GT- S-Series: Onewheel Drops Their Smartest, Fastest, and Most Powerful Off-Road Board

Ladies and gents and lovers of anything board-like, lend me your eyes for the next few minutes so that we can get to know a bit about Onewheels and their recently unveiled GT S-Series, an Onewheel trinket that takes an existing crowd favorite and amps it up big time!

The S-Series' story begins with none other than US-based Onewheel, a crew that's been fiddling with this design before 2008. After all, that was the year in which their first prototype surfaced. It was a chain-driven wheel sitting in the middle of a footboard, and years down the line, this crew migrated toward electric power, in the process, giving birth to something else entirely. All that brings us to the S-Series.

First and foremost, allow me to point out that the S-Series isn't just an updated Onewheel, but rather, a completely redesigned machine with features that allow it to be lighter, faster, stronger, and more balanced than previous generations.

All this starts off with the presence of something dubbed "Recurve Rails." By reshaping the Onewheel's footboard, more leverage and control are now possible, not to mention comfort and without sacrificing any ground clearance.

Part two of the story has to do with all the changes made to the drivetrain. First off, the S-Series is running under 113V, and according to the manufacturer, that's 50% more voltage than before, thus, power. Yet, this is only possible with an updated motor, one that runs neodymium magnets for peak torque and acceleration.

In comparison with the standard GT model, the S-Series is able to crank out twice as much torque at the same speed. Throw in some Japanese NSK bearing to ensure as little friction as possible, and that's the base for the S-Series. All that's good for a top speed that caps at 25 mph (40 kph), so if you want more speed, you may need to sign up for one of those ESPN events.

Up next, the battery and BMS need a little attention. Why? By "re-engineering" the battery, BMS, and power stage, Onewheel was able to shed a solid 2 lbs off its existing design. In all, 33 lbs (15 kg) is all you'll ever be lugging around.

The new battery and systems allow you to ride for 25 miles (400 km) at the peak range, but this clearly depends on the terrain you encounter. Once drained, you'll need to pull to the side for up to 150 minutes. But, with an optional hypercharger, 80 minutes is all that's needed.

One other aspect of the mechanics that needs some light shed upon it is the wheel, the centerpiece of any Onewheel machine. A big difference between the S-Series and the other models is the central motor casing. Because Onewheel managed to reduce this component's size, they were able to throw on a larger tire, thus bringing more comfort to our rides. They also tampered with tire width, tread, and composite to find the proverbial sweet spot between comfort and performance.

Now, we live in a modern age with modern solutions, but above all, there's an app for this one, clearly. But there's a neat trick to accessing the Onewheel app: you're able to tune your EV's performance. You can tamper with acceleration levels, how much the board compensates during turns, and even how hard it brakes. Basically, it doesn't matter if you've ever ridden an Onewheel; it can be adapted to your abilities.

There's just one little catch to all the magic I mentioned above. According to the product pages, some of the features I mentioned above are dependent on the package you ultimately choose upon checkout. For instance, there is a standard S-Series, and it doesn't include the Recurve Rail or the smaller motor hub and upgraded tire. The first package begins at $2,900 (€2,700 at current exchange rates), and the fully upgraded option stands at $3,500 (€3,250). Be sure to look into any other bundles Onewheel offers if you're looking for extra gear like a fender. That last one might be a good idea until you get the hang of this thing.

Now, I understand that it's difficult to gauge if the S-Series is for you, but there are solutions. You can find an outdoor sporting goods provider that is authorized to supply these in your area and go for a ride. Best of all, there are dealers all over the world, so it's kind of hard to miss. Or, just go straight to the source and stick to the warranty deal in case it's not for you. Be safe out there, and wear a helmet.