The Onewheel is a self-balancing single wheel electric board, produced by Future Motion in Santa Cruz (California). They are very popular amongst skateboaders and anyone that want a very cool and fun way to get around. Built tough, a Onewheel is a great all-terrain personal electric vehicle.
Riding a Onewheel is a unique floating experience, somewhat like a skateboard but with superior carving possibilities (even uphills) but also with a sensation a bit like snowboarding or surfing.
The 2022 Onewheel models are the smaller and more nimble Pint X, and the larger and longer range GT, with the more powerful GT S-Series introduced in October 2023. Older models include the original Pint (still in production) and the ever popular XT.
The Chinese manufacturer Floatwheel makes popular do-it-yourself self-balancing board kits. In 2023 they introduced their first two complete boards to challenge Onewheels dominance in the marketplace, the Floatwheel adventure and the adventure pro. Both are based on the open-source VESC software and support the right to repair/modify a board.
Onewheels and Floatwheels in NZ
Future Motion still has not allowed the official distribution of Onewheels in New Zealand, although they can be purchased in Australia (and shipped to New Zealand at the owner’s expense and voiding warranty). Furthermore, as in Australia many Onewheel warranty and service claims require the board to be sent back to California for repair, whose delay can breach the promptness required under New Zealand’s Consumer Protection Act. In the US in 2023 all Onwheels were subject to a safety recall and introduction of haptic buzz to help warn of unexpected potential cutouts, something we’ve experienced firsthand ourselves even at lower speeds.
The Floatwheel has proved to be a popular and more powerful alternative to the Onewheel, and allows full right-to-repair. They are still working on an improved batter management system to provide extra safety and battery protection when charging, but in the interim are available for on-line purchase using cryptocurrency. Since December 2023 Floatwheel and Future Motion have been locked in litigation in the US over potential patent infringements, and the Floatwheel now uses the website https://floatwheels.ru instead of https://floatwheel.com. Further information can be found on the Floatwheel discord server.
When either company resolve their remaining safety and warranty concerns we’ll aim to provide them in New Zealand, as when the rider is made aware of precautions they can be very enjoyable.
Comparing Popular Models
| Model | Top Speed | Range | Charge Time (optional hypercharger) | Weight | Motor | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onewheel Pint X | 30 km/h | 19-29 km | 225 (110) minutes | 12.5 kg | 1500 Watt | 342 Wh |
| Onewheel GT | 32 km/h | 32-52 km | 200 (90) minutes | 15.9 kg | 2240 Watt | 525 Wh |
| Onewheel GT S | 40 km/h | 26-40 km | 150 (75) minutes | 15.0 kg | 3913 Watt | 437 Wh |
| Floatwheel adv | 40 km/h | 54 km | 228 (48) minutes | 18.5 kg | 4470 Watt | 584 Wh |
| Floatwheel adv pro | 40 km/h | 58 km | 240 (50) minutes | 19 kg | 4470 Watt | 622 Wh |
Protective Gear
One-wheeled skateboards can quickly accelerate to 30 km/h suitable personal protective gear should be worn while riding. At a minimum a helmet and wrist protection is essential at all times. Knee and elbow pads are also recommended, along with leading-shoulder protection if pushing higher speeds. There is always a potential risk of nose diving on many models.
At higher speeds a full-face helmet and abrasion resistant armoured clothing is also recommended.
Learning to Ride a One-wheeled Skateboard
Most people can pick up the basics of riding a one-wheeled skateboard within one or two hours, but mastering riding can be deceptive so patience in pushing the bounds is smart. Atomic EV strongly recommends at least an introductory training session for everyone, and for those not very experienced with other balance sports a follow-up improvers training session is also a great idea.
Upcoming Onewheel/Floatwheel training events:
Besides ensuring you get off to the best and safest start with your riding the cost of up to two training sessions can be credited toward your first one-wheeled skateboard purchase.
Explore the World of One-wheeled Skateboards
