As electric skateboards grow in popularity, more and more different types of boards appear. Sometimes it may seem that the differences are mostly trivial, but each different board is designed for a different purpose. It is important to understand the differences between them so that you can buy a board that meets your needs.
Once you have purchased the board, you need to start looking for the add-ons. Security equipment, remote controls and the like. To help you make those decisions, this guide will explain the different types of electric scooters on the market and the equipment you can buy with them so that you are as informed as possible when choosing your board.
Types of electric skateboards
Longboards
Non-motorized regular longboards are actually the original skateboard. They were invented to simulate the sensation of surfing on the sidewalk. Longboards are often considered ideal for beginners, at least the non-motorized ones, because the larger deck and softer wheels give them more stability and a smoother ride.
Those features make long boards ideal for use as electric scooters, which is why most of the electronic boards you see on the market will be long boards. They are easy to use, comfortable to drive, and the basic design is already optimized for navigation.
The softer wheels also make longboards a great option if the area you are riding in has a lot of cracks and bumps in the asphalt.
If you're a total beginner, which means you don't even have a lot of experience with a regular skateboard, a longboard is probably the safest option for you. The stability and smoothness of the ride will make it much easier for you to learn how to ride your board. Just be careful with the flexibility of the platform; On electric boards, you don't want as much deck flex as you would with a normal long board, because a deck that constantly flexes up and down can damage your battery.
Short boards
Short boards are what most people imagine when they think of skateboards. They are shorter, of course, and also stiffer. The wheels tend to be smaller, harder, and closer together than on longboards. They also tend to have covers that curve upward at both ends to make it easier to perform certain tricks.
You will not perform tricks on your electrical panel, so if your terrace has those curves, they are purely decorative. That said, skateboarding tricks are the main reason shorter boards exist in the first place. So why bother putting a motor on a shorter board if you can't do tricks with it?
Short boards are lighter and easier to transport. In other words, they are much more portable when you are not riding them. The Boosted Boards longboard, the Boosted Plus, weighs 17 pounds. His short board, the Boosted Mini, weighs 15 pounds. Two pounds doesn't seem like much right now, but it will be when you carry it with you all day. The Plus is 38 inches long, 11 inches wide, and almost 6 inches tall. The mini is the same width and height, but is 8.5 inches shorter. It's much more portable than the Plus, and while the Mini is a standard size for most shortboards, the Plus is a relatively small longboard.
Short boards also tend to be cheaper as they are smaller. Again, using the Boosted boards as an example, the Plus sells for $ 1,400, while learn more here the Mini sells for $ 750. The longboard costs almost double.
Short boards are a bit more difficult to use, and if you've never skated before, it may be much better to start with a long board.
However, if you are an experienced skater, a short board can offer some benefits. You'll save money without sacrificing a lot of speed or range, and they're much easier to transport. If you are looking for a board to travel to and from the bus stop or train station on your daily commute, a short board may be more suitable for you than a long one.
Off-road electric skateboards
All the tables listed above are used for relatively mundane things, like going to work. Sure, they're fun and most people probably ride them for pleasure too, but they serve a practical purpose, too.
Off-road boards serve no practical purpose. They exist to be awesome, and that's it. They are the monster trucks of skateboarding. Some boards, like this one from Evolve, are hybrid; wheels can be changed for both on-road and off-road use.
You'll see some unique features on off-road boards. Trucks are often top-mounted and fall through the bed to lower the center of gravity. Every now and then you will find one with straps to keep you attached to your board on rough terrain. eGlide, one of the biggest names in off-road e-skateboards, manufactures several models with aluminum decks for durability.
The most obvious difference between off-road boards and normal boards is in the trucks and the wheels. The off-road boards have huge wheels and wide trucks to handle uneven terrain. The wheels are typically pneumatic, rather than solid urethane, with thick treads to provide traction on dirt and loose soil. They will almost always have dual motors as well, whereas many normal electronic whiteboards rely on a motor connected directly to a single wheel. That works fine on asphalt and concrete, but off-road it would lead to skidding and poor traction. 10-inch tall wheels are standard and rubber tires are required.
An off-road board will also have a much more powerful motor and battery to handle hills.
When considering an off-road board, think about whether you want a board exclusively for off-road use or whether you will also travel around town from time to time. Those big rubber tires and super wide trucks will be slower and a lot less maneuverable on city streets than regular skateboards. A pure off-road board is heavy too; That oversized motor and battery, along with the giant wheels and trucks can add a lot of weight. You don't want to carry one of these and you don't want a lightweight board when you're off-road because the added weight helps on loose surfaces like gravel.
Off-road boards are great if you're interested in off-road adventures, but they're a poor choice if you want a board for riding around town. Hybrids exist, and if you want to use your board for both work and play, they can be a good option.
Each type of table has its advantages and disadvantages. Off-road boards are great if you just want an off-road board for fun, but they're not a good board for getting around. Electric longboards are easy and comfortable to ride and great for riding, but they are bulky and heavy.
Penny boards give you maximum portability, but can be awkward to handle, while short boards bridge the gap and offer a compromise between portability and manageability. None of these boards is always a better option than the others. Each board has its own pros and cons, and choosing the right board for you really depends on your specific needs and your level of experience.