
Electric unicycles are all the craze these days. As a somewhat recent product, unicycles have enjoyed a warm welcome. Its small, unique design and fast riding speeds have made it a staple to have among enthusiasts.
However, many believe that despite its various benefits, the hefty price tag that electric unicycles come with is not justified. So, why are unicycles so expensive?
In this article, we’ll go over all the reasons that make an electric unicycle so expensive.
What Makes an Electric Unicycle Unique?
Electric Unicycles are a new type of personal electric vehicle that has been steadily gaining popularity. Considered as the most unique mode of personal transport, electric unicycles offer a new, fun, and rare experience.
Usually, a unicycle is a one-wheel portable device that comes with an electric motor, battery, and two pedals attached to the side where the rider stands.
Depending on what you want, you can get an electric unicycle that comes with more wheels or an attachable saddle for longer rides.
Unlike other personal transport, a unicycle isn’t exactly easy to drive from the get-go for a beginner.
Riders must rely on utilizing their body weight to steer and guide it to their desired direction at their desired speed.
There’s no remote control or a handlebar to make it easier. It’s a difficult task to manage and it’s why most electric unicycles come with a steep learning curve that can be exhilarating to overcome.
Electric unicycles enthusiasts find no other personal vehicle suitable for high-speed cruising.
The vehicle also offers a decent range and once you get used to how the mechanics of an electric unicycle work, you’ll fall in love with it without a doubt.
There are also several types of unicycles available which you get as per your preference.
Electric Unicycles: The New Entry in The World of Personal Electric Vehicles
Before getting started, you should know that electric unicycles are a relatively new product in the market. Generally speaking, the cost of new technologies has always been relatively high at the start of their life.
The market for electric unicycles is no different.
With new research and features being worked on and released, a year-old unicycle model of a company may very well become obsolete after the release of the newest model.
Manufacturers have to scramble to reclaim their research expenditure before the next best thing reduces their chances of revenue recovery.
The Benefits of Getting an Electric Unicycle
If you want to stand out in the crowd, getting an electric unicycle is the way to go. The unique design that most EUCs have let it instantly stand out from the crowd.
With electric unicycles, you get the perfect partner to take on campus.
Most EUCs have an incredibly compact design that you can simply throw in your backpack as you leave. They also come with a decent range and can be taken for long rides across the road.
It’s an ideal choice for students or anyone who has to go travel around their community for chores and more.
If your office is nearby, you’ll love to get your hand on an electric unicycle. Getting a EUC can even make your mundane routine walk to your office something thrilling and fun.
You can even get an attachable saddle for more ease and comfort.
The best part about an electric unicycle is that after paying its hefty price tag, you don’t have to spend a lot.
Most electric unicycles are expensive because they’re built to last. You can significantly reduce your gas expenditure and are an eco-friendly alternative to travel short distances.
Is An Electric Unicycle Worth the Money?
The simplest answer to this is that it depends on you. In certain cases, you’ll be doing yourself a massive favor by getting an electric unicycle, while in orders, you might not like what you get.
Electric unicycles are expensive and require a significant commitment for riders to learn how to drive them for their safety.
Most importantly, the unicycle might seem like a gimmick to some and not worth the money and time it requires.
Try to consider the following factors before you decide whether an electric unicycle is worth your money or not.
What’s the price?
A good electric unicycle that has fancy features, good construction, and focuses on safety is going to be expensive.
While you might find cheap knockoffs, the ideal place for you to start looking for an electric unicycle is after hitting the $1000 mark.
How much are you saving?
Electric unicycles might be expensive but they can save a lot when it comes to your travel expenditure in the long run.
You can cover short distances without worrying about gas as the vehicle works entirely on electricity.
Moreover, you can save yourself a lot of time by skipping the morning traffic and taking your electric unicycle out on the road to go to your office if you live nearby.
For students living on campus, electric unicycles are a must-have.
Are you a thrill-seeker?
If the answer is a resounding yes, then electric unicycles are, without a doubt, worth their price.
Riding an electric unicycle is an experience unlike any other. It’s an ideal choice for riders going on long cruises as several unicycles offer a wide range.
When it comes to speed, some brands of electric unicycles offer a top speed of 30 mph even! As a beginner, traveling at a high speed is not recommended.
But once you master how to ride an electric unicycle, you can go as fast as you can manage.
How easily can you learn?
Electric unicycles are not like E-scooters that riders can hop on to and start riding. Any unicycle has a steep learning curve and requires a lot of practice to master.
The first hurdle you’ll likely face is learning how to stand on the pedals themselves.
You’ll also struggle to find the right balance to not fall off.
After that, you’ll have to learn how to guide the electric unicycle with your body weight.
Some people have no difficulty in picking up these skills while others have to struggle quite a bit before getting it right. It depends on you but you’ll never know unless you try, right?
Are electric unicycles safe?
Recklessly driving any kind of vehicle has the potential for disaster.
Be it a car, a bike, or an electric unicycle. For electric unicycle owners, it’s recommended to avoid driving in dangerous road conditions or in heavy traffic to avoid any accident or crash.
You must take your own safety in high regard and drive an electric unicycle responsibly.
That being said, you can expect to fall off a few times while you learn how to ride the unicycle.
Most EUCs, especially those which offer high speed, do come equipped with several safety features.
This could include limiting the reachable top speed, automatically lowering it as the battery dies, and finally, a kill switch to immediately stop the unicycle from working.
Electric Unicycles Vs Electric Scooters
Which PEV is better? The answer to this question is that it depends on your choice entirely.
Electric Scooters are popular for a good reason. There’s hardly any learning curve, and you can get several models by various manufacturers available in the market compared to EUCs.
They offer decent speed and come included with a handlebar for better control and stability. Compared to unicycles, most e-scooters offer more miles to the rider.
A EUC, on the other hand, is far more convenient. A unicycle comes with a lightweight and can easily be stored or carried. The same can’t be said for an electric scooter.
Overall, both vehicles have their pros and cons. They also have a similar price. The choice depends on your personal preference and several other factors.
Conclusion
Buying an electric unicycle is not a cheap endeavor to undertake, but the unicycle is well worth every dollar you spend on it.
It’s a practical, eco-friendly, and useful vehicle to have at hand to cut your costs in the long run and add more thrill to your everyday commute around your neighborhood or campus.
It’s a perfect investment for an everyday adventurer and those looking to stand out. Electric unicycles might be new, but these EVs are here to stay.
More Recommended Ebikes
Check out these other ebikes I've reviewed:
- Urban Arrow Ebike – Last year, I made one of the largest purchases I’ve ever made – I bought a $9,000 electric cargo bike from Urban Arrow. In my Urban Arrow review, I will discuss what it is and why I decided to buy this bike, as well as discuss how impactful a bike like this can be on your journey to financial independence.
- Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Ebike – The Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is a fat-tire ebike that I’ve had the pleasure of riding for a while now. It has amazing power, great looks, and awesome range. If you’re looking for a great fat-tire ebike that offers a lot for the price, the Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is definitely one for you to consider. Check out my Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Review.
- Hovsco HovBeta Ebike – The HovBeta is a folding ebike with great specs and a lot of interesting features, and importantly, it’s sold at a good price point. I’ve had a blast commuting with it and using it to do deliveries with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Check out my Hovsco HovBeta Ebike Review.
- Vanpowers Manidae Ebike – The Vanpowers Manidae is a fat tire ebike that I’ve been riding as my primary winter commuting bike and have also been using it to do food delivery with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. After clocking in a decent number of miles with this ebike, I wanted to write a post sharing what my experience with the Vanpowers Manidae ebike has been like. Check out my Vanpowers Manidae Review.
- Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding EBike Review – A Great Value Folding Ebike – The Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding Ebike is an entry-level folding ebike that offers a lot of value for the price point. I’ve been riding the Sohamo S3 for a while now, putting the bike through its paces, and I have to say, this bike has exceeded all of my expectations. Check out my Sohamo Review.
- KBO Flip Ebike – The KBO Flip is an excellent bike. I’ve had a great time riding it and think it’s a versatile bike that can be used for a lot of purposes and can fit a variety of lifestyles. It’s worked out great for me as a general commuter bike and as a food delivery bike. Check out my KBO Flip Review.
- Hiboy P7 Commuter Ebike – The Hiboy P7 is an excellent electric commuter bike that’s offered at an affordable price point. The range and speed of this bike are both very good, so you won’t have any trouble getting anywhere you need to go with it. As a food delivery vehicle, this is also good – with how much range it offers, you’ll be able to work all day on a single charge. Check out my Hiboy P7 Commuter Electric Bike Review.
- Himiway Escape Ebike – The Himiway Escape is an interesting bike for anyone looking for a moped-style ebike. If you’re a gig economy worker, the Himiway Escape is particularly interesting and it’s possible to think of it as an investment, especially if you can opt to do deliveries with the Himiway versus using a car. It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make your money back when you compare the mileage you’ll put on your car versus using an ebike. Check out my Himiway Escape Bike Review.
- Espin Sport Ebike – The Espin Sport is a good ebike for someone who is looking for an ebike that feels and rides more like a regular bike. There are many ebikes that are really only bikes in name. In reality, they’re basically electric mopeds. The Espin Sport, by contrast, is a bike you could probably ride without the battery and you’d feel like you’re just riding a regular bike. Check out my Espin Sport Review.
More Recommended Scooters
Check out these other scooters I've reviewed:
- Varla Eagle One Scooter – The Varla Eagle One is an excellent scooter that can make sense for a lot of people. It can work as a primary mode of transportation. You can use it to work on gig economy apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. And it can also be a recreational vehicle if you’d prefer to use it for that. Check out my Varla Eagle One Review.
- Varla Falcon Scooter – The Varla Falcon is an excellent scooter that offers a good amount of power at a lower price point compared to more powerful scooters. It’s not exactly an entry-level scooter, nor is it a high-powered scooter. I think it fits somewhere in-between those two categories – an intermediate scooter if I had to give it a category. Check out my Varla Falcon Review.
- Hiboy S2 Scooter – The Hiboy S2 is an excellent entry-level commuter scooter that's perfect for someone looking to save some money in transportation costs and improve their commute. Check out my Hiboy S2 Review.
- Hiboy S2R Scooter – The Hiboy S2R is one of the more interesting electric scooters I’ve been able to test out. It’s not a high-powered scooter, but for an everyday transport option, it’s very useful, especially given some of the unique features that it has. Indeed, for the price, the Hiboy S2R might be the best value scooter I’ve used. Check out my Hiboy S2R Review.
- GoTrax G5 Scooter – The GoTrax G5 Electric Scooter is a new commuter scooter from GoTrax that I’ve been riding for a while now. It’s a scooter that’s well-built, has a good top speed, and offers a lot of great features. And with a price point in the $500 range, it’s a scooter that offers a lot of value for the money too. Check out my GoTrax G5 Review.
- Sisigad Arrow Max Scooter – When it comes to scooters, you sometimes just need a solid, well-built, decently fast scooter to get you around. The Sisigad Arrow Max is an entry-level scooter that does exactly that. I’ve been riding it around a bunch lately – and so far – I find it to be a fun, affordable scooter that works well for commuting and getting around the city. Check out my Sisigad Arrow Max Review.
- Fucare H3 Scooter – The Fucare H3 is a fun scooter and I’ve enjoyed testing it out. For a daily commuter or quick trips or errands, the Fucare H3 is probably the scooter I’ll use. It’s portable and easy to maneuver, so it’s just easier to take on the road when I need it. Check out my Fucare H3 Scooter Review.