You’ve probably seen people zip by on a Onewheel and thought to yourself, “What is that, and how hard is it to ride a Onewheel?” We get it, at first glance it looks a little tricky. After all, it’s radically different from other ways to get around town and has more speed than a bike without the arduous pedaling.
While it may look a bit intimidating and the riding experience is unique, there isn’t much of a trick. Let’s run through some of the things that lead people to ask how hard is it to ride a Onewheel and square away any doubts you have about needing certain skills.
How Do I Balance on a New Onewheel?
This is certainly one of the first things that comes to mind when people ask how hard is it to ride a Onewheel. You’ll be happy to know that, like a Segway, it is full of sensors to keep your center of gravity. You’ve probably thought that like a bike you’d have to learn how to balance on a new Onewheel…but it is completely self-balancing!
Sure, as a beginner you’re likely to be a bit wobbly, but most find their way in just a few minutes. Just place your feet on either side of the wheel, the deck, and it’ll register that you’ve climbed aboard. From that point, your new Onewheel will help you find your balance. Pretty easy, right?
How Do I Direct the Onewheel?
This is another question that pops up a lot, especially if you’re unfamiliar with things like snowboards. It’s surprisingly simple to move about on a new Onewheel. All you have to do is look in the direction you want to go, apply pressure to the front foot sensor, and you’re off!
Unless you’re content going in a straight line all the time, you’re probably wondering how you turn. It sounds a bit silly, but I promise it’s super easy! Just apply light pressure on your toes or heels, or rotate your waist to the direction you want to move. You may chuckle a bit at first, but you’ll soon see how intuitive a Onewheel is. Just remember that all the motion is driven by your body and it’s ok to feel weird at first.
How Do I Slow Down?
This is important and what a lot of people worry about when asking how hard is it to ride a Onewheel. Since a lot of people are accustomed to brakes in one form or another, it can seem counterintuitive at first. To slow down on a new Onewheel, think of something like braking on rollerblades. Lean back a bit and you’ll begin slowing down. It won’t be an instantaneous stop, of course – no one wants to be thrown off – but you’ll feel your momentum slow to a stop.
Remember, the Onewheel can get up to 20mph, so it isn’t the best idea to hop off without slowing down first. Also, always wear your helmet! Safety before fun, though done together is ideal.
Tips for a New Onewheel Rider!
If you’re still wondering how hard is it to ride a Onewheel or worried if you can get the hang of it, we have you covered. Here are some handy safety tips for when you hop on your new Onewheel:
- The shoes matter: you’ll want to wear well-fitting shoes that can grip the board. Make sure the soles aren’t worn and have good grip.
- Start off slow: remember that you’re a new rider and a different experience. Take it slow and keep it under 15mph. It’ll take some practice before you’re zipping around doing tricks.
- Listen to your Onewheel: while it does have a built-in gyroscope that helps keep balance, if you’re pushing it too hard you’ll notice the nose start to lift or feel pushback. Ease up and allow the Onewheel to restore a correct center.
- Seasons matter: depending on the weather, it can change how you ride your Onewheel. For example, here are some handy springtime riding tips to keep in mind: Onewheel Riding Tips for Spring
Now that you know if it’s hard to ride a Onewheel, why not check out our selection or try the demo program?
Demo The Onewheel GT or the Pint!
We’re as easy to get ahold as it is to ride a Onewheel!
Call or text: 530-340-5544
