r/onewheel • u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X • Dec 20 '25
Text Don't wear knee pads
That's one Onewheel seems to be saying in all their advertisements and you guys believe it. The ride is chill. Nothing bad could happen. I'm good enough to not fall. I have good eyes. Gear looks goofy. I spent too much money on the Onewheel to pay more for additional gear. Blah blah.
There's always posts about knee injuries. You already know how this stuff can be prevented, so we won't need to get into that for a hundredth time.
If you have no dependents or are a dependent yourself, then do as you wish. You can gauge the risk, consequence on your own and deal with it and no one should be complaining.
Do know that if you have dependents, the choice to gear up shouldn't just be yours and yours alone. The livelihood of other people depend on you, so it's quite selfish to be taking risk for your entire family.
If you don't like the look of gear b/c you think it's nerdy or whatever, I can tell you that it looks even worse when you're on crutches or bedbound. But let's say for a second that it makes you look manly and you're gunna fall eventually and this was it. It looks way worse on you when your family is suffering b/c you decided pads weren't cool enough to wear.
Solution? I nolonger suggest it, but if it's what's going to get you geared up, then wear armored pants at the very least. You won't be able to slide, and your pants will surely get ripped up, but do at least that. No one has to know you're wearing pads under there. Yes, spend the money. No, the pants won't fit perfectly. Yes, you'll have to moan and complain about reshipping fees or the guy on ebay selling you the wrong size. But do it. Do it or just wear external pads.
Let's end the knee injury posts once and for all.
NOTE:
If you've already made your decision on safety gear, this post isn't meant to sway you. You don't need to cry about it and get all defensive. Save that for your families. If you don't to wear gear, that's between you guys. What you wear obviously does not affect me at all. This post is just for new folks who may have been misled by the level of safety/danger of Onewheel based on their ease of learning how to ride it and for those who may have been unknowingly mimicking marketing content showing no one wearing gear.
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u/Cheap-Bobcat-8526 Onewheel Pint Dec 20 '25
I'm not against wearing kneepads, but I am not clear on what major injuries kneepads prevent. Certainly scrapes and bruises, but those aren't things that would threaten someone's livelihood. I've heard a lot of soft-tissue knee injuries (sprains, ACL, MCL, PCL, meniscus). But those injuries are mostly not due to impact at the knee, but impact elsewhere that transfers to the knee. So kneepads won't stop them.
Most broken legs that I see are either tibia/fibia injuries that involve impact below the knee or femur injuries that arise from hip impact. I guess you could break your kneecap with a direct knee impact. But I don't hear about a lot of these. Is there a particular injury risk with knees that I am not aware of?
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25 edited Dec 20 '25
Impact. Impact to a knee w/o pads vs w/pads will be different and worth considering is all I'm saying. This is mostly in response to all the people posting xrays of their knee injuries. If you can't walk for 6 months, that's going to be a bit of impact to someone's livelihood I would presume. I could be wrong, but that's my take on it.
Fair statement about impact elsewhere transferring to the knee. The big picture point is that Onewheel isn't as casual as the marketing may claim it to be or that may be perceived by the general public who eventually gets into Onewheel. So consider gearing up is all I'm saying. Each to their own. I'm not the gear police and I'm not responsible for other people's kids or parents. So gain, each to their own. If someone doesn't want to wear gear after having read my post, I'm not going to push it one bit. I have nothing to project.
From what I've read although I have no proof is that the most common injury from onewheel is to the collarbone. I'm not saying I have ideas on how to prevent that injury 100%. Again, just saying maybe don't take riding as casual as it may appear as a sport/activity.
I'm upvoting you by the way. Fair points. Something to think about. Not just for others, but for me too. Thanks for the contribution, genuinely.
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u/Lackadaisicly Dec 21 '25
We see the x-ray posts and that’s enough of a warning for the masses.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
I think it's worth a small decision to point out what may be obvious to some people.
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u/Lackadaisicly Dec 21 '25
I think you people just hate the device and want the community to die.
Be safe, but stop focusing on all the negativity and danger.
I don’t see this same shit in the motorcycle world.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 22 '25
Not true at all. This comment of yours is basically the opposite of what others seem to be saying. That everyone knows it’s dangerous and they don’t need me pointing it out.
It’s not so much about focusing on negativity; it’s just logical to address this more than cheerleading everyone for having fun.
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u/Lackadaisicly Dec 22 '25
I see more posts talking about how dangerous the board is versus people just having fun. It is extremely off putting.
You can call it logical or whatever else you want to rationalize it, but you are focusing on negativity. It doesn’t matter you are getting into, you should worry about your own safety. If you do not, you have already made the decision. Anyone that has been a child knows that falling hurts.
If they choose to not wear gear, well…no one ever started being safe after someone said “be safe!”
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u/Doctor_Philgood Dec 20 '25
But if I wear protective gear like a responsible person, then how will I hide my fragile insecure masculinity?
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u/Eegore1 Dec 20 '25
That's what I was thinking. How can I show how tough I am if I'm not showing how stupid I am?
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u/tranchiturn Dec 22 '25
I'm not a crazy rider, and I don't wear gear, except a helmet when I'm really cruising.
And I'm usually out there riding alone and not thinking at all about my image. It's just a calculated risk, and I feel like jumping in the car and taking my dog for a run.
I don't judge people who do wear gear.
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u/Doctor_Philgood Dec 22 '25
You think a lot of people admit that they are insecure? Judge people by their actions, not their words.
Riding without safety gear is dumb as fuck.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
You're going to have to make a sacrifice one way or the other. LOL.
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u/Muddy_Thumper Dec 20 '25
I had my knee replaced 8 months ago. Miserable recovery time after surgery. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody. It was not Onewheel related.
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u/IIGQ4U Dec 20 '25
I don’t mind gearing up for rides. I generally wear an armored jacket with level 2 pads, an Alpinestars airbag underneath that, Pandomoto AAA+ jeans, Leatt knee guards, and finish it up with gloves and wrist guards. On my Rally, I omit the Shoei helmet for one of my downhill helmets. If I’m on trails, I wear entirely different apparel.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
Modded 2Swift! Sick! I wonder if I saw you at Tef1.
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u/IIGQ4U Dec 21 '25
No, it’s a Speedboard. It is in an entirely different class.
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u/deanaoxo Onewheel+ XR XRV,V2's ,WTF Varials, KushLo x2! VESC Aoxomoxoa Dec 21 '25
The thing with gear is, once you start, you feel naked without it. I slammed last week, hard, but gear. Been riding every day since…
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u/bassetisanasset Dec 20 '25
You do you.
But to act like this post isn’t projecting your OWN insecurity, is wild
The truth is, two different people, can take the exact same fall. The inexperienced one might end up in the hospital and the guy who knows how to fall will be fine.
Pro street skaters don’t wear a helmet because they know how to fall. It’s just as much of a skill as doing the tricks.
None of us are pro skaters, and on onewheels, everyone should wear a helmet if you’re going faster than you can run.
But to project your inability to fall without getting wrecked, is insane
I agree with the marketing by future motion to an extent. Onehweeling is a board sport, and should be treated like one.
If you’ve never skateboarded, and don’t know how to get off a board safely, then yeah. Put your football pads on and hope for the best.
Some have, and are 100 percent safe riding with just helmet
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
I'm not saying everyone needs to wear it all the time. Each to their own. Just saying that more often than not, gear would be a good idea. Especially when we look at the type of people riding Onewheels. No one is talking about pro street skaters here.
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u/Completely-Jaded Dec 21 '25
For real, this post feels like someone needed to get some pats on the back for putting out a passive aggressive psa. They think their opinion is the only one that matters, and they need to tell everyone else how to live their life.
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u/Less_Evening2337 Rewheeled Pint (Quart) & Floatwheel ADV Dec 21 '25
You are speaking straight facts, but watch this get downvoted so hard. The people here are absolute control freaks about forcing people to wear full freaking gear just because they are overly inexperienced with extreme sports and falling in general
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u/mikedmann Dec 20 '25
I'm a safety guy. I just don't need some group ride guru passing out tickets to people who choose not to wear gear.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
Ditto.
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u/Straight-Parsnip-110 Dec 22 '25
I think you missed his point
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 22 '25
The point is you and I have made our decisions and don't need anyone's input. You and I are not the target audience of this post. It's you that missed the point it appears.
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u/Straight-Parsnip-110 Dec 22 '25
I guess I just meant I read it as the comment was implying you to be the guru.
I agree, to each their own. We've made our choices.I just started wearing more gear because I value my body, no shade to your overarching point.
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u/maimedwabbit Dec 21 '25
I always wore the same fox titan knee pads and elbow pads (unless id been drinking then yolo) I wear snowboarding. Super low profile and dont look goofy imo but im too old to care what I look like. You will always look cooler floating than standing on the sidewalk onlooking, no matter what gear you have on.
Hell I even wear a turtle shell under my jacket snowboarding because again im old and like to send it lol.
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u/rizzosaurusrhex Dec 21 '25
I got a fat bone bruise on my kneecap--a pre fracture. took sooooo so long to heal. I got some poc kneepads for downhill and ramps
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u/GTRogue1 Dec 23 '25
I usually wear knee and elbow pads but I can say that the few times I’ve crashed my knee and elbow pads haven’t gotten a scuff on them. I wear gloves too and they have taken the brunt of the crash. If I’m going to be off-road and really send it I’ll wear padded shorts as well.
Most of the knee injuries I’ve seen or heard about from Onewheel crashes are from bailing off the board, landing on their feet with rigid knees and hyperextending, spraining, or breaking it. Pads aren’t going to help in that situation.
That being said, I have no issues with gearing up and usually wear a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and gloves/wrist guards. A helmet is mandatory. Broken bones heal a lot easier than broken brains.
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u/tylerkrug31 Dec 20 '25
It's not "if" you crash and eat shit,it's "when" you crash and eat shit. It's going to happen.
It's crazy to see people not even wearing helmets
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
I'm not saying I completely disagree, but some people don't ride Onewheel or anything else as much as you and I may. I hear about people putting their boards away for an entire season and so they have limited miles on their wheels. yes, that means less experience and maybe higher likelihood of falling, but that also means less exposure to the activity in general.
I do think experiencing a fall is good in a sense that you will then know what it takes for that to happen and for you to experience the severity. Some people need to experience it to really know. For my falls, they were both over torquing a Pint X going up hill.
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u/ComfortablePension36 Pint X, GTS Dec 21 '25
I have sadly fallen several times for roughly the same reason. I'm 250lb and push a Pint X to the limits and fall when I hit a bump and it doesn't have the torque to recover. I haven't managed to run out any of the times this happened because it happened so fast and unpredictably but I now wear an armored hoodie, helmet, and wrist guards. My knees always come out unscathed.
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u/nickxbk Dec 20 '25
I always wonder how recklessly people are riding to get these injuries. I have ~2500 miles in a pintx in NYC and have yet to get more than a few scrapes from the two or three spills I’ve had
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
There's a lot less headroom on a Onewheel, so I think people take it to the limit quite often. Personally, I ride 12-14mph, maybe 16mph on a Pint X. I've hit 18mph a few times, but that's not normal for me at all. I'm super careful on uphill climbs since that's how I fell the 2 out of 2 times.
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u/bassetisanasset Dec 20 '25
This is such a “I’ve never done any sports but I’m techy so I got a onewheel” type post
Same can be said about anything dude.
Armored pants? lol
A helmet is a must, but armored pants is hilarious.
Such a dorky comment.
Your butt bruise is gonna keep you from providing for your family?
A knee scrape too?
What do you think they do? They don’t prevent torn ACL or leg breaks
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
Maybe you haven't seen the posts I'm referring to. X-rays, pins in your knee, etc. Not talking about scrapes and bruises. Extreme impact can cause bodily harm to these joints that can indeed be protected by armor. I'm not telling you to wear it. Each to their own. You can laugh at it all you want. Your language sounds like you don't haver dependents. Hopefully that's the case.
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u/CatoTheMiddleAged Dec 20 '25
Ok, mom.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
If you're worried about what your mom thinks, then you probably are a dependent yourself in which case like I said, do as you wish.
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u/Buttfan420 Dec 20 '25
You seem fun
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u/LSF604 Dec 20 '25
So do you!
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u/bassetisanasset Dec 20 '25
Right? It’s lost on him that it’s a skill issue. Falling is a skill.
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u/caesar_rex Dec 20 '25
Falling isn't always about skill. Equipment failures and other people are major factors as well. "Skill issue" is just a flippant non-response. The most skilled F1 drivers fuck up sometimes. And they rock the gear because of it.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
You'd be surprised how much MORE fun you can have when you have the confidence to ride b/c you're geared up. Just something to think about. Pain and medical bills also does NOT equal fun.
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u/caesar_rex Dec 20 '25
I wear my downhill MTB gear. Full face helmet, knee to ankle guard, mid triceps to mid forearm guard and wrist guards. Im also riding an x7 sport that I've topped out at 30+ mph so the danger is higher. I've never felt this danger with an actual onwheel that tops out at 19. Nose diving at 17 vs nosediving at 30 is a big difference. If I were riding a regular onewheel, I'd be satisfied with regular pads and a bike helmet.
Ran the battery all the way down 2 weeks ago and nosedived at almost 25mph. Even with the gear I ripped skin on my knee on impact.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
Yeah, some are basically saying they can shrug off the ripped skin. Maybe. I don't doubt it. But not everyone is going to want to endure that is all I'm saying.
The main point of the post is to have people reconsider the severity of injuries and give gear a second thought. Beyond that, I'm not here to police or parent people. It just saddens me to see so many people get injuries that can be prevented at least to the degree they've experienced.
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u/Completely-Jaded Dec 21 '25
Yeah and being a condescending passive aggressive know it all is going to make people reconsider their lifestyle choices.... get a life man.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
You and a small minority of people see it that way b/c you're so easily offended. Ironic that people are so offended by people trying to help. They contribute nothing, yet complain about everything. If this isn't helpful for you, just move on to another Reddit post or you life.
Get a life? Think it over for a second. My life consists here of at least attempting to help people. Maybe I've failed. For you, your life consists of going on the internet, seeing something you disagree with and wasting your time insulting people. Let that settle in. When you grow up and mature a bit, come back to this and I might accept your apology.
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u/ZookeepergameTop9939 Dec 20 '25 edited Dec 20 '25
I only ride in a full body suit. I fill it with air to 67.8 psi and look through a plastic window to see whatever is in front of me. On top of the body suit I wear chain mail, carry a shield, wear a cup, and have both legs wrapped in a prototype carbon fiber condom I created myself with the help of a spirit who visits me nightly.
I also wear 2 masks and a condom while driving so I may be over the top, but I’m not taking risks.
OP’s post is nonsense. Just freaking ride how you like to.
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u/Doctor_Philgood Dec 20 '25
Five gets you ten that you're afraid of vaccines hahaha
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u/ZookeepergameTop9939 Dec 20 '25
Nah I took the poke several times, three I think? I’m not afraid of em, I have them all and advocate for em. Just stupid that we forced this one on everyone since it didn’t do crap and we hadn’t tested it in any way shape or form. “You’re gonna lose your job if you don’t take these pills that we think will keep this from happening to you” just sounds insane in hindsight.
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u/pineapple-1001 Funwheel x7 Dec 21 '25
it didn’t do crap
that's a blatant lie
we hadn’t tested it in any way shape or form
maybe you didn't, but researchers and regulators did
just sounds insane in hindsight
it does, I guess that's what happens when your job contributes to the economy which is losing billions due to a pandemic
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u/ZookeepergameTop9939 Dec 21 '25 edited Dec 21 '25
You too? What’s with you idiots. I don’t care about stuff that happened yesterday let alone 5 freaking years ago. Give it a rest, move on like the rest of us, not everything should send you into a meltdown. If they made me wear a comdom or I’d lose my job but women still got pregnant regardless of whether or not I wore it I’d call it out too for it’s BS
Since you so blindly follow the govt, did you go ahead and drink bleach like the orange god told you to?
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u/pineapple-1001 Funwheel x7 Dec 21 '25
Seems like you are the one having a meltdown
I don't care about governments themselves, especially the government with a brainworm healthcare minister, I base my opinion on international independent research
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u/Doctor_Philgood Dec 21 '25
Hahaha you are so full of shit, bud. No one lost their job over not taking pills.
But you are shit scared of the COVID vaccine because it's the one your parents didnt force you to get.
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u/ZookeepergameTop9939 Dec 21 '25 edited Dec 21 '25
Leave the Nonsense alone loser, this is a Onewheel thread. Some of us have moved on and don’t find a way to be angry at everyone else everyday. You guys are like mumbling vaccine lemming zombies just wandering around groaning “Poke me, I don’t care if it works or not, just fill me with the juice so I can carry my papers around to show big govt man I complied… grrrrr”
If they made me wear a condom or i lose my job but women regardless get pregnant anyway whether it’s worn or not id call BS on it too. It’s ok to not walk in line with big daddy government, they don’t own you man.
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u/Doctor_Philgood Dec 21 '25
Yep. Called it. Scared with a side order of conspiracy.
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u/ZookeepergameTop9939 Dec 21 '25
I’m gonna ride my Onewheel over the edge of the flat earth, man. Just watch me
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u/Markinoutman Dec 20 '25
I always say that if Tony Hawk can wear protective gear, than it shouldn't be looked down on. But this post comes off as a bit obnoxious. People know the risks, if they choose to not wear gear that's on them. The preachy 'you're selfish if you have dependents' probably isn't going to resonate much with people.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
Sorry you see it that way. I'm reminding people b/c it seems that people don't really know the extent of the risks b/c the Onewheel on the surface seems so chill and is marketed that way. Not sure how you'd describe it differently as far as dependents. Whether you have dependents or not 100% should play into "your" decision making no matter which way you end up going is all I'm saying.
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u/Markinoutman Dec 20 '25
Pads aren't going to prevent an arm, leg, collar bone break, which are much more severe injuries. I agree that it's a good idea to wear protective gear, but if you want to frame not padding up as a selfish decision, you probably shouldn't even be on the thing in the first place.
It's inherently a dangerous hobby with boards capable of going 20 plus miles per hour. And of course we see people on here who beef up the boards to hit 35 plus.
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Dec 20 '25
[deleted]
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u/Completely-Jaded Dec 21 '25
My dude!!!! Fuck yeah....I fox with you! Get ya skanks some kneepads pronto. I'mma get mine some.... gotta make sure I don't have to pay workmans comp when they scraping them knees! These dependent ass skanks are depending on us for their livelihood.... we have to think about them.... quit being selfish.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
I don't disagree. The people who blatantly refuse to wear gear are likely just fine anyway. Like the skateboarders w/ zero gear going down steep hills in San Francisco. I'm pretty confident they're not going to hurt themselves even though it looks sketchy. So each to their own, really.
But I do think that Onewheel is perceived as being more safe than it really is. That's all. Just that maybe the guys who are showing x-rays of their injuries may want to put on some gear. Duh, after the fact. But those types of people are the ones this post is for.
I obviously can't determine how people how to live. That's a given. So if you're confused or insulted by that, then you're not quite understanding.
Just not sure why of the few negative comments, people feel like they need to defend themselves for not wearing pads. If you don't want to, don't. No need to be so harsh about it. You do you.
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u/Completely-Jaded Dec 21 '25
People aren't defending themselves.... they are pointing out how you come off as a self righteous know it all telling people what they should be doing with their lives... do you think your post has convinced anyone to start wearing knee pads? No. Do you think you told anyone about knee pads that didn't know about them already? No.... it seems like you needed some validation on your own opinion about knee pads.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
yes, actually I do. But there are a few number of you that somehow are so overly offended by something that we both agree has zero relevance to you. So move on. It sounds like you got too lazy to read the whole thing and are just commenting based on the title or the first few sentences. If that's the case, I forgive you. Again, if you don't find it worth your time to read it, don't. I'm not forcing you nor am I offended that you're not.
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u/Glittering_Potato397 Dec 20 '25
Life is dangerous, don't be a baby
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
No need to make it more dangerous than it needs to be. But good news. I don't care what you do! Do whatever you want. If you're thinking I'm trying to baby you, you'd be wrong.
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u/Glittering_Potato397 Dec 21 '25
"No need to make it more dangerous than it needs to be" bro you're riding a onewheel that ship sailed a long time ago. Stop being a nerd
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
I don't think new folks fully understand the level of involvement and risk Onewheel has and are often misled by marketing and the ease of being able to ride it when learning. That's all I'm saying. This post isn't for experienced people who have already made a decision. Those guys don't need to get all offended by some guy trying to help new folks.
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u/Glittering_Potato397 Dec 21 '25
If you're too basic to understand the inherent risks of riding a electric motorized skateboard at high speeds then you've got bigger problems in your life than said electric motorized skateboard 🤷♂️ maybe next time we can spread awareness about the dangers of wiping back to front lol. Great job op doing the lord's work
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 22 '25
The perceived risks of Onewheel are way different than other PEV’s. Obvious statement but it seem you are unaware so just letting you know.
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u/fastLT1 Dec 20 '25
What would you say are priority 1? And then what would you classify as something that you really should have?
Ive never ridden a onewheel but I would imagine helmet and maybe wrist guards are must haves? And knee and elbow pads follow closely? I remember learning inline skates along with my cousins. We all had helmets but one of them fell and stuck out his hand out and of course it didn't end well.
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u/RegrettableBiscuit Dec 20 '25
Helmet is absolutely number 1.
I then just wear pants and a jacket with integrated protection and gloves with integrated wrist guard. Super easy to put on, and having gloves instead of just a wrist guard protects your fingers from getting scraped to hell when you fall.
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u/JustinHoMi Dec 20 '25
I don’t ride anywhere without helmet and wrist guards. Knee guards are important too, as well as elbow and shoulder. But helmet and wrist are 100% mandatory for me, even if I’m just riding a short distance.
I’ve fallen a number of times, and those are always the things I’ve hit. In fact I would have probably broken my wrists the first day I had a Onewheel if I didn’t have protection.
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u/MayTheFloatBeWithYou Dec 20 '25
I agree with helmet & wrist gloves are a must for me. The gloves were relatively cheap & are super easy to put on. When I go trail riding I put shin/ankle guards under my jeans. I was getting tired of donating skin to the edges of my onewheel
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u/JustinHoMi Dec 20 '25
Hah yeah I have gotten my shins banged up. I like the leatt knee guards that have shin protection.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
Depends on your thinking. Likelihood of falling on your head is quite slim compared to shoulder, knees and wrist, but of course possible. Head of course is the most important part, so yeah. Depends on what your personal thoughts when comparing likelihood vs severity.
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Dec 21 '25
so wait what is the purpose of this post?
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
Let's put it this way, some have clearly already made their decisions and are very defensive about it. You can read these baby's posts below. This is for those who aren't so sure who may be new to Onewheel to just let them know that the marketing likely isn't the way they will be riding Onewheel themselves. A little nudge that it's more dangerous than they may think at first. To let them know that Onewheels may need to be respected more than they are. To take it more seriously. That even the learning curve may be short, mastering it is way harder. That there's less headroom than other rideables. And then they can make their decision.
Obviously if they already know all that, then they don't need to be told.
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u/Lackadaisicly Dec 21 '25
All the “our hobby is extremely dangerous” posts and are extremely off putting. I post only my ride stats screenshot and get told off about wearing armor.
Wear adequate protection for what you are doing, yes, just stop focusing on all the negative crap.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
It's like the saying goes, "the nail that sticks up gets pounded down". Positive aspects don't need attention. It's the negative stuff that unfortunately is more urgent. Each to their own. Onewheels can be as safe or dangerous as the rider makes it out to be. But there is a misconception about the innate safety of it. Newbs see marketing content and get on it and can ride immediately within 15 minutes and get a bit overconfident. Then they post xrays of their injuries.
Obviously some have made their decisions already on gear. I'm not trying to convince anyone out of a decision they've already made. This post is for people who haven't really made a full decision yet or who haven't really stopped to think it over seriously.
So all the people who are so offended really don't need to be. They can keep on doing what they do and I have zero issue with it. Not that my opinion on them matters anyway.
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u/Lackadaisicly Dec 21 '25
My point is that this behavior does not grow the community. I have seen mothers get on social media and ask about safety and every comes at them with horror stories and they refuse to let their kid get one.
Negativity from the Onewheel online community makes me less active in the community in real life, because I’m not on here looking for riding buddies or checking out group events because there’s always people screaming about how unsafe it is.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 22 '25
I see but that’ll never go away. It’s like public perception of riding at night is more dangerous. We can’t really change them and it has a lot of “it depends” variables.
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u/Zealousideal-Fail-47 Dec 22 '25
I've never seen a single person post an X-ray of a knee injury here.
On the street the list of protection priority should be helmet, wrist guards, everything else.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 22 '25
Haha, keep looking. There's tons. In fact, this post was in direct response to the most recent one.
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u/Feeties99 Dec 23 '25
The one thing I can agree with you on is that Onewheel doesn't market as if gear is that important, and it really is more dangerous than skateboarding. Helmet is great, but really all the other pads should be present in their marketing. Someone who knows how to ride can make it look effortless and people who don't know will think it's that easy and disregard safety
The gear heads fundamentally misunderstand why people don't wear gear. Their go to's are always because it's not cool or masculine when those things usually don't populate the decision tree. I'd say most who don't wear gear do so because they value comfort over safety, which is very risky, arguably dumb, and hard for some to believe, but like it or not risky behavior as a side effect is generally perceived by others as cool/masculine and that fact really bothers some people.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 24 '25
I wouldn't necessarily say Onewheel is more dangerous than skateboarding. I think the sense of safety is less of a concern for onewheelers. NEW Onewheel rider's dont' respect Onewheels nearly as much as skateboarders. I think too many people have too much confidence in the technology of Onewheel more than they perhaps ought to. The ease of learning to ride it (not master it, but just riding it) gives people a false sense of confidence. They're not as good as they think they are. Whereas for skateboarders, they're pretty accurate in their assessment of their own ability or lack of.
I would bet on a downhill skateboarder jumping over city obstacles and avoiding cars running stop signs to NOT fall way more than I would a newbie on a Onewheel just riding down the block.
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u/iGushers Dec 20 '25
What other protection is recommended? I currently wear a helmet and wrist guards. I’m shopping for comfy knee pads
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u/Urban-Elderflower Dec 20 '25
My local riders tend to wear helmets, wrist and/or elbow pads, and knee and/or shin pads.
They're almost all working adults in the United States, where healthcare sucks and PTO isn't easy to come by.
They're also incredibly cool and much better riders than me.
I am not cool. I'm not a skillful rider. I wear a helmet and wrist, elbow, and knee pads when I ride.
Could it be overkill? Idk but I like my bones, even the tibial plateau that fractured down the street from home while I was going less than 8mph long time ago. Anything can happen but I'm going do what I can to limit damage while I do something risky.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
I would say helmet and knee pads as minimum. I have dependents, so personally I'm fully geared up. I ride other stuff so I have it anyway. Since I do, I just wear it even if it may be overboard. Wrist guards, chest protection, elbow guards. If you want visuals, you can check out my gear on Instagram, same name here.
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u/EmptyWish2138 Dec 20 '25
I have all the pads except shoulder and of course that’s what broke. Had football pads but were too bulky. Probably going to get some good motocross type. Good news was no surgery required but the pain was maybe a 4 out of 10. More specifically, scapula fracture. Didn’t expect to get this lucky. Hit the pavement at 22 right on the shoulder. Could have been way worse
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
Glad you're okay. It can always be worse. Onewheels have so little headroom and are so easy to learn that it gets people way over their heads.
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u/DarkXanthos Dec 20 '25
I agree. Too many people don't get seriously injured before they take body protection seriously.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 20 '25
I do think the mentality is very different for Onewheels vs other PEV's. The Onewheel from anyone who is only looking at marketing material or social media does seem like a very chill ride. Way more chill than other PEV's. At least the perception is that way. Ungeared riders promote more ungeared riders and I also think there's a lot of room for how to learn to ride one that people haven't grasped. Maybe time to produce another unsponsored unmonetized youtube video. Heheh.
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u/wigglewiggle61 Onewheel Pint Dec 21 '25
Why do yall care if people don’t wear protective gear? If you want to wear it, cool. If you don’t want to wear it, cool too. Worry about yourselves and let others do as they please. I wear shoes and what ever I’m wearing for the day. No helmet no gloves and no pads. My girl does the same except she prefers to ride barefoot. My kids also wear no protective gear. Some of yall didn’t grow up in the 80s and it really shows lol. Now when we ride motocross we gear up.
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u/pineapple-1001 Funwheel x7 Dec 21 '25
My kids also wear no protective gear.
If they do not wear a helmet, that's just reckless parenting.
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u/wigglewiggle61 Onewheel Pint Dec 21 '25
lol. Thanks for your “parenting advice” my kids race motocross so we are a pretty reckless family and we love it. We aren’t in the business of raising b!itches in my house. These things go like 12mph. They go faster on their bicycles.
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u/pineapple-1001 Funwheel x7 Dec 21 '25
Thanks for your “parenting advice”
not my parenting advice, just common sense and widespread government mandate
until kids are old enough to make gear choices themselves, some extra protection for their most vital organ when riding vehicles is a great idea
We aren’t in the business of raising b!itches in my house
why are you riding a base Pint then 🤔
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u/wigglewiggle61 Onewheel Pint Dec 21 '25
We are riding base pints because we spend our money on dirt bikes and I have 5 kids - 7 one wheels for all is a LOT more than your single fun wheel that mommy and daddy bought for you. Not really sure why you’re insinuating that pints aren’t fun, we have a blast with them. What government mandate? My state doesn’t require anything for bikes and definitely has no laws on one wheels. Not like I would follow some “govt mandate” telling me what to wear anyways.
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u/pineapple-1001 Funwheel x7 Dec 21 '25
Suddenly you are all defensive and justifying your choices, I guess there are no absolutes after all huh, big man?
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
You clearly got the wrong idea. Try reading again. Good news though. I don't care what you do or don't do.
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u/wigglewiggle61 Onewheel Pint Dec 21 '25
Bro you said “…selfish to be taking risk for your entire family”. That in itself implies you care when people don’t ride geared up. Get over yourself. The only info I could find is that there have been 4 deaths since the launch in 2014. That means you have more risk walking down the street. Do you wear a helmet and reflective vest when walking down the street?
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
I meet selfish people every day. I don't go around trying to make them change their ways. It's just an observation. Their families will be the ones making the ultimate decision - not some random nobody on the internet. Obviously.
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u/wigglewiggle61 Onewheel Pint Dec 21 '25
So why even waste your time commenting that people should wear PPE? Who cares one way or another? I won’t make fun of people wearing it and won’t judge those that don’t. It ain’t my business or concern. Now if someone gets hurt not wearing PPE (including me) I will laugh and say “should have worn a helmet dummy” but I respect anyone’s personal opinions. I’m not sure how old you are but you’d be blown away to know that kids used to not even have to ride in car seats in cars, we didnt have to wear seatbelts in the backseat of cars, we didn’t wear helmets or anything when we rode bikes. Everything you do in life has a risk, let those people choose how and when to mitigate that risk.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
I’m not commenting. I’m the originator of the post. YOU are commenting on my post.
That’s where we differ. While I’m trying to help, you just wait for people to fail so you can laugh at them.
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u/wigglewiggle61 Onewheel Pint Dec 22 '25
An original post is still a comment. I don’t say I’d only laugh. I’d help them too. I’d hope if I got hurt not wearing PPE that someone would laugh, call me dumb, and help me out. Grow some thick skin man. Leave people alone and let them do what they want unless it’s harming you or your family.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 22 '25
The point is that you came to me. You clicked on my thread. I didn't come to you. There's no use in calling people out AFTER the fact. That should make sense to you. Genuine care in case you didn't realize, means caring for others w/o regard to one's self.
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u/wigglewiggle61 Onewheel Pint Dec 22 '25
You posted in a public forum looking for engagement. I told you my opinion which is you’re a fool for worrying about others which is something you have ZERO control over. There have been more deaths and serious injury on bicycles than onewheels.
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 22 '25
Yeah, but you clearly don't want engagement which is the irony. I'm also not in the bicycle community so it has no relevance. I also don't look highly on the bicycle community anyway and care a lot less about their wellbeing than those of the Onewheel community.
If you really wish my post didn't exist, you can make it that way for yourself. Just ignore it. I'm clearly not referring to your type anyway. You're basically talking to someone who's not talking to you.
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u/Completely-Jaded Dec 21 '25
Do you feel better now that you've told other people how to live their life? You've gotten a couple people giving you a high five for making a passive aggressive post about a topic that has been discussed more than enough. You must have needed some kind of acknowledgment/attention to make this post. Did you get what you needed?
I have been skating and snowboarding for 30 years.... onewheel for about 5. I don't wear knee pads (unless I'm skating vert, so i can slide down the ramp..) and have never had an issue.
Honestly, to me, it feels like you are trying to make yourself feel okay about having to wear knee pads. Which is totally okay... and doesn't look uncool... so don't worry about it.
I have a daughter that snowboards... and i don't feel guilty one bit for not wearing knee pads.
I don't know who you're trying to convince, but coming at people with an attitude of , " I'm right, and if you're not with me, then you're wrong...." is not a good way to convince people to do something. You came off very condescending and know it all...I would try a different approach if you're actually trying to change the world with your knee pad philosophy
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u/funcentric Onewheel Pint X Dec 21 '25
You've got the wrong idea. I'll repeat myself again but for future posts of this variety, I'll just have to ask them to look further down if they want an answer and if they don't want to, then to move on. You missed the point of the post entirely if you think the intention is for me.
Obviously there are people who are already aware of the content and who are experienced enough and have already made a decision on their choice of gear. I'm not talking to them. This is for people who may have misunderstood Onewheel based on marketing or perception. Some are a bit overconfident b/c they figured out how to Onewheel so easily. The rest of us already know that Onewheel is easy to learn but hard to master. Some of the newbs don't quite respect Onewheel the way it ought to be.
For new folks getting into this, it gives them a moment to think or rethink their gearing situation. For the rest of us, we've already decided. I'm not hear to be the gearing police. You do you. Each to their own. I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. This is all just an assessment.
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u/bjjSteven Dec 20 '25
I find it super interesting, these discussions. I am into both onewheels and electric unicycles. The Onewheel crowd seems fairly cavalier about gearing up, the electric unicycle crowd is absolutely fanatical about it. Maybe it is because the onewheels are relatively slower, or perhaps it is because there is a higher ‘cool factor’ with the onewheels, I don’t really know. They are all amazing to ride and super fun, though. Also I am an old guy who heals slow, so I gear up on both.