The Trotter Magwheel T3 offers a lower-cost, DIY-friendly alternative to the Onewheel, appealing especially to tinkerers and budget-conscious newcomers. Despite appealing features like easy part replacement and affordability, its rough ride and difficult dismount make it less smooth and user-friendly than Onewheel. With improvements, it could be future competition, but it’s not quite there yet.
Video Review
Written Review
Who Will Love The Trotter Magwheel T3?
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative to the Onewheel, the Trotter Magwheel T3 is one of the very few players in the single-wheeled electric skateboard game. It’ll cost you less than a Onewheel, but as the saying goes: at what cost?
The "Android" Of Single Wheels
In the smartphone world, Android rose to popularity by being the affordable, "tinker-friendly" alternative to the iPhone. Right now, Onewheel is lightyears ahead because, frankly, there is no other market. Comparing the Magwheel T3 to a Onewheel is like comparing a Nissan Leaf to a Tesla. It’s a true David and Goliath story, and while I went into this review with an open mind, the Magwheel currently feels more like a "rough draft" than a finished product.
The Pros: A Tinkerer’s Dream
There is a lot to like if you’re the type of rider who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty. This type of accessibility is huge; for me I have always enjoyed being able to find cheaper resolutions to problems. But many others may find themselves in a spot similar to my brother, someone who just loves toying with, pulling apart pieces, and just changing things up out of enjoyment. For him, he finds fun in not only using a device that is his, but also in being able to change it according to his desires. Ever since we were both teens, I would usually see him outside trying to create things. Every week he would always come up with some crazy idea, like trying to make gunpowder from scratch, or wanting to take apart a generator.
- Accessibility: Unlike Future Motion (Onewheel), which requires you to ship your board back to California for repairs, the Magwheel is built for the handyman.
- Ease of Repair: You can use a simple screwdriver to open it up, swap parts, or even replace the battery.
- Cheap Parts: You can buy individual components—like motherboards, wheel covers, and sensor buttons—directly from the Innovative Electronics website without breaking the bank.
- Built-in Features: It comes standard with an audible alert and a treaded tire.
- Affordability: The Magwheel is less expensive than the Onewheel.
The Cons: Performance Flaws
Where the Magwheel struggles is in the actual ride. If you are already accustomed to a Onewheel, your biases will shape impressions and experience of anything you are not familiar with. While I desire for a real alternative to the Onewheel, in its current state the Trotter is not quite there because of the flaws listed below.
- The "Shudder": The motor shudders on any uneven ground. While it’s fine on smooth pavement, it strains on hills and off-road sections that a Onewheel would climb with ease.
- Mounting/Dismounting: It’s tricky to get on, and even harder to get off. Because there are sensors on both the front and back (unlike the front-only Onewheel), you usually have to hop off rather than dismount with any "semblance of grace."
- Lack of Refinement: Every crack in the road decreases your confidence. It simply isn't as smooth as an XR or a Pint.
The Freshly Charged Take
Both the community and the market need competition to challenge the Onewheel monopoly, but the Magwheel T3 isn't quite there yet. With some firmware upgrades and a further price decrease, it could be a great entry point for budget-conscious riders. For now, it’s best suited for the "tinkerers"—people like my brother who enjoy taking apart generators or smithing swords in the backyard just for the joy of building something their own.
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