Hey guys, just moved to the city, and really love it! I definitely need a mode of transportation to get around town though. It seems like an e-board was pretty much made for getting around SF. Any suggestions (besides DIY, as I have no aptitude and would rather pay more and be able to work with the brand on board issues). I'm also pretty sure I don't want a Boosted, as I don't want range anxiety as soon as I leave my apartment. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
Best Board for Commuting Around SF?
- Thread starter rlemkin95
- Start date
torqueboards
1 MW
SF is a blast to ride. Depending on where you are though. There are tons of potholes. More so there have been much more Boosted, EBoard riders out in SF. Perfect place to ride since they expect bikers around at least from what I've noticed. Although, drivers can still be a bit annoyed not that I care.
Your only other options if not DIY would be Evolve, Marbel, InBoard, Boosted, MellowBoards for production boards.
My personal preference is a 33-36" deck hard/sturdy, dual motor, 12s setup.
Your only other options if not DIY would be Evolve, Marbel, InBoard, Boosted, MellowBoards for production boards.
My personal preference is a 33-36" deck hard/sturdy, dual motor, 12s setup.
And of all those companies, the only boards available to order+ship today are Evolve and Boosted, correct? Bummer. Have heard/read some not great things about Evolve's quality control and customer service. All the other ones sound great but I'd guess they're still a ways away from full scale production.
torqueboards
1 MW
rlemkin95 said:
Pretty much yeah.. Boosted is a bit off too. Had a customer mention he burned out his main board and on boosted that main board is everything. Cost $600 to replace. Heard issues of the bluetooth disconnecting on the controller also.
Unfortunately, the DIY options aren't completely solid just yet as far as final finish and they do take some time to build and learn. Although, for most people on here it's part of the process which we enjoy.
Even after all the new production boards though. I still wouldn't trade it for the DIY option. DIY provides much more flexibility and ease of repair if ever needed. A lot more power too.
Good luck.. It's a blast either way... Fun watching all the commuters and passing everyone up on the streets as well as the cars stuck in traffic.
bandaro
10 kW
I would agree with torque that despite what you pay commercially they are not "plug in and go" option. I think whatever way you go there can be issues.
Doing a mod to boosted for extra range is basically as problematic as doing your own build. Depending on what background you come from, building one could be the best option. Electric boards are essentially a very simple product, so coming from an RC/engineering/design/production background I didn't have any issues mechanically with my builds. I did go for the lightest componentry I thought I could get away with so some issues may arise down the track, but I've decided it's not enough power anyway and am going hub motors.
Digitally there was minor issues, just in getting the motor tuned up and running nicely for my setup. This takes a few runs but you don't break anything, just stop-reprogram-go, so easy enough. I would say this is the main reason DIY isn't as solid, everything isn't optimised for the same setup, everyone likes to run differently.
If you are mechanically minded and have the time/patience to get everything dialed in, then I would suggest DIY. More flexibility, cheaper repairs and more power. There are a bunch of people including torque who sell some pretty solid kits/componentry in your area. Plus all the info you need is right here on the forums.
Doing a mod to boosted for extra range is basically as problematic as doing your own build. Depending on what background you come from, building one could be the best option. Electric boards are essentially a very simple product, so coming from an RC/engineering/design/production background I didn't have any issues mechanically with my builds. I did go for the lightest componentry I thought I could get away with so some issues may arise down the track, but I've decided it's not enough power anyway and am going hub motors.
Digitally there was minor issues, just in getting the motor tuned up and running nicely for my setup. This takes a few runs but you don't break anything, just stop-reprogram-go, so easy enough. I would say this is the main reason DIY isn't as solid, everything isn't optimised for the same setup, everyone likes to run differently.
If you are mechanically minded and have the time/patience to get everything dialed in, then I would suggest DIY. More flexibility, cheaper repairs and more power. There are a bunch of people including torque who sell some pretty solid kits/componentry in your area. Plus all the info you need is right here on the forums.
torqueboards
1 MW
With that considered.. You don't necessarily see many real "bikers" who ride bikes who don't carry a repair kit and/or know how to repair their own bike.
If you travel 5 or 10 miles away and all you have is your "equipment" and "you".
It's either kicking rocks or fixing your board if it is a simple an easy fix -- might as well know how to fix it.
Worse comes to worse is the easy route and calling an UBER
If you travel 5 or 10 miles away and all you have is your "equipment" and "you".
It's either kicking rocks or fixing your board if it is a simple an easy fix -- might as well know how to fix it.
Worse comes to worse is the easy route and calling an UBER
onloop
10 kW
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2013
- Messages
- 600
2015 is the year of the DIY electric skateboard.
Crowd funding is cool, it's helped a lot of companies raise plenty of cash, it's also helpped them bring the eboard concept to the masses.
But us DIY'ers are not far behind..in some cases we have surpassed the commercial offerings..... we don't have the big budgets but we have what money can't buy.... the dedication, the willingness to share ideas, the knowledge and experience to help others who are just starting their first build, the countless hours donated by people across the globe who are now working together to build the best DIY eboards...
So you ask what is the best board? The best board is the one you built. Your favourite deck, trucks & wheels. Choose your own and build it... thats is the best.
Crowd funding is cool, it's helped a lot of companies raise plenty of cash, it's also helpped them bring the eboard concept to the masses.
But us DIY'ers are not far behind..in some cases we have surpassed the commercial offerings..... we don't have the big budgets but we have what money can't buy.... the dedication, the willingness to share ideas, the knowledge and experience to help others who are just starting their first build, the countless hours donated by people across the globe who are now working together to build the best DIY eboards...
So you ask what is the best board? The best board is the one you built. Your favourite deck, trucks & wheels. Choose your own and build it... thats is the best.
torqueboards
1 MW
CSN said:
Don't get a metro board for SF.. You want 2 motors IMO unless your really on flat ground 100% of the time.
I'd consider building my own e-board and assume I have the adequate skills for it. However, having spent a few hours googling what to actually get, and how the result would compare to what's available commercially, I haven't really found even the basics on what to expect: approximate weight/range/speed numbers.
Could someone please quantify what to expect from a DIY board?
Staffan
Could someone please quantify what to expect from a DIY board?
Staffan
onloop
10 kW
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2013
- Messages
- 600
staffanu said:
It can be very puzzling when you first start out. But i assure you once you get your head around it it is extremely straightforward.
So heres some more details, There are two categories of parts to building an electric skateboard.
1. The mechanical components
2. The electronics components
Enertion offers complete mech kits online now for building single or dual motor.
Here is single motor mech kit: http://www.enertionboards.com/diy-electric-skateboard-kits/enertion-single-motor-mount-pro-kit/
& dual motor: http://www.enertionboards.com/diy-electric-skateboard-kits/enertion-dual-motor-mount-pro-kit/
However currently our electronics 'kit' is being redeveloped, all components are being upgraded & the kit will be offered again. Until then you may buy some of these new parts now seperatley.
Battery: http://www.enertionboards.com/electric-skateboard-parts/space-cell-electric-skateboard-battery/
Motor: http://www.enertionboards.com/electric-skateboard-parts/190kv-electric-skateboard-motor/
Speed controller: http://www.enertionboards.com/electric-skateboard-parts/vesc-beta-membership/
Carbor Fiber Deck with built in components housing: http://www.enertionboards.com/electric-skateboard-parts/carbon-fiber-electric-skateboard-deck/
Wireless Hand controller: We don't have anything to sell yet. We (members of the comminity) are working hard to develop the best hand controll for DIY eboard builders. Check here: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70623
In terms of what all this stuff gives you in the real world.
Top speed:: 40-45KMS/H (this can easily be changed faster/slower with different sized motor pulley)
Range:: Min 25kms
Ride time:: Min 1hr. (Probably more but better to under-promise over-deliver. Also your body weight and riding style will need to be considered)
Acceleration:: Ball Tearing
Hill climbing:: YES. You could go up some fairly large hills easily.
Charge time:: 2-4 hours. Depends on you charger. Fast charger cost more.
Board Weight:: 6-7kgs
Building time:: If you bought all my gear above it just plugs together. So maybe just a few hours for first timer.
sl33py
10 kW
Staffan - that's the crux of it. You can spend big $$$ for any one of those areas (weight/range/speed).
Of the three, LOW weight and BIG range are likely the hardest to achieve.
If you got your bits locally where possible (no replacing hobbyking if on a budget), with moderate skills (can you solder and cut wire to length), you can build something that weighs less or equal to boosted and has better range.
What's most important to you - weight or range?
If you want pre-made kit, you'll have to pick from a couple major brand trucks. Paris or Caliber. If you want to machine or modify your own - the sky is the limit.
How much do you weigh? Do you need dual motors? If you sacrifice top speed and don't weigh a lot i bet you could gear a single motor to do most of the hills... But for hills i'd try to go dual motor. Alternatively you could start with one and add later if needed!
What kind of deck do you like normally? big cruiser or something small and nimble? Best part of DIY - is taking what you like and making it ZOOM! You get to pick what's important and tailor it for what you want. Can't do that with any of the pre-made boards.
Welcome and hope we can help you build your own! GL!!
Of the three, LOW weight and BIG range are likely the hardest to achieve.
If you got your bits locally where possible (no replacing hobbyking if on a budget), with moderate skills (can you solder and cut wire to length), you can build something that weighs less or equal to boosted and has better range.
What's most important to you - weight or range?
If you want pre-made kit, you'll have to pick from a couple major brand trucks. Paris or Caliber. If you want to machine or modify your own - the sky is the limit.
How much do you weigh? Do you need dual motors? If you sacrifice top speed and don't weigh a lot i bet you could gear a single motor to do most of the hills... But for hills i'd try to go dual motor. Alternatively you could start with one and add later if needed!
What kind of deck do you like normally? big cruiser or something small and nimble? Best part of DIY - is taking what you like and making it ZOOM! You get to pick what's important and tailor it for what you want. Can't do that with any of the pre-made boards.
Welcome and hope we can help you build your own! GL!!
torqueboards
1 MW
Yes, lots of different options
You should only need dual motor if you plan on climbing 25% hills quite often if not single motor is fine on flat ground.
You can save more by doing it yourself and get the normal hard to achieve type parts "mechanical". You can source HobbyKing components for motors/escs to save a few bucks.
However, we try to sell parts and pieces which work for an electric skateboard.
You should only need dual motor if you plan on climbing 25% hills quite often if not single motor is fine on flat ground.
You can save more by doing it yourself and get the normal hard to achieve type parts "mechanical". You can source HobbyKing components for motors/escs to save a few bucks.
However, we try to sell parts and pieces which work for an electric skateboard.
thepronghorn
1 kW
Since you're in San Francisco, if you want to go the DIY route you should definitely check out the mounting kits that torqueboards sells but is gracious enough to refrain from self promoting. Torqueboards lives in SF so that will make things a lot easier.
Hummina Shadeeba
10 MW
there's the e-go board too. not the most powerful but you can even buy it at Fry's electronics now for 600 I think. you wont be going up any steep hills but if you just follow the wiggle... I live here too. If you go the do it yourself route write me as I've got too many parts here...and a cool motor mount that I just made. I'll practically throw the parts at you.
bandaro
10 kW
thepronghorn said:
This. Look around, find out what you are after exactly and what the options are in your price range.
Slightly cobbled together, but my board can scare the crap out of me for about £150 with an old longboard and help from the forums. Loads of speed, loads of range and acceleration that throws me off the back. Where is the fun in buying that pre built for big bucks?
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