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YOU CAN BUILD YOUR OWN ONEWHEEL, AND IT REALLY RIDES

A self-balancing one-wheel electric board you can build for 690 dollars — less than half the price of the commercial version — and it actually rides.

by Zach (Byte Sized Engineering)

FULL CAD BOM FIRMWARE DOCS

RoboticsWorkshop

Built withArduino3D printing

difficulty
●●●●○
time
a week-plus
license
MIT
repo
repo ACTIVE75 stars

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Videos
1
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COMPAREE VERDICT

This is version 1 from 2021, and it is complete enough to build. You get the 3D files for every printed part, the frame drawing, a schematic for the footpad-sensor, IMU and lighting wiring, the lighting board with its Arduino code, and VESC configuration files for the balance setup. The 2021 BOM totals 686.53 dollars including a helmet, and the creator says it came to about a third of the cost of a Onewheel XR. The battery was 332 dollars and the motor 129 dollars. What you do not get is written build instructions: the free repo has no assembly walkthrough. The creator sells a digital build guide that fills that gap. In 2026 he announced he is reviving the project to redo it from the ground up, so expect changes. The biggest risk is riding itself: self-balancing boards can nosedive, and a fall at speed will hurt. This is a real build that works, but it is a hard one.

GOOD TO KNOW

  • —STL files for enclosures, bumpers and footpads are in the repo
  • —Frame is a PDF drawing plus a Fusion 360 model
  • —KiCad board for lights with Arduino code included
  • —VESC motor and app configuration XML files provided
  • —Bill of materials is a Google Sheet with prices from 2021
  • —The LICENSE file is MIT, but the README says GPL-3.0 — check with the creator before commercial use.
  • —No assembly instructions: the free files are CAD, a wiring schematic and code; the creator sells a digital build guide separately.

Parts to buy

12 items

From our check of the build. Exact quantities and part numbers are in the creator’s BOM.

  • 10-inch 48 V 800 W hub motorFind
  • Flipsky VESCFind
  • 48 V 20 Ah battery and chargerFind
  • Anti-spark switchFind
  • MPU-9250 IMUFind
  • Two force-sensitive resistors for the footpadFind
  • Inline fuseFind
  • 1x2-inch aluminium rectangular tubeFind
  • Connectors and wireFind
  • WS2812B LEDs and an Arduino Nano for the lightsFind
  • Grip tapeFind
  • ScrewsFind

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Can I build this?

PrintEnclosures, bumpers, footpads and light mounts — largest part is the main shell
Buy10-inch 48 V 800 W hub motor, Flipsky VESC, 48 V 20 Ah battery and charger, anti-spark switch, MPU-9250 IMU, two force-sensitive resistors for the footpad, inline fuse, 1x2-inch aluminium rectangular tube, connectors and wire, WS2812B LEDs and an Arduino Nano for the lights, grip tape, screws, PETG filament and a helmet
Tools3D printer with large bed or ability to split parts, soldering iron, basic hand tools, VESC Tool software
SkillsIntermediate 3D printing, VESC tuning experience strongly recommended, soldering, mechanical assembly, willingness to debug balance behaviour without a guide
TimeA week-plus — printing alone is multiple days, assembly and tuning another weekend minimum, longer if VESC is new to you
Cost$$$ — 686.53 dollars per the 2021 BOM, dominated by the 332-dollar battery and 129-dollar motor; prices will have moved
SafetySelf-balancing boards can nosedive — sudden forward acceleration followed by the board tipping and throwing you. Wear a helmet and pads. The 48 V battery requires safe handling and a proper charger.

Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.

Videos

I Can't Believe My DIY Onewheel Works!

The creator's build video showing the first balance attempts and outdoor rides; the README links the full build playlist.

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Gallery

Start here

Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.

  1. 1.Read the repo README and open the BOM Google Sheet (The BOM prices are from 2021 — expect battery and motor costs to have changed)
  2. 2.Check the Fusion 360 model and frame PDF to understand the structure(The side rails are 1x2-inch aluminium rectangular tube: you cut and drill them using the drawing.)
  3. 3.Slice and print the enclosure STLs(The main shell is large — check your print bed or plan to split it)
  4. 4.Order the battery, motor, VESC and hardware from the BOM(The 48 V battery is the single largest cost and lead time)
  5. 5.Install VESC Tool and load the XML configuration files(If you have never tuned a VESC, expect a learning curve — the repo does not walk you through it)

Resources

Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.

KNOWN ISSUES

  • The repo has no assembly instructions — you get the parts but not the steps, and the paid guide is separate
  • VESC tuning is not documented — if you have never configured a VESC motor controller before, you will struggle with balance stability
  • The BOM prices are from 2021 — battery and motor costs have moved, and some parts may no longer be available at the listed links
  • The frame is a PDF drawing, not a cut file: you cut and drill the 1x2-inch aluminium rectangular tube side rails yourself.
  • Self-balancing boards nosedive — if you lean too far forward or the battery voltage drops, the board will tip and throw you
  • This is version 1 from 2021, and in 2026 the creator announced he is reviving and revamping the project, so files and recommendations may change.

Is this actually cheaper than buying a Onewheel?

The 2021 BOM totals 686.53 dollars including a helmet, and the creator says his board cost about a third of a Onewheel XR. Battery and motor prices have moved since 2021, so check current prices.

Do I need the paid build guide?

The free repo contains the CAD files, a schematic for the sensor and lighting wiring, the lighting code and VESC settings, but no assembly walkthrough. If you are comfortable working the build out from the files and the build videos and have VESC experience, you can do it without the guide. If not, the creator's paid digital build guide will save you time.

What is a nosedive and how do I avoid it?

A nosedive happens when you lean too far forward or the battery voltage sags, and the motor can no longer keep up — the board tips forward suddenly and throws you. Stay within the board's limits, keep the battery charged, and wear a helmet.

Can I use a different motor or battery?

You can, but you will need to re-tune the VESC and adjust the enclosure. The repo is sized for the specific 48 V battery and hub motor in the BOM.

Community builds

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Discussion1

FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM

The BOM totals 686.53 dollars, but that is from 2021 — and the battery alone was 332 dollars then. What would you budget for this build today?

CompareeTEAM9d agoedited

Practical notes from our verification: the repository contains the design files — STLs, a frame drawing, a link to the Fusion 360 model, the lighting board KiCad files and Arduino code, plus VESC motor and app XML configuration — but no written assembly instructions. The bill of materials is a Google Sheet linked from the repo, totalling 686.53 dollars at the prices of the original 2021 build, so expect those to have moved. The build videos are on the creator's channel: the README links the full build playlist, and 'I Can't Believe My DIY Onewheel Works!' shows the first rides. One thing to check before you reuse the files: GitHub lists the licence as MIT, while the README text says GNU GPL v3.0, so ask the creator which one applies if it matters for your use. This is the complete, rideable design shown in the videos. Correction (4 October 2026): we re-checked this page line by line against the project's own repository, documentation and videos, and fixed errors in earlier versions.

Zach (Byte Sized Engineering)

Zach runs Byte Sized Engineering, a YouTube channel focused on DIY electronics and electric vehicles. He built the Openwheel in 2021 as a self-balancing one-wheel board inspired by the Onewheel, at about a third of the cost, and in 2026 announced he is reviving the project to rebuild it from the ground up.

GitHub

Star the project on GitHub

DISCLAIMER

  • Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
  • Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
  • Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
GitHub repo