If you are looking to drastically change your ride of the Onewheel GT then a height adjustment of your board might be something for you. This can either increase the clearance of the board to help with trails and curbs or lower it for a smoother flow, see it as lowering the shocks on a car.
There are mainly two companies, Tech-Rails and Land-surf when it comes to height-adjustable accessories for the GT. Both will require you to disassemble the board. Before going over the different options let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of modifying the height of your board.
Benefits and Drawbacks of GT Height Adjustments
The board will behave differently depending on whether you are riding high or low. Each setting does have its benefits compared to the other or the stock. Both systems enable you to set the axle at a neutral position. By vertically shifting the axle compared to the platform you are shifting the centre of gravity and how the force will interact with the hub motor.
Low setting:
The main benefit of running the board at a low setting is to lower the centre of gravity, making the Onerwheel GT much more stable compared to stock. Adjusting the axle down will lower the distance between the footpad and the ground, resulting in reduced clearance. This is why a low setting is usually recommended for street and pavement riding. Here is where a low, flowy board is preferred while shredding down the city.
Lowering the board will also increase the risk of pushing the nose into the ground while accelerating aggressively or the tail when braking hard. This could be a benefit if you like tail dragging, just get some good bumpers as you will eat away at your tail.
Neutral setting:
A neutral setting will be the same as running the board as stock. This is a balance between the stable movement of a low setting and clearance.
High setting
Putting it in a higher setting will increase the clearance of the board. This will make it easier to jump up on curbs and over obstacles while trail riding in rough terrain.
The increase in height also makes it easier to do a quick stop without the tail dragging or accelerate fast without risking pushing the nose into the ground. This could reduce some risks of a nosedive.
VRH (Variable Ride Height) System For Onewheel GT
The Variable Ride Height System from Land-Surf is a height adjustment system for the Onewheel GT that has a key benefit, it’s the fastest system to adjust while riding.
When installed, the design allows you to in less than a minute change the ride height, from low to high or any of the 7 positions available, without disconnecting the axle from the board. It only takes you to undo 2 screws to change the ride from high trail riding to hitting the street with a lower setting.
Configuration
VRH has 7 different positions to set the ride height. If you want to ride at normal stock height, then put the axle at the second hole from the top. Each position moves the board up or down by around 7mm. If you are using the lowest one then you drop the ride with about 1.25 inches from the stock setting. The higher position is around .25 inches higher compared to a normal GT.
Material
The VRH is made from 7075 aluminum giving it good strength. The color is anodized and it comes in red, blue, purple, lime, gold, and black. There should be something for everyone so that you can customize it to fit your board’s color scheme.
7075 aluminum is one of the strongest commercially available aluminum alloys, with a strength comparable to many steels. As 7075 aluminum shows good fatigue strength it’s great for this type of application.
4 x M8 stainless-steel high-strength screws.
Installation
Installation takes around 10-15 minutes and involving disassemble the board to attach the VRH inner brackets onto the frame. This is the hardest part but still something anyone can do.
Price
Price $169.95 ($225.00 Off sale) Official Homepage
GT Crazy-Hubs (Height Adjustable Axle Carriers)
The GT Crazy-Hubs Height adjustable axle carriers are Tech-rails height adjustment systems for the Onewheel GT. It’s a system that not only allows for 5 different riding positions but also increases the cooling of the motor with its specially-designed carrier. The carrier wraps around the axle and clamps to it, this provides both increased strength and rigidity to the axle as well as pulling heat from the stator. The heat is dissipated into the air with the help of the built-in heat fins.
The carrier will also increase the strength of the axle when it is clamped onto it.
Configuration
The GT Crazy-Hubs has 5 height positions available. If you want to ride at normal stock height, then use the middle setting. Raising it to the max and min position will raise or drop the ride by around .8 inches.
Material
The GT Crazy-Hubs are made out of 6061 and 7075 aluminum. The carriers are CNC machined from 6061 whereas the larger base plates are machined from 7075 aluminum.
6061 Aluminium has a lower hardness and tensile strength compared to 7075. The benefits of a lower hardness allow it to be machined more easily than 7075.
The kit comes with a set of 16 x titanium alloy screws. Titanium is a good material for its corrosion resistance.
Price
Price $255.00 Official Homepage
VRH vs GT Crazy-Hubs
The height-adjustable systems are complete when you compare the VRH with the GT Crazy-Hubs. Both have their own benefits and drawbacks when compared to each other
| Feature | VRH | GT Crazy-Hubs |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | 7 | 5 |
| Lowest drop | 1.25 inches | 0.8 inches |
| Highest raise | 0.25 inches | 0.8 inches |
| Changing Settings (time) | 1min | 15min |
| Cooling | No | Yes |
| Material | 7075 aluminum | 6061 & 7075 aluminum |
| Price | $169.95 ($225.00 Off sale) | $255.00 |
Configuration
The VRH has 7 settings compared to the 5 of the GT Crazy-Hubs. The CRH has more adjustability but only one setting for raising the board compared to the two settings on the Crazy-Hubs. The Crazy board can lift the axle 0.8 inches compared to 0.25 inches with the CRH, making it better for trail riding and rough terrain. The GT Craz-Hubs give you more clearance.
While Crazy-Hubs has a higher raising setting, VRH can lower it more with its drop of 1.25 inches compared to 0.8 inches. Here the VRH has 5 different settings to choose from compared to only 2 with the Crazy-Hubs.
Both boards allow for a stock-height riding setting.
Changing Settings
The GT Crazy-Hubs are more difficult to adjust the height as it requires you to remove the rail to change the axle height. Removing rails takes around 15 minutes compared to only a 1-minute job for the VRH adjusters.
Both systems need to remove a rail when installing them for the first time, making the installation time the same of around 15 minutes.
Strength
One of the key benefits of the GT Crazy-Hubs compared to the VRH is the carrier that clamps around the axle. This creates a more rigid system with some added strength to the board.
Materials
Both systems are made out of high-grade 7075 aluminum, whereas some parts of the GT Crazy-hubs use 6061.
The Crazy-Hubs come with titanium screws compared to stainless steel for the VRH. Both are good, but from a corrosive point of view, titanium is better.
Cooling
If you are living in a warm climate it might be interesting to get a better cooling of your board. The Onewheel GT has been prone to overheating.
The carrier of the GT Crazy hubs has integrated Finns that allow for added cooling. To get this benefit from the VRH you will need to spend more money and buy the Stone Cold Chillers from Land-Surf.
Price
The Crazy-Hubs cost more than VRH but come with the added benefits of cooling and strength. The Stone Cold Chillers add $99 to the setup making the price almost the same.
Alternatives and Conclusion
The main alternative to GT height adjustment kits is to change the rails altogether. There are a couple of versions out there that allow you to change the bolt position.
This is also something the new Floatwheel has adapted with their GT clone and their adv Pro rails.
In conclusion, adjusting the height of your Onewheel GT can significantly alter your riding experience, offering benefits for both street and trail riding. The two main companies offering height-adjustable accessories are Tech-Rails and Land-Surf, each with their unique systems: the GT Crazy-Hubs and the VRH (Variable Ride Height) System, respectively.
The VRH system stands out for its quick adjustability, allowing riders to change the ride height in less than a minute. It offers seven different positions and is made from strong 7075 aluminum. However, it lacks the cooling feature found in the GT Crazy-Hubs.
The GT Crazy-Hubs, on the other hand, not only provides five different height positions but also enhances the cooling of the motor. This system is made from a combination of 6061 and 7075 aluminum and includes a carrier that adds rigidity and strength to the axle.
While the GT Crazy-Hubs is more expensive, it offers additional benefits such as cooling and strength. However, if quick adjustability and a greater range of height settings are your priority, the VRH system may be a better choice.
Ultimately, the choice between these two systems depends on your specific riding needs and preferences. Whether you prefer a low, flowy ride for city cruising or a high clearance for trail riding, both systems offer a way to customize your Onewheel GT experience. Remember, altering your board’s height will change its behavior, so it’s important to consider the benefits and drawbacks of each setting before making a decision. Happy riding!
