Future Motion has built the Onewheel range in clear steps — each model meaningfully different from the last rather than incremental spec bumps. If you are deciding between the GT, the GT S-Series and the Rally XL, the differences are real and worth understanding before you spend. Here is the breakdown.
The Onewheel GT — The Foundation
The GT is where the modern Onewheel lineage starts. It replaced the XR and brought a significant step up in motor power, range and electronics. For most Onewheel riders, the GT is a completely capable board that handles everything from commuting to trail riding to carpark carving with confidence.
Motor and power: the GT motor is a meaningful step up from the XR. Enough torque for Melbourne hills, rough terrain and responsive acceleration. It does not feel underpowered in normal use.
Range: 32 to 40km depending on rider weight, terrain and riding style. Real-world GT range in Melbourne conditions — mixed paths, some hills, varied speeds — typically lands in the 25 to 35km range for most riders.
Footpads: the GT uses the standard footpad profile. Comfortable, grippy, works well for most riders.
App and customisation: Custom Shaping 2.0 via the Onewheel app. Adjustable aggressiveness, carve profile and other ride characteristics. Enough flexibility for most riders to dial in a feel they like.
Who it suits: first-time Onewheel buyers, commuters who want a capable all-around board, riders who want to experience the Onewheel feel before deciding whether to step up. The GT is the board that converts people into Onewheel riders.
Onewheel GT S-Series — Refinement
The GT S-Series is the GT with specific refinements targeted at ride feel, comfort and customisation. It is not a completely new platform — the core motor and battery architecture is closely related to the GT. What changed is focused and meaningful.
Lowboy footpads: the S-Series footpads are lower profile than the standard GT pads, dropping the rider's centre of gravity closer to the board. This sounds subtle but the feel difference is real — the board feels more planted, more connected to the ground, less like you are standing on top of something and more like you are part of it. Riders who found the GT slightly tall underfoot notice this immediately.
Concave and edge profile: the S-Series footpads have a refined concave shape and rounded edges for all-day comfort. Less hotspot pressure through long sessions. The kick in the rear footpad gives your back foot a reference point that improves control without requiring you to think about it.
Custom Shaping 3.0: the S-Series introduced Custom Shaping 3.0 — more granular adjustment options in the Onewheel app. Dynamic responsiveness, turn compensation and aggressiveness profile can all be adjusted with more precision than on the standard GT. Riders who want to dial their board to a very specific feel will notice the additional options.
Range and speed: broadly similar to the GT. The S-Series is not a power upgrade — it is a feel and refinement upgrade. If your primary question is range or hill climbing, the S-Series does not change the answer significantly compared to the GT.
Who it suits: riders who have been on the GT and want a more refined underfoot feel. Riders who are between the GT and the Rally XL on budget and want a better footpad and more app customisation without the full Rally XL price jump. Anyone who prioritises ride feel and comfort over raw performance.
Onewheel GT S-Series Rally XL — The Flagship
The Rally XL is a different board. Not just a GT with better parts — a rethought platform built around a larger tire, a longer frame, more power and significantly upgraded electronics. The name XL is accurate — everything about this board is bigger.
The tire: the Rally XL runs a 12-inch XL Performance Treaded Tire — 23% more air volume than the standard GT tire. That additional volume translates directly into bump absorption, ground clearance and traction on loose or technical terrain. Roots, rocks, gravel, rough paths — the Rally XL handles these with a smoothness that the standard GT tire cannot match. The contact patch is wider, grip on loose surfaces is noticeably better, and the overall ride over rough terrain is in a different category.
Torque: 50% more torque than the GT S-Series via a tuned controller running the 113V powertrain. Off the line, on hills, into headwinds — the Rally XL power delivery is in a completely different category. Hills that required managing your speed on a GT are effortless on the Rally XL. The board does not strain where the GT would.
Battery: upgraded Molicel P50B cells — higher discharge rate, better cold weather performance and slower long-term degradation than the GT battery. 11% more range than the GT S-Series. Real-world Melbourne range on the Rally XL is meaningfully better than the GT, particularly in cold winter conditions where battery performance typically drops.
Frame: longer rails giving a wider stance. For taller riders, snowboarders and anyone who finds the standard GT stance slightly narrow, the Rally XL's wider platform is immediately more comfortable and gives more leverage through turns. The recurve rail shape lowers the centre of gravity further than the S-Series Lowboy pads do.
Stability at speed: multiple factors combine — wider tire contact patch, lower centre of gravity, more torque to hold speed through corners — to make the Rally XL noticeably more stable at higher speeds than the GT or S-Series. Riders who have experienced speed wobble or nervousness at the GT's higher end find the Rally XL significantly more confidence-inspiring.
GT accessory compatibility: the Rally XL maintains compatibility with GT accessories — footpads, chargers and most third-party accessories work across the range.
Price: the Rally XL is Onewheel's most expensive board. It is a premium you pay for a premium product and the gap between the S-Series and the Rally XL is larger than the gap between the GT and the S-Series.
Who it suits: experienced Onewheel riders who have been on the GT or S-Series and want the full performance ceiling. Riders who spend significant time on trails, rough terrain or technical off-road riding. Snowboarders and surfers who want the widest stance available. Anyone who wants Future Motion's best board and is prepared to spend accordingly.
The Decision
Buy the GT if: you are new to Onewheel, you are riding primarily on smooth paths and roads, budget is a meaningful consideration, or you want to experience the platform before deciding whether to invest further.
Buy the GT S-Series if: you want better footpad feel and more app customisation than the GT without the full Rally XL price, you ride the GT and find the footpad height slightly tall, or you are between the two price points and refinement matters more to you than raw performance.
Buy the Rally XL if: you ride trails and rough terrain regularly, you want the best Onewheel ever made, you are coming from a snowboard or surf background and want the widest stance, you want 50% more torque and 11% more range, or you are upgrading from a GT and want to feel the full difference the platform can offer.
We have demo boards for all three models at our Richmond store. The difference between the GT and the Rally XL is immediately obvious on a ride — come in and feel it before deciding. Frosty's workshop handles all Onewheel servicing, warranty and tyre changes in-house.
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