5 MISTAKES BEGINNER ONEWHEEL RIDERS MAKE
Let’s start by acknowledging that there is nothing wrong with looking like a beginner. We all have to start somewhere, and even the top riders around the world have made these mistakes. In fact, learning from these mistakes is what makes you a great rider. If you just bought your first Onewheel, welcome to the community! The following tips will help you make this already awesome sport more enjoyable!
“If You Feel Really Unstable on Your Onewheel, There Is a Good Chance Your PSI Is the Culprit.”
1. Not knowing what PSI is or how to manage it.
The PSI (Pound per Square Inch) measures how much air pressure is in your tire, resulting in it taking different shapes and firmness. Knowing how to manipulate your PSI depending on the terrain or type of tire you’re using can greatly impact your ride. A higher PSI will result in more bounce and reactivity, where a lower PSI can smooth out your ride and add stability If you are a beginner, people suggest you have 1 PSI per 10 lbs that you weigh. The best way to find the sweet spot is to get yourself a tire pressure gauge and play around with your PSI to figure out what feels best for you. Some riders who keep their PSI as low as 12, and others who get theirs close to 30. Typically, you want a lower PSI for trails and higher for smooth pavement. If you feel really unstable on your onewheel, there is a good chance your PSI is the culprit.
2. Wearing tennis shoes while riding.
So, you’ve taken a look at your PSI and your board has a good connection to the ground but, you are still really unstable on your onewheel. Some beginners opt for a shoe with a high arch and cushion to help fight foot fatigue, but it can work against you in several ways. Because tennis shoes typically have a really wide midsole and are designed to run forward, they make it especially difficult to feel where your feet are on the board without coming off. Most advanced riders wear skate shoes or some type of footwear with an equal amount of sole from heel to toe. A more flat sole aids in connection to the board and your ability to feel the edges of the foot pads. If you get bucked around on a trail, it's important to be able to move your feet around while riding to get back into a stable stance.
3. Overtightening your screws and forgetting to check them.
One of the best things about the Onewheel is how customizable they are. It’s exciting to
handpick products to make your Onewheel your own, but overtightening your screws will quickly ruin the fun (and your board). The stock rails that come with your Onewheel are low-grade aluminum, and it is extremely easy to strip the threads if you overtighten the screws. This can result in that annoying floppy Float
Plate or bouncy fender! Additionally, keep an eye on your screws. If you notice the tops of the screws on the underside of your board is scraped up and looking rough, change them before it’s too late. Waiting too long means you won't be able to remove them with an Allen wrench, and you might need to use a
dremel to get it out.
4. Not giving your board its personal space
The Onewheel’s front pad is a pressure sensor that calibrates every time you turn it on. “I need my personal space” is a common notification you’ll get if there is any weight like a helmet or even your thumb is on the front pad while turning your Onewheel on. If you do this, the button might light up, but when you get on your board, it won't engage. Then all your friends will be riding off into the sunset while you’re left doing the ‘turn it off and back on’ dance. Another quick tip to tell if your board is on and engaged is to push or pull it, and you feel resistance, it is on and ready to ride.
“Then all your friends will be riding off into the sunset while you’re left doing the ‘turn it off and back on’ dance.”
5. Not wearing wrist guards.
Most of us have day jobs that help us pay for this expensive hobby, and our hands and wrists are a crucial part of keeping that Onewheel money flowing. Yes, helmets are very important but getting sendy on a trail with a helmet and no wrist guards is a telling sign you might be a beginner.
Getting bucked on a rock or tail scraping down a steep decline without them is a recipe for
disaster. Your body's instinct is to put your hands out to catch your fall, and your wrist is one of the most delicate joints in your body. Safety is sexy, people!
These are just some of the most common mistakes beginner onewheel riders will make and the tips on how to fix them. If you manage your PSI well, get yourself a good pair of skate shoes, double check your screws, successfully turn your board on and wear the right protection then you’ll be on your way to looking like a pro! But at the end of the day, you don’t have to change anything if you are enjoying yourself on your Onewheel. Just get out there and ride!
Ian Andersen
I just got my 1st package from yall and I love it! The mystery shirt is dop af and the material feels so butter! And the extra lil bag of goodies and decals only made the chub chubbier! Thanks FL!!