Riding a Onewheel is a thrilling experience, but its completely epic when you do a group ride at night! Here we’ll highlight the best Onewheel lighting options and online discoveries that not only amplify the fun of your trail or urban Onewheel journeys but also boost your visibility and safety.
Types of Onewheel Lighting
There are five types of lights that you can use for Onewheel trail riding.
- Tire / Hub Lighting
- Foot Pad and Rail Lighting
- Under-Glow lighting
- Compact Headlights – Mounted for Increased Headlight lighting
- Wearable lighting – Head lamps and LED clothing
The last category doesn’t affix to the board however they are the best for directional visibility at night. These are helmet, headlamps and beanie lamps – (Amazon) that you can wear that honestly do an excellent job with perspective visibility.
Hub & Tire Lighting – Onewheel Dog Collar Lighting Hack
This hack seriously gives me Tron-like vibes and I dig it. I am going for this look so I have to share Hack #1 which is using an LED dog collar for Onewheel tire lighting.
This is an easy install as its just a snug-fit. No glue or mounting required.
A basic LED dog collar (cheap on amazon) can light up your hub at night. These simply snug hit under the flange portion near the rim of the hub.
The best thing about these is that they are rechargeable! They give a great Tron-like look to the board as well.
You will have to remove your mag handle if you want them on both sides of your Onewheel.
Tire Cap Lights For Onewheels
This post would be incomplete without mentioning tire cap lights. These are the most inexpensive lighting accessory you can add to your Onewheel however I am not really a fan of these as the light is only on one side. If you are interested in a tire cap light, you need to be mindful of where your tire stem is as it will be the only side that will light up.
These simply attach to the valve cap. They are waterproof which is nice. They come in a four pack so they will last a long time as you can always swap to the next light after one goes dead. For under $10 it could be worth some fun.
Lighting up Halo Footpads
The Tron-like look can be even more amplified with a set of Halo Foot Pads by Tech-Rails and adding an LED light strip within them. Halos are not just for style. These pads add an insane amount of real estate to the foot pad.
These are made for the Pint, XR, and the GT line (GT/GTS). Placing an LED strip within the foot pad is certainly a unique way to stand out as the lighting is embedded within the Onewheel.
This install takes a little more time but the pay off is the originality.
Steven Schoonmaker from Magic PEVs installed LED’s within his Halos. His build is a custom VESC on Switch-Blade rails with Kiil Guards suspension and Halo Pads. There far more to this build however the Halo Foot pads light up the board in a one-of-a-kind way.
Underglow Lights For Onewheel
When it comes to underglow lights, I always think about The Fast & The Furious movies and how many cars always were equipped with undercarriage lighting. While underglow lights won’t really help much with your visibility, it will help with others seeing you. Its also another way to personalize your board.
Likely the most premium product within this category is ShredLights SL-FX+. SL-FX has a slew of features:
- Wireless
- Turns on with motion
- Auto on / off
- Mount with the SL series mounting from ShredLights
- USB-C charging capabilities
- IPX7 water resistant rated
- Comes with a One year warranty.
These work with their own app however you are able to change color, pair multiple lights together (up to 12 however the one wheel really only needs 2). Also, because they work on the S-lock mounts, it is easy to move these around to other PEV’s so long as they have the same mount.
A cheaper option is a waterproof RGB LED strip from Amazon.
These lights are super thin at only 5mm. These do take AA however you are able to cut these to size. The battery box would need to be mounted along the fender however.
These wont have the same polished look that the SL-FX+ lights have however they are a fraction of the price and can be customized (can be cut to any length). There are 20 color options. 5 brightness options and different speeds or static color options.
Another good option here is purchasing a tail light for a scooter on Amazon. These aren’t as sleek however they are rechargeable and they are Waterproof (IPX6) and come with 7 different colors.
These are actually an easy install. They would install under the rail at the handle area with the straps provided.
Compact Headlights For Onewheels
These lights mount on the front, bumper or on the rails. You can typically buy them as ‘headlights only’ or as head and taillights. The most popular brand within the aftermarket Onewheel light category is ShredLights SL series. ShredLights come in a variety of Lumens (200, 300 & 1000 lumens). *Note: they are advertised with using 2 lights so 2 x 200 = 400 lumens, 2 x 300 = 600 lumens, 2 x 1000 = 2000 lumens (SL200, SL300 and SL1000).
They are on the pricier side however you can typically score some used ones on eBay -(affiliate link) for far less. If you do not want to screw these into the front bumper, you can use their sticky or magnetic mounts to attach them to the rails. Please note that their magnetic mounts mount to their base. Onewheel rails are aluminum and are not magnetic (most aftermarket rails are similar).
These compact lights work really well however they still remain inferior to a headlamp – (Amazon). ShredLights do have locking mounts however they are plastic and may not last tough tumbles.
If you worry about a tumble, they sell powder coated steel mounts. Go for those for longer lasting mounts.
Head Lamps For Night Riders
Wearable lighting doesn’t really pertain specifically to the Onewheel however, if you do ride at night these lights tend to be the most effective just simply due to the fact that it follows your perspective.
- 120 Lumens
- Rechargeable
- Up to 4 hours of continual light
- Ideal for cold nights
Head lamp flashlights are better for warmer days. I recommend a rechargeable set like this two pack! Not only do these have IPX4 Water resistance rating but they are 1200 lumens!
- 1200 lumen LED
- Rechargeable
- Up to 10 hours of light
- Perfect for dusk to night trail riding.
Benefits of Riding with Onewheel Lights
Riding with Onewheel lights is essential for safety, especially if you love riding at night or in low light conditions. Apart from being cool and adding an aesthetic appeal to your Onewheel, lights can make you more visible to other road users, which can help avoid accidents. When you have good lights installed on your Onewheel, you can easily see any obstacles on the road, making it easier for you to avoid them.
Remember that the Onewheel GT model already comes with a 500-lumen dimmable headlight that is the brightest light on a Onewheel and provides great visibility at night. However, the addition of aftermarket lights can enhance the ride, especially in areas with low light like trails.
Not only does it increase your visibility, but it also helps you to see further down the road, making it easier for you to plan and adjust your riding speed. Riding with Onewheel lights is not only a safety measure, but it also adds to the excitement of your riding experience. Imagine cruising through a dimly lit park or trail with a set of flashy LED lights illuminating your path. It’s an experience that every Onewheel rider should have!
Personal Recommendations
To make added lighting look sleek on your Onewheel, you need to really have them mounted on the underside of the front bumper or rails. This does limit the range of the lighting so its a trade off for looks over functionality. Having lighting also within the board like the Halo pads or the dog collar hack is the way to go.
If you’re not too worried about rolling the board over, then mounting them on the side is ideal. Most aftermarket lights are plastic so they aren’t indestructible but they will improve night lights. The best lighting for night riding Onewheels however are headlamps however if you have a helmet on, you will need a helmet mounted version. No other light will out perform one on your forehead. Its the best directional lighting for Onewheel trail riding hands down. Also remember to wear safety gear. Check out our list of recommended protective wear.