A calm breeze whips through my hair as I pass by gorgeous flowers and nearby buildings. Someone pulls up next to me as I ride along the side of the road and stares in awe with a huge smile. Another person sitting on their porch leaps up out of their seat and shouts in excitement, “Hey, come out here! He’s got one of them E-Boards!” Children run up to me with awe in their eyes, and adults ask me where they can get one. And these are examples of how rare what I’m riding truly is, that barely anyone from children through seniors had any idea what they were looking at.
This wasn’t an E-Board but an electric unicycle from Inmotion, their new E20 model, which makes it easy for anyone of just about any age and fitness level to learn. And I was loving every moment of riding it. We had reviewed an Inmotion electric scooter before, so we aren’t strangers to the company at all. But an electric unicycle, that is truly a sight to behold!
At first, when I heard of the concept of an electric unicycle, it was shocking to think that such a small vehicle underneath a person was viable at all. A lot of questions sprang up in my mind: how does a person balance on a singular wheel underneath their body? What happens if they make a mistake while on it? Is it dangerous to ride like that? Will this become popular? All of my answers were waiting for me as I had actually received one of these amazing devices for review, the Inmotion E20.
After my experiences riding it, I’m pleasantly surprised and at ease with the whole concept of an electric unicycle becoming very popular and taking the world by storm. I’d even say it’s the very future of wheeled leisure and commuting, but perhaps I’m wrong; maybe it’s truly the present and about to become extremely popular. I don’t see why not; an electric unicycle is truly a marvelous, exhilarating, compact, and simple-to-learn traveling machine. Now that I’ve been riding the Inmotion E20 for a while, the only question remaining in my mind is, “When will I get one that goes even faster and can tackle extreme off-road terrain?”
In the review article below, I’ll share my journey with the Inmotion E20, walk you through its specs, capabilities, and features, and throw in some tips for riding like a pro.
First Experiences with Inmotion’s E20 Electric Unicycle
Unboxing
I’d been waiting for a while, but finally, a delivery person was dropping off an electric unicycle at my home. Handing over the box to me excitedly, they exclaimed “I’ve been seeing these lately and I can’t believe how cool these are!” That’s a pretty good sign I’d thought, having only seen a few videos of them on the Inmotion site perhaps I had more in store for myself than I thought.
The box felt hefty but not too heavy, and opening it up I was surprised at how sleek the E20’s design is. Honestly, it almost looks like it’s out of a science fiction movie, almost Tron-esque. A small user guide and wall charger accompanied the E20 electric unicycle, but that was all. Still, I was pretty impressed by the amazing look of this thing. It’s most certainly my style; a futuristic science-fiction style ride-on.
Opening the user guide it told me to download the Imotion app, make sure the unicycle is fully charged, and also provided a few detailed tips for use.
Using the Inmotion app
Downloading the app is extremely simple, and there is no problem at all. Pairing it with your Inmotion E20 is also a straightforward process. What surprised me was that the app has direct control over the electric unicycle. It connects through Bluetooth to any device that can utilize the app.
It also provides a lot of stats about your current ride since it has turned on this session, as well as all-time overall stats since the first time you turned it on. It lists things such as how fast you’ve gone and your distance traveled, power consumption, the amount of regenerative braking energy earned, and much more.
Efficient Engineering Meets Performance
Yes, you read that right; this electric unicycle has regenerative braking, so you can regain some of the power you’ve lost while riding. I’m sure that might lead to a much more lightweight device as it doesn’t need an overly complex braking system that would add even more weight to it. Instead, a modern device such as an electric unicycle applies brakes by consuming the energy of your motion through the same parts that even power your movement. And that is not a feature to be questioned because it is actually very good at braking!
Knowing this immediately told me that Inmotion is a company concerned with high-quality engineering. And with that realization, I was even more excited to hop on and learn to ride. The E20 has a charge time of about 3.5 hours from empty, but since it was slightly charged I waited about 2 hours for it to fully charge before taking it out, which you can read more about below.
Inmotion E20 Power and Features
Lights
The sides of the Inmotion E20 sport a pair of LED running lights that rotate around in a circle. These are pretty neat as they change the speed of their rotation with the overall speed of the electric unicycle. Though they initially start blue, if I recall correctly, you can change them to any color you like in the app! I prefer a deep purple myself; it adds to the cyberpunk aesthetic I adore so much.
There are also a headlight and tail-light to help increase your visibility. These are helpful because the unicycle itself runs very quiet. The headlight is also pretty bright, allowing you to ride at night and see the road ahead about 30ft or so. You can toggle these lights on and off either by pressing the main power button quickly or in the app itself while the electric unicycle is powered up.
Power
As I delve deeper into the capabilities of the Inmotion E20, one aspect quickly becomes clear: its impressive power and range elevate the riding experience to new heights. With a rated power of 450W and a maximum output of 900W, this electric unicycle promises to deliver a punchy performance that can handle urban commuting with ease. The E20 can whisk you away on adventures, allowing for a considerable distance to be covered before any need to recharge arises.
It easily climbs angles of 15 degrees and pushes you up hills swiftly. Just imagine cruising along your favorite paths, feeling the wind brush against your skin as you achieve new distances with every ride.
Regenerative Braking
What truly excites me, however, is the regenerative braking feature integrated into the E20. This innovative technology allows the unicycle to reclaim energy typically lost during braking, effectively enhancing its efficiency. As you glide to a stop, the power generated from your motion feeds back into the battery, extending your ride time and making each trip feel even more rewarding. It’s this combination of powerful performance and smart technology that not only enriches the riding experience but also makes the Inmotion E20 a standout choice for anyone looking to embrace a new level of personal mobility.
Range
The Inmotion E20 Electric Unicycle impressively boasts a range of 18 miles, making it an ideal choice for urban commuters and casual riders alike. Complemented by a maximum speed of 12 mph, this model allows users to navigate their environments efficiently without the worry of frequent recharges. Whether you’re commuting to work or exploring local paths, the E20 serves as a reliable companion for all your personal mobility needs.
Inmotion App
As mentioned above a few times, the Inmotion app is a simple-to-use control center and stat recorder for the electric unicycle. It’s here where you can lock and unlock the device, change its speed settings from Beginner through Sport modes, change its lighting color, and much more. Inside the app there’s even a setting to determine pedal hardness, essentially how quickly you accelerate or decelerate based on leaning backward and forward on the pedals. There aren’t really many instructional guides on using the Inmotion app, but since it is so user-friendly, there doesn’t seem to really be a need for too much explanation.
Safety Features
The Inmotion E20 Electric Unicycle is designed with an array of safety features that prioritize rider protection and peace of mind. Notably, it automatically shuts off when it falls or is lifted, preventing potential injuries and damage. Riders are also alerted with a consistent beeping noise upon reaching top speed, ensuring safe operation. Additional protective measures include low battery alerts and safeguards against overcurrent and overvoltage, which enhance both usability and safety. The E20’s durable design includes dust and waterproof elements, allowing it to withstand varying conditions. Plus, its intelligent anti-wheel spin technology ensures stable riding, while its robust construction means you can continue riding immediately after an accidental fall, reinforcing the reliability of the Inmotion E20 on all your journeys.
Gaining Riding Experience on an Electric Unicycle
Learning to Ride: Beginner Mode
After it was done charging, I brought my fancy new electric unicycle outside to try it out. Carrying it down the stairs by its convenient handle at the top still felt just a little hefty but 28 pounds is not a difficult challenge really. I placed it on the asphalt in my driveway and held the power button, lo and behold the lights on the sides began dancing and an internal system self-righted the device. It was standing on its own, simply astonishing.
Finally, it was time to try it out; I gently placed my right foot on one pedal so as not to knock it over and then leaped up slightly to place my left foot on the other pedal. “Wow, I’m standing on it,” I had thought, but that moment was short-lived as I’d started moving forward, not fully understanding that I needed to stand more upright! I bailed off-balance and knew I had to try again. It is a good thing it didn’t take very long to understand; in less than 5 minutes, I was successfully riding around the driveway learning how to stand on the E20 properly.
It goes without saying that there were certainly a few times I had leaped off or gone off balance. But in all honesty, it wasn’t even as bad as skateboarding; somehow, this felt easier than that. By the end of the third day on Beginner Mode, I had actually felt pretty confident about trying to ride it down the road a bit. But since Beginner Mode had me stuck at a slower speed than I would have liked, it was time to switch to Normal Mode.
Feeling Comfortable: Normal Mode
Still, at the end of day three, learning to ride the Inmotion E20, I switched to Normal Mode to try out having a little more power beneath my feet. This was certainly faster, but even though it was more powerful overall it didn’t feel like a major jump. Truthfully it felt like a pretty easy transition, and finally I was going fast enough to feel a bit of cool breeze in the summer heat.
It was going to rain a few days after the end of day 3, but I had decided that I couldn’t let that stop me from learning more and having some more fun. Riding an electric unicycle is pretty exciting! So even though the user guide had advised against it, I wanted to give it a shot on damp ground right after some rain had stopped. Just as you’d expect, there was certainly a difference in how you need to ride it, and I did spend the next few days adjusting to wet ground while learning to ride the E20. But I didn’t fall anymore, I didn’t bail at all, and I was having quite a lot of fun.
Five days into learning how to ride, I was confident in my ability and wanted to try something that felt more dangerous. I wanted more speed! So I switched to Sport Mode.
Ready for Power: Sport Mode
Sport Mode on the Inmotion E20 was exactly what I had been craving. The speed wasn’t so fast that I’d have a major injury, but it also wasn’t so slow that it left me wanting. The acceleration feels great and if you really want to then you can reach top speed in only 10ft! When the ground was dry on day 7 I decided to finally take it up and down the road in Sport Mode and that was significant.
Speed, feeling bumps, riding along with the wind in my face. This was absolutely awesome! And I’ve not a single regret about trying to ride as fast and hard as I can on the electric unicycle. Even though its max speed is only 12mph, I am sometimes able to get just under 15mph, though I don’t recommend trying to go too fast because it clearly becomes more unwieldy as you pass its speed threshold. I’m assuming that the motors have a bit of a difficult time when pushed past their limit. But 12mph is certainly fast enough to have a lot of fun and go the distance! Even going a mile in less than 8 minutes.
I will say this: it might be a bit of a workout when you’re not used to it, and so below, I’ll share some tips and tricks on how to overcome that.
Three Weeks of Riding the Inmotion E20
Riding on Gravel Roads
The user manual said going offroad on the E20 is not recommended, but when I felt confident enough to give it a shot, I tried it anyway. On a gravel road not far from my house, I took it easier there, going about half the speed I normally do, and found that if you’re smart and careful about it, then you’ll be fine.
The Inmotion E20 doesn’t really have great suspension inside of it, though, and for this reason, I don’t recommend using it off-road or on gravel roads much. But you’ll certainly be moving easily on any paved road or concrete.
For these reasons, it seems to me that the E20 is perfect for people who live in cities and suburbs.
Exploring My Neighborhood
One day, I decided to see how far away I could actually go on the Inmotion E20 to test out its range. I went down the road I live on and took a detour into every dead-end road off-shoot for miles.
In a car or motorcycle you are moving a bit too fast to truly deeply explore anything nearby. An electric unicycle moving at 12mph max is perfect for riding around and taking it easy in a giant suburban neighborhood. That day I had ridden for 17 miles and still had 15% battery remaining.
Taking A Dog Out for Runs
This was a long shot that might have gone badly, but I decided to try it anyway; I took my friend’s dog out for runs, holding her leash while riding the E20. It took her, a huge 75 pound Anatolian Shepard, about ten minutes to get used to walking with me riding the electric unicycle. I was wearing a motorcycle helmet and knee pads just to make sure I would be safe.
I told her to run and she started running pretty fast. But the E20 kept up with her, and even moved faster than the dog! I’ve taken this dog running dozens of times since the first and she can finally run a bit longer than half a mile and slightly faster than the E20. Seems I’m getting this dog in shape and having a lot of fun at the same time.
Speed and Racing Lines
The driveway in front of my house makes a large oval shape with the roadway, so why not test it out as a kind of race track? Yes, it is absolutely possible to have this kind of fun and discover how quickly you can turn, and at how much of an angle. I can definitely see a group of people actually challenging one another to real races riding on electric unicycles!
Tips and Tricks for Riding an Electric Unicycle
Feet and Leg Position
It’s important to keep your feet straight and actually touching the sides of the unicycle. This is so that your legs can be positioned correctly and allow you an easier ride without hassle. You’ll want to keep your ankles, knees, and hips, slightly bent so that you can properly go over bumps and divots without feeling shock or becoming imbalanced.
Turning
This took me a while to figure out; you’ll want to turn by slightly lifting up one leg while the other leg is straight. Given that your feet are in the right position, to begin with, the electric unicycle will hit the straight leg and stop being able to turn any tighter than that. This means it won’t tip over, and you won’t lose balance. This is best for turning at speed. You can also turn when moving at slower speeds by making a kind of light “pivoting” motion with your body.
Hills and Inclines
Going downhill you can lose control if you go much faster than top speed, so if you hear the E20 beeping at you that you’re moving too fast then try to slow down and allow the regenerative braking to continue regenerating more power as you go downhill. Going uphill, given that the angle isn’t very steep, you can also reach top speed very easily but you won’t be moving at extreme speed either. The Inmotion E20 is a good climber.
Shifting Hips, Knees, and Ankles
You’ll want to use your hips, knees, and ankles in a slightly bent position as your legs will become your suspension. It’s also best if your back is held upright as well to ensure your balance is impeccable.
Uneven Terrain
If when you’re moving then the terrain angles to the left or right it can be a little tricky to learn how to ride through it. With uneven terrain you want to slightly “lean” away from the angle or the unicycle will turn toward the down slope. Legs are certainly more bent when you’re on uneven terrain, otherwise you’ll have an unstable ride pretty quickly.
Future of Transport: The Inmotion E20 Electric Unicycle
As my time with the Inmotion E20 goes on, I can’t help but feel a mix of exhilaration and anticipation for what’s next. This electric unicycle has opened up a world of effortless travel, where every ride is an adventure waiting to happen. The only issue I have remaining with my experience on electric unicycles is I want to travel even faster and go off-road, so I’ll be looking to upgrade to an even more powerful version of Inmotion’s electric unicycle lineup. With the thrill of riding and the promise of new explorations ahead, the journey is just beginning, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
With each twist and turn, I’ve felt the joy of not just reaching my destination but truly experiencing the journey itself. The freedom this compact, high-performance ride offers is something that’s hard to replicate in traditional forms of transportation. As I look forward to my next electric unicycle escapade, I know that the road ahead is filled with endless possibilities just waiting to be explored.
So here’s a hoorah to the company Inmotion for making some of my sci-fi dreams into a livable reality.
