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The RYNO electric microcycle began with a question from 13-year-old Lauren Hoffmann: “Could you actually build a one-wheeled motorcycle?” Her father, Portland-area engineer Chris Hoffmann, tried. The story he told in 2014 is less a tale of a single flash of inspiration than a series of engineering lessons: balancing was possible, steering was not, a simple control change made the prototype rideable, and a later attempt to make it more road-ready made it worse.
What is the RYNO electric microcycle?
The RYNO was a one-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle designed for slow, compact urban travel. It was pitched as something to move at pedestrian scale, not as a fast road motorcycle. In a 2014 interview, Hoffmann described its “sweet spot” as about 10 mph and contrasted it with a Vespa for riders seeking 25 mph or more: “If you want to drive down the road at 25 mph or faster, then go buy a Vespa scooter.” Design Engine’s April 1, 2014 interview also records his explanation for the unusually large wheel: “So to fit all that stuff inside the wheel we needed a big wheel and it’s not so much that we wanted the bike to have a big wheel so it looked bad-ass, it’s just that the wheel IS the body.” Hoffmann said the design used an off-the-shelf 18 x 240 sports motorcycle tire and rim.
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Period product coverage described a machine using gyros, accelerometers and motors to move the wheel under the rider’s center of gravity. That is a 2014 publication’s description, not a present-day technical teardown. The same report advertised an electronically governed 10 mph top speed, more than 10 miles of range and immediate torque from the electric motors; those are historical product claims, not independently tested figures. Design Engine’s December 5, 2014 product report
Who invented the RYNO, and where did the idea come from?
Engineer Chris Hoffmann developed the RYNO after his daughter Lauren asked whether he could build a one-wheeled motorcycle she had seen in a video game. In the account published by Design Engine on April 1, 2014, Lauren was 13 and sketched the idea while they were in the car. The interview’s opening says the exchange had happened “six years” earlier, placing the starting point around 2008, not in 2014.
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Hoffmann saw a possible route through self-balancing technology associated with the Segway. He recalled that gyroscopes and sensors had become cheaper, while hobby robotics offered small controllers, circuit boards and motors that might suit a compact machine. He also found a software collaborator online through a project page about building a wooden Segway. Design Engine, April 1, 2014
How did Hoffmann make a one-wheeled motorcycle steer?
The first frame proved the basic idea was not enough
Hoffmann began with a mountain-bike frame cut in half, moved handlebars and improvised padding. He said it was impossible to ride. A more polished, hammered-aluminum prototype came next. He expected it to steer around a bend as a rolling coin does, but balancing fore and aft did not make it controllable through a turn. As he put it: “I built this beautiful hammered aluminum, aircraft-looking prototype and figured it would just steer around a turn like a coin rolling around a corner, but when I got on the thing, it was … impossible.”
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Steering input and software changed the ride
Hoffmann and his software collaborator considered more complicated mechanisms, then tried handlebars paired with control software. Hoffmann said the revised prototype became rideable quickly: “I got on it and I just rode off, just like a bike. I was riding around the neighborhood inside 15 minutes. I was riding around doing figure eights. It just totally blew me away because it worked really well.” This was his account of a prototype breakthrough, not a claim that every balance challenge had disappeared. A 2023 Digital Trends retrospective later described a right-hand brake lever and noted that, although the machine self-balanced front to back, its rider still had to manage lateral balance. Digital Trends, 2023
Why did the suspension-equipped prototype fail?
Hoffmann next tried to make a scooter-like version he thought could be street legal: lower speed, a 750-watt motor, suspension, a larger seat and European styling. He said he sold his house to raise money and spent about US$45,000 on that one prototype. He judged the result a failure for two connected reasons: the motor did not provide the power he wanted, and the suspension made handlebar input feel disconnected from the gyros. In his words: “We figured that we would make it street legal like a scooter, 25 mph less, 750 watts of motor power, add suspension, a bigger seat, euro styling … so I actually sold my house and got some cash together and we spent about $45 grand on this one prototype and … it was a total failure.” The 750 watts describes this unsuccessful prototype, not a confirmed production-model rating. Design Engine, April 1, 2014
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What did the RYNO cost, and what was planned for sale?
Two 2014 accounts reported different prices and should be read as period launch information rather than a single definitive current price.
| Period report | Price or sales claim | Other details reported |
|---|---|---|
| Design Engine’s April 1, 2014 interview with Hoffmann | Approximately US$5,250 planned standard price | Hoffmann said lithium-ion batteries cost extra. Source |
| Design Engine’s December 5, 2014 product report, crediting Fix.com | US$5,295 MSRP reported; the first batch of 300 said to have sold out | Utility rack and helmet were listed as optional extras; dealer arrivals were expected in spring 2015. These were reported launch plans. Source |
The interview also described interest from potential licensees and distributors and a staged international rollout as plans, not confirmed deliveries in every market. The reported sellout and expected dealer timing belong to 2014; neither establishes present-day stock, support or sales.
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- IMPACT RESISTANT: Durable ABS shell with shock-absorbing EPS foam keeps you safe during spills — a men's bike helmet built to handle whatever you throw at it
- COOL AIRFLOW: Ten strategically placed vents create 360-degree ventilation to keep your head cool and comfortable during intense rides - no more overheating or stuffiness
- EASY MAINTENANCE: Removable, washable interior padding wicks moisture and stays fresh, adult bicycle helmets that are simple to clean and maintain ride after ride
- SIZE RANGE: 3 sizes to fit most adult riders - adjustable design accommodates different head circumferences for secure, comfortable protection. Small (51-54cm), Medium (54-57cm) & Large (57-60cm).
Can you buy a RYNO today?
Current official availability could not be confirmed. A 2024 Tip Bandit retrospective says RYNO Motors stopped production and the vehicle is no longer for sale; Dealroom’s company profile labels the venture closed and gives a 2008–2016 period. Both are secondary sources, rather than an official company status announcement. Tip Bandit, 2024 · Dealroom company profile
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThose later status reports do not erase the 2014 coverage: it said an initial batch had sold out and described planned distribution. The available accounts do not conclusively establish final unit deliveries, so it would be inaccurate to say the RYNO never shipped.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
