Proprietary Solution -vs- Universal / Adaptable

onloop

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LETS DISCUSS THE PROS & CONS OF:

marbel/boosted/inboard/ego all offer (in the near future) a complete solution that can't easily modded/repaired with other parts
VS
universal system that works with a variety of parts, using international standards, compatible with most skate hardware.

List your pros/cons of each & discuss.
 
Standards are mostly about the interface between two parts, the problematic ones being:

Interface between motor mount and trucks (mostly limited to caliber trucks for those who cant weld)
Interface between wheel and pulley (will always be specific to a wheel)
Interface between battery and motor controller (typically involves soldering a connector)
Interface between motor and pulley (e.g. I had to dremel a key slot in my motor shaft)

I don't see how we can make standards for the above, short of someone like Alien Power/Drive Systems selling parts that work together.
 
when i think about this topic i like to use the bicycle industry as a reference...

you want different handlebars, you can do it.
different brakes, no problem
different tyres/wheels, go for it
different suspension, check!
different seat.
new frame
pedals
cranks
bottle holder
etc, etc...

obviously the bicycle industry has been around for MUCH longer than the electric (and non-electric) skateboard industry...

but now also take a look at the skateboard industry (non-electric) you can easily customize every part.. you get to build your perfect style of board....

i think that in time the electric skateboard industry will mature and manufacturers will start making more parts that can be retro fitted to the major brands of "in a box" electric skateboard retailers... & i also hope that more kickstarters get launched offering modular / adaptable systems that people can install onto the normal skateboards that exist all over the world... that is truly when the electric skateboard industry will start advancing rapidly..

as an example take a look at the electric bike kits... you can convert any bike into an electric bike these days... this is what the eboard industry needs to invent...

LESS COMPLETE IN A BOX SOLUTIONS - MORE MODULAR SYSTEMS THAT CAN ADAPT
 
Well there is no contest here.

Proprietary design allows one thing : to be exclusive. This means that your customers will obligatory come back to you in the case they want upgrade or need to solve problems. So in order to make this more acceptable, the manufacturer must go beyond standard existing parts.
For example Apple has been manufacturing Macbooks for long time and these were at some point the slimmest products available. Same goes for screens, Retinas were the Shit not long ago. Now the industry has caught up and this doesn't mean anything anymore, all comes down to preference or "préjugés".

Standard products must imply two things : easy reparation and customization must be available, also it must allow access to the best of standard components used in other applications.

In the end it also comes to the industry's evolution. If there is a growing request on a market, manufacturers will rise with products to answer the request. Where one is exclusive first, he just becomes one part of many when the rest of industry catches up. And where others have set standards, the proprietary one is no more competitive Unless he can overcome the mass with new exclusivity beyond standard.

Proprietary designs are bound to become obsolete where standards are bound to evolve.

My conclusion would be that it is best to try and mix best of both worlds, improve standard to the highest level like proprietary design could offer.
 
Bicycles is a good analogy - anyone can buy a bike ready to ride, or they can assemble their own.
Same with computers - I prefer to build my own but if I were to buy a Dell 90% of the parts are standard and can replaced easily.
I would love to see e-boards reach that point.
 
Vanarian said:
Well there is no contest here.

Proprietary design allows one thing : to be exclusive. This means that your customers will obligatory come back to you in the case they want upgrade or need to solve problems. So in order to make this more acceptable, the manufacturer must go beyond standard existing parts.
For example Apple has been manufacturing Macbooks for long time and these were at some point the slimmest products available. Same goes for screens, Retinas were the Shit not long ago. Now the industry has caught up and this doesn't mean anything anymore, all comes down to preference or "préjugés".

Standard products must imply two things : easy reparation and customization must be available, also it must allow access to the best of standard components used in other applications.

In the end it also comes to the industry's evolution. If there is a growing request on a market, manufacturers will rise with products to answer the request. Where one is exclusive first, he just becomes one part of many when the rest of industry catches up. And where others have set standards, the proprietary one is no more competitive Unless he can overcome the mass with new exclusivity beyond standard.

Proprietary designs are bound to become obsolete where standards are bound to evolve.

My conclusion would be that it is best to try and mix best of both worlds, improve standard to the highest level like proprietary design could offer.

Great work! This is so true.
 
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