I have seen Solowheels in Munich. The people owning them use them to get to the commuter trains without having to wait for the bus, which is the perfect use for these things. Bridging the gap where walking would take longer than you want, but hauling out the bike doesn’t seem worth the effort. As I wasn’t paying attention too much, I thought it was a nonpowered thing and dismissed it as a toy (it didn’t help that the guy I see most with one looks like a Ralph Lauren / Abercrombie and Fitch hipster).
Definitely paying more attention to these things in the future.
Riding a unicycle is one of those rare spaces in life that really is special. I look at unicyclists with the “I am amazed” monocle. And tall unicycles, I’m just like, “not possible, where’s the balloon?”
I can well imagine how the invasion of that space is irksome.
The introduction of “wavejet” surfboards (self-propelled, a bit) has a similar impact on me. I keep hoping they’ll electrocute the users, or sink, or be attractive to sharks. I haven’t even looked at one. Probably comes with a drinks holder and lounge.
Impressive, but judging from the vid it would appear impossible to look cool whilst riding one, which is pretty much the exact opposite in the case of a normal unicycle.
I ride a lot of uni, and in a few weeks I’ll be commuting on my 28" wheel unicycle ( I’m currently a bicycle commuter). 12 mph (a five-minute mile) is unattainable by most mortals on a 20" or 24" uni ( the standard wheel sizes). Some folks ride 36" and 40" wheels, and on those 12 mph is not an unreasonable speed. Going up-hill on a large-wheel uni takes significant strength. I wonder how well this machine can handle hills.
