Many PEVs (Personal Electric Vehicles) enthusiasts dream of having the lightest and most compact electric unicycle possible.
It’s usually the primary motivation of “weight weenies” who are obsessed with grams.
But does the weight of the electric unicycles matter?
Weight weenies would say yes.
But the real answer is really nuanced, I would say.
Here are some of some reasons why you should consider a compact electric unicycle along with my top Lightest And Most Compact Electric Unicycles.
Table could not be displayed.Also among the lightest Electric Unicycles
Editor’s 1st Choice
Inmotion V8, 480Wh Battery/800W Motor
Overall Rating:
- Net Weight: 32 lb
- Range: 20-25 miles
Editor’s 2nd Choice
King Song 14D, 340/420Wh Battery, 800W Motor
Overall Rating:
- Net Weight: 30 lb
- Range: 15-20 miles
Editor’s 3rd Choice
MTen3 10” 460Wh/84V Battery, 800W Motor
Overall Rating:
- Net Weight: 22 lb
- Range: 25-30 miles
Also Read:
Best Electric Unicycles – Buying Guide
The truth of the matter is that weight is just one of the many factors that affect electric unicycle’s performance.
That said, it doesn’t mean it should be written off entirely.
To give you an idea of its importance, we shall look at its value, costs, and highlight some of the lightest and most compact electric unicycles in the market.
Why is it important to buy an electric unicycle that is lightweight and portable?
The most significant benefit of investing in a lightweight and compact electric unicycle is convenience.
Unlike the bulky and hefty electric unicycles, the compact and lightweight electric unicycles are easy to operate and carry will make your life a lot easier.
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider a compact electric unicycle:
Also Read:
Longest Range Electric Unicycles
1) Easy to Travel with
Compact electric unicycles are easy to travel with as they’re easier to handle and aren’t bothersome.
For instance, if you need to take public transport, you can easily bring your electric unicycle without worrying about taking too much space on the bus or train.
Equally, if you need to go on vacation, it’s easier to bring the electric unicycles with you as they won’t take much of your cargo space in your truck.
2) Storage Capacity
The second benefit of having a compact electric unicycle is the ease of storage.
Overall, the dimension of the electric unicycles is quite modest, and so, you won’t have any struggle finding a location to store them.
Average dimensions for an electric unicycle:
20″ H x 7″ W (15″ W pedals unfolded)
This is as opposed to the bicycles or even scooters, which are quite bulky and might prove quite challenging to store them.
Also Read:
How Fast Does Electric Unicycle Go? Fastest Electric Unicycles
3) Urban Advantage
A compact and lightweight electric unicycle is the perfect vehicle for getting around quickly in the congested cities.
It doesn’t take a lot of space in the walkaways so that you won’t interfere with the movement of others.
You also won’t risk colliding with others while unicycling.
4) No Need for Parking
With a compact and lightweight design, you can easily carry your electric unicycle with you into any building.
Though some might restrict you from riding inside the premises, you can as well lift it and carry it as a briefcase.
But if they insist on leaving the electric unicycle outside, you can never fail to find a parking spot since you can easily squeeze the electric unicycle into a prime spot right out front.
What makes electric unicycle lightweight
The biggest contributor to the weight of an electric unicycle is the material construction.
The choice of material determines how weighty or light electric unicycle is.
This is because different materials have different mass volumes, and so, they affect the overall weight of a bike.
Generally, two of the popular materials used for constructing electric unicycles are metal and hard plastics.
Now, while plastics are a lighter material than the metals, they tend to deteriorate faster and are easy to break down.
The structural integrity of the plastic-made electric unicycles is always on balance.
So, the preferred choice is metal.
Still, metals are not equal, and they vastly differ in their mass volumes and weight.
That said, the most popular metal is aluminum or aluminum alloys.
Aluminum is an extremely lightweight material, and it’s not a surprise that it’s used in aircrafts.
Despite its lightness, this material is equally robust, and I would say it’s among the hardest metals.
Sure, there’re far more hardy materials than aluminum, but it does a great job of balancing between lightness and strength, a feature most metals cannot achieve.
Another lightweight material is carbon fiber, a component consisting of thin filaments of carbon atoms.
It’s lighter than aluminum and so a popular option among the electric unicycles.
Carbon has several other benefits such as high stiffness, high tensile strength, and high chemical resistance.
Besides weight, another factor that affects the weight of an electric unicycle is the design of, particularly the componentry construction.
Of course, an electric unicycle with a greater number of components is going to weigh more than that with lesser components assuming that both are designed using similar materials.
Most of the premium electric unicycles that are often feature-packed tend to be more expensive than the simple electric unicycles.
Also Read:
Electric Scooter vs Electric Unicycle
What Makes Electric Unicycle Compact And Portable?
As we had mentioned above, the material construction and the design of an electric unicycles plays a crucial role in determining the weight and portability.
Of course, the lightest and most compact electric unicycle isn’t necessarily the best, but the right electric unicycle depends on your needs.
Electric unicycles greatly vary in their design and dimensions, with some weighing as low as 15 pounds, while others as high as 35 pounds.
Now, what makes one model better suited for your needs than the other depends on your unicycling needs and maybe lifestyle.
Generally, the heavier electric unicycles are bigger and provide greater performance than the lighter models, so they’re often favored by the professionals.
The lighter and compact models, on the other hand, have a less steep learning curve, and so, ideal for the beginners.
So, what you consider lightweight might be heavier for another rider.
The trick here is to find a model that aligns to your riding needs.
Go for a unicycle that is easy to handle, while at the same time, one that provides you with just the right amount of performance.
Also Read:
Are Electric Unicycles Safe or Dangerous? They Can Be Both
NEW Inmotion V8F, 518Wh Battery
Main Features:
- The Motor: 1000W Power
- The Speed: 21.7 miles per hour
- Net Weight: 32 lbs / 14.5kg
Conclusion
Weight is one of the critical components that affect the performance of a unicycle.
Though not to its entirety, it does, to some extent, especially on the speed and handling.
For this reason, it’s always a good idea to choose an electric unicycle rated, perfectly rated for your weight.
As we have mentioned above, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the lightest in the market.
