Paxson Lim, Author at Electric Skateboard HQ

January 20, 2024January 20, 2024 by Paxson Lim

Tynee Ultra SL Hub Review – The best $400 eskate, period.

Tynee just released a Student Life series, a pair of affordable electric skateboards, including the longboard Tynee Ultra SL and a mini-board Tynee Mini 3 SL.

Today, we will be reviewing the Tynee Ultra SL, a hub-driven electric longboard priced at $399, making it among the most affordable electric longboards out there. Competition in the under $500 affordable category is pretty stiff right now, with both Meepo and Wowgo having a few really good boards at this price, so let’s see how well the Tynee Ultra SL fares against them.

Tynee Ultra SL Hub Specifications:

Price	$399
Battery	12S 50.4V 6Ah 259.2WH battery
Controller	12s Hobbywing ESC
Top Speed	28 mph (45 kph)
Range	20 miles (32 km)
Deck	8 Ply Canadian Maple
Motor	2*550W hub motors
Net Weight	8.3 kg / 18.3 lbs

Deck – 8 Ply Canadian Maple:

Starting with the deck, the Ultra SL is made with an 8-ply Canadian maple with a wide concave that’s comfortable to stand on. It has a good amount of flex, which we generally prefer over stiff decks, especially when it comes to hub-driven electric skateboards. The grip tape design is nothing special. As is often the case, Tynee likes to play it simple with a minimalistic monochrome print.

It’s also pretty nice of them to include a nose and tail protector on each end.

ESC and Remote – 12s Hobbywing ESC:

Moving onto the ESC, Tynee went with the tried and true Hobbywing ESC, which comes with four-speed settings. And like all Hobbywing ESCs, it has a smart turn-on feature, meaning the board powers on automatically when the remote is turned on. It’s paired with the standard Hobbywing remote, and there’s also a mobile app that allows you to customize the ride profile.

Battery – 12s 50.4v 6ah 259.2wh Battery:

As for the battery, the Ultra SL Hub is equipped with a 12S 50.4V 6Ah 259.2WH battery and has a marketed range of 20 miles (32 km). And in our range test, we managed to cover 11 miles (17km) with a 154 lbs (70 kg) rider riding fast. As is usually the case with the marketed range, you’d need to ride conservatively at a slower pace if you really need to get to the marketed 20-mile range in a single charge.

Although this wasn’t an amazing range, it is on par with what we expected out of a $400 board. For context, the 10-mile (18-km) tested range is what is considered standard from boards from the affordable categories.

And when worse comes to worse, it is a hub board, so you can kick-push if you completely run out of juice.

Motor – Dual 550w Hub Motors:

The Tynee Ultra SL uses a pair of 550W hub motors, which are marketed with a top speed of 28 mph (45 kph). This is also above average at this price point. When we took it to the road, we actually managed to reach THE 28 mph (45kph) threshold, so it didn’t underperform here.

Truck And Wheels – 7” 43° Reverse Kingpin Trucks And 90mm Street Wheels:

Speaking of trucks, Tynee uses their 7” 43° Reverse kingpin trucks. We are familiar with Tynee PE trucks from reviewing the other Tynee, and we know it is a decent truck that is geared more toward stability.

As for the wheels, the Ultra SL comes with standard 90mm street wheels, providing a smooth ride on various terrains. However, for riders who frequently encounter rough roads, you might want to pay that extra $109 for the 105mm Donut wheels.

Specs Summary:

As you can see, for less than $400, Tynee Ultra SL Hub has pretty good specs.

It’s not every day you can find a 12s board for that price. The range and top speed are both pretty impressive and could easily compete with boards that cost $100 more. The bigger battery and big motors are great, but Tynee didn’t skimp on the other parts either, going with the tried and true Hobbywing ESC and a decent pair of trucks.

In short, the board is above-average in value if judged solely by the numbers and the part used. So far, we see no shortcuts taken.

Riding Experience:

Overall, the Tynee Ultra SL is an easy board to ride. It is a comfortable board to ride in all but one aspect.

First, let’s talk about speed control. The acceleration and braking are both super smooth. This should come as no surprise, as you probably already know how Hobbywing ESC consistently gives the board a buttery smooth, intuitive control.

The trucks also contribute to this smoothness. Tynee’s PE trucks strike a pretty good balance between stability and responsiveness. They’re responsive and fun for carving but are undoubtedly geared more towards stability. Testing top speed on these trucks is pretty easy for us, as they remain stable all the way without speed wobbles.

The flexibility of the deck adds a bit to the ride’s smoothness, too. A flexible deck always feels more fun to carve on for us and also helps dampen road vibrations. We hate flat decks. Although this deck doesn’t have an aggressive concave, it has just enough for us.

There’s only one feature of the Tynee Ultra SL that detracts from ride comfort: the hub motors. As with all hub motor boards, riding on rough roads produces annoying noises, and road vibrations are still fairly strong despite the deck’s flexibility. It’s not the worst board in this sense, but it is a problem nonetheless.

These 550W hubs, however, do their job well. They might not have as much torque as a belt-driven board, such as the Wowgo 3E, but they’re certainly powerful enough to get you up any hills. The 12s battery also gives the board an extra edge in power over other 10s hubs, such as the Wowgo 2s max.

Verdict:

Without a doubt, the Tynee Ultra SL really stands out in the $400 board category, thanks to its 12s battery. But while its 12s2p battery is bigger than what you’ll find in most rivals, it doesn’t really add much to the range. Instead, it’s the power where this board really gains an edge.

Now, I’ve got to say, Tynee might have done a bit of a disservice by labeling this as just a student or beginner board. Sure, it’s an easy ride – super comfortable and incredibly smooth – which makes it a great fit for beginners. But, even seasoned eskaters would probably love how they can just turn off their brain and comfortably cruise at top speed on this board.

In short – good value, comfortable ride, Tynee Ultra SL is one of the better budget electric skateboards on the market right now.

If you are interested in buying the Tynee, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $5 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

December 24, 2023December 26, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Backfire Zealot V Review – This is a weird board.

I bet it’s very easy for Backfire to design this board. To get the Zealot V, open up Adobe Photoshop and paste the 40-inch Zealot X, select all, and resize it down to 33 inches and voila, you get the Zealot V.

Jokes aside, today we’ll be reviewing the Backfire Zealot V which is a pretty weird board and safe to say it’s one of my least favorite Backfire boards. But to be fair, the Zealot V does have its ups and downs.

Backfire Zealot V Specs:

Price	$599
Battery	42V 6Ah or 216Wh battery Samsung 30Q 18650
Controller	10s Hobbywing ESC
Top Speed	26 mph (42 kph)
Range	11-12.5 miles (18-20 km)
Deck	33” (83.8 cm) ABS, Glass Fiber, And Maple Composite
Motor	1500W Dual 750W belt drive
Net Weight	16.8 lbs (7.6 kg)

Closeup Photo of Backfire Zealot V underside

Deck- 33” (83.8 cm) ABS, Glass Fiber, And Maple Composite:

The Zealot V boasts a 33” deck made of ABS, glass fiber, and maple composite. While it’s pretty stiff with minimal flex, we were a bit disappointed to find it considerably flat without much concave, which is kind of a bummer for us because we like decks with more concave to it as it helps with foot placement, making it easier to control the board.

But hey, the deck does look pretty sweet. It’s got those sleek icy blue lights along the length of the deck, which always turns heads. And at $599, it’s the cheapest eskate out there if you’re looking for one with deck lights like this.

Check out our review of Backfire Zealot X and Backfire Zealot S2, two other Backfire with board lights.

ESC and Remote – 10s Hobbywing ESC with Backfire remote:

Moving onto the ESC, the Zealot V is equipped with a 10s Hobbywing ESC, offering 4-speed modes which, as always, are smooth and intuitive. This Hobbywing Esc is paired with a standard Backfire remote, and while it’s not the Halo remote from the Zealot X and S2, it’s still comfy and easy to use.

Battery – 42V 6Ah or 216Wh battery Samsung 30Q 18650 cells:

Powered by a 42V 6Ah or 216Wh battery with Samsung 30Q 18650 cells, the Zealot V is marketed at a range of 11-12.5 miles (18-20 km). These cells are pretty popular in eskates as they have high energy density and discharge rates.

But when putting it to the test, with a 155 lbs (70 kg) rider, we only managed to hit 7.5 miles (12 km) which isn’t super impressive to be honest, especially for a board in this price range. We usually expect at least a 10-mile (16 km) kind of range with hard riding on boards over $400.

The lack of range is, unfortunately, the price to pay for using belt motors as they’re not as efficient as hub motors, meaning they drain the battery pretty quickly. But they do make up for it with a smoother ride as belt drive motors tend to dampen out road vibrations better.

Motor – Dual 750W belt motors 1500W:

Photo of Backfire Zealot V belt drive motor

The Backfire Zealot V runs on two 750W belt motors, totaling 1500W. It’s a decent number but not what you would call a game-changer as compared to the Zealot X’s beefier twin 1500W motors, the Zealot V’s power is a bit more on the modest side.

As for the speed, the Zealot V cruises up to a top speed of 26 mph (42 kph). Again, this is pretty standard and nothing extraordinary, so it’s not surprising that we hit that top speed in our test.

Although not the most powerful board on the block, for a 33” board, it’s certainly enough and most definitely capable of getting you up any incline.

Truck and Wheels – 7-inch 50-degree reverse kingpin trucks:

Moving on to the trucks and wheels, the Zealot V is equipped with 7-inch 50-degree reverse kingpin trucks which are similar to the 8-inch trucks you’d find on the Zealot S2. However, unlike the forged trucks on the Zealot X, the Zealot V uses cast trucks, which is to be expected for an eskate in this price range.

Next, despite being a smaller board, the Zealot V went with 96mm wheels. . These are 96mm by 55mm wheels with an 80A durometer. This helps to get the board over most cracks and bumps so you aren’t limited to riding only on sidewalks. This is as opposed to Exway Ripple which is super-duper portable and nimble but has 75mm wheels that are a bit difficult to be ridden on rougher pavement.

Read our review of Exway Ripple here.

Lastly, The Backfire Zealot V weighs at a portable (7.6 kg) which is lighter than most electric longboards and cruisers, and roughly on par with many shortboards.

Specs Summary:

At first glance, for $599 the Backfire Zealot V’s specs are pretty underwhelming.

However, factoring in the lights as a $150 add-on, the pricing seems more reasonable. Don’t ask me if the lights truly cost $150, we only know Meepo marked up the lightless Meepo Envy to the green-lighted Meepo Aurora by $150. But once you subtract $150 from the price tag, the Zealot V begins to look on par with other belt-driven eskates. For example, it has specs nearly identical to the $449 Wowgo 3E, which is our top pick for the best affordable belt-driven electric skateboard.

Read our review of Wowgo 3E here.

In short, if you like the lights for as much as $150, the Zealot V has good specs. 10s2p with Samsung 30Q, dual 750W belt motors is reasonably good.

Riding Experience on the Backfire Zealot V:

Riding Photo of Backfire Zealot V in the dark

The Backfire Zealot V was designed to be portable and nimble, and it accomplished that very well. Turning tight corners and navigating amongst other road users is a breeze.

When you’re not riding the board, its smaller form factor makes it convenient to carry around. At 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg), it’s not the lightest among the lighter boards in town. But it does feel significantly easier to carry around because of the even weight distribution and, again, the smaller form factor.

Despite its smaller size, the Zealot V did well in maintaining stability at high speeds. While hitting the 26 mph top speed still feels sketchy on a shorter board like this, we think even new riders will be comfortable riding around at 18.5 mph (30 km). The smooth speed control of the Hobbywing ESC obviously helped. Acceleration and braking are perfectly smooth and intuitive, as they always are with Hobbywing ESC.

While these are all great things about the Backfire Zealot V, one big question remains: why didn’t they go with a deck with a kicktail? A more typical shortboard or cruiser deck would have kept the size of the deck down, kept the weight light, and added versatility. You would also be able to have a similar width in your stance as on a shortboard, you can place your back foot on top of the trucks, whereas with Zealot V you can’t.

Some of us at ESHQ do like the design; however, if you are not using the kicktail, not having it means no chance of accidental wheelies. It is also often more portable than a deck with a kicktail, as the board lies flat in car trunks and takes up less space. One team member also appreciated that the board could be pulled by its truck, unlike boards with kicktails that will drag along the floor if you were to pull it around.

Other than that, the power on the Zealot V is good, more than enough, considering the small size. Road vibration is still uncomfortable despite going with big 96mm wheels on a belt drive due to the stiff deck.

The Verdict – should you get the Backfire Zealot V?

It’s nimble, portable, well-built, and looks really good. The board offers perfect speed control, sufficient power, and a pretty good balance between responsiveness and stability. It’s a pretty board, built well, but at $599, it’s not as affordable as boards that skip the lights.

For many people, the Zealot V might seem stuck in a weird middle ground, but that also means for some, it’s the perfect board with just the right amount of everything.

It’s ideal for those who want a nimble and portable board but aren’t looking for a shortboard with a kicktail.

It’s for those who appreciate the ride profile of a typical longboard, but don’t need one that’s 40 inches.

And it’s for those in search of the most affordable board with built-in deck lights.

I don’t fall into these groups; hence it’s not my favorite Backfire board, but I still have to give kudos to Backfire for trying something new with the Zealot V.

If you are interested in buying the Backfire, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $20 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

December 20, 2023December 20, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Exway Ripple Review – The most practical last-mile options (and it’s affordable!)

Sometimes you want to make a wave, sometimes you just want to make a Ripple.

Today, we’ll be reviewing the Exway Ripple, a very portable, even air travel-friendly mini board for under $400. It has pretty underwhelming specs even for a $349 board, but reviewers all seem to like it, and we are curious to understand why.

Exway Ripple Specifications:

Price	$349
Battery	99Wh Travel Edition battery ($349)159Wh Cruiser Edition battery ($469).
Controller	10s LingYi ESC
Top Speed	16mph (25kph)
Range	7.5 miles (12 km) for Travel Edition battery 11.2 miles (18 km) for Cruiser Edition battery
Deck	30.7 ‘Flexy’ bamboo, maple and fiberglass composite
Motor	Dual 672W Hub drive motors
Net Weight	13.1lbs (5.9 kg)

Deck: 30.7 ‘Flexy’ bamboo, maple and fiberglass composite

Starting with the deck, the Ripple has a wide concave deck constructed of tough composite material made of maple, bamboo, and fiberglass. We love the RGB lights under the deck and the sleek, minimal grip tape design. It features amazing decorative LEDs at the side that indicate the battery level and brake lights that blink like a car.

ESC and Remote: 10s LingYi ESC

Moving onto the ESC, with the 10s Lingyi ESC on the Ripple, this is Lingyi’s first appearance in the Exway line. The 10s Lingyi ESC comes with 4-speed modes and is paired with the generic Lingyi remote which has an OLED display to show the speed, battery, and other info.

Battery: Travel Edition (99Wh) and Cruiser Edition (159Wh)

Photo of Exway Ripple battery and lights

As for the battery, the Ripple comes with two swappable batteries. The travel edition 99Wh battery complies with FAA and other aviation regulations so you can take it to the skies. And the 159Wh cruiser edition, which is still allowed in carry-on baggage with airline approval as most airlines have a limit of up to 160Wh. But even so, some airlines may have their own regulations when it comes to carrying Lithium-ion batteries so be sure to check your airline before traveling.

We thought the battery was hot-swappable like the Exway Wave, but it isn’t. You need to remove 9 screws to swap the battery so carrying extra battery in the backpack for extra range is not an option here.

Read our review of the Exway Wave here!

The marketed range of the Ripple is 13.5 miles or 18 km with the cruiser edition battery and 8 miles or 12 km with the travel edition battery. In our tests, we were able to travel 8 miles or 13 km at high speed using the Cruiser Edition battery, with a rider weighing 154 lbs or 70 kg. The range of the 99wh travel battery is either 6 miles or 10 km, which is a pretty limited range, to be honest, but that’s what you can expect from a battery this small. It’s advertised as a last mile solution as most people walk a mile after their main mode of transport to get to their final destination and eskates like these are a perfect alternative when commuting between college classes, getting to a bus stop, or even a quick trip to the corner shop.

And when worst comes to worst, it is a hub board so you can kick-push if you completely run out of juice.

Motor: Dual 672W Hub drive motors

The Exway Ripple uses a hub motor drive at 672W max power, which is marketed with a top speed of 16 mph or 25 kph, which means it’s definitely not built for speed but for casual cruising or beginners. But this makes it too slow for shared roads so you’re going to have to use it on pavements and sidewalks only. Surprisingly, when we took it to the road, we managed to hit 20 mph or 32 km/h, which still isn’t that fast but definitely exceeded the advertised top speed. I am guessing that Exway understates its top speed in order to comply with regulations some countries have. For instance, Singapore has 16mph or 25 kph as the speed limit for PEV.

Truck And Wheels: Reverse Kingpin Trucks And 77mm Polyurethane Wheels

For the trucks, Exway decided to equip Trist 7″ Reverse Kingpin trucks on the Ripple, which sets the Ripple apart from other $400 boards that typically use a cast truck. The back trucks of the Ripple also are made to look much better than most off-the-shelf hub trucks, in which its motors are typically screwed onto a pseudo truck. However, Exway came up with a smarter concept to have the truck’s axles inserted straight into the hub motor wheels, tucking the motor wires away and giving the Ripple a more traditional look.

In general, the trucks on the Ripple are excellent, but for a budget-conscious consumer, this might be overkill because even generic back trucks have shown to be reliable and sturdy enough, and since the Ripple’s power is limited, a reinforced truck is unlikely to be necessary. However, Exway Ripple is not about value for money; rather, it’s about refined quality, and this is just one example of that.

As for the wheels, we believe that Ripple’s tiny 75mm polyurethane wheels are the board’s biggest drawback and a deal-breaker for many. Nowadays, it’s uncommon to encounter boards with wheels smaller than 90 mm, and for good reason. Your ride is essentially limited to sidewalks and well-paved roads with 75mm wheels. Riding over rough asphalt for even a mile would be unpleasant.

Specs Summary – the Exway Ripple is not very competitive:

As you can see, Exway Ripple is a lot more polished than your typical $400 board but comes with much lower specs. We expect a $400 board to have at least a 10s2p 144wh battery and a 25mph or 40kph top speed, and even with promotion prices, Ripple will never compete with similar-priced competitors in specs.

When you compare it to the Meepo Atom 216Wh battery and its top speed of 29 mph or 47 kph, you can see that the stats differ significantly.

Read our review of the Meepo Atom here!

Our expectations for a $400 board are exceeded by the integrated lights and forged trucks. We also really value its exceptionally lightweight—just 13,1 lbs. (5.9 kg)! You will have to construct your own shortboard, as we did with our Orbiter Shrink a few years ago if you want a good one that is any lighter.

Riding Experience on the Exway Ripple

Like a surf skate with surf trucks that allow for sharp turns, the Exway Ripple is an incredibly fun board to ride on smooth roads and pathways. It will wobble a little if you try to ride it straight, so you have to go with the flow and carve things to keep it steady. The deck has a great size, a good tail, and a nice concave. It feels wider than it is, even though it is only 30″. It’s entertaining to use the kicktail, and if we had the skills, we could definitely use Ripple for tricks.

The LingYi ESC performs admirably in terms of speed control. When combined with relatively weak motors, LingYi ESCs were still flawless even years ago, when they still trailed Hobbywing ESCs in terms of smooth speed control. Since Exway Ripple has a tame motor and LingYi ESC has advanced to the point where it performs on par with Hobbywing ESC, it should come as no surprise that the speed control is incredibly smooth and intuitive.

Clearly, Exway Ripple lacks strength and speed. If you dare to join group rides with it, you will be left behind due to its top speed of 20 mph (32 kph). Although it isn’t really fast, riding on it feels very quick and agile.

Although the motors are strong enough to get me up most inclines, I wouldn’t trust them to get me up anything very steep. Keep to flat, well-paved roads and imagine it as a motorized surf skate.

The Verdict – Is Exway Ripple good?

Photo of Exway Ripple underside lights off

Photo of Exway Ripple underside lights on

Exway Ripple is a niche product that everybody can just look at and instantly know if it’s for or not for them.

For instance, Exway Ripple is designed for skaters who make fun of us eskater for our heavy boards, 105mm wheels, and incapacity to ollie up a curb. The board is the most agile and portable available, and its lightweight design should allow it to perform all skate tricks.

Exway Ripple is an enjoyable and useful electric surf skate with a long list of features that are off-limits for those of us who aren’t skilled at ollies. 75mm hub motor wheels are not the right choice if you ride on rough terrain. The larger 159wh battery may not be sufficient if range is a concern. If you need torque or speed, Ripple will be too weak.

But if you live in a place with good public transport or are traveling somewhere with good pavement, the Exway Ripple is the board you should get. A 15 mph speed limit on the sidewalk doesn’t affect the board’s maximum speed, and its agility makes it easier to maneuver among other pedestrians. It always makes sense to trade off extra battery for less weight if you know you will need to carry the board with you for portions of the trip.

If you are interested in buying the Ripple be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $5 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

November 27, 2023November 21, 2024 by Paxson Lim

OMW Cavalry Review – Carbon Fiber deck with real flex!?

We will be reviewing the Cavalry from On My Way EV, a new brand of board, today. Fresh out of the oven, the OMW Cavalry was released on November 17 for $1,599 at launch.

The OMW Cavalry is a board that adheres to what we refer to as the “Evolve Formula,” which consists of a double drop deck, double kingpin trucks, and convertible wheels that can be used for both street and all-terrain riding. Though there are many boards with designs that are comparable, the OMW Cavalry is definitely one of a kind.

OMW Cavalry Specifications:

Price	$1599
Battery	21700 Samsung 50S 12S4P 20Ah 864Wh
Controller	Hobbywing 9028
Top Speed	37.2mph (60 kmh)
Range	34 miles(55 km)
Deck	44.512.76.9” Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass Composite
Motor	6374 * 2, 165kv Belt motors
Net Weight	38.5lbs (17.5kg)

Deck: 44.512.76.9” Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass

At first, we were led to believe that this would be a Trampa-style deck because I had been informed that there would be flex and the technical diagram I was staring at looked quite similar to the Trampa-style deck that the Evolve Renegade and the Acedeck Nyx are rocking.

As it happens, the Cavalry is actually just a standard double-drop deck made out of fiberglass and carbon fiber composite, more like the Meepo Hurricane Vader or the Evolve Carbon than the Trampa. Still, it’s incredible that they were able to make it flexible. OMW gave us three options for the deck’s flexibility, and we chose the most flexible. And that was a wise decision as the flexibility is only moderate, not extremely flexible, even with the softest deck. Furthermore, it appears that most of the flex occurs at the deck’s neck on both ends.

While the deck still isn’t as flexible as a bamboo deck, we are still pretty happy about it since it’s quite rare to find a carbon fiber deck that has some flexibility.

The deck also has a nice concave. I think this is my favorite carbon fiber deck right now.

Trucks: 9” Forged Double Kingpin Trucks

Double Kingpin Trucks on the OMW Calvary

Moving on to the trucks, OMW selected 9″ Forged Double Kingpin Trucks for the Cavalry, which came with a set of 96A bushings in addition to strong 106A bushings. This makes this large board easier to turn than a standard Reverse Kingpin truck, and its forged trucks add to its durability. Additionally, there’s a handlebar that can be mounted on the front of the board making it easier to pull it around.

Wheels: 7 inch, 6 inch, and 97mm street wheels.

There are three different wheel options: 97mm street wheels, 6-inch street wheels, and 7-inch street wheels. Although having options is always wonderful, choosing 7-inch wheels is probably the best course of action because riding height isn’t an issue, and the largest wheels give you the highest top speed and ride over aggressive bumps in the road.

Battery: 21700 Samsung 50S 12S4P

Next, 21700 Samsung 50S 12S4P configuration batteries with a combined capacity of up to 20Ah or 864Wh power the OMW Cavalry. The Samsung 50S is a good battery cell for eskate use by many premium electric skateboards, and the majority of high-end AT boards these days use the 12s4p standard. For instance, the $2,499 Evolve Renegade both use similar battery setups, and the $1,499 Meepo Hurricane Vader meanwhile boasts 12s4p but uses a Molicel P42A. What I meant to say is that this is a good, or at least, a reasonable battery size for the price.

Photo of the charging port of OMW Calvary

You can read our review of the Meepo Hurricane Vader here.

It has a marketed range of 34 miles or 55 km, and in our tests, we were able to reach the 20 miles or 32 km mark with a heavyweight rider weighing 200 lbs or 95 kg for the first 70% of the test and our 70 kg rider for the latter 30%.

ESC: Hobbywing 9028

For the ESC, OMW went with the tried and true Hobbywing ESC, which comes with four-speed settings. And like all Hobbywing ESCs, it has a smart turn-on feature, meaning the board powers on automatically when the remote is turned on. It’s paired with the standard Hobbywing remote, but there’s also a mobile app where you can customize the ride profile.

By the way, should you choose to purchase the add-on front light kit, you can turn it on and off by double-pressing the power button, which is indeed very convenient. There is also a red LED brake light that blinks much like a car, which comes standard without costing extra.

Motor: 165 kV 3500W 6374 dual belt motors

As for the motors, The Cavalry has very powerful 165 kV 3500W 6374 dual belt motors. 3500W is about the power that most all-terrain electric skateboard goes with, (eg, Hurricane Vader, one of the AT board known for aggressive power, uses 3500W gear motors), so you can expect a good dose of power from these bad boys.

These motors can reach a top speed of 38 mph or 60 km/h when they are used with 7″ wheels; during our tests, we were only able to reach 34 mph or 55 km/h. With the 97mm wheels, we were able to reach speeds of up to 30 mph or 50 km/h.

By the way, even with only 30% of the battery remaining, we are still able to reach the top speed of 31 mph or 50 km/h.

Specs Summary:

To sum it up, this $1,599 2-in-1 board with a double-drop carbon fiber deck, dual kingpin trucks, and a 12-s4p battery is nothing new and wasn’t particularly revolutionary in terms of design or value.

Even while the OMW Cavalry is extremely well-made and polished, it still lacks some of the extra bells and whistles that some ultra-premium manufacturers might include on their boards, including a motorguard, mudguard, and specifically designed remote. The design of the grip tape didn’t exactly win us over, either.

The flexible carbon fiber deck, however, is what makes a significant difference. While everyone thinks carbon fiber decks are gorgeous, they hate the vibration that results from having a rigid deck. The deck on OMW Cavalry, admirably, is actually flexible and, spoiler alert, does, in fact, reduce vibration from the road.

Riding Experience on the OMW Cavalry

OMW Cavalry is a board that wants to go fast and wants to go straight.

The double kingpin trucks that the Cavalry uses came out of stock biased towards being stable and not very easy to turn. We did manage to find a sweet spot after loosening the trucks, though. After some tweaking, the trucks became much more responsive and easy to turn. They were still not as good as most double kingpin trucks, but they were good enough for us. The forged truck also felt very precise and had zero slope.

And we have to admit, this may be the most comfortable fast-riding board we’ve ever reviewed.

First, as you can see, the Hobbywing ESC smoothly accelerates to its maximum speed.

Also, the Cavalry boasts a broad deck with a solid concave that aids in stabilizing our foot placement. During speed changes, I really enjoy placing my foot on the notch at the drop deck, so I have something to push against.

The moderate flex on the deck was enough to take away harsh road vibrations but not too much to jeopardize its stability at high speed. Along with the added stability of the larger 7″ wheels, the lower riding height also gives you peace of mind that an occasional stone or stick won’t cause a wipeout. Additionally, these wheels are pretty special because they have more traction than the majority of all-terrain wheels. Maybe it’s due to the tread pattern. They stick to the tarmac like glue, again, not only adding to stability but also making it fun to do hard carving on.

Together, these factors made OMW a board that is incredibly comfortable for fast riding. We often found ourselves accelerating to 28 mph or 45 km h without realizing it. And getting to the 34 mph or 55 km h top speed wasn’t a scary ordeal on the Cavalry .

Also, it appeared that the Cavalry was configured for greater top speed rather than torque. Meepo Hurricane Vader, which has a lower maximum speed but an insane torque that takes off from a standstill, is a nice counter-example. Instead of being thrilling, Cavalry was more comfortable, with a gentle, smooth start followed by an equally comfortable acceleration up to the top speed.

It goes without saying that changing to 6″ wheels or even street wheels will increase torque while lowering the peak speed. Plus, using smaller wheels will make carving more enjoyable and the board more responsive.

OMWEV also went the extra mile in post-sale service:

Below are some post-sale service that OMWEV would like us to highlight to you:

Effortless Returns: OMWEV offer a hassle-free 7-day return policy for skateboards ridden less than 10 miles, exclusively available in the U.S. market;
Comprehensive Warranty: Enjoy the peace of mind with a 12-month warranty covering the entire skateboard (INCLUDE Battery, motors and ESC);
Lifetime Deck Warranty: Rest assured with a lifetime warranty for the deck, emphasizing its quality and durability. OMW Boards Warranty – 1 Year Coverage, Lifetime for Cavalry Decks

This is pretty good, considering most of the brands just offer a 6-month warranty excluding motors and batteries.

Verdict of the OMW Cavalry :

The OMW Cavalry is a high-end, two-in-one carbon fiber electric skateboard that performed brilliantly overall. It was built incredibly well, has excellent specs for the price, and has a fantastic ride that emphasizes comfortability at high speeds.

top down photo of the On my way! Calvary

We would suggest the OMW Cavalry as the board for you if you’re looking for the most comfortable carbon fiber 2-in-1 for fast riding. Yes, it could have a nicer-looking grip tape design, and yes, it wasn’t groundbreaking in value proposition. But other than that, everything about Cavalry is pretty perfect. It matches any of its competitors in specs while delivering a riding experience that’s smoother and comfortable, thanks in no small part to the flexible carbon fiber deck.

As long as you aren’t looking for adrenaline rushes, you will love this board.

If you are interested in buying the OMW Cavalry, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $30 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

November 17, 2023November 21, 2024 by Paxson Lim

OMWEV release OMW Cavalry – Better than Evolve Renegade!?

By now, you should have heard about the Evolve Renegade, the $2,499 mountain-style board with Trampa deck and suspension trucks.

But hold your wallet if you are in the market for a carbon fiber board with a Trampa-style deck because there is a new board by a new brand that offers something similar for a lot less.

This new brand is aptly named On My Way EV, and it’s on its way with its debut board Cavalry.

Unboxing of the OMW Cavalry

OMW Cavalry is another premium heavy-duty All-Terrain Board

OMW Cavalry is pretty similar to the Evolve Renegade, a premium board designed to have a ton of power and a lot of battery and to handle rough terrains.

Similarly, it uses a flexible Trampa-style deck.

Similarly, it is rocking 12s4p Samsung 50S battery ( 864WH – 20AH)

Unlike Evolve Renegade, however, the Cavalry is using DKP Trucks, meaning it wasn’t a hardcore off-road board but instead was designed to be as easy to turn as possible.

While we are still working to put the Cavalry through the paces, it looks very very promising and is an alternative worth considering before pulling the trigger on the pricey $2,499 Evolve.

Plus, OMWEV is a new brand that is eager to prove itself, while Evolve (with all its good and bad) put a premium tax on its board. While both boards have comparable specs, the Cavalry is almost $1000 cheaper at $1,599 (launch price).

If you are interested in buying the OMW Cavalry be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $30 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

Comparison Specification of OMW Cavalry vs Evolve Renegade

Feature	OMW Cavalry	Evolve Renegade
Deck Materials	Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass	Carbon fibre
Deck Length	115cm (45.28 inches)	95cm (37.4 inches)
Trucks	9.5″ Forged DKP	Evolve Rengade trucks – Forged/CNC. 310cm (12.2 inch) width, 8mm axles
Wheels	7-inch or 6-inch or 97mm wheels	Evolve 175mm (7 inch) pneumatic tyres with all-terrain hubs
Motor	6374 * 2, 165kv	Dual 3000w rated 6368 custom brushless sensored motors
ESC	Hobbywing 9028 with APP & Smart ON/OFF	Evolve Custom 50V Dual-Motor Driver with FOC motor commutation and Bluetooth Connection
Battery	21700 Samsung 50S 12S4P 20Ah 864Wh	21700 Samsung 50S 12S4P 20Ah 864Wh
Recharge Time	5 hrs with 4.5A charger	3.5 hrs – 4 hrs
Remote	Hobbywing OLED remote	Evolve Phaze remote with CNC aluminium-reinforced body
Weight	17.5kg (38.5lbs)	15.7 kg (34.6 lbs)
Range	55km/34miles with 7” Pneumatic Tires (Stock Tire) 52km/32miles with 6” Pneumatic Tires (Optional) 85km/52miles with PU Wheels (Optional)	Up to 50km (31 miles)
Top Speed	60km/h (37mph)	42km/h (26 mph)

Tynee Ultra SL Hub Specifications:

Deck – 8 Ply Canadian Maple:

ESC and Remote – 12s Hobbywing ESC:

Battery – 12s 50.4v 6ah 259.2wh Battery:

Motor – Dual 550w Hub Motors:

Truck And Wheels – 7” 43° Reverse Kingpin Trucks And 90mm Street Wheels:

Specs Summary:

Riding Experience:

Verdict:

Backfire Zealot V Specs:

Deck- 33” (83.8 cm) ABS, Glass Fiber, And Maple Composite:

ESC and Remote – 10s Hobbywing ESC with Backfire remote:

Battery – 42V 6Ah or 216Wh battery Samsung 30Q 18650 cells:

Motor – Dual 750W belt motors 1500W:

Truck and Wheels – 7-inch 50-degree reverse kingpin trucks:

Specs Summary:

Riding Experience on the Backfire Zealot V:

The Verdict – should you get the Backfire Zealot V?

Exway Ripple Specifications:

Deck: 30.7 ‘Flexy’ bamboo, maple and fiberglass composite

ESC and Remote: 10s LingYi ESC

Battery: Travel Edition (99Wh) and Cruiser Edition (159Wh)

Motor: Dual 672W Hub drive motors

Truck And Wheels: Reverse Kingpin Trucks And 77mm Polyurethane Wheels

Specs Summary – the Exway Ripple is not very competitive:

Riding Experience on the Exway Ripple

The Verdict – Is Exway Ripple good?

OMW Cavalry Specifications:

Deck: 44.5*12.7*6.9” Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass

Trucks: 9” Forged Double Kingpin Trucks

Wheels: 7 inch, 6 inch, and 97mm street wheels.

Battery: 21700 Samsung 50S 12S4P

ESC: Hobbywing 9028

Motor: 165 kV 3500W 6374 dual belt motors

Specs Summary:

Riding Experience on the OMW Cavalry

OMWEV also went the extra mile in post-sale service:

Verdict of the OMW Cavalry :

Unboxing of the OMW Cavalry

OMW Cavalry is another premium heavy-duty All-Terrain Board

Comparison Specification of OMW Cavalry vs Evolve Renegade

Deck: 44.512.76.9” Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass