Practical Commuting Vehicle?

[tomtnt]

I've had my OW for 1 week now and love riding it. I especially love it for trail riding, grass, and beach. It is a great recreational devide. Almost makes me want to forgo picking up a snowboarding season pass this year.

However, It's not really ideal for commuting.

1. Too much attention. You often get people stopping and asking about it.

2. Top speed of 15 feels faster and less stable than 20 mph on my boosted board.

3. Have to concentrate - biking and riding on electric skateboard can be pretty mindless. With OW, you really have to be mindful or risk getting thrown.

4. Can't wear dress shoes. One time I rode that thing with dress shoes instead of flat skate shoes was only time I loss contact with sensor and crashed.

I do love it though. Keep it in the back of my car for quick trips and if I see a nice trail I want to explore.

[lynnpreston]

@tomtnt Your items 1-3 are transient and will dissipate after more usage. One week is not enough time to get fully accustomed to the board (either yourself or the typical people along your daily commute).

I join conference calls many times while on by board and yes even reply to emails sometimes when in open spaces and not going full speed. With practice you will be completely comfortable on the board.

You are absolutely correct that dress shoes can be an issue depending upon the sole.

[germx]

I have to agree with lynn.
I don't mind the attention, and when I commute, people don't stop me. When I play around on the other hand, they might.
I feel completely at ease at full speed. I don't really concentrate much on riding, unless over the big bumps, and have no problems playing with my mobile at the same time or whatever.

As far as shoes goes I really have never have anyone have any problems with any shoes, so I don't know about that. My running shoes, works shoes and flat shoes all work nice.

[Franky]

Unfortunately my commute requires a car but I find the topic intriguing.

While I love my board, I'd probably feel commuting with onewheel to be a little cumbersome. Right now it does draw a lot of attention and is almost like a spectacle since it is totally new for most people. I'm a very private introverted type of person which doesn't help. Top speed does feel pretty slow if you are on a nicely paved road. I personally only get up to 15 if I'm riding pushback and that means I'm tempting fate so normal top speed is 13mph for me. It is rather heavy and bulky to carry and handle. And you do need to pay attention for dips and holes like you probably have to do on any skateboard.

Ultimately if you have a nicely paved commute that is long in distance and your goal is get there faster, an electric skateboard might be best for practical solution...or a car.

[njcustom]

In my opinion OW is a cruiser .. I have a solowheel that is much faster but dorky looking and not nearly as fun to ride.. That being said I will never ride it again now that I have my OW :)

[tomtnt]

@njcustom was thinking of buying an air wheel (solo wheel unicycle clone) for wife or daughter to cruise with me- was the learning curve tougher than OW?

[njcustom]

@tomtnt absolutely harder to ride a solowheel but it still only took me a day.. Also it's very hard to jump on them but once you got it its OK.. They also come with training wheels.. If you do buy one don't get a cheap one or it will only last a few months before the battery is shot

[vromifou]

Hi guys,

Coming back on this topic as I'm thinking of buying the OW+ for my commute to work. I work in a formal environment wearing a suit and dress shoes every day. Do you think it's a practical commuting device in my case? Some of my colleagues use a solowheel and seem fine but OW looks much more fun and I'm favoring this alternative for my future purchase.

The things that I'm worried about at the moment are:
a) Risk to fall and potentially destroy my expensive suit. I suppose I would be extra careful when riding but it seems that there is always a small risk of unexplained nosediving...
b) Dress shoes: Is it actually ok to ride with such shoes rather than flat sole shoes?

If anyone is commuting in a suit with a OW I would be interested to hear from your experience.

[Polle]

@vromifou I have no experience on the +, but with the V1, if you just cruise until pushback occurs, you simply will not fall. At least I never do...
And with the dress shoes, should be no problem either when you ride relaxed and on pavement.

[vromifou]

@Polle Thanks Polle!!

[jew_fro_1009]

Yes the onewheel my not look practical as a commuting vehicle but the range depends on weight and terrain if I'm on the street I usually get about 9-10 miles on a charge (I weigh 130) and it goes a lot faster than 15 mph when just cruising I run about 19 and the brakes are better off ham any other board because in extreme situations if you have to you put the back bumper to the ground

[shattle]

@vromifou No--it's not practical to ride in high heels. They mess with the sensors, and you'll tear up nice shoes. I know--I too work in a formal environment and commute with my OW. I carry shoes and socks in my messenger bag and change at the office.

[Waterloo1wheeler]

@vromifou sometimes I ride in steal toe shoes looks like a dress shoe and have to say they are very comfy. I think it's that thick rubber sole.

[Waterloo1wheeler]

https://www.marks.com/en/categories/footwear/mens-safety/safety-casual-and-athletic/product/mens-patrick-slip-on-sdst-casual-oxfords-30410.html#30410[color]=BLACK
That pair lol

[AroundTheSound]

Years late, but hey, who doesn't want to hear another opinion? I commute about ten blocks over godawful sidewalks that are like cruising through an obstacle course. It's kind of fun.

1. Weight isn't an issue. I work in a warehouse and just ride it to the spot I store it. But yeah, you don't want to have to carry it too far.

2. Range -- If you charge it at work, it has a theoretical range of 14 miles. Jesus. I wouldn't want to ride this thing 14 miles a day. That would be physically exhausting.

3. Max Speed -- I mostly ride on sidewalks, and honestly wouldn't want to go much faster. It's faster than walking, but slower than biking and that totally works for me.

4. There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who hop on this thing and try to see how fast it can go...and those who try to figure out turning and braking first. If you're of the former, you're going to wipe out occasionally (especially if you fight pushback). If you're in the latter group, you should only eat shit a few times before you figure out how to ride safely.

5. Whatever. If you can afford it, get it. I've bought a number of ~$1000 toys over the years, and this is the one I've enjoyed the most.

6. Weather -- I've got a fender and waterproof pants. It's no worse than biking in the rain. Snow may be another matter though.

Tl;dr: I consider it a replacement for walking, not biking. In that use case it's great.

[LidPhones]

@Polle
I absolutely agree with your position on push back and not falling (failing) on the OW V1. The V1 is a solid hardware and firmware vehicle. At this stage I would likely recommend it over the + given the various first batch issues posted......