Monowheel: what is it and how to choose the right one?

The warming weather brought about by the onset of spring is a great excuse to switch from a car or cramped public transport to something more maneuverable in an urban setting. For example, on a unicycle. This is an electric self-balancing unicycle, which has become a kind of successor to the previously popular Segway. Let's see what its features are and how to choose.

What is a unicycle?

An unusual transport is a wheel in a plastic case with two folding steps on both sides - a "driver" stands on them. Most monowheels have a carrying handle, and some models are equipped with a telescopic handle in addition to the standard handle. With it, you can roll transport like a suitcase. In terms of controls, complete minimalism - a button to turn on, a connector for a charger, an indicator of the battery charge level.



Many unicycles have on board a signal, a headlight, a rear brake light and a backlight, often multi-colored. An electric motor, a controller, a battery and a gyroscope are installed inside the case. It is the latter that is responsible for the ability to control transport without hands. Motor power varies by model and usually falls within the range of 250 to 3500 watts.

How to ride it?

After pressing the power button on the body of the unicycle, the built-in gyroscopes and accelerometers come into play. They track their own position relative to the environment, transmit these readings to the controller. He, in turn, gives the engine a command to change the moment of force so that the unicycle “catches up” with the person who deviated forward, driving up under the center of gravity.



The unicycle is controlled by moving the body forward, backward or sideways. This may remind you of the principle of turning on a bicycle when riding it without hands. It is enough to slightly shift the weight to the right or left, and the transport obeys your non-verbal "order". For a complete stop, the unicycle needs to put one foot on the asphalt and maintain balance.

Is it really safe?

According to the laws of Russia, a person who moves on a unicycle is equated to a pedestrian. At the same time, the danger when moving is much greater than when walking. Perhaps the greatest risk is a sudden collision with an obstacle. The wheel in such a situation can suddenly lose speed and not have time to “roll” under a person leaning forward. The result is a fall.

The second risk haunts those who like to go crazy, accelerating to maximum speed. If in such a situation the unicycle tries to squeeze more out of the motor than it can show, the engine does not have enough moment to bring the unicycle under the “pilot”. However, such a risk can also arise when driving fast on an almost discharged battery, when there is not enough current.



On the other hand, a unicycle is much safer than the same electric scooter, which, due to its design, allows you to develop much more and dangerous speed, and because of the small wheels, it is less resistant to collisions with obstacles. Another plus in favor of the unicycle is its maneuverability, by which it overtakes any transport in its class. It is easy to maneuver and even jump on it.

How to choose the right one?

If the prospect of a fast ride without hands does not repel you, and even vice versa, it's time to move on to choosing your first unicycle. Despite the fact that structurally this is a simple transport, before buying it, you need to take into account many factors so that the purchase does not disappoint you in the end.

Battery capacity

Affects the power reserve - the maximum distance that you can travel without recharging. In fact, the range of the trip depends not only on the battery, but also on the power of the electric motor, the weight of the unicycle, riding style (the faster you ride, the less power reserve), temperature and road conditions. The lower the battery level, the lower the maximum travel speed.



Battery capacity is perhaps the only parameter that you should not save on, since the weaker the battery, the sooner you will feel the "sluggishness" of the wheel. Take for example a rider weighing 70 kilograms. To travel 30 kilometers on a unicycle, he will need a battery with a capacity of at least 340 Wh. A person weighing 100 kg needs 480 Wh for such a power reserve.

The power reserve claimed by sellers should be treated with skepticism. Usually the parameter is greatly overestimated for marketing purposes. On the Internet, it will not be difficult to find summary tables that show which battery is needed to travel a certain distance for people with different weights.

Engine power

At first glance, everything is obvious - the more powerful the motor, the better. However, do not rush, because not only the maximum traction and speed, but also the cost of electric transport depends on this parameter. In addition, it is important to calculate three different types of power at once and know the difference between them:

• ? Rated. Normal mode, in which the unicycle moves at a low speed in the range from 12 to 18 km / h. For most models, this power ranges from 500 to 1200 watts. In the characteristics of the product when selling, this parameter option is indicated.
  
• ? Maximum. At this power, the unicycle can accelerate relatively smoothly to the maximum speed. As a rule, in this case, the motor consumes 2 times more than when the unicycle is moving in cruising mode. Accordingly, the power reserve is reduced.
  
• ? Peak. The engine develops such power only when operating in extreme conditions. For example, when an unicycle tries to “push through” the motor for a quick and sharp increase in speed. In this mode, it will not work for a long time, and it is dangerous.
  

The optimal minimum rated power is 800 watts. Further, it all depends on your body weight, speed preferences, as well as the terrain on which you plan to ride. Of course, to drive up steep hills or move uphill for a long time, you need more power.

Wheel diameter

Unicycles are extremely diverse in terms of size. You can easily find models in stores with wheel diameters ranging from 5 to 24 inches. However, we recommend that you immediately abandon the purchase of vehicles from the line from 5 to 12 inches. They are too small, they react sharply even to not the most serious obstacles, they do not start well from a place, in general they are more suitable for children.



How to determine the ideal wheel diameter for yourself? Remember a simple rule: the smaller it is, the lighter and faster the transport, and the larger it is, the more stable and smooth the ride on the unicycle will be. If you plan to drive to work or ride in comfort for your pleasure, look for a model with a large wheel diameter. For stunts, extreme riding, take the smaller version.
Over 90% of all electric unicycles fit within the 14" to 18" range. They have acceptable dimensions, and therefore do not cause problems either with storage or with manual carrying.

Conclusion

The right unicycle, subject to safety precautions and traffic rules, will be an excellent and comfortable means for you to travel with the breeze. It is important not to accelerate above 20-25 km / h, since you can still jump down to this speed and run until you stop. If you are going to scorch, think about the means of protecting your head, arms and legs.