When Future Motion announced that the Onewheel XR was going to be discontinued in 2021, the Onewheel community reacted with mixed emotions. The Onewheel XR was undeniably one of the biggest steps forward in Personal Electric Vehicle technology ever. So, while it would be sad to see this chapter end, users were beyond curious to see what Onewheel had in store for the encore. With the introduction of the GT, Future Motion proved that the company was committed to continuously pushing the limits past what was once perceived as impossible.
Let’s take a look at how the GT changed the PEV game:
Increased Power
When comparing the Onewheel GT to the XR, the first thing a rider notices is that the Onewheel GT is larger and heavier. The GT was designed to give riders more adventures, longer commutes, and more carveability during off-road journeys. The increased weight is the result of the GT’s 18s2 battery, which significantly increases voltage compared to the 15s2 battery pack that the XR was equipped with.
The upgraded battery provides riders with an increase in torque, power, and performance. Those who enjoy their time on the XR with a maximum of two horsepower will undoubtedly love the three-horsepower peak output of the GT model. The weight of the GT is 35 pounds, in comparison to the 27-pound XR. This additional weight is because of the more advanced battery, as well as the compartment needed to contain it. To help riders easily transport the GT, as it is nine pounds heavier than its XR predecessor, it comes equipped with a premium aluminum Maghandle Pro.
Increased Range
To sustain the life of the GT battery, Onewheel added more cells. These additional cells allow the person riding the GT to pull more current without causing any damage. Also, additional cells allow the Onewheel GT to utilize the same 750W HyperCore motor as the XR while actually increasing its overall power.
By increasing the cell count from 18,650 to 21,700, Onewheel was able to increase the potential range of the GT by 30%.The Onewheel XR had 18-mile range. Every Onewheel GT user can ride 32 miles on just a single charge. Since the GT has a larger battery, it does take 30 extra minutes to charge compared to the XR.
Concave vs. Flat Footpads
Many of the original XR riders ended up replacing their back footpads with concave footpads. In response, Onewheel GT decided to make concave footpads their standard, so that every rider could easily enjoy a more locked-in, comfortable feel during each ride. XR users may also notice that the GT features upgraded grip tape, which also provides a better sense of security while riding.
From Slick to Treaded Tire
One of the most thrilling aspects of using a Onewheel board is the ability to travel on various kinds of surfaces. As the demand is high for off-road thrills, the Onewheel GT provides the opportunity to enjoy a treaded tire from the start. The XR provided users with the slick tire, which had a considerably tougher time gaining traction in loose dirt.
The tire profile of the GT has also been upgraded to a rounder feel. The original idea for Onewheel boards was to replicate the feel of carving through snow on a snowboard while simply heading down the sidewalk. The new tire profile increases the carvy feel that riders crave.
As Pint X riders can attest, Onewheel improves their build quality with every new release. From an LED light that is 300% brighter to an increase in water resistance, the GT was designed to take the best aspects of the XR model and improve upon them.
All the upgrades that make the flagship Onewheel GT come with some additional costs. The XR started at $1,799, while the GT begins at $2,200. Those who visit the Onewheel website will notice that the company does provide monthly payment plan options in order to allow more riders to revel in the stoke that comes with every Onewheel GT excursion.
