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One of my force-multipliers is the Inmotion V5F monowheel [1]

This is among my favorite devices of all time. It is quick, nimble, and lightweight. It has completely replaced walking, a car or a bicycle for my local trips. While there is a learning curve, unlike a bicycle, it has required almost [2] no maintenance in ~4000 miles of riding, and both hands are free to hold things so I can carry much more than I ever could on a bike. I've transported a desk, groceries, a 50 lb box of firewood, gardening tools, and so on. Plus, riding one is just plain FUN: it feels like skiing or flying. You really have to try it to know.

A pessimistic estimate of the V5F monowheel's efficiency:

* Battery = 320 Wh = 275335 calories

* Weight = 12 kg for the device, so with a rider around 95kg

* Range = 20 km on the low end (25-30 km is typical, manufacturer claims 38±3 km)

Efficiency = 275335 calories / 95000g / 20km = 0.14 calories/g/km

An optimistic estimate given my actual riding experience:

Efficiency = 275335 calories / 91175g / 30km = 0.10 calories/g/km

[1] https://www.myinmotion.com/products/solowheel-glide-2

[2] It still works just fine despite me beating the hell out of it, but the battery has worn down to ~70%




I recently purchased a V10 (25mph max speed) for NYC. It is indeed amazing, but I don't think its accessible to most. You have to have protection gear which can be a nuisance, perhaps after you get confident you can wear less while being conservative in riding. But in general it's not nearly as safe as a bicycle.


Aren't monowheels very nasty when you fall? If it gets stuck you will just flop at high speeds.


Why would you get stuck, though? I'd assume that you can jump off. The high speeds part is risky, but if you don't go fast (15-20km) I assume you should be ok?


Also, they probably aren't even legal to ride.




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