Tag: All-Terrain

Posted on by Paxson Lim

Evolve Fusion Review – An Honest Look

I still remember back in 2017, when I first got into electric skateboards, it was basically Boosted vs. Evolve.

Boosted vs Evolve reddit post
Back in those days, they were the only game in town.

Boosted was seen as overpriced but carried by slick marketing and design. Meanwhile, Evolve, with its powerful 2-in-1 setup, offered more substance for your money.

Ironically, times have changed. With the rise of Chinese brands pushing insane specs-per-dollar and Boosted long gone, what used to be Evolve’s strength has slowly become its weakness. These days, the same criticisms once aimed at Boosted are now aimed at Evolve — a beautiful product, great marketing, but overpriced.

And the brand has always been polarizing. Everybody has a strong opinion on them; you either love them or detest them. On one hand, Evolve is praised for having the most consistent customer service. On the other hand, it’s had its controversies — board lockups, remote disconnections — issues that were much less heard of since the GTR lineup, but not everyone forgave how they were handled.

Price & Unboxing of Evolve Fusion

Evolve Fusion unboxed

Evolve is still very much a premium brand with a premium price. Depending on where you live and import taxes, that price can shift, but we’re reviewing it as a $1,599 board for the All-Terrain setup in the US.

And even at that price, nobody provides an unboxing experience like Evolve. They really know how to remind you that this is a premium product.

Evolve Fusion – Specs:

Price$1599
Deck38” Drop-through deck, 3-Ply Bamboo, 2-Ply Fibreglass
TrucksEvolve Supercarve 2 – Forged/CNC
Wheels7” Pneumatic 
(Compatible: 85mm – 105mm street wheels)
MotorsDual 6368 3000w – Belt-drive system
ESCEvolve Custom 50V + App
Battery12S3P 50.4v 648Wh 15AH Samsung 50S
Range25 miles (40 km)
Top Speed26 mph (42 km/h)
Weight27.5 lbs (12.5 kg)
LightingFront and rear LED lights

Deck

The Fusion uses a 38” drop-through deck made of 3-ply bamboo and 2-ply fiberglass. Unlike many modern all-terrain boards copying Evolve’s formula, this one doesn’t drop aggressively, so you stand a little higher off the ground.

Showing side view of Evolve Fusion
Showing Flexibility of Evolve Fusion

I usually prefer a lower ride height for stability, but this design makes sense — you don’t have to worry about bottoming out, especially when running smaller street wheels down to 85mm. The deck also has a nice concave and a healthy amount of flex, making it comfortable to ride.

Enclosure & Battery

Inside the flexible enclosure is a 12S3P 50.4V 648Wh (15Ah) Samsung 50S pack. There’s also a lighter 12S2P variant available for $1,399 if you prefer.

The battery case feels very solid — the lid has a lip that wraps around and a proper seal. While Evolve doesn’t advertise waterproofing, it’s clearly well-sealed.

  • Range (12S3P): 25 miles / 40km (AT), 37 miles / 60km (Street)
  • Range (12S2P): 16 miles / 25km (AT), 31 miles / 50km (Street)

In our tests, we managed to go 25 miles (40km) on AT wheels, which was surprising since even bigger 12S4P packs sometimes struggle to match that. Somehow, Evolve squeezes more out of a smaller pack. Maybe it’s their BMS, maybe just efficiency.

So, while the Fusion has about 30% less battery for the price, the real-world range makes the criticism less harsh than we expected.

All Terrain Electric Skateboard, Price vs Battery size

Our test riders weigh around 165 lbs (75kg), riding in hot weather. If you’re heavier or ride in colder climates, expect less range.

ESC & Remote

Evolve uses its own custom ESC. I used to remember Evolve ESCs as janky and worse than even older LingYi generations. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that today’s Evolve ESC is perfectly smooth and intuitive — acceleration and braking both feel refined and natural.

Evolve Fusion Remote front view
Evolve Fusion Remote side view

The board comes with Evolve’s Phaze Remote, which is unique compared to most remotes. Instead of a single dial, it has separate triggers for acceleration and braking, plus a deadman switch for safety (which can be disabled).

The remote also gives you a lot of info, such as component temperatures and individual battery cell levels. It takes a bit of getting used to if you’re coming from dial remotes, but once you adapt, it’s one of the better remotes out there.

On top of that, the Evolve app lets you tune acceleration/braking curves, adjust power output, and even customize lights with different colors and animations. If you’re not into apps, you can still switch light modes directly from the remote.

Motors

The Fusion runs on dual 3000W belt-driven 6368 motors.

I’ve kind of forgotten just how powerful Evolve boards actually are — the Fusion does pack a punch, and acceleration feels strong, right on par with other boards in this $1,599 range. Torque is not the issue here.

Evolve Fusion Motors view

The top speed, however, is awkward. On the 7” AT wheels, the Fusion maxes out at just 26 mph (42 km/h), and with street wheels it climbs to 31 mph (50 km/h). By today’s standards, that’s slow. Most boards at this price point hit at least 37 mph (60 km/h).

So while the Fusion’s acceleration is satisfying, the relatively low top speed is hard to ignore. Riders who want to comfortably push past 30 mph will likely feel underwhelmed.

Trucks

The Fusion uses Evolve SuperCarve 2 forged/CNC trucks with a 12” hanger and double kingpin design, finished in gold.

Evolve Fusion front trucks
Evolve Fusion rear truck

They’re legendary. Silky smooth for carving, yet stable enough for high speed. Plus, you can adjust the wheelbase — shorter for nimble carving, longer for more stability.

Evolve fusion adjusting the wheelbase
Three sets of predrilled holes for you to adjust the wheelbase

Out of the box, it comes in the short setting, which felt agile but awkward for my stance. Switching to the longer wheelbase fixed that and felt more natural.

Wheels

Evolve offers a wide selection, from 85mm street wheels up to 105mm, plus the 7” AT wheels that come stock.

Evolve Fusion has a lot of wheel options

What disappointed us was the plastic wheel hubs. At this price point, most competitors ship CNC hubs. Plastic hubs feel a little wobbly at higher speeds, so upgrading to CNC hubs is a must if you’re picky about ride feel.

Evolve Fusion 7" pneumatic wheels

Specs Summary of the Evolve Fusion

In a vacuum, the Fusion is a fantastic board. It’s got great power, smooth controls, legendary trucks, and that versatile 2-in-1 design. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine any rider not enjoying it.

But when you start looking at value for money, things get trickier. At $1,599, most boards come with a 12S4P battery pack — the Fusion only gives you a 12S3P.

SpecificationEvolve FusionAcedeck Nomad N3 (Gear-Drive)OMW CalvaryMeepo Hurricane Vader
Price (USD)$1,599$1,699$1,389$1,599
Deck MaterialBamboo + FiberglassMulti-layer composite (split-angle)Carbon Fiber + Fiberglass3K Carbon Fiber
Drive & MotorDuel belt 6368 • 3,000W eachGear Drive 6384 • 3,500W eachDuel belt 6374 • 3,500 W eachGear Drive 6384 • 3,700W each
Top SpeedAT: 26 mph
Street: 31 mph		37 mph (60kph)37 mph (60kph)32 mph (52kph)
Battery12S3P (648 Wh) Samsung 50S 14S6P (1305 Wh) Molicel P42A12S4P (864 Wh) Samsung 50S12S4P (864 Wh) Samsung 50S
RangeAT: 25 miles (40km)
Street: 37 miles (60km)		49 mi (80km)AT: 34 miles (55km)
Street: 50 miles (88km)		31 mi (50km)

At this price, we also often see gear drives or carbon decks… but the Fusion has neither.

And then there’s the wheels. For a premium board, CNC hubs should’ve been standard.

So, when you line it up against boards like the Acedeck Nomad N3, OMW Calvary, or Meepo Hurricane Vader, the Fusion looks about two steps behind in raw specs.

But here’s the real question: do you judge Evolve as being two or even three steps ahead when it comes to customer service, reliability, and post-sales support?
The answer to that will likely decide whether the Fusion is the right board for you.

Ride Feel of the Evolve Fusion

By now, as we’ve gone through the specs, we’ve already alluded to a lot of the Fusion’s strengths and also some of its shortcomings. But how does all of that actually come together on the road?

Evolve Fusion going up a hill

First, the deck and trucks. The bamboo-fiberglass deck is comfortable to stand on, the length feels just right, and the concave locks your feet in place. Paired with Evolve’s SuperCarve trucks, the board is precise and stable at speed, yet silky smooth for carving with one of the tightest turning radius you can get. Honestly, the deck and truck combo is what really carries the Fusion’s ride.

On poor roads, the flex in the deck and the AT wheels take away most of the harsh vibrations. The setup gives you solid ground clearance for obstacles and makes light off-roading easy. That said, the plastic hubs do make the ride feel a bit wobbly at higher speeds — disappointing on a premium board. Switching to CNC hubs would improve things significantly.

Riding on Evolve Fusion

We’re still getting used to the Phaze remote, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying the smooth speed control. Once you adapt, it delivers acceleration and braking that feel precise, predictable, and natural.

And finally, power delivery. After having so many Chinese brands push the limits on torque and top speeds, we were reminded that Evolve was the OG powerful electric longboard back in the Boosted vs. Evolve era. While the Fusion isn’t S-tier in torque and the 26 mph top speed is “meh” by today’s standards, it still lands solidly in A-tier. Acceleration is satisfying and even thrilling in Sport and Corsa modes. Beginners will be sufficiently cradled by the Eco mode, while advanced riders still get enough punch to enjoy.

Verdict of the Evolve Fusion

We’ve talked a lot of smack about Evolve on this channel over the years, and the Fusion gave us a chance to see if that was still fair. And honestly? It changed our perspective — at least somewhat.

Riding on grass with Evolve Fusion

The usual “small battery pack” criticism doesn’t sting as much this time, because the Fusion manages to squeeze out range that competes with larger 12S4P setups. The deck and truck combo is outstanding, and the ESC tuning with the Phaze remote is as refined as it’s ever been. In short, the ride quality is significantly improved from the old Evolves, with very little to nitpick.

That said, the capped top speed of 26 to 31 mph is hard to ignore. For riders chasing adrenaline, the Fusion just won’t cut it.

So who is this board for? If you’re a rider who values price-to-performance above all else, the Fusion won’t be the board you pick — there are better spec sheets for the money. But if you want an electric skateboard that does everyday riding extremely well, with premium build quality and one of the best after-sales services in the business, the Fusion makes a strong case for itself.

After all, when you’re spending over a thousand dollars, those intangibles can matter.

If you are interested in buying an Evolve, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $50 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!

Posted on 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.

Unboxing of the OMW Calvary
Unboxing of the OMW Calvary
Unboxing of the OMW Calvary
Unboxing of the OMW Calvary
Unboxing of the OMW Calvary

OMW Cavalry Specifications:

Price$1599
Battery21700 Samsung 50S  12S4P 20Ah  864Wh
ControllerHobbywing 9028
Top Speed37.2mph (60 kmh)
Range34 miles(55 km​)
Deck44.5*12.7*6.9” Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass Composite
Motor6374 * 2, 165kv Belt motors 
Net Weight38.5lbs (17.5kg)

Deck: 44.5*12.7*6.9” 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.

jumping on the OMW Calvary
jumping on the OMW Calvary

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.

Photo from diagonal of the OMW Calvary
OMW Calvary with 6 inch wheels
97mm wheels of the OMW Calvary

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.

Remote of the OMW Calvary

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.

motor of the OMW Calvary
Motors of the OMW Calvary

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

Riding photo of OMW Cavalry
Riding photo of 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.

Riding photo of OMW Cavalry
Riding photo of OMW Cavalry

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:

  1. 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;
  2. Comprehensive Warranty: Enjoy the peace of mind with a 12-month warranty covering the entire skateboard (INCLUDE Battery, motors and ESC); 
  3. 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!

Posted on by Paxson Lim

Ecomobl ET2 Review – Powerful AT board! Too powerful?

Today we will be reviewing the Ecomobl ET2, a $1599 All-Terrain electric skateboard powered by two planetary gear drives. 

For those who don’t know, Ecomobl is very competent at one thing—making powerful monster machines capable of traversing the harshest terrain. They’re a brand that focuses on creating supreme All-Terrain boards, and they do not disappoint. 

We’ve reviewed the Ecomobl ET a while back, and liked it, so we are pretty excited to see how this new and improved second version is going to be.

Let us run through the specs first!

Build and specs

  • Deck: Canadian Maple with a wide concave and aggressive drop, IP56 waterproof
  • Electronic Speed Controller: 12s LingYi ESC
  • Battery: Samsung 40T cells (out of stock); Lishen 21700 cells LR2170SF (temporary)
  • Marketed range: 20-25 mph (32-40 kph)
  • Motors: Dual 3050W motors, 6374 Dual planetary gear drive motors, 190 kV
  • Marketed top speed: 35mph (56kph)
  • Wheels: 200mm airless rubber wheels
  • Trucks: 18” wide all-terrain trucks
  • Weight: 37 lbs (16.7 kg)
  • Lights: Headlights and Taillights (remote controlled)

Deck

Ecomobl ET2’s deck is made of Canadian Maple with a wide concave. The full-length metal enclosure underneath the deck made the board completely rock solid. It’s impossible to flex.

What the deck flexes, though, is its aggressive drop. This drop allows a lower ride height and also functions as a foot stopper. When going on or off a steep incline, you can also use it as a step.

Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) & Remote

For the electronic speed controller, 12s LingYi ESC was used and paired with a specialized remote. On its LED screen, you’ll see your range, speed, and battery percentage.

12s LingYi ESC

Functionality-wise, the remote is superb. By design though, the plastic material felt cheap. We don’t admire the remote that much but it’s still comfortable on the hand and doesn’t disconnect.

Choosing a LingYi ESC also means the board has a push-to-power-on feature—a very handy and welcome function.

Battery & Range

For the battery, ET2 will be using Samsung 40T cells. Samsung ran out of stock for these batteries, so in the meantime, Ecomobl is using Lishen 21700 cells. 

ET2 is also on a $100 discount for this product since Lishen batteries are less recognized. According to an internet listing, Lishen batteries have a rate of 4.5 mAh per cell. 

Samsung 40T cells (out of stock); Lishen 21700 cells LR2170SF (temporary)

The review unit we received is running on a Lishen battery, so you can expect a better performance if you’re watching this in the future and Samsung 40T is being used.

For the Lishen configuration, ET2 went with 12s4p 21700 cells which can give you 18 AH and 777.6 WH.

Our tested range hit 18 miles or 29 km which is not bad for a marketed range of 20-25 miles.

The range was not the focus of ET2, after all. Compared to the first-gen ET which will run you a marathon, ET2 was configured to prioritize power. 

Dual 3050W motors, 6374 Dual planetary gear drive motors, 190 kV

Motors & Power

Ecomobl ET2 used dual 3050W motors and 6374 dual planetary gear drive motors with 190 Kilovolts.

Want to know what part Ecomobl does the best? Check out their planetary gear drive.

Ecomobl Planetary Gear Drive

Ecomobl’s planetary gear drive has a very strong torque without the belt. It has a similar function with belt motors, but it’s actually built into the wheels. These babies will scream a high pitch noise when running and won’t roll freely as hub motors.

But how competent is ET2’s motor, on paper?

To help you picture it out, the first version, ET, has 2000W motors which already felt extreme for us. 

ET2 has a marketed top speed of 35mph or 56 kph but we didn’t try it out because we wanted to stay alive. 

From every factor the board revealed during our test, we expect a top speed of 28-31 miles or 45-50 kilometers per hour, and that’s intense.

Wheels

The wheels are 200mm airless rubber wheels. The thread patterns are more aggressive in this version, and the wheels are noticeably thicker. Did it affect the ride? We’ll talk about that later.

200mm airless rubber wheel

Trucks

The trucks are much wider than your typical All-Terrain trucks. They’re 18 inches wide and are 3 inches wider than Ecomobl ET. The wider the trucks, the more stability there should be.

Ecomobl ET2 18-inch All-Terrain Trucks

Weight & Other Features

Ecomobl ET2 also weighs 37 lbs or 16.7 kg which is nothing new with beast machines like these. It also has a built-in headlight and taillight which can be turned on and off using the remote. Pretty convenient! Compared to the original ET though, ET2 did not come with the board-length underglow light, which will definitely be missed.

Ecomobl ET2 Taillights

The board is also IP56 waterproof with a fine-looking polish. 

If you ask us, this board can surely be your wingman with all the attention you’ll attract. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below.

You can also check out Ecomobl ET2’s unboxing here.

Now, it’s time to ride!

Riding experience

ET2 has 4 speed and brake modes that you can configure independently. When it comes to smoothness, I’ve got to say that Ecomobl ET2 was a little bit rough on the edges. 

LingYi ESC’s jerkiness in control, in our opinion, gets worse when paired with a tougher motor.

You would love what ET2 has in store for you if you’re a fan of punchy and powerful rides, but if you want a chill one? ET2 will be a bummer.

Ecomobl ET2

Of course, the acceleration on the 1st and 2nd modes is pretty gentle. However, do know that the top speed is capped pretty low with the first 2 acceleration modes, so you would need to go into 3rd mode to ride faster.

The brakes are strong and fine. Most eskaters will probably choose the 1st or 2nd braking mode as they are both smooth and strong.

When maneuvering ET2, the trucks came in pretty loose from the package. We chose to tighten it to the max. After doing that, we found that these 18-inch trucks are pretty solid. 

Turning was effortless, allowing the board to have a good turning radius and comfortable carving. We did get great stability with the wider trucks, but we expect a heavier rider might need to swap a bushing here. 

From our modding experience, we know that a wider truck actually requires a harder bushing, and a regular 100A bushing probably will still be too soft for someone who weighs heavier than us scrawny Asians.

Overkill on the streets

As you can guess, Ecomobl ET2 is overkill when riding on typical streets. You might be thinking of giving away some of the power in exchange for greater control smoothness, especially if you ride on regular roads most of the time.

Even if the wide trucks provided lots of stability, we weren’t able to push the board to its limit because of the harsh control.

The big wheels helped eliminate vibrations from the road, but it’s not the most fun carving machine, either. Let’s not forget that ET2 is still a heavy AT board.

Where the Ecomobl ET2 gets more spotlight would be in off-road situations. The motors are powerful enough to conquer any steep incline. Combine that with big 200mm wheels and you can ride through almost any terrain. 

The stiff deck also adds stability on rough roads. You might bounce off the board when riding through bumps and rocks if the deck is flexible. Yikes.

Aggressive drop

The aggressive drop on the deck acts as a foot stopper and gives you more balance on the board. If you want to change your foot position, the drop also acts as a step when going up and down steep inclines.

Ecomobl ET2 Aggressive Drop Design

Unlike pneumatic wheels, the 200mm airless wheels won’t cushion the vibrations when riding on rocks, but the vibrations are still tolerable. 

We always prefer pneumatic tires over airless rubber tires, but at least with airless rubber tires, you won’t be concerned with puncturing the wheels or maintaining tire pressure.

If there’s one place the Ecomobl ET and ET2 should avoid, that place would be the beach. Sand will get caught in the exposed gear drive easily.

So what’s our verdict?

THE VERDICT

Ecomobl ET2

Is ET2 really an upgrade of the first version or nah?

Ecomobl ET2 got better at what it’s meant to do: to be a powerful off-road electric skateboard. 

Coming from ET, the second version ET2 became so specific for off-road use that, sadly, it’s not as versatile as it used to be. 

While ET2 got better at being an off-road beast, it also got worse at being a relaxed ride on regular streets. But hey, it’s what it’s designed to do. Also, compared to the original ET and most all-terrain boards in the market, ET2 is much stronger and powerful while also having wider trucks and larger wheels. 

This makes ET2 an excellent choice for those who love power and off-road rides or heavier riders who are looking for a board with maximum torque. However, being an even more powerful beast means ET2 won’t go easy on you on a common road. 

If you want the strongest monster for off-road use, ET2 fits the bill well. 
If you want a versatile board that is still wildly powerful, the tamer first version of Ecomobl ET may already be enough.

To check out our review on Ecomobl ET, click here.

If you are interested in buying an Ecomobl, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and uses code: “Electric Skateboard HQ 5％OFF” during check out.
It will help you get a 5% off and helps us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

Posted on by Paxson Lim

Maxfind M6 Drive Kit Review – All-terrain? Booster Drive?

Today, we will be reviewing the Maxfind M6 Drive Kit.

This is an $869 (USD) all-terrain electric skateboard drive kit. To those who are new to the e-skate hobby, a drive kit is what you attach on skateboards or longboard decks to instantly transform them into an electric skateboard.

Aside from Maxfind, other notable drive kits in the e-skate scene are Loaded x Unlimited, Mellow Drive, and Revel kits, but Maxfind M6 Drive Kit challenges its competitors for being the only all-terrain drive kit on the market.

Maxfind M6 Drive Kit on a drop-through maple deck with camou grip tape

So if there’s a pretty awesome deck you want to use, and don’t mind the effort of drilling 6 screw holes on the deck, the M6 Drive kit is an option.

Will it be a good option though? Let’s find out!

Let’s take a look at the specs first.

Build and Specs

Maxfind M6 Drive Kit Build and Specs Chart
  • ESC: 10s Hobbywing ESC
  • Battery: 10s2p Samsung 30Q cells (6.0Ah and 216 wh), Hot-swappable
  • Marketed range: 16km
  • Motors: Dual 1200W hub motors
  • Top speed: 38km/h
  • Wheels: 6.5 in airless rubber wheels
  • Trucks: Double Kingpin, 11.4 in, 98a bushings
  • Weight: 18.7lbs or 8.5kg (deck not included) 

Electronic Speed Controller

The Maxfind M6 Drive Kit uses a 10s Hobbywing Electronic Speed Controller. Those who are familiar with the Hobbywing ESC already know that this speed controller allows exceptionally smooth acceleration and braking, with intuitive control.

Maxfind M6 Drive Kit uses Old-gen Hobbywing ESC

Unfortunately, this is an older generation of Hobbywing ESC, which means this kit has no smart power-on. Smart power-on is a very convenient feature if you want the board to turn on with just a press on the remote.

To know more about electronic speed controllers, click here.

Hot-swappable battery

For the battery, M6 Drive uses 10s2p Samsung 30Q cells, which means you’ll get 6.0 Amp-hours and 216 watt-hours. These are genuine Samsung cells, and Maxfind cited it as the reason behind their higher cost. Hence, the price tag. 

Maxfind M6 Drive Kit has a hot-swappable battery

Using a better cell might make the battery last longer, but it definitely didn’t help increase M6’s range. The kit’s marketed range is 10miles or 16km, but we only got 7.5 miles or 12km out of it. 

The batteries are hot-swappable, though. So, you can technically ride for hours as long as you carry extra battery packs. However, the batteries are pretty expensive and will cost you $200 for each extra pack.

Dual Hub Motors 

Next, let’s talk about the motors. This drive kit uses Dual 1200W hub motors. Hub motors don’t require belts and are less prone to maintenance. Another plus for hub drives is that they sound quieter than belt motors.

Maxfind M6 Drive Kit uses Dual Hub Motors

However, a hub drive has less torque than a belt drive or gear drive, that’s why we rarely see it in an all-terrain set-up. We’re pretty excited to test how well the dual 1200W motors will perform in an off-road setting, given that it has less torque for acceleration.

Close-up of the Maxfind M6 Drive Kit Dual Hub Motor

The marketed speed specs are 23mph or 38km/h, and we managed to hit that.

Airless Rubber Wheels

For the wheels, the M6 kit uses 6.5-inches airless rubber wheels. You won’t need to worry about the tire pressure, nor puncturing them. 

Maxfind M6 Drive Kit uses Airless Rubber Wheels

On the downside, you can expect a more bumpy ride, but the wheels are definitely big enough to roll over anything on a paved road.

Double Kingpin Trucks

For the truck, the Maxfind M6 Kit uses 11.4-inch Double Kingpin Trucks with 98a bushing. Reverse kingpin trucks are more commonly used for all-terrain, so we’re also interested in how this set-up will play out.

For those who don’t know, Double Kingpin Trucks allow easier changes in direction with tighter turns.

However, after reviewing more than a few DKP trucks, we know that the quality between good and bad Double Kingpin trucks is very far from each other. The good ones have great rebound to the center which allows easy turns while still being very stable. The less great ones, however, are twitchy and can feel unstable during high speed. 

Unfortunately, we are very familiar with Maxfind’s DKP trucks and know that it belongs to the latter group. 

To know more about electric skateboard trucks, click here.

Lighter than most all-terrain eskates

The drive kit weighs 18.7lbs or 8.5kg alone. After slapping the drive kit onto our drop-through maple deck, the board only weighs 23lbs or 10.5 kg. This is considered very light! 

Maxfind M6 Drive Kit is a Lightweight All-terrain Electric Skateboard

Most all-terrain boards weigh around 28lbs or 13kg. With a smaller battery pack than your usual all-terrain boards, the lighter weight is probably an unexpected benefit. 

Riding Experience

Now that we’ve gone through the build and specs, it’s time to ride!

Maxfind M6 Drive Kit on a drop-through maple deck with camou grip tape

Obviously, a huge part of your riding experience will depend on what deck you use.

In our review, we used a drop-through deck that’s rather stiff, but we think the best deck for this would probably be an aggressive double drop deck, since the drive kit is very slim in profile, and wouldn’t need much ground clearance. Plus, a lower riding height will make the board ride more stable, compensating for the twitchiness of the trucks.

Twitchy trucks have poor rebound and won’t help you return to the center easily. You might get a feeling of swaying when turning. The 98a bushing is supposed to be tight and hard, but it didn’t help much, and changing the bushing would probably improve its quality.

TAKE NOTE: the board side bushing can’t be tightened by the T-tool provided by Maxfind, so you would need to find a spanner and adjust the tightness yourself.

When it comes to speed control, the acceleration and braking have 4 speed modes. And as always, every speed mode is perfectly smooth with Hobbywing ESC. This speed controller may not always be powerful, but no such worries for the M6 Kits. The acceleration and brakes are both very strong in the top speed mode.

Better than street wheels

When it comes to all-terrain performance, the 6.5-inch wheels perform well on rough roads. These are airless rubber wheels, so they weren’t as good as pneumatic wheels, but even then they’re still much better than Cloudwheels, Windwheels, or any street wheels. You will still feel the vibrations, but it won’t be uncomfortable. 

Comparing the experience to pneumatic wheels however, I found the airless rubber wheels less impressive. But when compared with your typical street wheels, these are much better.

We tried it on sand, grass, and rough roads with gravel or rocks.

Riding on sand is fine. There was enough torque from the motors to handle it. The same goes for grass. The motors are powerful enough to go through thick grass and coconut husk. It’s just not strong enough for gravel or small rocks.

THE VERDICT

Now that we know the quality of the build and specs, will the process of slapping this drive kit on a board of your choosing be worth it? 

The Maxfind M6 Drive kit is a decent drive kit that offers decent performance. Its worst flaw would be the truck, but it can be fixed by swapping in your own bushing. 

The rather small battery pack is not a big deal, since the battery can be easily swapped out in the middle of the ride. And going with a smaller battery looks pretty sleek. It doesn’t only allow more clearance, it’s also lighter in weight.

Maxfind M6 Drive Kit's sleek profile

On the value side of things, being able to choose an awesome deck is a factor that you are obviously paying extra for. Maxfind M6 Drive Kits go around the same price when compared to similar performing, yet completely built AT boards that come with a deck.

For example, Maxfind’s own FF Plus – All-Terrain comes with a pretty sweet carbon fiber finish flexible deck, and only costs a hundred dollar extra! ($969). Unless you are very insistent on using your preferred deck, going with the FF Plus or another brand’s complete build would probably be a better option.

As a person who doesn’t want to hold a screwdriver unless I absolutely have to, an all-terrain drive kit is not that appealing to me. However, if you have a bad-ass deck that you want to convert into an all-terrain eskate, the M6 Drive Kit is currently your only choice. It is the only all-terrain drive kit on the market, after all. At least it is a reasonably decent one, and has a US warehouse to provide fast shipping.

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

Posted on by Paxson Lim

Raldey AT-V3s Review – The best affordable AT?

Previously, we have reviewed the Raldey MT-V3, and concluded that it is the best option for someone who is looking to buy an affordable Eskate for commutes (you can read it here).

This time, we are reviewing the Raldey Bamboo V3S-AT, a board that was designed to be the most affordable AT option. 

At $899, the Raldey Bamboo V3S-AT has all the assets to be a great AT board…. Or does it?

Raldey AT-V3s Review

  • Deck Size: 40-inch x 13-inch (96.5cm x 23cm)
  • Top Speed: 28.5mph (46kmh)
  • Range: 19miles (30km)
  • Battery Pack: 504Wh (Sanyo GA in a 10s4p, 14Ah)
  • Weight: 23.6lbs/ 10.7kg
  • Motor: 2 x 1500W belt motors.
  • Wheels: 165mm/ 195mm airless
  • Price: 899 USD
  • Features:
    • Remote with Telemetry,
    • Push to power-on,
    • IP 55 weatherproof.

Let’s look at the parts.

Deck – Bamboo???

Raldey Bamboo AT-V3s’ product page listed the deck material as “8-Layer Canadian Maple deck”. Meaning, it has absolutely nothing to do with Bamboo. I reach out to Raldey and they told me it’s actually Bamboo plies mixed with Maple plies. I don’t care. The deck has no flex and calling it bamboo deck brings no meaning, so let’s just not call it Raldey Bamboo from now on.

However, despite being a little bit shady on the marketing side, the deck is fine. It’s almost the same as the one used on the Raldey MT-V3. It’s wide and has a mild concave, which makes it comfortable for foot placement. But it’s definitely not flexible, thanks to the full-length plastic enclosure screwed to the deck. 

Wheels – Airless rubber wheels

There are 2 wheel options available, 165mm and 195mm. That’s around 6.5 inches and 7.6 inches. The review unit we get is rocking the 165mm wheels. These are airless rubber wheels, and we will talk a little bit more about the ride feel later. 

Trucks – Wide Double Kingpin

The trucks are 14-inch double kingpin trucks, which makes them slightly wider than the typical 12-inch truck found on competing AT boards, like the Wowgo AT 2 and Ownboard Bamboo AT.

We will talk about how well these double kingpin trucks fare later.

Electronic Speed Controller – Customised LingYi ESC

On the electronics side, Raldey is using a customised LingYi ESC featuring push to power-on.

Veteran Eskater would already know how the board rides just by knowing the ESC it uses, but we will talk more about it later.

Battery – 10s4p Sanyo GA

In the battery department, it is equipped with a Sanyo GA battery in 10s4p configuration, making a pack of 504wh batteries. Sanyo GA is a pretty competent cell for Eskate.

10s4p is also the typical size for most AT boards.

Motors – 6368 belt motor

The pair of 6368 belt motors are rated as 1500W each. They are top-mounted and allows the board to have more ground clearance. However, it does make the board more difficult to stand leaning to the wall.

Numbers for Raldey AT-V3s: Top speed and Range

Raldey did not put out a marketed top speed and range for the 165mm configuration, but for us, all these parts come together to give the Raldey AT-V3 a top speed of 23mph (37kmh) and a range of 20miles (33km), when riding fast on the pro and high modes. 

So, here comes the $899 dollar question – how well does the Raldey AT-V3 ride?

Speed control

First, let’s talk about speed control.

Raldey uses a customized LingYi ESC which has 4 acceleration modes and 4 brakes modes that can be adjusted independently from each other. We said this before and we will say it again, when it comes to acceleration. Ling Yi ESCs are meant to be ridden in the 3rd(High mode), but not the 4th(‘Pro’ Mode).

Pro modes have super strong acceleration with a less smooth curve, and the result is a jolty feel. In high mode, acceleration is smooth enough, while still being strong. No reason to go to the 4th mode unless you enjoy peeing your pants a little bit from time to time.

The braking is great, smooth, and has 4 different strength that cater to everyone’s individual tastes.

Ride feel

Next, let’s talk about the ride feel.

The stiff deck, plus airless rubber wheels that are super thin on the motor side, means the board felt rough on gravel and trails. Don’t get me wrong, the wheels are big enough to roll over these surfaces, the experience just isn’t fun, as the wheels and deck do little to cushion the vibrations. Obviously, it would be better if you are riding on the 195mm wheels, but we have no way of telling how much better. I am guessing not by much.

Regarding the torque, I know many of you aren’t a fan of 10s batteries, but for us, Raldey AT-V3s is plenty powerful. Good enough power for whatever hills we encountered during our ride.

The general riding experience on regular roads is fine, but we can’t help but notice some flaws in it. The trucks, though wide, are the type of double kingpin trucks that are on the twitchy and wobbly side. We are still able to get to top speed and live to tell about it, but it’s a bit sketchy. 

Although the Double Kingpin trucks allow a small turning radius, they, unfortunately, have a poor return to the center. Combining that with a stiff deck and hard wheels make carving less fun. Upgrading to a better set of bushings would probably solve this complaint though. 

Final Verdict: Best Budget AT Option?

With all that said, the final question to be asked is this: how is the Raldey AT-V3S as a budget AT option?

Here is my answer: The over-arching theme of the Raldey AT-V3S can be summarized as capable but not comfortable.

Yes, the wheels are big enough for all-terrain, but it’s not comfortable.

Yes, double kingpin trucks allows better carving, but the bushings and the rough wheels mean that it wasn’t the buttery smooth carving experience we would have loved to have.

Yes, the individual parts are great, and the board is IP 55 waterproof, but the over-all polish of the product is lacking, and this Raldey is not as pretty as some other brands.

In short, the Raldey AT V3S is a perfectly capable ride for any situation, and any terrain, but it’s not a refined one. For many, it would be worth spending a couple hundred dollars more for something pricier, but for those who want to pay the absolute minimum for an AT, this is a solid choice.

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