Thoughts on using electric unicycles?

[hamsterpower]

I've ridden my unicycle to work on occasion. The benefits over a bike are small. It takes less space to store, and I got interesting comments along the way. Most people have never seen one. The drawback over the bike are many. My uni is only about three times faster than walking or about two times slower the a bicycle. Obviously stability is a problem, it has a much lower tolerance for wind. For some the lack of coasting, my commuter bike is also fixed gear.

I ride the fixed gear because I love the simplicity/reliability, so the uni takes that to another level, Only a wheel and pedals. But it did not work out that way. Just too much trouble.
I don't feel the need to electrify either of them.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Fixed gear in a bicycle ain't that bad, especially if it's fitted with those coaster brakes. But the unicycle would be out of question for me.

[freebeard]

Fixxees don't have brakes, you pedal backward.

[Xist]

Why don't you just electrocute the rider?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Fixxees don't have brakes, you pedal backward.

But it has some sort of lock that prevents the hub from keep free-wheeling once you pedal backward.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by hamsterpower

I ride the fixed gear because I love the simplicity/reliability, so the uni takes that to another level, Only a wheel and pedals. But it did not work out that way. Just too much trouble.

We should let hamsterpower comment, but 'fixed gear' is not the same thing as a freewheeling hub and coaster brake. No coasting.

[hamsterpower]

Originally Posted by freebeard

We should let hamsterpower comment, but 'fixed gear' is not the same thing as a freewheeling hub and coaster brake. No coasting.

Freebeard is correct, a fixed gear bicycle does not coast at all. when you pedal forward the drive wheel turns forward, when you pedal backward the drive wheel turns backward. To brake one has to either do a little hop and lock the pedals in turn locking the drive wheel or apply negative pressure to the pedals which adds drag and slows without skidding. Many fixed gear bicycles have a traditional hand brake on the front wheel for emergency stopping. That negative pressure is a much different workout than one usually gets on a coasting bicycle.
I personally enjoy the pureness or oneness with my fixed gear bicycle. I find it more like walking. Pedal faster go faster, pedal slower the bike slows immediately.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by some post that was deleted

The significant difference between hoverboards, electric scooters and unicycles is you cannot stand still on these

This is why we have the Oxford Comma. Hoverboards or electric scooters vs unicycles?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuXAVrwF8Lo

[hayden55]

https://www.amazon.com/Xiaomi-Electr...gateway&sr=8-2

One of these would be the best bet. I noticed on an engineering document a while ago it said they were only using 1900 mAh 18650 cells for their battery pack. If you swapped to 3500 mAh cells you could really increase the range and speed on one of these with a new motor controller and a temp sensor. It would be a cool project to work on, but my city isn't urban enough for something like this. They aren't super light weight either. Maybe with the more energy dense batteries in series and parallel you could shrink the pack size and swiss cheese the frame a little lol.

I've had one up to 20 mph here down hill (bird scooter), but the electric scooter law is 28 mph and below. Would be a wild ride at 28 lol.

[Xist]

Ah, the Oxford Comma! My supervisor complained about paperwork errors and made me install Grammarly.

It does not seem to believe in the Oxford Comma, but and tells me to make changes to my writing just as bizarre as my supervisor does.

No wonder she recommended it!