Propel Ruckus 2 GT: Built Different (And It Shows)

Every premium electric skateboard on the market is chasing the same goal: more comfort, smoother rides, bigger wheels to insulate you from the road.

The Propel Ruckus 2 GT goes the opposite direction entirely.

At $1,299, this carbon fiber street board is engineered for riders who don’t want the road to disappear—they want to feel it. Propel calls it the “Street Missile.” We’d add “carving machine” to that, because once you ride it, that’s exactly what it feels like.

Propel has built a reputation for creating boards that feel designed rather than generic. From the X4 lineup’s four-wheel-drive credentials to the Endeavor’s premium positioning, they’ve consistently delivered focused products. The Ruckus 2 GT is their street-focused entry point—and it’s unapologetically engineered for a specific rider: the experienced urban enthusiast.

Let’s break down what makes this board different.


Deck: Mountainboard-Style Carbon Fiber

The foundation of the Ruckus 2 GT is a 42.7-inch mountainboard-style carbon fiber double-drop deck—a bold choice in a market dominated by traditional longboard shapes.

Design Philosophy:

  • Double-drop construction – Drops your center of gravity close to the ground for superior cornering stability
  • Genuine foot locks at nose and tail for security on aggressive maneuvers
  • Mild carbon flex – Absorbs vibrations and cracks without sacrificing stability
  • CNC aluminum bash guards (included) – Protect battery enclosures while allowing the deck to sit low; color customization available

The low ride height is crucial to understanding the Ruckus 2 GT’s character. It lowers your center of gravity for rock-solid cornering and lets you lean into carves deeper than taller boards allow. But there’s a trade-off: speed bumps become a consideration. The enclosure sits low enough that obstacles can cause scrapes. The bash guards mitigate this, but if you can’t tolerate minor cosmetic damage, this might bother you.


ESC: ProFOC Custom Electronics

Propel uses their own ProFOC custom ESC—likely based on the VESC open-source platform that’s been refined for years.

What this means:

  • Aggressive acceleration character that’s smooth and linear
  • Direct power delivery without the gentle, beginner-friendly curve of stock Hobbywing
  • Punchier throttle response paired with lightweight street wheels creates immediate, sharp acceleration
  • Tuned for aggressive riding — even in mode 2, the ESC shows its performance-oriented calibration

This isn’t a board that coddles new riders. The ESC is tuned to maximize power and responsiveness, which experienced riders will appreciate but beginners might find intimidating.


Remote: The PALM Design

The PALM Remote is a complete departure from standard e-skate remote design.

Distinctive Features:

  • Palm-grip ergonomics – Designed around your hand shape rather than the traditional trigger layout
  • Large, beautifully animated screen – Clearly visible in sunlight, shows real-time throttle and brake input
  • Premium aesthetic – Feels like a designer’s take on what an e-skate remote should be
  • Big thumbwheel – Travels further than standard wheels for more precise input

The Trade-off:
The thumbwheel’s extended travel requires more effort than traditional designs, which takes time to adapt to. Even after getting used to it, some riders prefer standard ergonomics. That said, the PALM Remote makes the entire experience feel more intentional and premium—like you’re riding something actually designed, not just assembled.


Battery & Range

Inside the enclosure sits a 12S4P battery pack with top-tier Samsung 50S cells864Wh total capacity.

Range Performance:

  • Marketed range: 110 km (68 miles) — achievable only in perfect conditions (lightweight rider, flat road, conservative mode 2 cruising)
  • Real-world testing (aggressive modes 3-4): ~80 km (50 miles)

Why this matters: 80 km of real-world range on a street board is genuinely impressive. Most boards in this category deliver 40-50 km. That’s a significant advantage for urban commuting and extended sessions.


Motors & Power

The Ruckus 2 GT runs dual Hobbywing 6370 motors producing 3,000 watts each with a 2.7 gear ratio.

Performance Specs:

  • Marketed top speed: 65 km/h (40 mph)
  • Built for high-speed stability and control
  • Direct power delivery through lightweight wheels and aggressive ESC

The Riding Feel:
With lightweight street wheels and an aggressive ESC tune, every throttle input translates directly to the road. It’s immediate and sharp. New riders often feel like the trucks are about to wobble at high speeds, but that’s actually responsive feedback rather than instability. Experienced riders learn to read that feedback and trust it. The Ruckus 2 GT is unforgiving of inexperienced throttle control, which is by design.


Trucks: A Thoughtful Mix

Here’s where Propel made an unconventional choice: Reverse Kingpin (RKP) front truck paired with a Traditional Kingpin (TKP) rear truck.

Why Mix Truck Types?

The Traditional Kingpin rear locks in the back end—crucial because that’s where the motors sit, and motors under load can introduce wobble. Stability matters when you’re putting down 6,000W of power.

The Reverse Kingpin front keeps steering precise and lets you carve aggressively without losing composure. The result is a board that feels agile enough for carving enthusiasts but stable enough at speed that you’re not fighting the board.

Important caveat: New riders might find these trucks lively at top speed. The Ruckus 2 GT wasn’t designed for beginners, and Propel is upfront about that.


Wheels: Feeling the Road

The Ruckus 2 GT rolls on 108mm Inertia PU street wheels—a deliberate choice away from comfort.

Wheel Design Philosophy:

  • Narrow contact patch – Less cushioning, more direct feedback
  • Stiff urethane – Transmits road texture directly to the rider
  • Crystal-clear road feedback – You feel every transition, grip transition, and texture

Who these are for: Riders who want to feel like they’re on a longboard again—the way boards felt before all-terrain pneumatics became the standard. The wheels provide zero insulation from the road, which is intentional.

For riders who want to be insulated from road imperfections, this is the wrong setup. For riders chasing the feeling of fresh tarmac and responsive carving, it’s exactly right.


Complete Specifications

SpecDetails
Price$1,299 (reduced from $1,999)
DeckCarbon Fiber Double-Drop, Mountainboard-Style
Length42.7 inches
TrucksRKP Front / TKP Rear
Wheels108mm Inertia PU Street Wheels
MotorsDual Hobbywing 6370, 3000W each
ESCProFOC Custom ESC
Battery12S4P, 864Wh (Samsung 50S cells)
Top Speed65 km/h (40 mph)
Range110 km marketed / ~80 km real-world
Weight16.3 kg / 36 lb
Special FeaturesBrake light, PALM Remote, modular platform

Riding Experience: A Carving Machine

Putting everything together, the Ruckus 2 GT is exactly what Propel designed it to be: a carving machine engineered to put you back in conversation with the road.

The ride feel:
The carbon deck flexes just enough at the nose and tail to take the edge off impacts, but the rigid center and stiff PU wheels ensure you feel everything underneath. Every crack, every transition, every grippy turn. On smooth tarmac, it’s blissful. The low ride height lets you lean into carves harder than most premium boards allow. It feels like a longboard again—the way they used to feel.

The trade-off:
You have to be honest about where you’re riding it. The Ruckus 2 GT is built for urban environments with smooth, well-paved streets. Take it somewhere rural with speed bumps and broken pavement, and you’ll be scraping the enclosure constantly and hearing rattles on rough patches. Not convenient.

The silver lining: Because the Ruckus platform is modular, nothing stops you from swapping in all-terrain wheels later if your needs change. Propel offers multiple variations of the Ruckus with different truck setups and wheel configurations to suit different riding styles.


Pros & Cons

Pros:
✓ Beautifully focused design philosophy
✓ Crystal-clear road feedback for carving enthusiasts
✓ Excellent real-world range (80 km)
✓ Premium components throughout (Samsung 50S, ProFOC, PALM Remote)
✓ Rock-solid cornering stability
✓ Modular platform allows future customization
✓ CNC bash guards included
✓ Strong value at $1,299 (down from $1,999)
✓ Feels like a designed product, not a spec sheet

Cons:
✗ Low ride height means speed bumps are problematic
✗ Street wheels = uncomfortable on rough roads
✗ Not beginner-friendly (aggressive power delivery)
✗ PALM Remote thumbwheel takes adjustment
✗ Best suited for smooth urban pavement only
✗ Stiff ride not ideal for comfort-focused riders


Verdict: For the Right Rider

The Propel Ruckus 2 GT isn’t for everyone—and Propel doesn’t pretend otherwise.

It’s built for:

  • Experienced riders who understand high-speed stability
  • Urban environments with smooth, well-paved streets
  • Riders who got into electric skateboards for the feeling of carving and speed
  • Enthusiasts who appreciate intentional design and craftsmanship

It’s NOT built for:

  • Beginners or riders uncomfortable with aggressive throttle response
  • Rough roads, potholes, or frequent speed bumps
  • Riders seeking maximum comfort and insulation
  • Anyone who can’t tolerate minor cosmetic wear

The bottom line: At $1,299 (down from $1,999), the value is genuinely strong. You’re getting a carbon flex deck, CNC bash guards, an 864Wh Samsung 50S battery, the premium PALM Remote, a custom ProFOC ESC, and a modular platform you can grow with.

The Ruckus 2 GT isn’t perfect for every scenario, but for the urban enthusiast who appreciates the craft of carving and speed, it’s one of the most thoughtfully built street boards we’ve ridden.

The Street Missile lives up to its name.

If you are interested in buying the Propel, 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!

Leave a Reply