This Santa Cruz located company started back in 2013 when the first Onewheel board was presented on Kickstarter. The founder Kyle Doerksen needed 8 years to come up with the first working board ready to be used by the average Joe. It was at the end of 2013 that Kyle quit his day job and got together with like-minded people to launch Onewheel which today has brought together thousands of people who enjoy riding the board. The unusual design is what attracted people but the consistent upgrades were what kept them using this type of board which is now available in two different versions: XR and Pint.

Onewheel XR & Pint

The Pint is about 68 cm long and has a top speed of up to 26 km/ h whilst the XR is 76 cm long and has a top speed of 30 km/ h. While the Pint one wheel electric skateboard has a range of up to 13 km the XR has a max range of up to 29 km. Despite the XR one wheel electric skateboard being 12.3 kg, about 2 kg heavier than the Pint which comes in at 10.5 kg. The maximum lean angle of both the Pint and XR is 30° with the XR being rideable in both directions. The XR also uses a Vega go cart tire unlike the regular Onewheel tire found on the Pint which is smaller. The Pint is an all terrain board making it best for people who want to commute with it and relax whilst riding. The Pint is also much easier for beginners to maneuver.

Both boards can be connected to the Onewheel app and both of them are lean-to-go, meaning there is no remote. Unlike XR, Pint has a feature called simple stop which turns off the motor when you stop riding the one wheel electric board. This isn’t available on the XR since it can be ridden in both directions but you can turn this feature off on the Pint to get the same experience as the XR. Both boards have brushless 750W hypercore hub motors and solid state MEMS-6 DOF sensors. The Pint also has an integrated handle whilst the XR doesn’t. You have the option to put fenders on the wheels of both XR and Pint with the former being capable of climbing hills.

How to Ride A Onewheel

Stance

Maintaining a proper stance plays a big part here which will require you to place your feet in the middle of each pad. You shouldn’t reposition them whilst riding and you should have your dominant foot forward. To find out which is which for you, slide on the floor and see which foot is forward.

Getting On

To get on a Onewheel board you need to have it placed with the accelerating pad in the air – make sure it’s turned on. Place your non-dominant foot on the pad resting on the ground and then place your dominant foot on the front pad and then stand straight up to level the board. You’ll need something or someone to help you balance the first time you get on a one wheel electric board.

Riding

Once you’ve successfully hopped on the board, you’ll need to lean and look into the direction you want to go. For when you’ll need to do a turn, simply shift your weight to your heels or toes depending on where you want to go.

Getting Off

To get of the board you’ll need to bring it to a stop by standing straight and then lift the heel off half of the sensor pad. This will disengage the board. If you were to lean backwards, it will start moving backwards so don’t attempt to do that.

FAQ

How Long Does a Onewheel Last?

A Onewheel board can last you a long time with the tires being able to travel approximately up to about 1,600 km which makes it about 6.5 km a day up to 4 years. This is, of course, with regular maintenance.

Is Onewheel Waterproof?

Whilst Onewheel boards are water resistant they are not waterproof. This is why it is recommended that you get receptacle covers and silicon rocker switch caps to prevent mud and water from getting in the charging port and in the power button.

When Should I Charge My Onewheel?

The battery on a Onewheel board should be charged at least once every couple of months depending on your use. Not charging the battery on a regular basis may void one’s warranty.

Can You Ride a Onewheel on the Beach?

Whilst it is possible to ride a Onewheel board on the beach, the dry loose sand will make the experience difficult to enjoy. For instance, when you’ll try to go over an undulation the wheel will get stuck in the sand. You can avoid this by riding on a beach that’s packed and smooth which is especially the case near the water.