ZBoard 2

[Slowrider]

ZBoard just released a new version of the ZBoard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl2ViN4zJA8

Really like the led ring at the nose of the board as an battery indicator and the footpads .

 

[JJ2525]

Was just about to post this. I'm really impressed by this. No more bulky battery, waterproof, much lighter, built-in led's, longer range than any other board. To me, this becomes the #1 production longboard when it comes to market. There's literally no reason to buy a Boosted over this (particularly as it's cheaper than both Boosted's dual motor models).

 

[tung256]

i thought these guys would be loaded by now!
cant believe they use crowd funding to make a new board.

 

[okp]

Was just about to post this. I'm really impressed by this. No more bulky battery, waterproof, much lighter, built-in led's, longer range than any other board. To me, this becomes the #1 production longboard when it comes to market. There's literally no reason to buy a Boosted over this (particularly as it's cheaper than both Boosted's dual motor models).

I would still put the evolve carbon street over this one. I don't see any design effort or progress and also prefer to have a evolve style remote command instead of their system, because the riding does not seems that natural to me (being a skateboarder). Just personal preference, this looks like a tank.

 

[torqueboards]

Nice just heard about this morning. Looks good.

 

[whilechukwuzout]

Ive been MIA for a little bit but I saw this board on engadget today and figured I would swing by to see what ppl had to say about it. Some interesting notes are that they are still using what looks like a nearly 3/4" thick deck, they have moved from Socal to Norcal (smart for startups), and they only sold a couple hundred z-board v1.0's. They are in the money at $899, but that should be the final price, not the early bird special.

Id really like to get my hands on one and see how it rides. I wonder what sort of error correction they have built into the controls: i.e. if you hit a bump with your front wheel, it forces the board up against your foot, temporarily creating additional pressure between your foot and the button. If its just a straight control, this would send a momentary pulse to the motor causing it to jerk.

 

[JJ2525]

Was just about to post this. I'm really impressed by this. No more bulky battery, waterproof, much lighter, built-in led's, longer range than any other board. To me, this becomes the #1 production longboard when it comes to market. There's literally no reason to buy a Boosted over this (particularly as it's cheaper than both Boosted's dual motor models).

I would still put the evolve carbon street over this one. I don't see any design effort or progress and also prefer to have a evolve style remote command instead of their system, because the riding does not seems that natural to me (being a skateboarder). Just personal preference, this looks like a tank.

A lot of quality control issues with the Evolve Carbon, no? I like the Evolve board, like the deck-integrated electronics but wish it A) had a better reputation for reliability and B) had the motor in front of the rear wheels as opposed to behind it. Can't figure that one out. I also don't see the need for such a long deck but that's a bit nitpicky on my part.

That's also $1649 vs. $999/$1199

 

[JJ2525]

Ive been MIA for a little bit but I saw this board on engadget today and figured I would swing by to see what ppl had to say about it. Some interesting notes are that they are still using what looks like a nearly 3/4" thick deck, they have moved from Socal to Norcal (smart for startups), and they only sold a couple hundred z-board v1.0's. They are in the money at $899, but that should be the final price, not the early bird special.

Id really like to get my hands on one and see how it rides. I wonder what sort of error correction they have built into the controls: i.e. if you hit a bump with your front wheel, it forces the board up against your foot, temporarily creating additional pressure between your foot and the button. If its just a straight control, this would send a momentary pulse to the motor causing it to jerk.

The founder said in a couple videos today they'd sold 'several thousand' v1's. The only thing giving me hesitancy here is if they sold that many, why are they needing to crowdfund the next iteration?

 

[torqueboards]

The founder said in a couple videos today they'd sold 'several thousand' v1's. The only thing giving me hesitancy here is if they sold that many, why are they needing to crowdfund the next iteration?

Crowd funding is not just crowd funding. It's actually a sales channel/platform which is exactly what they are doing. I believe, Zboard actually has capital backing/funding as well which is quite odd.

 

[okp]

Was just about to post this. I'm really impressed by this. No more bulky battery, waterproof, much lighter, built-in led's, longer range than any other board. To me, this becomes the #1 production longboard when it comes to market. There's literally no reason to buy a Boosted over this (particularly as it's cheaper than both Boosted's dual motor models).

I would still put the evolve carbon street over this one. I don't see any design effort or progress and also prefer to have a evolve style remote command instead of their system, because the riding does not seems that natural to me (being a skateboarder). Just personal preference, this looks like a tank.

A lot of quality control issues with the Evolve Carbon, no? I like the Evolve board, like the deck-integrated electronics but wish it A) had a better reputation for reliability and B) had the motor in front of the rear wheels as opposed to behind it. Can't figure that one out. I also don't see the need for such a long deck but that's a bit nitpicky on my part.

That's also $1649 vs. $999/$1199

Well, I am riding A LOT and as of today, 0 issue with my board (except the speed limit 33kph). Maybe the reputation in USA depends on people who were assembling it ? in Europe, it's fine, maybe some trucks or motor axles issues (could be mainly due that users don't care about their board). As an exemple I had a short ride with a guy, and he was going straight on embossed pavement, that's kind of abuse... (I have never done that even with my regular board) ! The evolve bamboo is way smaller but I don't like the drop through. Of course the price of the carbon street is 1400 euros, that's expensive. Bamboo is around 900 euros if I am correct. I also don't see the benefit of having a tail on the deck, the guy is trying to tic tac ... maybe wheelings... weird - maybe someone will succeed in doing a kick flip with a 6kg board oneday ! The foot pedals on the Z is interesting but honestly on the paper, I prefer the small handset transmitter and a stealthy design. If I have the opportunity to test one in Paris I will make a review for sure. I am not a Evolve fanboy, got my DIY board built over a DH deck which I prefer because of my riding style - the evolve is my girl's deck for cruising with me.

 

[ZBoardBen]

Thanks for checking out our new board! Lots to address here but I'll do my best.

ZBoard just released a new version of the ZBoard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl2ViN4zJA8

Really like the led ring at the nose of the board as an battery indicator and the footpads .

We're really proud of the power button. Internally we jokingly call it the "tron ring." Not only will this let you turn your board on (and let you know if it is on if you're standing above it), it is also used to cycle your lights between off, on, and blinking modes.

 

[ZBoardBen]

The founder said in a couple videos today they'd sold 'several thousand' v1's. The only thing giving me hesitancy here is if they sold that many, why are they needing to crowdfund the next iteration?

Crowd funding is not just crowd funding. It's actually a sales channel/platform which is exactly what they are doing. I believe, Zboard actually has capital backing/funding as well which is quite odd.

You're partially right on track here. Capital requirements for inventorying hundreds of electric skateboards are huge. Bank financing and crowdfunding are both options here but our community has reacted positively to crowdfunding in the past and - possibly more importantly - IMO new releases are more likely to be picked up by the media if they go the crowdfunding path.

To date we've financed our business almost solely on the profits of sales of Z1 and we're really excited to get Z2 out there.

 

[ZBoardBen]

Ive been MIA for a little bit but I saw this board on engadget today and figured I would swing by to see what ppl had to say about it. Some interesting notes are that they are still using what looks like a nearly 3/4" thick deck, they have moved from Socal to Norcal (smart for startups), and they only sold a couple hundred z-board v1.0's. They are in the money at $899, but that should be the final price, not the early bird special.

Id really like to get my hands on one and see how it rides. I wonder what sort of error correction they have built into the controls: i.e. if you hit a bump with your front wheel, it forces the board up against your foot, temporarily creating additional pressure between your foot and the button. If its just a straight control, this would send a momentary pulse to the motor causing it to jerk.

Though they are both very important, deck thin-ness and weight are really more related to cosmetics and carrying situations, rather than the actual riding experience. At ZBoard we really try to optimize for the riding experience (what you'll be doing 95% of the time) rather than when you're carrying it or looking at pictures. If this means adding two pounds to the weight or a quarter inch to the battery box we believe its worth it if it returns a large increase in range or fun factor.

With ZBoard 2 we believe we've built something with a great balance fun, function, and form factor.

As for our motor controller, we definitely have algorithms in place to ignore noise and potential momentary spikes like the ones you mention. Luckily for us our first generation boards have been ridden hundreds of thousands of miles, so we've been able to listen to customer feedback and incorporate their desires into our new board's software.

 

[ZBoardBen]

Was just about to post this. I'm really impressed by this. No more bulky battery, waterproof, much lighter, built-in led's, longer range than any other board. To me, this becomes the #1 production longboard when it comes to market. There's literally no reason to buy a Boosted over this (particularly as it's cheaper than both Boosted's dual motor models).

I would still put the evolve carbon street over this one. I don't see any design effort or progress and also prefer to have a evolve style remote command instead of their system, because the riding does not seems that natural to me (being a skateboarder). Just personal preference, this looks like a tank.

Our weight-sensing control scheme requires slightly different footwork than you'd be used to riding a longboard, but once you get the hang of it there is nothing quite like it. In my opinion (and obviously I recognize I'm super biased), not only is it more fun buts its also wayyy more convenient because both hands are free. Today at a trade show I rode a ZBoard while carrying a ZBoard in each of my hands. Would be impossible with a trigger-based board. Also we have no controller to charge, sync, keep track of, etc.

Hopefully you get a chance to ride a Z1 or Z2 soon to decide for yourself.

 

[okp]

thanks. Do you know if someone can provide them for a test in Paris ?