Does it mention any downside?
Yeah, those punks at the Mall would get out of my way pretty darn quick.
Perhaps I’ll reconsider this device. :dubious:
I wonder if it would work on an escalator?
I imagine you have to carry it up.
Of course, Clint Eastwood could manage it.
Something I know a bit about. I commute on a bike/running trail that has 10+ of the “self balancing wheels” commuting alongside my ride every day. The users generally are 2x faster than walking, but I have seen a couple doing a much faster pace. They are much better on flat straightaways and even the sidewalk “ramps” at crosswalks pose a significant challenge unless you have a fairly confident and skilled rider (i.e. the more a rider looks like a sk8r, the better they are).
Along the skateboarding motif, there is a new player http://rideonewheel.com/ OneWheel who are making a more traditional skateboard-like version. These are able to handle the surface changes much better and I even saw a guy take one into the grass beside the trail in order to overtake a group of people. Given what I’ve seen, this is the version I would go with if I were in the market (except the price, distance, speed are all subpar in comparison currently). I just think that in the long term, this version will allow easier balance as higher speeds and rough surface conditions.
Whatever. A reliable device like this would allow me to buy a house within a two mile radius of the subway rather than my current one mile limit.
I walk about five miles a day; so I’m not really worried about fitting more walking more. Something like this would really change my commute and give me more time with my family.
I’m bummed that it doesn’t seem to be the right solution.
You could try what these guys are using.
It looks uncomfortable, but I’ve never tried one (or a Segway or any other self-balancing device of the type.)
Here’s a recent review of the SoloWheel, which sounds and looks basically the same as the Airwheel (SoloWheel review on page 2). The bottom line: it was really hard to get the hang of, “seemed pointless,” and the Doofus Factor was “unimaginably high. Just off the fricking charts.”
This thing is awesome looking. I love the one dragster slick for a tire.
I also am very fond of the young woman on their webpage riding one of these… she is an incentive to learn! “Learn to ride and win a date!” would be a good ad slogan. Of course, we only see one side of her in the photo. The other side could be swollen and purple from falling…
I am betting if these things come down in price, they will show up in X games, and there will be people tweaking the things to go a lot faster.
Based on youtube, that is awesome. 12mph, 30 miles per charge. However I don’t see the appeal over an electric scooter.
Thanks for this link.
His near-face plant was uncomfortably funny.
I was impressed how good he was after only a short time, but I think it would take a very long time to master it like the folks in the promotional videos.
Chick magnet.
I saw someone riding one on Saturday. It screamed “urban attention seeker” to me, like a dude walking around with a ferret on a leash.
How else does one walk a ferret?
Mrs. Plant (v.3.0) has a harness for hers. It is just to prevent his escape, and to let him outside. You can, however, walk and drag him with you. 
Not hate, My Friend! Hope!
I just read this thread yesterday and what do I see today but someone on one of these!
I have no idea if it’s practical, but the place I saw the person using one was midtown Manhattan during the morning rush hour. So… it’s happening, at least.