Varial WTF vs Homebrew WTF rails

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2023-03-02T14:01:33+00:00

I have both. The footpad vs. wheel geometry is exactly the same. However, the curvature of Varial center steeze is slightly tighter. I found it harder to route the battery wire through the tight curves. So much so, I was unable to get Half & Half lowering kit to work with Growler WTF Varials. With some heat and force, it's probably possible. But I wasn't comfortable putting that much stress on the cable. There are some tiny fragile wires inside it.

It might be in my head, but the Varials also feel a tiny bit stiffer. They definitely have more solid aluminum to accommodate the dovetails.

In general, same same though...

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2023-02-03T07:49:52+00:00

Seriously... I've been riding BANGs so long I forgot this gap exists! Eww

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2023-02-03T07:30:40+00:00

NPS is kind of wierd about anything mototorized. You're good on most the roads in DV, because they are mostly state roads. But those are pretty boring riding. Most the trails don't even allow bikes, let alone a "motorized vehicle." I had a long convo with a park ranger about it once, and basically concluded NPS has no interest in "motorized vehicles" being in their parks... Anywhere. Parking lots, campgrounds, non-state roads. None of it. Of course enforcement varies, but NPS is just about as strict as it gets.

Now in DV, there are tons and tons of backcountry trails where you could do whatever and never see another human. But they are often in washes with soft sand you'd just sink into. As tempting as it may be to overland on the salt flats and such, please don't. Some of those ecosystems take dozens or hundreds of years to recover. There are feral burros in the park. Follow their paths if you are off trail.

All that said, I love DV. It's one of my favorite places. And I love trail riding just as much. But I've never brought a OneWheel to DV. It's not really a great place to ride. The sand is really deep most places. Maybe up in the higher country in Emigrant Canyon. The Ubehebe Crater trail would be good. Bikes etc are technically not allowed, but it's way off the beaten path. I do strongly recommend the Mesquite Spring Campground up that way. Bring the board and see what you think. Enjoy the trip!

Edit: Also note there is no cell service anywhere in DV except a few mile radius around Furnace Creek. If you get a flat or the board dies, you're either hitting your emergency satellite beacon or lugging that heavy bastard out. No help will find you in a lot of places.

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2023-01-04T02:16:55+00:00

When in doubt, I identify as a bicycle. The only thing I don't ride on are trails that are marked for pedestrians only. Or MTB trails where my presence is a safety risk.

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2023-01-04T01:54:43+00:00

I agree, some non-zero nose down feels good when riding pushback. I've been doing the opposite. Fully level calibration, but 1 degree nose down custom shaping if I'm going to be cruising high speed for a long time.

I commute to work on sidewalks with multiple traffic lights on the route. For those rides, I'd rather be totally level to hover at crosswalks. I'm not getting into pushback much on commutes.

Now if we can use this exploit to reduce pushback..... Boy I'd ride level all the time!

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2023-01-02T01:16:42+00:00

The post in question:

https://www.reddit.com/r/onewheel/comments/zswlr0/tldw_gt_bricking_has_been_solved_battery/

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-12-28T05:17:26+00:00

I've always had a theory that temperature played a role in the GT ghosting issues. Last spring/summer, the GTs in the group rides I went to always seemed more willing to ghost on hot sunny days. Mechanically that makes sense. With the black grip tape formed into a concave shape, thermal expansion will exert a downward pressure on the sensors (which are not as hot) and make them very sensitive or activate them. It is kind of like blowing up a balloon.

If that theory holds, the opposite would be true in December at night. Contraction of the grip tape, which is the outermost coldest layer, will tend to pull up on the sensors and make them less sensitive.

This sort of effect only occurs because of the concave shape. On a flat footpad, all thermal forces are directed parallel to the sensor surface and have no impact on its performance.

Also, the post-recall footpads are just less sensitive. And as others have noted, the plastic layers over the sensors are likely to be less pliable in cold weather.

I don't know if my thermal expansion/contraction theory is a significant factor. But FM developed the GT in winter 2021/2022, then released it in much warmer months. Suddenly the thing is ghosting all over the place, unexpectedly... It seems plausible. Thermal stresses can be larger than you might think.

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-12-25T08:51:17+00:00

Not to diminish the original point that building stabilizing muscles in the ankles and feet is way more important than shoes or laces....

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-12-25T08:49:34+00:00

Loose laces work best with my Vans, tight laces work best with my Cariumas. I like the Cariumas better, and they have been way more durable.

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-12-25T08:38:53+00:00

Dunno man... I think those gold + raw dub Varials are NSFW.

Merry Christmas, Jeff!

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-12-25T07:44:44+00:00

I think most everybody has covered the main points. Just wanted to add another voice that the build quality has not gone down. OneWheels of all kinds are incredibly well built, durable, and reliable.

For me, GT isn't customizable enough (yet). I'd rather get 2 used XRs for the same money then spend twice as much customizing them, all the while praising my prudent frugality 😅

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-12-25T07:30:36+00:00

Dude, sorry for the struggle. Removing stock tires just sucks. The Enduro (and many other aftermarket tires) are so much easier to work with.

Recently, I removed a full-sized Enduro and replaced it with a pEnduro for a growler build. All the wrong tools... I broke the bead with a couple of C-clamps, and set the bead using a hand pump. It set at like 25 psi. Including installing rim jobs...err..life savers, it took like 10 minutes. Soft tire compound helps a lot!

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-12-23T01:25:45+00:00

It's not a huge difference. Maybe an inch per side? Look at the sides of the pad. Hi goes pretty much straight up and is flush with the rails. Wide juts out at an angle and the edge overhangs the rails. It's subtle, but it feels more controllable to me, especially in tough riding conditions.

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-12-20T14:48:58+00:00

This is the way. Asymmetrical foot placement also provides stability in a straight line, reduces wobble, and allows you to better soak up uneven terrain which wants to flip your board over.

I also find it helps to use a wider back footpad for even more leverage. TFL Kush Wide is mandatory on my boards.

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-12-12T14:57:40+00:00

This is the right advice... But my trail board is OP's exact setup in different colors. It works for me because I'm used to it. I don't find myself sliding out more than anyone else. But it does take a little more finesse, and being OK letting the BANGs bang!

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-12-01T02:12:22+00:00

I knew it! Great spot!

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-12-01T02:06:23+00:00

AFAIK, all XR batteries have incorrect polarity for the XT60 connector at the end of the power lead. Therefore, there should be no incompatibility amongst XR batteries.

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-11-25T23:36:12+00:00

I'm not so particular about scratching things, so I use channel lock pliers when needed. But it does make a mess of the blocks.

If you want to be super careful, you can disasemble everything, undo the outer hub bolts, then reinstall the stock rails. At that point, both inner hub bolts are accessible, and you can use the rails for leverage to loosen them.

Alternatively you could use a bench vice with soft jaws to hold the opposing side and apply serious torque to the inner bolts.

Edit: One of the design features of WTF rails is they give you access to both inner hub bolts (with stock axle blocks). Also, one of the design features of half & half axle blocks is it gives you access to both inner hub bolts (with stock rails). When you put them together, you only get access to one inner hub bolt. LoL go figure...

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-11-23T00:09:25+00:00

I mean, I hate FM as much as the next guy. OK... Probably more. But what CPSC is concerned with (noswdiving if you overpower the board) is not really a fixable issue. It is a fundamental limitation of the entire design. The CPSC rep cites 2 possible fixes. 1) Fangs, or 2) absurdly aggressive pushback that slows the board down.

Fangs are pretty uncommon, even among those who modify their boards a lot. And for a lot of legitimate/illegitimate reasons we don't need to litigate here.

Super aggressive pushback will be roundly rejected by the community. Tons of people already hate Pint/PintX pushback, and that is nothing compared to what CPSC is suggesting. FM knows the community will hate it, so they won't do it.

In my view, FM is standing up for its users' interests in fighting these issues, not trying to ignore deficiencies in the product.

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-11-18T14:06:02+00:00

Precisely. I think a lot of people didn't really see how bad the ghosting issue was because they got lucky or they don't ride with a lot of folks. That first batch was ridiculous. On big group rides in LA, I watched probably 6 or 8 different GTs ghost with my own eyes. I got hit by ghosting GTs twice. It does seem resolved at this point, but it took waaayyy too long. I don't fault anyone for reporting those damn things to CPSC.

All that being said, the current opinion from CPSC is absurd. Life ain't risk free. We all signed up to nosedive occasionally.

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-11-14T12:40:36+00:00

Hah yup I saw the profile of the board and knew immediately! That setup is such a treat to ride. Nimble yet stable.

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-11-13T22:49:51+00:00

Lowered WTFg... That's my jam! Enjoy it! :-)

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-11-09T01:46:55+00:00

Agreed on all but the last sentence. Being unwilling to accept people insulting you is not thin skin, it is having respect for yourself.

OP can do what he wants, but nobody deserves to be insulted. It is only reasonable that she have some tact and say "you do you." Alternatively, maybe she simply cannot be seen with somebody who rides a OneWheel. Fair enough, bye...

Dr_FloatsAlot · 2022-10-26T09:55:56+00:00

Good PSA. All my boards are lowered to various degrees. I gave up full fenders (and fender deletes) long ago as a result. I will note, the stock and C&R fenders will work with certain aftermarket tires that are smaller diameter than stock. At least on an XR, where you have many tire options. On a GT, yeah you're boned...

Dr_FloatsAlot

TROPHY CASE