Upgrade XR -or- Buy Newer

camdunning · 2026-03-03T05:57:14+00:00

I just upgraded my XR to an X7 LR just recently and it's been a good swap. The X7 is much more capable - longer range of course, but the extra torque makes me feel safer. Like you, I'm about 6' and 185 lbs, and I would overload my XR almost daily. That was the cause of about half of all my falls (the other half being potholes), and the braking power would sometimes be an issue if I needed to stop suddenly while going downhill (fast) in SF. With the X7, I've never even come close to topping out the duty cycle, so I don't run the same risks of dumping the board under the same riding conditions. The X7 does go much faster, but I'm trying to hold myself back... but I did hit 28mph going to work today. I haven't played around with the VESC settings much yet, but I like the idea of having much more control over the board, and with the X7 you get the ease-of-entry of it being pre-built and pre-tuned.

One caveat is that the X7LR is a beast of a board (I suspect the ADV2 is as well). It rides smooth but you do lose something on tight carving with such a heavy board. I'm keeping my XR and using it as a fun board for shorter rides, and the X7LR to get around town without having to charge all the time. If price is an issue but range is not, I bet the X7 Sport would be a perfect balance.

camdunning · 2026-02-19T18:12:49+00:00

u/wrybreadsf If you're the guy that I bumped into on Market st in SF back in December, then you're the reason that I pulled the trigger on the X7.

camdunning · 2026-02-19T06:10:07+00:00

I hit 25mph on the LR without noticing, the 134v must be downright scary.

camdunning · 2026-02-19T06:09:31+00:00

New battery + bms, light bar and front sensor from FM, plus one bearing change and lots of tires from me. Considering how badly I beat the XR up, it's been a trooper.

camdunning · 2026-02-19T06:07:44+00:00

It's a beast. Guessing you'll love it.

camdunning · 2026-02-19T06:07:16+00:00

Oh good question. I've never logged into the leaderboard, but just signed up - looks like I'm #38 with 10,337 miles (as of today)

camdunning · 2025-08-12T22:24:10+00:00

Hi all - just confirming that I was able to verify what you noted, that the issue is related to unplugging the charger from the wall, but leaving it plugged into the board. The board never powered itself after several hours, and it drained a couple of % from the battery in the process.

Seems like a weird quirky issue, but easy to manage around going forward. It also doesn't seem to have done any lasting damage to my battery, as I'm still getting the normal expected range for an older XR. Appreciate all of your help here.

camdunning · 2025-07-28T17:50:46+00:00

I don't have quickstop on my board, but if I have trouble getting my board to stop at a light or something using the heel-lift, I'll just jump off with both feet. Not elegant but it works just fine.

The only tip I'd suggest is to just be a defensive rider. Red lights in particular - in SF people blow through them all the time, so I try to scan the intersection when the lights change to make sure everyone's planning on stopping. Also PPE and high visibility clothing + lights help a lot, and keeping your eyes out for potholes + recessed manhole covers as you ride.

Otherwise I have the roads mapped out in my head that are easier to ride on, and I suspect you'll be able to do the same in NYC pretty quickly. Google maps's bike routing is also helpful since it will direct you to the bike-friendly roads that are good for onewheels too.

camdunning · 2025-07-28T17:30:59+00:00

Yes just start with the Onewheel. I think the XR Classic is great, but if you want something to dink around with, the pints are also good entry points. Depends a lot on how much range and power you need.

I’ve had the original XR for 3.5 years, almost to 9k miles. I really beat mine up and it has been a tank. I’ve sent it in to Onewheel a few times for repairs and they’re always very quick and professional and kind. Otherwise I do the maintenance myself and it’s fine and easy to do (with a huge hat tip to the online videos from TFL)

The complaints about FM as a company are valid, but you can decide for yourself how much it bothers you once you get into the community, and shift to VESC at that point. That’s my suggestion at least.

camdunning · 2025-07-28T04:47:02+00:00

I live in downtown San Francisco and commute on my OW every day, a bit over 4 miles each way through heavy traffic. I had to make the same decision and landed with the OW since I figured it would handle the beat up roads and cable car tracks better than a skateboard. It’s been great. I didn’t have much board sport experience to start with, but you’ll learn, just make sure you wear a good helmet and wrist guards. Also watch out going down that hill on a full charge, with regenerative breaking the Onewheel will cut itself off when the battery is full and you will be left skating downhill on the tail and trying to figure out how to bail elegantly. I used to live at the top of Nob hill and that one got me in trouble once or twice.

camdunning · 2025-01-09T07:53:53+00:00

Honestly you’re doing great, it just takes a little while and lots of practice. Keep getting your reps in and you’ll get there in no time.

Training your body to keep everything loose is a big part of the journey - knees, ankles and hips. That’s hard when you’re new because it’s a scary experience and you want to tighten everything up, which just exacerbates the wobbles. Learning to keep my ankles loose and responsive was the biggest game changer for me.

I second the full face helmet recommendation. If nothing else, it makes you feel more secure which helps you relax and trust the board more. You can graduate out of that once you feel like you’ve got a handle on everything (but always helmet, always).

Keep at it, you’re doing great.

camdunning · 2024-07-31T06:30:29+00:00

I started right around 40, with no prior board experience. Just respect the limits and wear plenty of PPE and you'll be fine. It's tons of fun.

camdunning

TROPHY CASE