The OneWheel GTS Rally Edition finally got its matching rail guards, but for a lot of us, they did not show up with the board itself. Mine arrived later, which meant the board already had a few little dings before I ever had a chance to protect it properly.
Rail guard installs are usually pretty simple, but I wanted to show what the Rally Edition guards actually look like on the board and point out the small things I noticed while putting them on.
Quick Answer
The install is straightforward: clean the rails with rubbing alcohol, peel the backing off the adhesive, line each guard up carefully with the rail edges and screw holes, press it down firmly, then remove the clear protective film after both sides are installed.
The main thing to watch is the adhesive backing. On a couple of corners, the tape wanted to lift with the backing, so take your time peeling it. Also check the gap around the screw holes before pressing everything down hard.
What Comes In The Install
The Rally Edition rail guards are plastic guards with adhesive on the back. They wrap around the rail shape, which helps with alignment because you can push them against the rail edge as you set them down.
There is also a clear protective film over the outside surface. I left that film on until both sides were installed because I needed to flip the board over, and I did not want the newly installed guard getting scratched while it was resting on the table.
Clean The Rails First
Before sticking anything down, I cleaned the rails with rubbing alcohol and an old rag. I sprayed the rag, wiped the rail area down, and made sure the surface was clean and dry.
This matters because the adhesive is doing all the work. Dirt, dust, or residue on the rail can keep the guard from bonding well, especially around the edges.
Line Up The First Side
The guards are side-specific, so I matched the GT/GTS markings and checked the orientation before peeling anything. Once the backing started coming off, I lined the guard up against the rail and used the wraparound edge as a guide.
The install is not complicated, but you do want to avoid dropping it down randomly. I pressed it into position while pushing against the edge so it would sit cleanly along the rail.
On my first side, I noticed a little more of a gap than I wanted, so I gently pulled it back up before the adhesive fully set and repositioned it. That is not something you want to make a habit of, but it came off quickly enough because I had not pressed it down hard yet.
Watch The Adhesive Backing
The trickiest part of the whole install was peeling the backing off without pulling up the sticky adhesive underneath. A couple of edges were hard to grab cleanly, and I started lifting both layers in spots.
If that happens, slow down and separate the backing carefully. The corners are the main place I would pay attention. Once the adhesive gets folded or disturbed, it is harder to make the guard sit perfectly.
Press Everything Down
After each guard was positioned, I used the rag to press down firmly across the surface and edges. I did not remove the clear outer film right away because I still had to flip the board over for the other side.
Once both sides were installed, I peeled off the protective film. The film can tear around the corners, so do not be surprised if it does not come off in one perfect pull.
Why I Wanted Them On
I had been riding the GTS Rally Edition mostly on streets because I did not want to beat up the rails too much before the guards arrived. Even with that, one side had a decent amount of scuffing and chewing on the rail already.
The board is built tough, but I still think it was disappointing that the matching guards were not available with the Rally Edition at launch. If you bought the board early, there is a good chance your rails picked up some marks before the guards ever showed up.
How It Looks Finished
Once installed, the guards look clean and fit the Rally Edition well. Mine were not absolutely perfect edge-to-edge in every spot, but the screw holes lined up fine and the overall look was good.
There are some sharper edges on the guards, and I know some riders may choose to file those down a little. I left mine as-is for now.
GTS Rally Edition Notes
This install was mainly about the rail guards, but I also shared a few quick thoughts on the board. For me, the GTS feels clearly better than the GT. The Rally Edition may not be necessary if you only ride streets, but I do like the extra tail clearance.
The feel is subjective, but the Rally Edition feels more comfortable to me. I have not been doing heavy off-road riding with it yet, partly because I was waiting on these rail guards before I started beating it up more.
Key Takeaways
- Clean the rails with rubbing alcohol before installing the OneWheel GTS Rally Edition rail guards.
- Check the left/right orientation and line the guards up with the rail edges and screw holes before pressing hard.
- Peel the adhesive backing slowly, especially at the corners, so the sticky layer does not lift with it.
- Leave the clear protective film on until both sides are installed if you need to flip the board over.
- The finished guards look clean, but some riders may want to soften the sharper edges.
- If your Rally Edition rail guards arrived late, your rails may already have some scuffs before installation.
Watch the Video
The video above above if you want to see the full live install, including the adhesive backing issue, the fitment around the screw holes, and how the Rally Edition rail guards look once they are on the board.
