You Don’t Need the Latest EUC — And That’s Completely Fine

Electric unicycles are expensive toys. That’s not a criticism — it’s clarity.

They’re not necessities. They’re not productivity tools for most riders. And they’re definitely not identity badges, no matter how some corners of the internet make them feel.

I ride an EUC because it’s really fun.

I bought mine used. I ride trails. I take small jumps. I don’t have suspension. And I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything.

This isn’t an article about specs, voltage wars, or what’s “best.” It’s about why you shouldn’t feel pressured to upgrade — and why sticking with what you already own is often the smarter, more satisfying choice.

The Upgrade Pressure Is Real — and Mostly Artificial

Spend enough time in EUC forums, Facebook groups, Discords, or YouTube comments and you’ll notice a familiar pattern:

• “Non-suspension wheels are obsolete.”
• “You’re risking your life without the latest model.”
• “Why buy that when something faster just dropped?”

This pressure doesn’t come from your riding experience. It comes from:

• Constant product releases
• Spec-sheet comparisons divorced from real-world use
• Content ecosystems that depend on new hardware
• Enthusiast culture equating “new” with “better”

None of that means you actually need to upgrade.

Fun Is the Only Metric That Matters

If your wheel:

• Makes you want to ride
• Fits your terrain
• Matches your skill level
• Doesn’t feel limiting in how you actually use it

Then it’s doing its job.

I ride an InMotion V12HT because it’s playful, torquey, predictable, and capable of everything I personally ask of it — including trail riding and small jumps. Could I buy something newer, bigger, suspended, or faster? Absolutely.

Would that automatically make my rides better? Not guaranteed.

Fun doesn’t scale linearly with battery size, suspension travel, voltage, or top speed. In many cases, familiarity increases enjoyment far more than new hardware ever will.

Suspension Is Optional — Not Mandatory

Suspension is great. It’s also not magic.

For some riders, suspension:

• Reduces fatigue
• Smooths rough terrain
• Boosts confidence at speed

For others:

• It adds weight
• It removes trail feedback
• It increases maintenance complexity
• It simply isn’t necessary for their terrain

Riding trails without suspension isn’t reckless. It’s a valid style of riding that prioritizes line choice, body control, terrain awareness, and active engagement.

If your trails don’t demand suspension, there’s no rule saying you should want it.

The Case for Buying (and Loving) a Used Wheel

Buying used is one of the most underrated EUC decisions you can make.

Lower cost means lower pressure.

• You’re less afraid of scratches
• You ride harder
• You experiment more
• You worry less about resale value

A used wheel usually comes with documented quirks, known fixes, and a mature knowledge base. You’re not beta-testing hardware — you’re riding something understood.

There’s a freedom that comes with riding a wheel you didn’t emotionally or financially over-invest in.

Newer Isn’t Always Better — It’s Just Different

New models bring higher ceilings, new designs, and fresh possibilities. They also bring new failure modes, firmware growing pains, parts delays, and unknown long-term durability.

Choosing a proven platform isn’t settling — it’s opting for reliability over novelty.

Skill Beats Specs Every Time

A hard truth the internet doesn’t like to admit:

A skilled rider on an older wheel is safer and more capable than an unskilled rider on the newest one.

Progress comes from time on pedals, not from checkout carts. Over-upgrading can actually slow learning by masking mistakes with hardware.

You Don’t Owe Anyone an Explanation

You don’t need to justify:

• Why you didn’t upgrade
• Why you bought used
• Why you don’t want suspension
• Why you’re happy with what you ride

Your EUC isn’t a résumé. It’s something you ride because it makes your life better.

When Upgrading Actually Makes Sense

This isn’t anti-upgrade — it’s anti-pressure.

Upgrading makes sense when:

• Your current wheel is genuinely limiting your rides
• Your terrain or riding style has changed
• Your goals have evolved
• You know exactly what problem you’re solving

Upgrading because the internet made you feel behind is never a good reason.

Ride What You Have, Not What the Internet Has

EUCs are niche, expensive, joy machines. They don’t need to be optimized to death.

If you’re smiling when you ride…
if you’re choosing trails over spreadsheets…
if your wheel disappears beneath you instead of demanding attention…

Then you’re doing it right.

Everything else is noise.