The Magic Wheel<\/a>, as you can see from the videos and pictures, is a cross between a unicycle, skateboard and scooter. Sort of. It’s a wheel with steps either side (and a shopping trolley\/cart wheel on the back) that you have one foot on while you push off with the other like a skateboard until you reach sufficient speed to put both feet either side and glide to your destination. Well glide for a bit until you need to start pushing again.<\/p>\nFirst of all – it’s trickier than it looks in the promotions video – check out my video for my (embarrassingly, not first) attempts at mastering the Magic Wheel. I know April 1st is coming, so I might as well look at fool. To be fair, I\u2019m not very good at skateboarding, etc., which I think would have helped, but it’s a bit tricky and young, cool kids are probably better at it than me. The package comes with some vague safety instructions and a dvd with some dubious English subtitles. But between them they tell you enough about the product to be able to give it a go.<\/p>\n
<\/code><\/p>\nAdam’s attempt at Magic Wheeling <\/em>
\n[kml_flashembed movie=\"http:\/\/flash.revver.com\/player\/1.0\/player.swf?mediaId=685187\" width=\"480\" height=\"392\" wmode=\"transparent\" \/]<\/code><\/p>\nYou stick the knee pads on yourself at the right height which makes it a bit more comfortable and easier to control, and away you go. Sort of. I didn’t go very far to be honest but again, I think you could if you persevered. Despite the backdrop of London’s Tower Bridge, after an hour I\u2019d had enough and went for a drink.<\/p>\n
How you’re meant to do it <\/em>
\n[kml_flashembed movie=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/Yab_UA0ERZY\" width=\"425\" height=\"350\" wmode=\"transparent\" \/]<\/code><\/p>\nOne thing you will notice is how everyone looks at you when you’re on it, or even carrying it. I haven’t seen another one in London and they’re pretty cool looking, if slightly impractical. That’s my main problem with it, not that I can’t get the hang of it. What is it actually for. It’s less portable than a skateboard and it advises you not to go downhill or do tricks on it. It’s less stable than a bike or even a scooter and I’m left wondering why it doesn\u2019t have a thicker tyre\/tire on it to help make it more stable. Probably because it means your legs will be a lot wider and you\u2019ll end up walking like John Wayne. Also if you’re short it might be a bit dodgy going on this. On a couple of occasions I came close to injuring myself between the legs and I’m 5′ 10″.<\/p>\n
The Magic Wheel is a fun thing for a while, but at $199 or \u00a3120 your investment might be better placed elsewhere.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Editor’s note: The phrase “greener transportation options” conjures up images of hybrid cars, bicycles, and buses. This week, Adam at Life Goggles takes a look at at yet another option: [ … ]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":16685,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[79,7],"tags":[499,485,500,501,502],"yoast_head":"\n
Life Goggles: The Magic Wheel Product Review • Sustainablog<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n