Onewheel Pint and Pint X, the revolutionary electric PEV, has been growing in popularity among extreme sports enthusiasts. With the growing demand for Onewheel Pint due to the release of the PX (Pint X), there has been an increase in the availability of aftermarket fenders. In this blog post, we will discuss the best aftermarket Onewheel Pint fenders available in the market today.
The one wheel Pint fender is a type of aftermarket product that has been designed specifically to cover the top half of the tire on the Onewheel Pint and Pint X boards. The fender provides full wheel coverage and is intended to stop water, debris, mud from flinging onto the rider’s leg and close. They are extremely durable, making it a great option for riders who enjoy extreme trail riding.
Best Pint Fender – Flight Fins FlightFender
The Flight Fins system is a personal favorite onewheel pint fender. As you can see in the image, the fenders, are very thin. They are made of nylon and polycarbonate. If you want a glossy look, its polycarbonate. For the matte finish its nylon.
The Flight Fender is a convertible fender that can be added on or taken off quickly and easily. The only real drawback to Flight Fenders is that they are not as rugged however they can be replaced with a cutout from Tupperware (easy DIY hack).
The main perk is how fast you can remove or add the fender. If you find yourself on a trail that is damper than anticipated and you don’t want your pants dirty, this fender is lightweight and solves the problem.
You do also need a Full Flight Fins setup however if you plan on trail riding, the Flight Fins offer advantages from their “Fins” that aide riders in overcoming obstacles along trails. They come with thick rubber wedges allowing for your feet to be secured just the right amount when popping around on a trail.
Pros:
- Easy to take off and slap back on
- Thin and Lightweight – keeps the ride lean
- Flexible nylon which is rugged
- Cheaper to replace
Cons:
- Limited color availability
- Polycarbonate versions are not as rugged
You can also use a stock fender underneath if a convertible fender isn’t something you are interested in. What I love about their system personally is that the fenders are convertible and how easy it is to take them on and off. Nice sunny days, take the fender off. If the weather is dreary, slap it back on.
Runner up – Spectrum Magnetic Fender – Craft and Ride
Spectrum Magnetic Fender is another popular choice among Onewheel Pint riders. With Craft and Ride’s magnetic system, a convertible top is also achieved easily. Riders can pull the fender off at anytime with no tools needed. The install is quick and painless as well (only an Allen key needed).
This fender is more rugged than a FlightFender however I am partial to a Flight Fins system. The magnetic strength on the Spectrum model have been improved to be twice as strong over prior versions. One of the earlier issues is that debris would get in between the magnets and the fender would loosen. Craft and Ride does have a lifetime warranty on their products however so no worries.
This product has four magnetic steel mounts for contact points keeping the fender in place. Craft and Ride has a vast range of colors and customization options they provide.
Speaking from experience, over time, you will want to ride less and less with a fender. Having the option to place a fender on is great. This is why I strongly favor convertible fenders for the Pint and Pint X (PX).
Pros:
- Color options are endless
- Convertible – easy on and easy off
- Easy install
- Rugged – tough impact resistant plastic
Cons:
- Magnetic points need to clean & clear of debris
- Minor aesthetics issue with having the magnetic mounts exposed when riding without a fender
Third Place – Stock Fenders by Future Motion
Probably the most common fender out there is the stock fender. Future Motion sells the stock fender and also a carbon fiber fender version that I believe to be far too over priced.
Stock fenders are OEM so its literally made for the Onewheel. They will never have any issues and are incredibly rugged. Its everything you need from a fender.
It prevents debris and water from flinging upward and it will last forever. The issue here is that its fixed. There is no convertible option here.
Pros:
- Stock branded look (Pint Emblem)
- Toughest fender available – impact resistant plastic with cross-member
- Many available colors
- Battery box coverage – wedge shields battery box
Cons:
- Install is about 5-10 minutes
- Adds a few ounces to the ride
- Price – overpriced unless its within a fender. Better buying used if you can
While its easy enough to grab an Allen key and pull it off, its going to run you 5 to 10 minutes to install or remove the fender. Its not incredibly long. Its just somewhat of a drag and isn’t as easy as just pulling it off like a FlightFender or Spectrum Fender. I will say a cool hack I’ve seen many riders do is they cut these fenders down to make “shorty” fenders. This is the ideal fender to use because of the cross-member it comes with (the piece of plastic joining both ends of the fender). Its crazy tough and when its modified, it still has a real premium / OEM look.
Hack and Modify the Stock Fender For Some Shorties
What is a shorty fender? Its a fender that is about half the size. It can be done on any Onewheel. Cutting the stock fender down just enough offers the best of both worlds. It prevents “most” debris and still exposes the beautiful one wheel tire underneath.
There are a growing number of short fenders out there (Cabrio fender by Craft and Ride is the most popular but there’s also Shorties and Split Fenders) however with a simple hacksaw or better yet a Dremmel or cheap rotary tool, you can outline a cut on your stock fender to a height you want and cut away. Smoothen it out with the rotary tool’s sandpaper bit and now you have a fine looking custom ride.
Fenders Provide Safety
Believe it or not, the Onewheel fender does act as a safety device as well. Yes, the fender will keep you looking clean but also safe. Without a fender, the wheel is exposed. Many riders love the look of an exposed wheel however you should never ride a Onewheel with baggy pants without a fender. The pants can be sucked into the wheel well which will take you down resulting in likely injury.
Fenders are not a requirement but they do add more than just a little debris protection. Another issue is when you trail ride without a fender or any Flight Fins, you need to be mindful of the spinning wheel. Hitting roots, rocks and sticks, sometimes we bonk off these items and our feet temporarily lose contact with the footpads. When landing, its important to not land on the wheel. Landing on an exposed wheel can also result in injury. These are minor worries, however this is just to demonstrate that fenders do more than protect from debris.
Conclusion
The best Pint fender is going to come up to what you are looking for. Are you doing a color scheme? Are you looking to have a permanent or convertible top? Speaking from years of riding, I cannot emphasize enough that you (in time) will want to remove the fender. Having a fast and easy option is the best choice in my opinion. If you have a stock fender laying around, try modifying it for a real custom looking one wheel.
F.A.Q.’s
No, fenders are optional. They protect your legs from debris flinging up on it. This is a minor issue when riding on dry days however it does act as a shield from rocks and other objects. It is not a requirement for the one wheel.
Fender are not required however it will keep the rider clean when riding off road or on wet pavement. Note: Loose clothing can get sucked into the wheel well. The fender offers protection from loose sweatpants being pulled into the tire area. Use a fender, Flight Fins or wedges if you wear loose pants while riding.
These have little to zero resale value when selling a Onewheel. Unless its a carbon fiber fender, its better to just include the fender when you sell your board or try to sell it online. Shipping a used fender for the price you get may not be much of a gain. For this reason, along with the demand for used fenders, its typically not worth much.
You will save a few ounces. Riders do not really remove it for the weight. Its the look of having the exposed tire. Showing off the tire can be aesthetically more pleasing than a shrouded tire.
A FlightFender replacement is very cheap. You do need a Flight Fin set up however. Some riders do make a template and cut their own Flight Fender replacement with a piece of plastic from Tupperware or something alike.
As a beginner, I recommend using a fender. Not to protect your\ legs from debris but to protect your feet or pants from the wheel.
Yes, often riding in the fall, leaves will be stuck within the fender area, this wont harm the onewheel however they should be cleared out if you hear audible rubbing. It is not advisable to ride in the winter with a fender as the snow can clog in the underside of the fender. If riding in the winter snow, go fenderless or use a Flight Fender.
