E Boards: Our Opinion on How to Get the Best Model
Nowadays, electric skateboards are more popular than ever. With so many companies entering the fray each month, it seems like everyone is in on this rising trend and they’re all looking to make the next big electric skateboard. But despite the heavy competition, there’s no obvious winner. Many brands that were once considered the best, such as Boosted, Evolve, etc. seem like they won’t be that competitive for a long time, based on the features and prices of the new products that appear on the market on a regular basis. The most common complaint about branded skateboard is the price. That being said, with new brands entering the industry offering similar specs at a fraction of the price, you’ll need to pay attention to a few important things in order to weed out the phony from the great e board models.
The first thing you need to think about when shopping for e boards is the type of motor they have. There are two types of electric skateboard motors – hub and belt-drive. When electric skateboards first came about, most of them came with a belt-driven system. Nowadays, however, that has changed. This is due to the fact that belt-driven electric skateboards allow for greater customizability, and they were meant for DIY-ers. But, since the market and the customer base have grown significantly, there are many non-technical riders who prefer hub motors, which require less maintenance, are quieter, have less lag and allow for kick pushing.
The next thing to consider is the wattage of the electric board. Simply put, lower wattage means less power, which translates to lower torque, speeds and hill functionality. That being said, if you live in an area with many steep inclines and hills, you should consider e boards with at least 1500W. Further, you have to consider the speed, charge times and range of the board. While most people will look for these specifications, manufacturers provide them in ranges, which can be a bit confusing. For instance, if the speed of the board is listed as 10-20kmh, chances are it will be more like 10kmh. The same applies to the charge times and range. The higher threshold of the range usually represents the board’s speed if it’s ridden by a lightweight person on perfectly flat ground with a full charge, and you’ll rarely find yourself riding in such conditions.
Then, consider the deck style and the materials it’s made of. Most electric boards are made of either fibreglass, carbon fibre or bamboo. While many models also use a composite of these materials, most brands go for either one or the other. For riders, however, the difference between the materials is the difference between having a stiff and flexible board. Bamboo is flexible, whereas carbon fibre and fibreglass are stiffer. The materials can also impact the board’s weight. Even though most electric skateboards range in weight by a few kilograms, the seemingly small difference can be significant. If you intend on commuting with the board and carry it around after riding, a few kilograms can make a big difference in terms of convenience.
Additionally, make sure you pay attention to the board’s weight capacity. If you’re on the heavier side, you may find that the specifications listed on the board don’t apply to those over a certain weight. Check and see how the company calculated their boards’ specifications. Oftentimes they’ll say something like “specs are based off a person weighing an X-amount, of medium build, and riding on flat surfaces.
And lastly, always make sure you check out the warranty, the spare parts available for your specific model, and the customer service provided by the retailer. Since electric boards feature both mechanical and electronic parts, they’re prone to wear more than your average skateboard is. If you’re riding in rough conditions, the issue is only amplified further. That being said, make sure you get a board that’s covered by a lengthy warranty of at least a year, and make sure it has replacement parts available. The warranty basically means that the brand is standing behind the quality of their product.
The best way to start searching for an electric-powered skateboard is to read reviews and feedback from other users online on relevant forums. You can read about the experiences of people of different build and weight on different models and then look for a model that has similar specifications and features to the one you fancy most. You’ll find a wide range of e skateboards online, where you can order and have the electric-powered skateboard of your choice delivered straight to you, no matter where you are in Australia. But before you do that, make sure you get exceptional customer service and a good returns policy in case you aren’t satisfied with the product, so that you can shop with peace of mind knowing you aren’t just throwing money for something that won’t meet and exceed your expectations.
