• lemmyshmemmy@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Always wear a helmet, probably also wrist guards. Even better if you have some knee and elbow pads, especially while learning. A small blinking red light attached to your pack could easily save your life.

    Ride like you’re invisible, you might have a right of way but a car weighs a little bit more than you.

    Keep an eye on the battery. If you want to push the limits do it when it’s charged. It could cut out if you push it too hard, which doesn’t require you to be moving fast. I’d set the speed limit to below the default while you’re learning.

    They’re incredible machines, like riding a magic carpet. Have fun!

    • corm@sopuli.xyzOP
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      1 year ago

      Cheers! I’m definitely going to be riding with full pads, although for small slow commutes I may just roll with kneepads and a helmet (and probably gloves)

      But for >20mph speeds do you have any recommendations for gear? What do you wear?

      Right now I have full 187 pads (from skating) and I picked up a motorcycle helmet.

      • lemmyshmemmy@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        If I rode that fast on pavement I’d wear skate shoes with good grip, wrist guards, helmet, and probably knee pads and elbow pads. Maybe worth it to practice emergency braking.

        I’d be ready to roll too. If you go down at speed you need to get rid of the kinetic energy and it’s better to do it with a roll than skidding to a halt.

        • corm@sopuli.xyzOP
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          1 year ago

          Day 1 was a huge success. This is so fun!

          I wore full pads too, and I’ll keep doing that. I’m an avid bowl skater and am used to knee sliding, so I’m hoping that comes in handy if I ever need to bail at speed.

          I LOVE this thing though. I can’t believe how fun it is.

    • corm@sopuli.xyzOP
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      1 year ago

      I will! I already ordered power pads for it (leg grips) and full motorcycle gear lol, I might be going a bit overkill out of the gate but better safe than broken.

      • _haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.worksM
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        1 year ago

        How hard are they to ride? The compactness and range of it looks kind of great but it seems like it would have a steep learning curve.

        • corm@sopuli.xyzOP
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          1 year ago

          Hey I just got it today and I put some baby-corner-protectors all over it to protect it from dropping. Turns out I didn’t need them because I didn’t drop it and was up and riding all around my block within an hour.

          It’s super fun. I just found a new passion.

          I think I probably picked it up faster than most people because of all my skateboarding. I feel like it uses similar balance, somehow (doesn’t make sense but trust me). But it truly doesn’t seem that hard. Just start out in a hallway until you have the basics down and then you’re off to the parking lot.

          Turning and starting are the hardest parts, but not very hard.

          • _haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.worksM
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            1 year ago

            Oh wow, really? I figured learning a unicycle would be totally different from skateboarding. Now I kinda want to try one out…

            Hope you’ll keep us updated. Happy riding and stay safe!

            • corm@sopuli.xyzOP
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              1 year ago

              Yeah it’s weird, I think it uses the same balance as when you balance your front foot while pushing on a skateboard.

              I wish I could call out of work and ride it more right now

      • Oderus@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        I might be going a bit overkill out of the gate

        No such thing. In anticipation of my first EUC, I bought a Motocross Full Face Helmet to use on my e-scooter and I’ll be getting elbow/knee-shin protection as well.

  • Stillhart@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    FWIW, I don’t recommend using the power pads/jump pads/whatever they’re called now while learning. They make it harder to get on and off easily, two things you REALLY need while you’re learning. You really don’t have to worry about getting bounced off at sane speeds, especially on one with a suspension like the V11.

    Later on, they will help give you more control when accelerating and braking, but early on, you really don’t need it and they could even inhibit your learning.

    Other than that, as others have said, gear up. Full face helmet and wrist guards bare minimum at any speed. I have a full face MTB helmet that’s super light and airy so I don’t feel like Mad Max when I’m rolling. I had an off at like 10-15mph (hit gravel in a turn) and very much regret being lazy about the elbow pads (had on knee, wrist, helm).

    Welcome to the club and have fun!

    • corm@sopuli.xyzOP
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      1 year ago

      Update: it’s freaking awesome! Way too much fun. New obsession unlocked

    • corm@sopuli.xyzOP
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      1 year ago

      Thanks! Good points about the power pads, and I’ll keep that in mind about the elbow pads too

      I’m so excited for it to get here tomorrow