Because the interwebs are crammed full of crazy things, and sometimes the purpose of those things is not immediately discernible, we present WTF Is It?
WTF is it?
The Mega Hub Motor Electric Unicycle, a self-balancing, monowheel vehicle that looks straight out of a knockoff Mad Max but offers a much smoother and quieter ride (3,000W brushless hub motor paired with a 17-inch wheel).
So what does it do?
Give meaning to the phrase “tool around.” Think of it as the beach cruiser of electric vehicles. Appropriately, it only takes about 5-10 minutes to learn how to drive, according to the creator.
Who might that creator be?
Dr. John Dingley. A tinkerer extraordinaire when not at his day job as senior anesthetist at a Welsh hospital, he’s been working on various one-wheeled riders since 2008, according to WalesOnline. As a DIY project, his aim is not to create the next Segway or “hoverboard,” but to inspire a new generation of unicycle Frankensteins.
How do I make one?
You’ll probably want to start by heading over to the Unicycle Garage. Dingley has been documenting his hobbyist escapades on a Google Sites page for years, but with this most recent and advanced unicycle, he’s put together a series of videos for directions and demonstrations. You might also need to get an advanced degree at some point, but no confirmation on that.
Should I buy this thing?
Again, you won’t find these in stores. But if you’re interested in following in Dingley’s footsteps, he says the readily available parts needed would only cost about £400 and £500 (or roughly $540 to $680) with the battery making up the bulk of that.
Where does the Mega Hub stand on the spectrum of unicycle coolness?
At the top. It’s probably something like: Electric commuter unicycles < Classic unicycles < Uno Bolt < Mega Hub.
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