I first spotted one of those crazy single-wheel things zipping past me in the park last spring. Honestly thought some dude was riding a giant blender blade at first glance. Seriously, it was just one fat wheel with foot pads on the sides and no handlebars whatsoever. My brain froze trying to figure out how it even worked.
My Dumb Search Begins
Started Googling “one wheel bike” like an idiot later that night. Results showed actual bicycles with one wheel (weird circus stuff) and photos of hoverboards that looked nothing like what I saw. Eventually stumbled into electric unicycle forums where old-timers kept correcting newbies: “It’s an EUC, kid! Electric Unicycle!” Felt proud cracking that code.
First Hand Experience
Rented a cheap EUC from a gadget-sharing app last month. Stepped onto that wobbly monster holding a fence for dear life. Leaned forward slightly and nearly faceplanted when it shot forward. Spent 30 minutes practicing mounting near dumpsters where nobody would laugh at my wipeouts. Discovered key tricks fast:
- Keep ankles locked like concrete blocks
- Look ahead not down (instinct screws you)
- Bend knees like you’re surfing concrete waves
Left that session with bruised shins but stupid-happy adrenaline rush.
Bought my own used EUC (Gotway Mten3) off a college kid who upgraded. Spent evenings looping my dead-end street. Progress looked like this:
- Day 1: 30 seconds balancing max
- Day 3: Making wobbly U-turns
- Week 2: First panic brake (saved by knee pads)
- Now: Riding to coffee shop feeling like Robocop
Why Everyone’s Suddenly Riding These
Through local rider meetups, I pieced together the popularity puzzle:
- Commute game-changer – Slice through car traffic jams like a hot knife through butter
- Size wins – Toss under cafe tables or in tiny apartment corners unlike bulky scooters
- Gearhead culture – Customization mods get wild (glow wheels, RGB lights, Bluetooth speakers)
- Attention magnet – People literally film you in bike lanes
- Range insanity – Top models go 100+ miles per charge (crazier than decent e-bikes)
Parked mine outside the bank recently. Watched 5 different people stop to circle it like confused sharks.
Still not perfect tech though. Hit wet leaves last Tuesday and performed involuntary asphalt gymnastics. But watching riders weave through frozen rush-hour traffic last week? That cemented why cities are overflowing with these UFO wheels now.
