In case you hadn’t noticed, hoverboards are becoming increasingly popular. We don’t blame you if you didn’t notice, because what we call “hoverboards” don’t hover at all. It’s somewhat misnamed then.
When we talk about hoverboards, we mean the Swegways; they’re just like Segways, without the handle bar. Some people call them “balance boards”, which is probably closer to the truth of what they are, but you know, we humans are funny with our language, and “hoverboard” sounds so much cooler.
If you’re thinking of buying a hoverboard, then we can highly recommend them. They are awesome fun. It’s similar to riding a bike, in that you need to learn how to do it, but once you do, it’s completely intuitive and easy to use.
It’s important that you make the correct choices when buying your hoverboard, and we’re going to help you to do this now.
Size Matters
The wheel size matters when it comes to hoverboards, and different wheel sizes have different advantages and disadvantages, so we’ll look at each in turn:
• 4.5in wheels: these are really intended for use by children. Adults will find them tricky to use. They’re much slower than other types of board and they will feel strained if used by anyone above 10stone.
• 6.5in wheels: these are the most popular choice and the most cost effective. They tend to work well in urban environments where there’s a lot of smooth surface, but if you want to take it off road, or on terrain that’s a little bit uneven, they can be problematic.
• 8in wheels: these offer better stability than the smaller styles, but the ride feels fairly similar to the 6.5in. The problem of weight starts to appear here, as they are heavier than the previous two mentioned.
• 10in wheels: if you want to take the hoverboard off road, then this is the choice for you. Most of these have inflatable wheels, so they adjust and respond to the terrain, offering you fantastic stability on uneven terrain.
Settings the Standards
Different hoverboards have different settings and some of them feature a “beginners” setting. Clearly, if you’ve never used a hoverboard before, or a Segway, then you should opt to buy one that has the beginner setting. Otherwise, you might find it difficult to master: we understand that we’ve probably just egged some of you on to buy one with the hardest settings, but do consider it carefully.
What these settings amount to in reality, is simply speed. The faster boards are intended for the more advanced users amongst you. Initially, you should stick to boards with a max output speed of 10km/h. Any faster, you will find it very difficult to control. It’s not unheard of for people to go flying off pavements and into the road, so do make your choices wisely.
A Few Final Pointers
When choosing your hoverboard, make sure that you check for maximum weight limits. The mid-range boards (i.e. 6.5in) can usually take up to 15st 7lb. if you weigh more, then you will need to choose a bigger board.
Be careful when taking them out on rainy days, as some of them are not very water resistant. Be sure to check out the ratings before you buy the board – especially if you live in the UK.
Make sure that you check out the range. Hoverboard batteries last anywhere from between 12 miles and 28 miles, so do make sure you choose one that is appropriate for your needs.
Finally, the most important thing is that you have fun!
