Mono wheel: reviews, advantages, disadvantages, selection criteria

In Russia is rapidly gaining popularityA strange means of transportation - a monocycle, also called mono-wheel. Customer feedback suggests that this is not another fleeting gadget that, after experiencing a short peak of popularity, will disappear without a trace from the shelves of stores. On the contrary, it is likely that in the near future this device will turn into ordinary urban transport, like modern bicycles and skateboards.

How it works?

If we describe the monocycle schematically, withouttechnical details, it is a wheel with an inflatable tire and two footsteps, they become a rider. The upper part of the wheel is hidden by a plastic casing, which contains a battery, an electric motor, magnets, a stabilizing system and a computer that controls the wheel. On the body there is a handle for carrying the wheel, a power button, sensors and a charging connector.

Often a monocycle causes goggles in those,who had never seen him. Indeed, the person on the wheel reminds the circus performer, but skating is clearly given to him easily and brings pleasure. The question immediately arises: is it difficult to master an electric mono-wheel? The owners' reviews unequivocally convince that it usually takes a couple of hours to drive confidently, and in a few days the management of a monocycle will become a completely natural and very comfortable process.

The fact is that the stabilizing gyroscopicsensors perform the same function as the inner ear in humans: they are responsible for the balance. The inner ear does not allow a person to fall, so the gyroscopes inside the body constantly care about keeping the wheel in the desired spatial position.

The principle of control is very simple.The person, standing on the wheel, slightly tilts the body forward, the sensors react to the tilt of the system and transmit the signal to the computer, which controls the engine, which starts to spin the wheel more so that it restores balance, as a consequence - the monocycle rides ahead. The stronger the slope, the higher the speed. Tilting back causes the wheel to brake, the slopes are sideways responsible for the turns.

Advantages of mono-wheel

The reviews of the lucky owners of this wonderful aggregate make it possible to reveal its undoubted merits:

• Compactness.The monocycle practically does not take place, it can be put in the trunk, on the back seat of the car, take in the subway, office or cafe. In terms of compactness, only collapsible scooters and skateboards can compare with it.
• Mobility. The average speed is 15 km / h, but if necessary, some models can rush at speeds above 30 km / h. Standing on the wheel, a person immediately gets a noticeable advantage over pedestrians.
• Maneuverability. The reviews describing mono-wheels often compare riding on it with skating: the same freedom and ease of movement, the same amazing opportunity as if to flow around obstacles.
• Passage.Thanks to the rubber tire, the wheel rides not only along the flat road, but also along the ground, grass, small pits, shallow puddles. With proper skill you can jump on pretty high curbs.
• Free hands. Only the body and legs are involved in the management, so when driving you can talk on the phone, switch music in the player, but, of course, not at the expense of security.
• Pleasure. Reviews of the monocles are full of enthusiastic epithets: the ride is a pleasure, and the surprised and envious glances of passers-by become a pleasant bonus.

disadvantages

It should also be pointed out some shortcomingsmono-wheel. The responses of disgruntled consumers, first of all, concern too much weight of some models. The wheel can weigh up to 18 kilograms, which becomes an unbearable burden for a fragile girl or child.

It does not matter with the road infrastructure.If in big cities there are enough places with a normal covering, in small settlements it is sometimes problematic to find flat sidewalks for skating. On a monocycle it is difficult to overcome obstacles, in this respect it is much inferior to a bicycle and even a scooter. Another drawback in some models is the low battery capacity, the charge is only a couple of hours away. But such problems can be avoided by reasonably approaching the choice of the wheel.

How to choose?

For a monocycle to bring pleasure, it is necessary tothe stage of the purchase clearly understand who it is bought for, in what conditions it will work. For example, for a child it makes no sense to buy a powerful, high-speed and heavy unit. This increases the risk of injury. Even for a strong teenager, the weight of the wheel will be burdensome. On the other hand, for a fan of extreme sports will not bring joy to a small wheel with low power and a modest power reserve.

When choosing you need to rely on the following criteria:

• Weight and dimensions. Weight varies on average from 8 to 18 kilograms, diameter - from 12 to 22 inches (from 30.5 to 55.9 centimeters).
• Battery capacity. It depends on the time and range of the wheel, but usually the higher the capacity, the greater the weight of the monocycle. There are models with very low capacity, they are light, but they have to be constantly charged. This sins some products of the company AirWheel and monocycle IPS. Reviews about them are disappointing. For example, the battery capacity of the IPS 103 model is from 88 to 110 watts per hour, which provides only 10 kilometers of run, that is less than an hour of driving with an average wheel speed.
• Motor power and speed. These are interrelated characteristics: high power of the electric motor causes high maximum speed and rapid acceleration. Modern monocycles have a power in the range of 350-1500 watts and are capable of speeds exceeding 35 km / h. For example, the model GotWay MONSTER 22 corresponds to its name, having a capacity of 1600 watts. This wheel can reach speeds of up to 50 km / h. Quite another monoclean Wmotion w8. Reviews characterize it as an excellent purchase option for a child: maximum speed to 20 km / h, mileage - 30 kilometers, engine power - 500 watts.
• Additional functions. Pay attention to the additional functionality. For example, monocycles equipped with light bulbs make trips at dusk and darkness safer, because other traffic participants see a person on the wheel. In addition, some manufacturers supply their products with convenient handles for moving the unit as a suitcase. Also very useful are applications that connect a monocycle to a tablet or smartphone, they allow you to comfortably monitor the amount of charge, the speed traveled by the distance.

Security

In general mono-wheel - safe and easymanaged transport. But all the same during training it is better to put on protection means for a head, elbows, knees. Do not try to overcome deep pits and high obstacles - this is fraught with a fall. Also a common problem is the "pushing" of the wheel. With excessive tilt, the engine starts to operate at maximum capacity. Having reached the power limit, it turns off and the person can fall.

Exploitation

Working with a monocycle is a pleasure, it's simplein management, maintenance and operation. The main thing is not to drive over too broken surfaces. It is not advisable to use the wheel in frost or rain: the cold has a negative effect on the battery, and the water is contraindicated in electronics hidden under the housing. For the same reason, the monocycle can not be washed with water.