Onewheel Pint Review – The Complete Guide
Onewheel Pint Review
Initially released in 2015, the original Onewheel board was the first electric skateboard of its kind. Since then, Future Motion, the California-based founders of the Onewheel, has added an array of models to their artillery. The Onewheel Pint is one of the newest additions from Onewheel, and it’s their smallest board yet.
Don’t let the size fool you – the Pint packs a punch. It’s pretty powerful, agile, and a lot of fun to ride. But, with there being a few Onewheel models to choose from, it can be tricky to decide what’s right for you. In this Onewheel Pint review, we will help make this choice a little easier.
From performance and specs to pricing, we’ll go over it all so you can make an informed decision before purchasing your own Pint.
This article is part of a series starting with “Onewheel: A Complete Guide” which covers everything you need to know about the Onewheel.
Onewheel Pint: The Basics
Released in 2019, the Onewheel Pint was designed to be a scaled-down, more portable version of their other boards.
The Onewheel Pint features a Maghandle situated in the wheel, as standard. The addition of this integrated handle is just one small feature that Future Motion added to ensure this board was an upgrade from their previous Onewheel models.
Weight and Dimensions
Weighing in at 23 lbs and measuring 8.75in x 10.5in x 27in – it’s no secret the Onewheel Pint is smaller than its predecessors. With a smaller stature comes a lighter price tag, and the Pint is the most affordable board in the Onewheel lineup.
Price and Shipping
Now, while it might be the cheapest option, it is certainly not what many would call a budget board – a Onewheel Pint will set you back $1,050 plus shipping. Onewheel offers free shipping on all orders over $100 to the USA lower 48 states.
If you’re an international customer, you’re looking at around $260 for shipping costs (including relevant duties). Depending on your country, you may also have to pay additional import fees.
Range and Speed
This pint-sized powerhouse electric board is still packed with features but doesn’t offer specs that rival the likes of the GT. The Pint has a top speed of 16mph and a 6-8 mile range on one full charge. When compared to other models, it is clear why the Pint is priced lower than some of the other boards.
But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing! We will take a closer look at the comparisons later in the article.
Tech Specifications
While the way the Pint looks is important when wanting to purchase, the technical specifications are really what sets the new board apart.
Here is a breakdown of the Pint specs:
- Motor: 750W Hypercore hub
- Battery: NMC 18650 cell – 120-minute charging time, or 50 minutes with the Ultracharger
- Sensors: Solid state MEMS 6-DOF (6 degrees of freedom sensors, aka high-performance hyper-accelerometers for a smoother ride)
Pint Features
Aside from having an added handle, the Onewheel Pint comes with some additional features that help this board stand out.
Simplestop
We just have to mention the added safety called Simplestop in this Onewheel Pint review! The Pint was the first Onewheel to offer ‘Simplestop’ technology, which makes it easier to stop mid-ride by leaning back slightly.
Previously with the other boards, such as the XR, you had to remove your heel from the footpad to initiate the break – Simplestop makes this process much simpler!
Lights
The Pint offers LED lighting on both the front and back of the board. This nifty feature not only helps make the Pint a little safer while riding at night, but it also signals to those around you what direction you’re going in. I have found really useful when carving up the street, especially in the evening.
There is also a lightbar situated just in front of the wheel. The lightbar is excellent as it tells your battery status (so you don’t need to check the app while riding) and also when the footpads are engaged.
Tire
While smaller than the GT or XR tire, measuring in at 10.5 in x 4.5-in, it is still a pretty hefty size even though it is smaller than the other models.
The Pint’s wheel is the standard slick stock vega, which is made of high-quality rubber and works well on most terrains. While the stock vega is one of the first things riders switch out, it shouldn’t be a defining buying factor when reading this Onewheel Pint review.
Warranty and Repairs
The Onewheel Pint has a warranty attached, which is pretty tightly bound and very strict. For example, if you are to add any aftermarket accessories – which many riders do, as they only elevate your Onewheel experience – you can potentially void the warranty.
With that being said, here is the warranty cover provided with a Onewheel Pint:
- Onewheel Pint: 1-year warranty (or 1243 miles, whichever comes first)
- Pint footpad, tire, battery pack: 6-month warranty (or 622 miles, whichever comes first)
As you can see, the different parts of the Onewheel Pint offer varying warranty periods, with the main board being covered for just 1 year and having distance limitations. As for repairs, you can only have repairs undertaken at the Future Motion service center in California.
If your board is deemed ‘repairable’ by the company, and you’re within the warranty period, they will do the repairs for you. However, if considered ‘non-repairable,’ you will have to pay for the repairs and round shipping out of pocket. Please note, is how it is with all Onewheel boards, not just the Pint!
Onewheel Pint App
The Pint also comes with the Onewheel app, which is nothing new but is still an awesome feature. The mobile app is pretty user-friendly and helps you keep track of your rides and change specific settings on your Pint.
The ride modes available for the Onewheel Pint are:
- Redwood: Great for beginners with a maximum speed of 12mph
- Pacific: Good for street riding with a speed limit of 16 mph
- Elevated: Best for off-road and going uphill with a speed limit of 16 mph
- Skyline: Reserved for the experienced rider who loves offroading with a speed limit of 16 mph
Onewheel Pint VS GT and Pint X
With the announcement a little while ago that Future Motion was to stop production and sales of the Onewheel XR models, the Onewheel community was mixed. Some people loved the idea of the new boards, whereas others didn’t understand the need for change.
While there are certainly some downsides with the newer models, your choices are now limited to the Pint, Pint X, and GT, (unless you want to buy an older model secondhand!) So, how do the specs of the Pint fair against the other two models?
Onewheel Pint
- Price: $1050
- Weight: 23 lbs
- Dimensions: 8.75in x 10.5in x 27in
- Max speed: 16mph
- Range: 6-8 miles
- Charge time: 120 minutes or 50 minutes with Ultracharger
- Tire size: 10.5in x 4.5-6in
- Tire type: Stock slick vega
Onewheel Pint X
- Price: $1400
- Weight: 27 lbs
- Dimensions: 8.75in x 10.5in x 27in
- Max speed: 18 mph
- Range: 12-18 miles
- Charge time: 225 minutes or 110 with Ultracharger
- Tire size: 10.5in x 4.5-6in
- Tire type: Stock slick vega
- Price: $2200
- Weight: 35 lbs
- Dimensions: 9.5in x 11.5in x 29in
- Max speed: 20 mph
- Range: 20-32 miles
- Charge time: 200 minutes or 90 minutes with Ultracharger
- Tire size: 11.5in x 6.5-6.5in
- Tire type: Stock slick vega or treaded
Comparing the Pint and Pint X is pretty simple. Size-wise, they are exactly the same, with the main differences coming down to speed, range, and charge time. The Pint X has an increased higher speed by 2mph and almost doubles the range you can get out of a single charge. Plus, the price range is not too different, with the Pint X coming in at $350 more expensive.
With the GT, there are some apparent differences. Everything from the size, weight, range, and speed is increased – including the price. The GT is more than double the investment when compared with the Pint. Does this make the GT better than the Pint? Well, if you have a need for speed, then the GT or Pint X will be for you.
If you’re new to Onewheel riding or don’t care to go too fast, then the Onewheel Pint is your board. With this being said, what do we actually think of the Pint? Is it worth the investment, or should you save up for a GT or Pint X?
Onewheel Pint Review: Is It Worth It?
Now we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into this Onewheel Pint Review. So, is the Pint worth it? Personally, yes, it is! While it does offer lower specs than the Pint X and GT, it makes up for it by being an excellent mover with a decent range for the cost.
The Pint is a good starter board for new riders, or a fun board for an advanced rider with years of experience who wants to zip around town without breaking the bank. Its small size also makes it a great option for those who want a more portable and maneuverable board, rather than the larger models.
Many riders might prefer a larger board like the GT, but this is a personal preference. With the other boards, you’re going to pay a higher price. While still expensive, the Pint offers that signature Onewheel float life experience, with a decent max speed and all the Onewheel features. The Pint is a great starter board for those who want to experience the unique ride that is a Onewheel!
Onewheel Pint Review: Charging The Pint
The charging time on a Pint isn’t that bad when compared to the GT or Pint X. You will have to wait around 120 minutes to get a full charge, which isn’t a very long charge time. But once you’ve made the initial charge, you won’t have to wait any longer than that. As always, you shouldn’t let your charge run too low, as it isn’t good for battery longevity.
The battery life is pretty good, with the range being enough to get us from A to B on daily commutes. This obviously depends on a lot of factors such as weight, terrain, and how you ride, but for the average rider, this should be more than enough to get around town.
Riding A Onewheel Pint On The Pavement
The Pint is the most fun when ridden on harder surfaces like concrete or asphalt. Carving up the city streets and gliding along the smooth sidewalk is where the Pint excels. The smaller tire allows for quick and nimble movements while still feeling stable at speed.
The 10.5-inch Vega standard slick tire provides good grip but can still break free if you’re carving hard enough. This can be a little dangerous for beginners who are not used to the feel of a Onewheel. As with all Onewheels, you are at risk of nosediving, so always wear protective gear.
Riding A Onewheel Pint Offroad On Trails
Nothing beats flying down a mountain trail on a Onewheel, and the Pint is no different. While it’s not as capable as the larger GT, the Pint can still hold its own when taken off the beaten path – to an extent. If you see yourself riding the trails often, then you’re best looking at the Onewheel GT, as it has a larger wheel that is better for overcoming obstacles.
The Pint is good when taken offroad, but the bumpier and more uneven the terrain, the harder it is to ride. The battery is smaller than that of a GT or Pint X, so it isn’t much of a surprise that the riding experience isn’t the same. This is where the Pint starts to show its limits compared with the different boards.
Onewheel Pint Upgrades
While the Pint is a great board out of the box, some aftermarket upgrades can take your riding experience to the next level. Before we round off this Onewheel Pint review, we just have to look at some of the best Pint upgrades available:
- Pint Fender: added protection for your feet and legs in wet conditions.
- Pint Float Plates: extra bumper protection.
- Pint Rail Guards: coverage to avoid scratches and dings to your rails.
- Pint Fangs: the only added layer of protection available to help ride out nosedives.
- Pint FlightFins: awesome for keeping your feet on the board during tricks.
- Pint Tire upgrades: there’s nothing wrong with wanting to upgrade your tire!
- Pint Bumpers: extra protection for your bumpers and your battery box.
- Pint Battery upgrades: increase your range with an improved battery!
While not an upgrade, I never ride without safety gear for my own protection.
Pros and Cons Of The Onewheel Pint
As much as we love our Pint, we can’t ignore some of the cons. Here are some of the pros and cons of the Pint:
Pros:
- Great starter board for those new to Onewheeling
- A good range for the price
- Pretty maneuverable
- Fun and playful ride
- Good for commuting
Cons:
- Smaller battery results in shorter range compared to other boards
- It can be wobbly at low speeds
- Not as powerful as the Pint X or GT
- Small obstacles can cause issues – best for pavements.
Onewheel Pint Review: Final Verdict
Ultimately, the Onewheel Pint is a fantastic board for those looking to get into the world of Onewheeling. It’s perfect for commuting and floating down the streets, and with plenty of torque, it can also fair well when taken offroad. The Pint is a great choice if you’re looking for a starter board with a low learning curve or something to commute on.
However, if you’re looking for something more powerful for longer trips or to capable off-road, then you might want to consider the Pint X or GT. Whichever way you slice it, the Pint is a great board and a lot of fun to ride! We hope this Onewheel Pint review has been helpful, and tell us – is the Onewheel Pint the board for you? Let us know in the comments below!
Ride Hard, Ride Safe
Graham and The Board Sports Team
