“My previous wheel was a KS16s. That wheel was great, but I wanted something that would have a little more range and a little more speed. I wasn't specifically looking for suspension, but I'm so glad to have it. The biggest issue I am having with this wheel is that stopping with any urgency requires me to put so much weight on my heels that I get some nasty wobble. (especially stopping on a down hill). I think I need power pads, and will try them (and update this review). Second small issue is the light. It's bright, and crisp, but it aims so low that it's not really useful unless you're on flat ground going pretty slow. I hope there is a hack to adjust this.
Other than that, I feel like this wheel is pretty great value for the money.”
“This is my first wheel, and I absolutely love it and have become immediately obsessed with it. Rides super smooth, super capable, in most ways even better than expected. Since research only goes so far when you are totally new to something, I didn't realize how quickly I would reach the limits of the machine, especially where trail riding is concerned. Coming from decades of mountain biking, I want to go pretty hard on trails, and although so far just cosmetic, it has quickly become apparent that this is not the wheel for hard abuse. I love it, but will be using it mostly as an AT commuter, light Explorer, and cushy urban cruiser and already have purchased another wheel to meet my performance and durability desires for more aggressive use.”
“I upgraded by v11 to a v11y and learned several things that weren't on other reviews of the v11y, so I made my own video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hP46XU07A0
Benefits of each:
V11 has better headlight (IMHO), is more compact, looks better, has a USB charger, and is actually faster! This last point is counter to Inmotion marketing -- see below for more info.
V11y has better (but still not great) pedals, lower pedals, bumpers (though you could stick these on a V11), a better mudguard. Most importantly, the internals are safer -- bigger MOSFET, Smart BMS, more water resistant so (theoretically) less likely to cut out due to a failed board, bad battery cells, or water entrance. It also seems to have a more conservative safety margin for speed than the V11, so you go slightly slower but you are theoretically safer.
The safety upgrades make it worth it for me. I'd rather lose 1-2mph and not fall on my face. See
• Do NOT Buy These EUCs! and https://wrongway.info/comparisons-1 for a great safety overview of all wheels out there.
*Note on speed: when you unlock "fancy mode" on the V11, I found that I get tiltbacks at around 34 and I can ride at 37 fairly easily. However, on the V11y tiltbacks start at 52kmph (32mph) and get most aggressive at 58kmph (36mph) (I confirmed these numbers with Inmotion directly). In practice, I find it difficult to get past 36mph on the V11y and am usually around 34 on it. Whereas I would often ride the v11 at around 35-36mph. This was a bummer to me because I was expecting the V11y to be faster. However, I'd rather have safety than speed, and some people were getting high-speed cutouts on the V11 (yikes!). I commute daily on these wheels, with a full face mountain biking helmet and wrist guards. I don't think I should go faster than 30ish without wearing full ice hockey/motorcycle gear, and putting on all that armor getup just isn't worth it to me for 20 minute trips around town, especially if you need to dip into stores without looking like a tank.
What I love about either V11 or V11y is that you can get anywhere fast enough, and you can also take it into stores and up and down stairs without it being a massive eye sore or terrifying contraption. The V11y is one of the safer wheels, and the shocks are good enough to make it a smooth ride. It's fun and does well enough off road. I wouldn't want a bigger or a smaller wheel. It's the all-arounder. It doesn't do trails or speed as well as some others, and its not as nimble/light some others. But people who go faster than this are just pushing the envelope too far and they will make society think that EUC's are not safe (which will result in tighter legislation). For daily everywhere use, it's just right. It's the wheel to get if you just want one wheel.
Oh, I should mention that it's fairly awful to work on. Expect about 6 hours lost when you need to change the wheel. I wish they made an EUC that was designed modularly like the V14 but similar in speed/size/looks as the V11 (not all orange and ugly)- that would be the perfect wheel. Until someone makes that, I think the best wheel out there is still the V11y.
While I'm on a wishlist: I also wish someone would make a modular, safe wheel with shocks like the v14 but at a form factor that's even smaller than the V11y. The V11y is too heavy for some riders (maybe if you weigh less than 130lbs?) but unfortunately, the v11y is currently the lightest wheel with shocks that meets high standards for safety.”
Hi Luke, thank you for your thorough assessment. 37mph is quite fast for a V11, glad to hear you've never had a high-speed overlean! Inmotion likely dialed it back on the Y to reduce the chances of that happening. Tire changes on EUC continue to be a pain point, manufacturers have yet to come up with a modular system that's as rigid as the wheels we have now, but some wheels like the Lynx/Patton and S22 are easier than others. Hopefully the V11Y will carry you for many more miles to come, stay safe and enjoy the ride :)
