Inventist SoloWheel User manual

Guide and Manual
Before using the Solowheel, please read through these instructions completely.
Inventist, ® Inc.
© 2012 Inventist Inc.

WARNING
Whenever you ride the Solowheel you risk serious injury or death from collisions, falls or loss of
control. To ride safely, you must read and follow all instructions and warnings in this manual.
Note that while the information in this manual will assist you in getting the full benefits of using
the Solowheel, it cannot cover all situations where injury or death may occur. Using the
Solowheel is your acceptance of the inherent risks of operating this product.

Guide and Manual

Solowheel Manual Contents
1. Introduction
2. Risk of Injury
3. Safety is First
4. Solowheel Components
5. Getting Started
a. Charging the battery
b. Power Level Indicators
6. Riding Guidelines
a. Riding Form
b. Preparation
c. Understanding the gyro-sensors
d. Using the learning band
7. 8 Steps to Riding your Solowheel
a. Training Wheels
8. Terrain and Avoiding Hazards, Slips and Trips
9. Riding Etiquette
10. Maintenance and Care
a. General Maintenance
b. Changing the Tire
11. Safety Guidelines
12. Terms of Use
13. Warranty

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Solowheel. The Solowheel is the smallest, greenest, most convenient
"People Mover" ever invented. This gyro stabilized, electric unicycle is compact and fun to ride and is intended
to be used as you would use an electric bicycle.
This manual will help you set up and use your Solowheel. It is important that you adhere to all safety warnings
and cautions that appear throughout and that you use good judgment when you ride your Solowheel.
Remember when you learned to ride a bike? You probably started in a safe location and had somebody help
you learn.
You started slowly. This technique applies to the Solowheel as well.
If you carefully follow all the instructions and warnings in this manual and in the instructional DVD, you should
be able to teach yourself how to ride the Solowheel.
Riding the Solowheel is a lot of fun, and we hope you'll think so, too.

RISK OF INJURY
Whenever you ride the Solowheel, you risk injury from loss of control, collisions and falls. It is
your responsibility to learn how to safely ride the Solowheel in order to reduce the risks. This
manual and the instructional DVD are designed to help you learn safe riding techniques. No one
should use the Solowheel unless they have read through the manual and watched the DVD.
Review all the material frequently to help remind you of proper riding techniques and safely
procedures.

Safety is First
For your safety, please read this manual in its entirety and watch the instructional DVD, before you use the
Solowheel.
▲WARNING: Always inspect the Solowheel prior to use. Properly inspecting and maintaining your product
can reduce the risk of injury. Always check the battery charge before using the Solowheel.
▲WARNING: Check local laws and regulations to see where and how you may use your Solowheel legally. In
many state and local areas, riders of wheeled products may be required BY LAW to wear a helmet and other
protective gear. Always wear a helmet when riding. Use an approved bicycle or skateboard helmet that fits
properly with the chin strap in place and that provides protection for the back of your head.
▲WARNING: Avoid obstacles and slippery surfaces which could result in a loss of balance or traction and
cause a fall. See the chapter on Terrain for more guidelines.
▲WARNING: Do not lift the Solowheel off the ground when the unit is turned on. This will cause the wheel to
spin freely which could result in injury to yourself or damage to things around you.
▲WARNING: Do not modify the Solowheel. Modifications could interfere with operating the Solowheel and
could result in serious injury and/or damage. Modifications void the Solowheel's Limited Warranty.
▲WARNING: The maximum weight of the rider, including any backpacks or other items that might be carried,
must not exceed 220 pounds (100 kilograms).
▲WARNING: Since the Solowheel balances by accelerating in response to your leaning forward, if you lean
too far forward too quickly, the motor will not be able to catch up with you and you may fall.
▲WARNING: Never drink and drive. This goes for the Solowheel as well.

Solowheel Components
Your Solowheel comes packaged in a high quality corrugated cardboard box for its protection. Please keep this
box in case you need to send the Solowheel back for service or repairs. If you use another box, Inventist is not
responsible for any additional damaged caused during shipping. Also, you will be charged for a new box to ship
the Solowheel back to you.
Inside you will find:
1. The Solowheel
2. Battery charger and power cord
3. Learning band
4. User's Guide and Manual
5. Instructional DVD

Getting Started
After unpacking your Solowheel for the first time, follow all the steps below before you start riding.
Charging the Battery
Your Solowheel comes with a built-in lithium-ion battery pack. The battery should be fully charged before you
use the Solowheel for the first time. Be sure to charge the battery in a clean, dry location.
1. Plug one end of the power cord into the Solowheel. Plug the other end into a grounded AC outlet.
The red charging light on the charger unit will turn on.
2. The charger may take up to 2 hours to complete its charge. The red light on the charger will turn
green once it is finished.
If you are not regularly using your Solowheel, you should fully recharge the battery at least every thirty (30)
days. If the battery power drops to low, you may not be able to recharge it.
Power Level Indicators
Once the battery is fully charged, the indicator light on top of the Solowheel will be green when you turn the
unit on. This is what the lights on the Solowheel mean:
Solid Green: indicates that the Solowheel is charged and ready to be used.
Solid Orange: indicates that the battery is about half drained.
Solid Red: indicates that the battery is low and should be charged.
Blinking Red and Shake Warning: the Solowheel will notify you when the battery charge is
dangerously low by shaking the wheel when you are riding it. If the shake warning occurs, slow
down and safely step off. Do not attempt to ride again until the battery is recharged.

Riding Guidelines
Be sure to watch the instructional DVD for visual guidelines on learning to use the Solowheel.
Riding Form
Learn to ride the Solowheel in a large, safe area free from all forms of traffic.
Keep your posture upright, but relaxed with your body aligned over the Solowheel and your feet
centered on the platforms.
Be alert. Scan both far ahead and in front of you—your eyes are your best tool for safely avoiding
obstacles and slippery surfaces.
Your lower legs should rest comfortably, yet firmly against the leg pads.
Hold your arms comfortably at your side.
Start at a slow and comfortable pace.
Preparation
1. Always wear an appropriate safety helmet and other protective gear.
2. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Never ride the Solowheel barefoot or in open-toed shoes or
high-heels.
3. Make sure the tire is properly inflated.
4. Make sure the battery is charged.
Understanding the gyro-sensors
The Solowheel balances front to back, but not side to side. You are responsible for maintaining side-to-side
balance by twisting your feet right and left and leaning into turns, just like steering a bicycle. If you fail to
actively maintain this side-to-side balance, the Solowheel can tip sideways and fall. See the 8 Steps to Riding
your Solowheel page for important riding technique information.

!Caution!
Use the learning band to eliminate the risk of damaging your Solowheel
When first learning to use the Solowheel, you need to use the included learning band so that your Solowheel
will not become scratched.
1. Attach the band around the Solowheel handle. While standing with one foot on the platform, adjust
the length of the band so that you can hold it comfortably at about waist height.
2. Follow the 8 Steps to Riding your Solowheel instructions. When you feel yourself losing your balance
and you have to step off, use the band to keep the Solowheel from falling over, or rolling away.

8 Steps to Riding Your Solowheel
Once you have charged the battery, follow these eight easy steps:
1. Grab the handle of the Solowheel and set it on the ground vertically and turn the power on. The green
light on top of the unit will light up. The Solowheel can face either direction.
2. Unfold the foot platforms and press them into the down position.
3. Put one foot on one platform and stand up straight. Shifting your weight forward, lightly push off the
ground with the other foot and immediately place it on the other platform so that you straddle the
Solowheel, squeezing the pads between your lower legs.
4. Shift your body weight gradually forward to pick up speed. Do not lunge forward.
5. Shift your body weight backward to slow down or stop.
6. To turn, lean the wheel in the direction you want to go.
7. IMPORTANT: Twist your feet right and left for balance and steering. This is similar to maneuvering the
front wheel of a bicycle. (Attempting to balance by leaning and tilting is much less effective.)
8. When you are ready to get off, slow down, stop and step off with one foot; grab the handle. Keep your
other foot on the other platform and turn the Solowheel off.
REMEMBER: Use the learning band to keep the Solowheel from becoming damaged.
REMEMBER: Do not lift the Solowheel off the ground when it is turned on.
Learning Tips
If the Solowheel tips too far to the side, the power indicator light will blink red and green. Push the
power button off and on again to reset.
Remember to keep your body relaxed through your back and legs. Stand naturally.
Avoid riding across steep slopes.
Lean uphill when riding across gentle slopes.
Avoid turning on slopes or ramps.
Stay centered on narrow sidewalks or elevated paths.
Practice controlled stopping.
For small radius turns, use your lower legs to make the Solowheel lean more.

IMPORTANT: The top speed of the Solowheel is ten (10) miles per hour (16 kilometer per hour). When you
approach the maximum speed, the Solowheel will try to prevent you from accelerating further. It will move
forward beneath you in order to shift your weight backward. You may feel that you are being 'pushed' back or
that you cannot make it go any faster. Do not continue leaning or bending forward to try and increase your
speed or you will fall. Beyond the speed limit, the motor does not have enough power to catch you. Lean back
and slow down.
Be sure to visit our website at www.solowheel.com to see additional videos that include strategies and helpful
tips designed to get you riding your Solowheel quickly and comfortably.
Training Wheels (Optional)
If you have purchased the optional training wheels, refer to the diagram below on how to attach them. You
will need a Philips screwdriver.

Terrain and Avoiding Hazards, Slips and Trips
The Solowheel is highly maneuverable and allows you to easily navigate over rough pavement and around
obstacles. However, to prevent the loss of traction, you must always be careful when riding and learn to
identify and avoid slippery, wet surfaces, loose materials, steep slopes and obstacles.
Stop and step off the Solowheel over unsafe surfaces or terrain.
The Solowheel's tire must be able to grip the ground for you to stay upright. Slips occur when the Solowheel
loses traction, potentially causing loss of control and a fall. Abrupt maneuvers, and riding over slippery
surfaces, loose objects and materials, or steep slopes can cause the Solowheel to lose traction.
When you reach the upper speed limit, the Solowheel will 'push' you back. You may feel it's oscillating,
that it is moving forward underneath you to make you lean back, or that it takes extra effort to
accelerate. Do not continue leaning or bending forward to try and increase your speed or you will fall.
Beyond the speed limit, the motor does not have enough power to catch you. Lean back and slow down.
Avoid abrupt maneuvers, such as fast stopping or starting.
Avoid riding on slippery surfaces such as snow, ice, wet floors, wet grass, or any other surface that
might cause slipping.
Avoid riding over loose objects or materials such as small branches, litter, gravel, sand or small stones.
Avoid riding on steep slopes.
Avoid sharp turns as the foot platform may scrape the ground and throw you off balance.
Avoid holes, grooves, curbs, steps and other obstacles.
Avoid riding over any surface where the foot platforms may strike an object.
Use caution when riding over any terrain change such as pavement to grass, over a threshold or speed
bump. When in doubt, avoid the bumps.
Avoid riding the Solowheel in heavy rain or other adverse weather conditions.
Do not ride at night when visibility is poor and you cannot see your surroundings clearly.

Riding Etiquette
It is important to use proper etiquette when riding your Solowheel.
Be careful and considerate of others.
Always ride under control at a speed that is safe for you and those around you.
Always be prepared to stop.
Respect pedestrians by always yielding the right of way.
Avoid startling pedestrians. When approaching from behind, announce yourself and slow down to
walking speed when passing. Pass on the left whenever possible. When approaching a pedestrian from
the front, stay to the right and slow down.
In heavy pedestrian traffic, slow down and proceed at a walking speed. Pass only if there is ample space
to do so safely. Do not weave in and out of pedestrian traffic.
If it is legal in your area to ride in the street, always stay in marked bike lanes.

Care and Maintenance
Maintenance
Store your Solowheel in a place away from moisture.
If you will not be using the Solowheel for an extended length of time, you should fully recharge the
battery at least once every thirty (30) days to keep it from draining completely. The battery cannot be
removed. Should you need a new battery, please see our web site for a list of authorized service
representatives.
To clean the Solowheel, use a damp cloth and a mild detergent.
Changing the tire
To change the Solowheel tire, you will need:
A Phillips screwdriver
1. Unscrew all the screws around the outside of the cover with a Philips screwdriver: seven screws on each
side including the ones in the handle.
2. In the middle of the cover, beneath the leg pads there are six screws. See drawing below. Unscrew the
screws only on the OPPOSITE side of the On/Off switch and charging port. (Do not unscrew the screws
that are on the same side as the On/Off switch and charging port.)

3. Gently open the top half of the case and flip it over. There are connecting wires between the two half
cases. Be careful not to stretch these wires. You can now change the tire or the inner tube as you would
on a bicycle.
4. Refit the Solowheel cover in place. Carefully keep all wires above the battery control board so that there
are no wires between the control board and battery lid, as shown in the picture below. Tuck all wires
inside the case. Push the two half cases together until they are almost shut. (No need to shut
completely).

5. Using hand or a rubber hammer, taps the case to line up the screw holes on the ridge between the foot
platform and the red leg pad. Screw in all six screws using the large Phillips screwdriver. Take care to
turn the screws in as straight as possible. If you feel too much resistance, back the screw out, realign it
and tighten again.
6. Make sure all wires are inside so that they won’t be pinched when you close the case. Screw in all
fourteen screws (seven on each side) around the circumference of the case on both sides, starting with
the handle.
For optimal performance, keep tire pressure at 35 psi.