A field guide to getting there without the gas.
What the weight leaves out
Use the weight with the battery fitted, because that's what you'll be taking upstairs. Then look at the shape. A long board can catch the wall as you turn on a landing. A scooter gives you a stem to hold, with a deck swinging underneath. A Onewheel occupies little floor space but puts 27 lb in one hand. The weights below include the battery.
Scroll sideways to read all columns.
| Ride | Complete weight | What it is like to carry | Availability or setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONSRA ZENO Flight Safe | About 14.3 lb | Very light, but still a long board; the removable 99 Wh battery does not guarantee airline acceptance. | Available to preorder when checked; confirm the shipping date. |
| Exway Wave V2 | 15.21 lb | Short electric skateboard with a quick-release 99 Wh battery. | Available to order when checked. |
| Backfire G2 Black | 16.8 lb | Easy to lift by board standards; solid wheels avoid pressure checks but transmit more roughness. | U.S. stock-wheel version. |
| NIU KQi Air | 26.2 lb | A folding stem gives a useful grip. The deck and handlebar still need room through doors. | Battery included in the published weight. |
| Onewheel Pint X | 27 lb | Compact footprint; heavy in one hand; nothing folds. | Powder Blue, stock slick tire, Home Charger. |
| E-TWOW GT SL | 29.3 lb | Folding stem and handlebars make the shape useful for a closet or trunk. | Black version was in stock at last check. |
Walk the route before you order
Try the trip from the curb to your storage spot with a similar weight. Include the outside steps, heavy fire door and tight turn on the landing. Think about the day the elevator breaks. If you can try the actual ride, pick it up by the handle you'll use and bring your work bag. A 27 lb board feels quite different when you're also keeping a laptop bag out of the way.
The KQi Air cuts a lot of weight compared with the 54.2 lb Segway MAX G3, but you're choosing a 20 mph scooter with a smaller platform and less advertised range. The lighter skateboards are easier to store, though their solid urethane wheels need suitable pavement and you'll need to enjoy the sideways stance. Pick something you can carry upstairs and still want to ride once you're back on the street.
Which of these tires needs sealant?
The NIU and Onewheel use air-filled tires; the Backfire, Exway and ONSRA here have solid urethane wheels and don't need sealant. For the air-filled tires, the Armor-Dilloz formula finder gives you the formula and amount to use. Stock Onewheels already contain sealant, according to Future Motion, so check what's inside before adding more. Follow the installation guide and keep a way home in mind for damage that sealant can't fix.
