Local shop first in nation to sell Self-Balancing Unicycle

Self Balancing Unicycle - SBU-2

A unique unicycle.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The eBike Store in North Portland has become the first dealer in the country to stock the Self-Balancing Unicycle — a.k.a. SBU. The SBU is an electric-assisted unicycle with “advanced angle sensing electronics and software” that allows it to balance and “pedal” for you.

The SBU was invented by engineer Daniel Wood of Camas, Washington-based Focus Designs. I met Wood last week for an up-close look at his amazing invention.

Wood, 31, was laid off a year ago from his job at U.S. Digital in Vancouver and has spent the last two years developing the SBU. A classic tinkerer, Wood had previously invented a remote-controlled Segway-like device he called, “Gimpy.”

Self Balancing Unicycle - SBU-3

Wood demonstrates.
Self Balancing Unicycle - SBU-6

No crank arms needed.

“I wanted to take the guts out of Gimpy and put it on a unicycle to see if it would work. I was the guy out in the parking lot on my lunch hour on a unicycle with 40 pounds of lead-acid batteries in my backpack… I was fumbling around, then all of the sudden I was riding. It was awesome!”

The SBU has come a long way since then and Wood is now looking for investors and dealers. He says it’s a simple, lightweight, and compact way to get around. The ideal users, according to Wood, are public transit riders, college students, carfree urbanites, truck drivers, tourists, and so on.

Unlike a standard unicycle, the SBU is easy to get the hang of. I’ve never been able to ride a unicycle, but in a few minutes, I was whizzing around on the SBU, feeling all futuristic and cool. It’s a strange sensation — you just sit on the seat, lean forward, and the SBU zips you around. Want to stop? Just roll your hips back and it stops. You don’t even pedal (there are no crank arms), you just sit and glide.

Wood took the SBU to the Interbike trade show in Las Vegas last year and said it was a huge hit. He’s also gained his share of notoriety thanks to an appearance on the Mythbusters TV show back in December. He’s sold about 26 of them so far. The current price is $1,499. Here are a few other specs and features:

  • Weighs 24 lbs.
  • Custom lithium-ion nano-phosphate battery rated for more than 1000 cycles.
  • Automatic fall detection shutoff switch.
  • Goes 10 mph and has a range of 10 miles.
  • Folded size is 13″x20″x35″.

As our transit network expands, SBUs might appeal to the many people who will live a long walk from their transit stop. Will these things be the hot ticket in Portland? What do you think?

You can try one out at The eBike Store at 201 N. Alberta Street (on N. Vancouver Ave.). Check out the video clip below from Mythbusters to see it in action:

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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wsbob
wsbob
14 years ago

I vaguely remember a couple stories dating back a year or so ago about similar machines. The person reviewing one of them said it was a little challenging to get the hang of riding it. The other was a Japanese designed, slick, modernistic, white monotone rig. Really expensive too.

This one looks so simple and functional. Could use fold up pedals. The price is good. The speed is good. I would think these things have great sales potential.

Serious Juggling & Unicycles

Daniel is going to have a self balancing unicycle (SBU) placed at Serious Juggling for people to try too! And yes, the SBU was a quite the hit at Interbike – the first comment most people made when they saw we sell unicycles was, “Have you seen that new self balancing unicycle?”

Xor
Xor
14 years ago

as someone who hopes to someday retire to a sailboat (a guy can dream, right?), i love this!! a couple things come to mind:

1) can/does it charge just by plugging in?

2) i imagine some ways to carry cargo… like maybe way, way low-slung little fold-up trailer? front and rear pouches? who knows. at minimum, a coffee-holder. haha

3) wiggle/rock your feet to charge it? (hey, i am trying to make it so i can get *some* exercise!)

anyway, its pretty cool. would love to try one someday.

3)

The eBike Store
14 years ago

@Xor

1) Yes, it comes with a charger and can easily plug into a regular outlet (110v or 220V when favorable winds take you to the South Pacific)

2) Coffee Holder is plausible. I would wait until you are good at it to try carrying too much cargo – it tweaks your balance. I had a heck of time commuting home with my chrome bag full of books / computer. (I might be sending this from a recently cracked laptop…)

3) Wiggle charging is not available at this time. However, you will get a core workout as you get your balance muscles up and working!

As usual, we have free latte’s.and are open 11-6:30, Weekends 10-5. Mon/Tues is my weekend. You can stop by, but no one will be there…

Paul Tay
Paul Tay
14 years ago

When the battery runs out while day-trippin’, can ya pedal to an outlet, or doya havta lug it?

The eBike Store
14 years ago

@ Paul

The pedals are for balance, not propulsion. However, when the bus or max is already full of bikes, you can hop on with the SBU (it weighs 24lbs).

Shawn Small
14 years ago

must go ride

Carl
Carl
14 years ago

A hilarious answer to an unasked question. I can’t wait to ride one.

Greg Haun
Greg Haun
14 years ago

Way cooler than a Segway. But I’ll be really sold when I can add some pedaling muscle. I want to provide (most of) the energy and it to help me balance and maybe serve as an infinitely-variable-transmission.

Marcus Griffith
Marcus Griffith
14 years ago

self-balancing technology may have just solve the too-drunk-to-balance-bike problem…

gabriel amadeus
14 years ago

Tried this thing at MCBF and it is wild. Definitely takes some getting used to!

Eric DD
14 years ago

Yeah! I saw this thing the other day at Wake’s store. Really cool machine. Go Wake!!

beth h
14 years ago

“Electric assist” is likely an inaccurate label for a thing you don’t pedal. That said, it’s still one of the most fascinating new technologies I’ve seen to come down the electric vehicle pike.

Andy B from Jersey
14 years ago

Uhhh…. Why?

It’s cool engineering exercise but it doesn’t seem to serve any real transportation purpose my Brompton couldn’t do 10x better at the same price point.

My Bromy can do 30mph, has a place to put lights for and aft, full fenders, helps me loose weight, gets gawking stairs (even from the ladies) and never needs charging.

sabes
sabes
14 years ago

Andy #14, your Brompton seems like a cool engineering exercise, but doesn’t seem to serve any real purpose. I have a 1976 BMW R90/6 motorcycle. It goes 100mph, can go on the highways, gets stares from people and never needs charging. Plus it can carry a heck of a lot of cargo and will probably run for another 35 years.

Anonymous
Anonymous
14 years ago

Progress is so cool as I type this on my iPhone
we barely have to think, walk, talk, etc
cool video
better than driving a car unnecessarily
probably a fad or ?? Gimmick
certainly not electric-assist
more like a wheelchair

-b
-b
14 years ago

i’m just gonna wait for the youtube crash videos to start piling up.
that’ll be the one thing i look forward to.

will it get more people on bikes?
doubt it.
will it get more people out of their cars?
probably not many.

but hey, new technology is always fun.
here ya go america: your new segwey.

guy at tube
guy at tube
14 years ago

i’m taking the brake off as soon as i get it.

can you get aerospokes for it?

BURR
BURR
14 years ago

sort of like the yike bike but less wheels and less $

http://www.yikebike.com/

Nick
Nick
14 years ago

OMG, I SO WANT ONE OF THESE!!!

Hard to believe the 10 mile charge in the FAQ. But still! To jet around downtown without looking like a douche on a segway.

I love my bikes, but sometimes you just want to get from point A to point B without breaking a sweat. Especially in work clothes.

~n

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
14 years ago

Good luck guys…it is always a trip to see you all riding around Vancouver on it for the last 2 years.

GregSea
GregSea
14 years ago

sabes #15 – maybe but your motorcycle weighs a lot more than this unicycle and is a lot bigger while a brommie weighs the same and is roughly the same size (see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brompton_Bicycle

for details).

That said this thing sounds like a hoot. If you could pedal it, I’d seriously consider getting one – please make a variant that you can pedal!

GregSea
GregSea
14 years ago

Oh, and I should add that I’m aware that making it actually pedal assisted would complicate both the drive train and the control system. But I still want that version 🙂

Daniel Wood
13 years ago

SBU (Self Balancing Unicycle) V2.0 is released.
http://focusdesigns.com/design/

Pete
Pete
13 years ago

From the video it looks like he’s invented a 1-wheeled chick magnet… way to think around the box (bike?) and good luck with your business!

Flip-up pedals are a good idea, and maybe options for removable batteries with different weights/durations.