Amazing Studded Footplates for Electric Unicycles

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Studded Footplates: Elevating Your EUC Ride

Who Will Love This:
Intermediate to advanced electric unicycle (EUC) riders, especially those who enjoy trail riding, will appreciate the confidence boost and enhanced control offered by these studded footplates.

My Thoughts:
Occasionally, you come across something you didn’t know you needed. Murland’s studded footplates for EUCs fall into that category.

The standard Gotway Nikola footplates have a rubber grip-textured surface that looks good and is easy to clean. However, they offer only mild grip strength, which can leave riders lacking confidence. This becomes more evident in adverse weather conditions. Riding on snow and ice can make the footplates dangerously slippery.

During the spring season, I transitioned to trail riding where rough terrain occasionally caused my feet to shift forward. Although sliding them back into position was manageable with the stock grip tape, the grip was still lacking.

The studded footplates came onto my radar through an EUC Facebook group, with impressive reviews prompting me to try them on my Nikola.

I conducted a side-by-side comparison of the studded footplate with the stock rubber footplate, and the results were astounding. After a 12-mile test ride, my confidence soared. I felt more in control, could carve and turn with purpose, and experienced less foot fatigue.

For someone who usually rides conservatively, I found myself descending curbs and even stairs, something I had never attempted before. These studded footplates transformed the riding experience and my approach to it. It was exhilarating.

Installation:
Installation is relatively straightforward and comes in two methods: fast (for destroying existing grip tape) and slow (to save the existing grip tape for future use). Here are the general steps:

1. Heat and remove the grip tape.
2. Remove screws and the old footplate.
3. Position the studded footplate and use Loctite to secure the screws.
4. Tighten screws, clean, and enjoy.

The Drawbacks:

1. The studs extend several millimeters, preventing your foot pedal from folding up flush against the EUC body in some models, causing minor divots. You can add padding to protect these areas.
2. The studs may hinder the magnets that keep your footplates folded up on some EUC models, causing them to occasionally open.
3. Shifting your feet becomes challenging with these footplates. They lock your feet into position, requiring you to lift your foot slightly to reposition.
4. This product is crafted by a single person in small-scale production in the Pacific Northwest, so international shipping costs and times may be an issue.
5. Barefoot riding is no longer feasible due to the studs.

For those interested in purchasing these studded footplates, contact Murland via Facebook. He offers versions to fit the Nikola, MSX/MSP, ACM, and King Song 16x pedals. The price is $80 shipped within the USA, with international buyers covering shipping costs. Message him on Facebook Messenger for details. If you own a King Song 16x, you can explore a similar product called the sport pedal with spikes at eWheels.

These studded footplates will make your EUC ride more exhilarating, instilling confidence and enhancing your control.

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