley handle to easily wheel the electric unicycle beside you is another factor that increases its portability when walking through shopping malls or in and out of lifts for example.
Additional Features
Many electric unicycles come with extra features that enhance the overall riding experience. Consider whether you need features such as built-in LED lights for visibility and atmosphere during night rides, water resistance for all-weather usage, bluetooth music speakers for listening to music while riding, or additional accessories for added convenience like a handlebar or trolleys or kickstand.
Conclusion
Selecting the perfect electric unicycle requires careful consideration of your experience level, intended usage, budget, and desired features. Due to the large number of different models available, some riders will find that some models are better suited for one purpose and having multiple different models can increase efficieny and enjoyment for different types of riding. By taking the time to explore the diverse options available and keeping safety and quality at the forefront, you can confidently choose an electric unicycle that aligns perfectly with your lifestyle and preferences. With your ideal electric unicycle at your side, you’ll be ready to embark on thrilling rides, embrace a greener lifestyle, and make your daily commutes more enjoyable than ever before. Happy riding!