Solowheel UK Hands On Review
Positive:
Green, Faster than Foot, Saves you money on Fuel, congestion charges and can travel up to 20 Miles. It charges very quick and very easy to ride. Light-weight for easy lifting from one location to the other and very safe.Negative:
Only negative is the Price, so you have to start saving up for one. It's best to have a learning session in the dry.The Solowheel is the latest advancement in electric vehicles: an electric unicycle with gyro-sensors to help the rider maintain balance. Steer with your feet, and control your speed by leaning.
The Solowheel is the latest advancement in electric vehicles: an electric unicycle with gyro-sensors to help the rider maintain balance. Steer with your feet, and control your speed by leaning. Lean forward to speed up; lean backward to slow down or stop. Solowheel will recharge when you slow down making it a really green piece of technology. The Solowheel is smaller, lighter, more portable, more manoeuvrable, can be operated ‘hands-free’ and is 1/3rd of the price of a Segway.
Technical Specifications
- Speed: Up to 10 mph / 16 kph
- Range: 15-20 miles / 24-32 km
- Charge time: 2 hours
- Weight: 26 lbs / 12 kg
- Maximum load: 250 lbs / 113 kg
- Motor power: 1000 W
- Battery: LiFePO4 (lithium-ion), 123 Wh
- Charger: Custom international 2A charger, 100-240 VAC
- Tire: 16″ × 2.125″
- Maximum incline: 30°
- Warranty: 1 year
- Battery lifetime: Over 1000 cycles
- Length: 17.0 in / 43.2 cm
- Width (pedals unfolded): 14.0 in / 35.6 cm
- Width (pedals folded): 8.0 in / 20.3 cm
- Height 19.0 in / 48.3 cm
Since seeing the Solowheel at the Gadget Show Live, I made it my mission to find one to have a look at up close and personal. The Solowheel is a green piece of technology that can save users a lot of money on fuel when travelling short distance; if you are the kind of person that drives to the local shop just to top up your electric, gas or just to buy milk, you would have wasted fuel and damage the earth a little. Solowheel comes in play, with speeds up to 10 MPH and distance from 15 to 20 miles it is perfect for short trips like when you get off the train to get to work or from bus stop to the train station.
How does it work
Solowheel works just by using Gyroscope technology to self balance itself so once switched on it will allow you to hop on, simply lean forward a little to go forward and lean back a little to brake or reduce speed. On the Unicycle itself you have two pedals that folds in when not in use and to use, you flip the pedals out. The red area of the Solowheel will support your shin and allow you to grip against the Solowheel when need to; the red padding area is also designed to allow the correct placement of your ankles to avoid injuries and pain as a result of prolonged use. Laying it on its side will also stop the Solowheel from working, to reset just press the red button and the led light should turn green.
How easy is it to learn how to ride the Solowheel
The current record time to learn it is around less than two minutes in the dry and that’s by a user who was a regular cyclist. Average user will get to grips with it after few minutes of training; just like anything new, the human natural thoughts will kick in whilst learning to ride because it’s unusual to how you balance on a flat floor with no moving wheels underneath you.
My experience
I was able to learn how to use it in no time and after couple of falls I was on there like a pro. It was a thorough enjoyment to be able to pick it up for the first time, learn it and get on with it. Once riding smoothly on it, it was like floating in air and at the location where I tested it, the on lookers were very pleased and fascinated with the technology. One the passers-by said “this is absolutely awesome” and whilst I nodded away with a big smile on my face, I hopped back on and wasted no time making the most out of the experience. Every first time users would be advised to find an open space where it’s ok to do so; wear some safety equipment like helmet, elbow pads etc and have a go at getting to grips with it before taking it to a public area. It could also be illegal some countries to ride it in certain places like a pavement so check before you buy.
Where to buy the SoloWheel
You can buy the Solowheel and other transport technology from LeftFieldBikes for £1,899.
Big Thank you to LeftFieldBikes for the experience.
