belt-driven Archives - Electric Skateboard HQ

January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 by Ziyad Khairi

Exway Flex Pro Review – Punchy, Powerful, and Game-Changing?

Exway Flex Pro is the upgraded version of the Exway Flex ER. At $930 USD, it’s supposed to be faster, better and most notably, a lot more powerful.

by Electric Skateboard Malaysia

Exway also updated its mobile apps, the ExSkate, which is now more functional and has a prettier user interface. Exway Flex Pro also comes with a fast charger which is the latest gallium nitride. The GaN charger supports dual charging which we will talk more about later.

What we really want to talk about is the Exway Flex Pro’s peak output power at 2520W. Can it surpass its rival, the Meepo Voyager X, in ride experience and overall build? Let’s first go through the specs!

Exway Flex Pro Build and Specs

Deck: Flexible Composite; bamboo, maple, and fiberglass
Electronic Speed Controller: Exway Latest Gen ESC 3.0; R3 Remote
Batteries: 345Wh; Domestic 18650 cells
Marketed Range: 25 miles (40 km)
Motors: 2520W Belt
Marketed Speed: 31 mph (50 km/h)
Trucks: 8” Proprietary Trist Trucks
Wheels: 90*64mm 76A Durometer
Other Features: ExSkate App, 210W GaN (gallium nitrate) fast charger

Starting with the unboxing experience, Exway Flex Pro’s packaging is decent but the goodies inside make it special.

The R3 remote is the latest from the Exway Flex Series. Exway updated the look with an ergonomic design and added features like route tracking, online and offline firmware updates, and Bluetooth 5.0. It now charges by USBC and what I like the most is that it shows the trip meter and odometer.

You also get the new gallium nitride (GaN) fast charger which is super sleek and beautiful. The fast charger can be combined with two more chargers like this one to get a full battery status in just one hour.

This is a game-changer in eskate builds although we weren’t able to test it out because our cable for it isn’t ready. Once it works, you should be able to charge the board and continue your long-distance ride.

Another board that can help you with range anxiety is the Exway Flex ER. Read the review here.

Premium Board Design

Looking at the design, the Exway Flex Pro looks strong with a black and gray theme just like the Boosted Stealth. For me, the design is a bit dull on the top side but beautiful on the bottom side. The polish of the board screams premium and the little details look nice.

The new flexible composite deck has a nice concave that will secure your feet in place. Its flexibility acts as a suspension and can allow the board to conquer rough road vibrations. The wheels are also bigger at 90mm, so this should also have an effect in cushioning your ride.

New ExSkate App to Customize Board Settings

Exway has designed the new ExSkate App for The Flex Pro and the Atlas Pro. The Exskate App allows you to customize the ride settings of the board and also shows the board’s information such as board temperature, mileage etc. For those who hate to install extra apps, fret not, you can also change the settings using the remote.

Exway Flex Pro Ride Experience

Exway Flex Pro is suitable for beginners that love speed. Cruising on rough road conditions won’t feel so bad because of the flexible deck. The bigger wheels are also nice.

All Exway boards are very water resistant—from the X1, X1 Pro, X1 Max, or Atlas, all of them have very good water resistance and can be used on rainy days with no technical issues. Exway Flex Pro is also water resistant but we don’t recommend riding through deep puddles. You should also be prepared for rusty bearings if you’re going to take on a few puddles.

For context, check out our Exway X1 Pro review here.

The new ESC should give you more power. We think you will definitely feel the kick on this board. Exway Flex Pro can go from 0 to 25 mph (40 km/h) in just two seconds. Amazing!

Compared to its rival the Meepo Voyager X, Voyager X still has a stronger power. Although, the smooth brake on Exway Flex Pro is something some of us prefer. The default break mode on the app is set at 3 but you can change it to 5 if you want to break immediately.

Exway Flex Pro with Meepo Voyager side by side

As for the trucks, you guys know how we like Exway’s Proprietary Trist trucks. It’s very nimble and doesn’t wobble. It’s fun to carve and the return to the center is pretty good.

Reaching the top speed is a little scary on rough roads. If you try going from 12 to 25 mph (20 to 40 km/h), the standard truck setting is perfect. In spite of that, we managed to hit the marketed top speed at 31 mph (50 km/h), and going up a steep incline wasn’t any trouble.

Considering all the specs, Exway Flex Pro should be great for your typical commute. The maneuverability is smooth and the board glides well which is important in urban areas. It’s a really nice board with punchy acceleration and break.

Exway Flex Pro rough road — when it is rough

Exway Flex Pro wet road — when it is rough

On smooth roads, the Exway Flex Pro is a killer. You can install bigger wheels if you want some cushion on pebbled roads.

If you’re looking for a board with even bigger wheels, check out our Maxfind FF Belt review here.

Exway Flex Pro VERDICT – Expensive, worth the price?

Exway Flex Pro is undoubtedly a very good ride by a very good brand. However, is it that much better than the $749 Exway Flex ER? Let’s put it this way, is it worth it to pay more and sacrifice a little bit of range for more power?

You see, the range of Exway Flex Pro is 25 miles (40 km) while Exway Flex ER is 28 miles (45 km), but the difference in range is just because riding faster drains the battery quicker. While the difference in range is insignificant, the power on Exway Flex Pro is so much stronger and the acceleration so much more thrilling. I think it’s justified paying a little bit more for it.

And obviously, the add-ons that Flex Pro has and Flex ER don’t make it a very sweet deal. Slightly better deck, upgraded ExSkate app, new and faster chargers, and 90mm wheels are all things that make Exway Flex Pro one of the better buys right now.

If you are interested in buying the Exway, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $15 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!

August 31, 2022August 31, 2022 by Ziyad Khairi

Wowgo AT2 Plus Review – Cheaper than Exway Atlas and Meepo Hurricane, but better?

When Wowgo launched the old AT2 in 2020, we knew right away that it was going to be popular. At $1099, the board wears the Evolve formula very well (Evolve formula: flexible drop deck + 7-inch pneumatic wheels that could be converted into street wheels + Double Kingpin Trucks—a recipe for a really smooth ride).

This year, Wowgo is giving us the AT2 Plus. It’s a sequel to the AT2 that came just at the right time. The competition shouts “stiff” with boards like Exway Atlas and Meepo Hurricane. The Wowgo AT2 Plus is definitely meant to challenge Meepo and Exway.

Compared to the Meepo Hurricane and Exway Atlas which are priced at around $1599, Wowgo AT2 Plus is selling at just $1229 for the all-terrain version and $1349 for the 2-in-1 package which includes 120mm Cloudwheels. Pretty cheap in comparison, eh?

So, is being one of the most affordable 2-in-1 boards the only thing the Wowgo AT2 Plus is good for? Or will the board outperform the pricier duo? Let’s find out in this Wowgo AT2 Plus review!

Wowgo AT2 Plus Build and Specs

Deck: double drop with subtle wide concave; fiberglass, bamboo, and Canadian maple
Electronic Speed Controller: 12s Hobbywing ESC
Motors: 2100W belt motors
Marketed top speed: 31 mph / 50 kp/h
Batteries: 43.2 V, 14 Ah, 604 Wh, 12S4P configuration
Marketed range: 18 miles or 30 km
Trucks: 12-inch Front and Rear Double Kingpin Truck
Wheels: 2 in 1 (175 mm Pneumatic Wheels + 120 mm CloudWheels)

Wowgo AT2 Plus uses a double drop deck made of fiberglass, bamboo, and Canadian maple. It has a subtle wide concave that doesn’t feel significant but has a nice flex to it.

This time around, Wowgo gave the board a fresh grip tape design which we really like. It looks pretty futuristic!

Beneath the deck, we have a flexible enclosure that contains a 12s4p 604 Wh battery pack made out of Panasonic cells. Although it’s an upgrade from the previous 10s4p 504Wh pack on the AT2, this battery configuration offers the same modest marketed range of 18 miles or 30 km when using the AT wheels and 27 miles or 45 km on the Cloudwheels configuration.

Our 155 lbs or 70kg test rider put the numbers to the test and got 14 miles or 23 km out of the AT setup. The test ride is pretty aggressive and pushes for top speed multiple times. We believe that with Cloudwheels, you can get up to 25 miles or 40 km of range without a problem.

To read our Wowgo AT2 review, click here.

Upgrades on ESC, motors, wheels, and rear lights?!

Wowgo didn’t stop the upgrades there and improved the electronic speed controller as well. The Wowgo AT2 Plus uses a 12s Hobbywing ESC coming from the 10s Hobbywing ESC on the AT2. The remote remains the same with a smart turn-on feature, and acceleration and braking are still super smooth.

The trucks on Wowgo AT2 Plus use 12-inch Double Kingpin Trucks for easier turning and maneuverability. It comes in 175mm pneumatic wheels by default but you can purchase the 2-in-1 version to get the 120 mm Cloudwheels.

Powering these wheels is a set of 2100W belt motors which are again, an upgrade to the previous 1500W motors on the AT2.

These new motors increase the top speed of the Wowgo AT2 Plus to 31mph or 50km/h after doing some tweaking to the board… We’ll share this tweak with you in a bit!

The board weighs around 30 lbs or 13.6 kg and it comes with rear lights which are pretty nice. The automatic on and off feature is an awesome bonus that night riders will surely enjoy.

As you can see, the Wowgo AT2 Plus specs got a little bit of boost, not to mention a nice design update. The board looks well built and polished but how does everything perform on the streets? Well, it’s time to ride!

Want to learn more about Cloudwheels for your electric skateboard? Click here.

Wowgo AT2 Plus Ride Experience

Hopping onto the board, we can instantly tell that Wowgo is going for a buttery smooth setup. The acceleration is the smoothest that we’ve tried on any eskate. You can fully hit the throttle without getting thrown off the board.

Braking is also very smooth and safe for beginners. You can engage full braking without falling out of balance. Advanced riders will wish it had more punch to it, though. The braking on Meepo Hurricane and Atlas 4WD is still stronger at stopping very quickly.

When it comes to power, the board is deceptively powerful. It is much stronger than the old Wowgo AT2 and can handle any incline with ease. The acceleration ramps up so smoothly, that you can ride fast with comfort. Make no mistake though, the AT2 Plus still can’t compete with the likes of Meepo Hurricane in a drag race but the power is more than enough for riding in the meanest streets.

Interested in Meepo Hurricane, click here to learn more.

Secret tweak for stability at top speed

Next, let’s talk about maneuvering and as it turns out, it’s quite difficult to explain.

You see, the prototype of the AT2 Plus came out to have very loose trucks and soft 90a bushing. This initial setting felt nice to carve around but you really need to be mindful of the limitations. You can unintentionally slide if you aren’t careful.

It’s easy to turn and carve in this configuration, especially for beginners. This stock setting, after all, makes the Wowgo AT2 one of the smoothest boards amongst all AT boards. However, the trade-off comes in the form of speed wobbles, which will be there even at moderate speed.

Alas, after some deliberation, Wowgo decided to replace the soft 90a bushings with something much harder and ended up with 95a bushings on the front and 97a bushings on the back.

When we tried this new configuration, the strengths and weaknesses flipped. The board is super stable now with no problem pushing up to 31 mph but the board is no longer easy to turn for us.

With all that said, we are 150 lbs Asians. So, if you weigh 180 lbs, this new set-up might just be right for you. Otherwise, you might need to take matters into your own hands and experiment with more bushing yourself. Luckily, changing the bushings is neither difficult nor pricey.

Choose your preferred wheels for a different feel

Now, let’s talk about ride comfort. The flexible deck and 175 mm wheels ride smoothly even in harsh road conditions. To put some context, going off-road on the Wowgo AT2 Plus is more comfortable than with the Atlas and Hurricane. The flexible deck acts like a suspension that eases bumpiness from off-road rides.

Swapping to the 120 mm Cloudwheels provides a much different ride feel. Since the board is really low, it almost feels like riding right above the ground thanks to the double-drop deck. This is akin to the feeling of driving a race car, not that we have been in one.

The lower center of gravity helps the board to be insanely stable at high speed. However, be careful when you pass speed bumps as the board will often bottom out and get scratches. Or, you can just get used to it like we do… like our poor Meepo Hurricane…

It’s worth noting that you will have to pay an extra $120 for the Cloudwheels, and you should probably go with that option. This is not what we normally recommend, as our personal experience suggested that street wheels don’t usually end up getting too much play time in 2-in-1 boards. In the Wowgo AT2 Plus case, however, you might need the street set-up for the range. As our range test shows, the AT2 Plus has a very average range (14 miles, 23 km), and going with a Cloudwheels setup would be the easiest way to extend the range(25 miles or 40 km).

Well, that’s about everything, so let’s tie it all up.

The VERDICT – one of the best affordable 2-in-1 boards

Wowgo AT2 Plus is a pretty board with all the right ingredients. While the balance between stability and easy turning might require some extra tinkering on your part, and the range is merely average, Wowgo AT2 Plus is built well with good power and great ride comfort.

Is it a better performing board over Meepo Hurricane and Exway Atlas?

Of course not, the other two clearly out-specced the Wowgo AT2 Plus.

However, being $300 cheaper is not nothing either, and there’s no reason to pay for extra range or power that you won’t need. With all things considered, we think Wowgo AT2 Plus is, at the end of the day, one of the best affordable 2-in-1 boards available right now.

If you are interested in buying the Wowgo, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive a small discount during check out.
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!

July 8, 2022November 7, 2022 by Ziyad Khairi

Tynee Mini 2 Review – Champion of All Mini Boards?!

Everyone appreciates a healthy bit of rivalry between tech companies. When these companies compete with each other by making a better product, the side that benefits the most is us consumers.

A classic example of this in the e-skate industry would be the rivalry between Tynee Mini and Exway Wave. That’s why when Tynee announced the release of their mini-board’s newest version, we just can’t wait to get our hands on it. Here’s our Tynee Mini 2 review!

Tynee Mini 2 Build and Specs

Electronic Speed Controller: 12s Hobbywing ESC
Deck: genuine Canadian maple, wide concave with kicktail
Battery: Molicel 6.0 AH 216 Wh or Molicel 10.1 AH 363 Wh
Marketed Range: 14 miles or 22 km; 25 miles or 40km
Motors: 2x550W hub motors or 2x850W belt-driven motors
Marketed Top Speed: 30 miles or 48 km per hour
Trucks: Tynee PE upgraded on Paris V3, 7 inches, 43°
Wheels: 90 mm PU wheels or 105 mm Cloudwheels

On paper, the Tynee Mini 2 is impressive. The mini board uses a deck made of genuine Canadian maple with a concave similar to the previous Mini model, Boosted Mini, and Meepo Mini 2.

During our test, the wide concave of the board greatly helped riders experience a stable and comfortable ride. The leg placement on the deck is very natural and secure. Slipping won’t be an issue. The Tynee Mini 2’s deck is also stiff and does not have any flex to it just like all mini boards in the market.

As for the electronic speed controller, the Mini 2 uses a 12s Hobbywing ESC with 4-speed modes and a smart power-on feature. For those who don’t know yet, Hobbywing ESC is the gold standard for a buttery smooth and precise board control.

Two options of Molicel batteries for power

Now, let’s move on to the board’s power source. There are two options available for the Mini 2. The first is the Molicel 6.0 AH 216 Wh battery with a marketed range of 14 miles or 22 km. For more range, there’s an option of a Molicel 10.1 AH 363 Wh battery with a marketed range of 25 miles or 40km.

We got the second version, and the range test only hit 12.4 miles or 20 km with our 216 lbs or 98 kg rider at speed mode 4. For most viewers out there weighing around 154 lbs or 70 kg, you can expect 22 miles or 35 km of range at speed mode 4.

While the Tynee Mini 2 didn’t reach the marketed range in our test, it is important to note that this board uses Molicel which is one of the best cells for electric skateboards. Tynee Mini 2 sells at 629 USD for the smaller battery version, and 769 USD for the bigger one.

This gives the Tynee Mini 2 a huge advantage over the Exway Wave Riot which only has a marketed range of 12.4 miles or 20 km on the standard battery. Although, keep in mind that the Wave Riot’s battery can be easily swapped out to keep the board nimble and sleek.

To read our Exway Wave Review, click here.

Hub and belt-driven motors

The Tynee Mini 2 gives two options for the motors as well. You can either opt for the 2x550W hub motors or the 2x850W belt-driven motors which is the one we used for our test rides.

We highly recommend the 2x850W belt-driven motor version if comfort is a priority on your checklist. These motors are paired with stock 90 mm wheels with a marketed speed of 30 miles or 48 km per hour.

For a mini-board, this is a bit overkill but those who love to go fast certainly wouldn’t mind. In our test, the rider did manage to get a top speed of 28 miles or 45 km per hour. Pushing it to the max speed can be a bit risky, though.

Tynee PE trucks are here to stay

As for the trucks, Tynee Mini 2 keeps its proprietary Reverse KingPin trucks from the previous model which are based on the upgraded Paris V3. After seeing these trucks on three different models, we can safely say that these are geared towards stability but at the same time can carve pretty well.

Finally, the new board comes with built-in brake lights and a kick tail for kick turns.”. It’s also nice that the Tynee Mini 2 has an IPX6 water-resistant rating but as we all know, we shouldn’t trust that too much.

To read our Tynee Board Classic Review, click here.

Tynee Mini 2 Riding Experience

Now that we’ve covered the specs and numbers, it’s time to ride!

The headliner for the Tynee Mini 2 is definitely its acceleration. For a lot of people, whenever a mini-board is mentioned, speed and acceleration are rarely the biggest concern. Mini boards are, well, mini, and aren’t designed for high speed.

The deciding factor for most people is its portability and how easy it is to travel or commute with these mini boards. However, Tynee is breaking this tradition and mindset with the Tynee Mini 2. The acceleration on this board is buttery smooth and intuitive thanks to the 12s Hobbywing ESC and the belt-driven system.

Ridiculous top speed for a mini board

The ridiculous marketed max speed of 30 miles or 48km per hour breaks the norm that a mini-board shouldn’t go fast. Testing it out went pretty well due to its power, concave maple deck, and longer wheelbase. This build formula is able to handle things well at higher speeds.

Tynee Mini 2 is stable at 22 miles or 35 km per hour and if you’re feeling a little brave, you can go for 28 miles or 45 km per hour.

Well, the speed and acceleration are highly appreciated and very welcome, since the Tynee Mini 2 is equipped with a powerful and smooth braking system.

To read our Tynee Board Ultra Review, click here.

Tynee PE trucks are geared towards stability

The carving experience on the Mini 2 is also decent as it feels fun to carve but falls behind the Trist Trucks of Exway Wave, a board that’s more nimble and agile.

While the Mini 2 does have a kicktail, it does not live up to its full potential due to the heavy battery at the bottom part of the deck. These made the kicktail dependent on strength but if you give it some practice, you can make it work.

Another thing that the Tynee Mini 2 can work out is the ride experience on rough roads. In general, mini boards are bad for rough roads due to their stiff and short design. Fortunately, Tynee Mini 2 is a little forgiving, thanks to the belt-driven system. You’ll still feel the vibrations, though.

Tynee Mini 2 VERDICT – not so mini in stability and top speed

Tynee Mini 2 is a high-performance mini-board that gives a huge amount of power and range. We are happy that Tynee updated their Mini version for better performance. The price is absolutely reasonable with its killer specs and value. It is, in our opinion, the most powerful mini electric skateboard at this price point.

Tynee Mini 2 also rides like a champ, breaking the record for the most stable mini-board to ride at high speed. If you compare it to the WowGo Mini 2 and Exway Wave, Tynee Mini 2 is less nimble and carve-y. It is also quite hefty and bulky due to the bigger batteries and its double enclosures.

All things said, if speed and range are everything to you and are not particularly concerned about premium polish and features, like a swappable battery, then this is definitely the mini-board for you.

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 check out.
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!

If you liked this Tynee Mini 2 Review, check out our other articles at Electric Skateboard HQ! RIDE SAFE, GUYS.

February 8, 2022February 25, 2022 by Paxson Lim

Tynee Board Mini (Belt) Review—not so tiny in power!

In this review, we will be looking at the belt-driven shortboard from Tynee Board which was “creatively” named the Tynee Board Mini. We have been reviewing a lot of Tynee Boards recently, but this one, we were told, was special. According to the company themselves, Tynee Board Mini is one of the hottest selling boards from the brand’s line-up. At first glance, it’s not hard to tell why.

Tynee Board Mini is a $579 10s2p belt-driven electric shortboard that has also copied its look from the late Boosted Mini. There is a 10s3p 8.7AH version available for $629, too. The belt-driven mid-tier electric skateboard is a niche that doesn’t have much competition, so it’s not surprising that the board is selling well if it’s decent. So is it?

As usual, let’s take a deeper look at its build and specs.

Build and specs – Tynee Board Mini

Deck: stiff maple; flat camber and rocker; wide concave
ESC: 12s Hobbywing ESC; 4 speed modes; smart power-on
Batteries: $579 version – 5.0 AH 180 wh Samsung; $629 version – 8.7 AH 313 wh
Marketed range: $579 version – 12 miles / 19 km; $629 version – 22 miles / 35 km
Motors: 5250 Hobbywing Belt
Marketed Top Speed: 24 mph or 38 km/h
Trucks: Tynee Proprietary Reverse KingPin Trucks (Paris V3 clones)
Wheels: 90 mm x 62 MM street wheels, 78 A durometer
Weight: 15.2 lbs / 6.9 kg
Lights: Headlights and Taillights

Tynee Board Mini uses a wide concave deck similar to the Boosted Mini. It’s stiff and is made of maple.

As for the electronic speed controller, Tynee Board Mini uses a 12s Hobbywing ESC with 4-speed modes and smart power-on. Any eskate veteran should already know the Hobbywing ESC demonstrates a perfectly smooth and intuitive control.

Two battery options for $579 and $629 version

Moving on to the batteries, there are 2 options available: $579 for 5.0 AH 180 wh a Samsung battery or $629 for 8.7 AH 313 wh a long-range battery. The marketed range for the 5 AH version is 12 miles or 19 km. For the 8.7AH version, the marketed range is 22 miles or 35 km.

We got the $579 version, so with the 5.0 AH Samsung battery, our 95kg rider got 12 miles or 19 km. That’s pretty solid.

It’s a pretty good range for a belt-driven sub-$600 board, but confusing at the same time. The Wowgo Mini 2 which runs on dual hub drives gave us the same range. Hub drives are supposed to be more battery efficient than belt-driven motors. Even Tynee Mini’s nearest competitor, Ownboard M1, only has a marketed range of 7.5 miles or 12 km for $569. Some sorcery, this is.

Tynee Board Mini is also using Hobbywing 5250 belt motors with a top speed of 24 mph or 38 km/h. The wheels on this board are 90 mm x 62 MM street wheels with a 78 A durometer.

Tynee proprietary reverse kingpin trucks for stability

As for the trucks, Tynee Board Mini uses their proprietary Reverse Kingpin trucks which are based on the upgraded Paris V3. We reviewed this way back from Tynee Board Ultra and know it’s geared towards stability—a little bit more on it later.

To read our review on Tynee Board Ultra, click here.

This shortie weighs 15.2 lbs or 6.9 kg which is pretty average and easy to carry around.

Now that we know the build and specs of Tynee Board Mini, it’s time to ride!

Riding experience of Tynee Board Mini

As we have mentioned, the acceleration and smoothness of a Hobbywing ESC are always expected. While it is a pretty smooth ride, this shortie can also punch. Power on a belt-driven shortboard is what shines the most for Tynee Board Mini.

Not so tiny in power

The current gold standard for mid-tier shortboards that every shortboard should be compared to is, for now, the Wowgo Mini 2. In a few reviews back, we commented that the Wowgo Mini 2 has a pretty darn strong acceleration. Well, the Tynee Board Mini is stronger than that just by the virtue of being a belt-driven board. The brake is also strong and very smooth.

When it comes to maneuvering the board, it is just okay. It’s less fun to carve compared to Wowgo Mini 2 and Exway Wave, but it’s considerably stable at all speed controls.

You would expect a shortboard with the name “Tiny” and Mini to be the most agile boards amongst all shortboards. Sadly, this is not the case. Tynee Boards are amongst the less carvy boards as compared to Wowgo Mini 2 and Exway Wave.

To read our review on Wowgo Mini 2, click here.

Tynee’s proprietary trucks, although based on Paris V3, are biased towards stability. As a result, it doesn’t feel as nimble as most shortboards. This is not a bad thing, though. Being more stable than carvy is better for the Tynee Mini since it packs a bigger punch than most shortboards.

Stability over maneuverability

A lack of carving quality is also not a problem when it comes to shortboards with a kicktail. Yep, this shortboard has a kicktail and even highlighted it as “sexy kicktail” (what is that supposed to mean lol).

However, the kicktail is not the easiest to use. It’s just too short to be easily engaged. On the flip side, this ‘design flaw’ might actually be a plus for more inexperienced riders. After all, the shorter kicktail was a tradeoff made to maximize its wheelbase for maximizing stability. A harder-to-engage kicktail also means fewer chances of an accidental wheelie.

Another downside of the Tynee Mini is its vibration handling ability, which is the flaw of all shortboards. Unlike longboards that have long flexible decks to absorb some of the road vibrations, shortboards are generally harsher when riding through rough pavements.

Tynee Board Mini wasn’t an exception to this problem, but being a belt-driven board that has 4 real wheels does mean that it’s still a tad bit better than every hub-driven shortboard in this department.

To put this all together, this is how Tynee Mini rides.

For $579, Tynee Board Mini gives you power and stability unmatched by its peers. This also means that it’s less nimble and despite the light 15.2lbs (6.9 kg) weight, the shortboard still feels heavy under the feet. The kicktail is not the easiest to use, but beginners might see this as a feature more than a bug.

THE VERDICT – Tynee Board Mini (Belt)

So, is the Tynee Board Mini the best shortboard out there?

Tynee Board Mini with belt motors can be an easy recommendation for anyone who is looking for a belt-driven shortboard. Whether you are a heavier rider looking for a shortboard that packs torques, or someone who just couldn’t stand the ride feel of hub-motors, Tynee Board Mini Belt should be your best option. Not only because it provides a lot of value for the price, but also because there really are no other options for this price.

RIDE SAFE, GUYS.

If you are interested in buying the Tyneeboard, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $10 off during check out.
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!

January 10, 2022January 23, 2022 by Paxson Lim

Maxfind FF-Belt Review — Big wheels and beautiful deck.

Today, we will be looking at Maxfind’s flagship, the Maxfind FF-Belt.

In the Olden days, Maxfind has been known as a brand that produces value-for-money electric skateboards, putting out budget buys such as the Max-A, Max-B. These few years, however, they have been shifting their focus away from price and began to focus more on polish. Their price got higher, their customer service got better, and their boards became more interesting.

So, FF-Belt.

FF-Belt is a cool-looking, $899 belt-driven electric skateboard with a double-drop deck, 12s3p hot-swappable battery, dual kingpin trucks, and big 105mm Cloudwheel clones.

As usual, let’s run through the specs!

Build and specs of Maxfind FF-Belt

Deck: composite, flexible, double-drop (polyphenylene sulfide and fiberglass, coated with carbon fiber)
Battery: 12s3p Samsung, 376 WH, hot-swappable
ESC: 12s Hobbywing ESC
Marketed range: 25 miles/40km
Motors: 2*1500W belt motors
Marketed top speed: 28 mph/45 km/h
Trucks: Double Kingpin
Wheels: 105mm Cloudwheel clones

The most eye-catching part of the Maxfind FF-Belt has to be the deck. Maxfind FF series uses a super flexible composite deck made of polyphenylene sulfide and fiberglass with a carbon fiber coat. It definitely has a more modern and polished vibe than your usual eskates.

The deck is wide and has a good concave to it, so we can always know where to place our feet during a ride. It also has a double-drop design for a decreased riding height. Double-drop decks are known for good stability on streets. Maxfind FF-Belt is formulating excellent stability for a flexible deck with these specs so far.

Hot-swappable batteries accessible from the top

The deck also uses rubber grip tape. We prefer this as it doesn’t catch on fabrics and damage them. What makes Maxfind FF-Belt different from other eskates is that it has a built-in electronics compartment that can be accessed from the top. This allows easy access for the hot-swappable batteries and gives the board a very pleasant unibody look. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Fair range for 12s3p batteries with 376 watt-hours

The swappable battery is a pack of 12s3p batteries with 376 watt-hours and gives a marketed range of at least 25 miles or 40 km. I bet you can immediately tell that this is too good to be true, as it is impossible for a 376 watt-hour to deliver 25 miles in a running belt. And sure enough, our 95 kg rider was only able to get 14 miles or 23km out of a full charge. Well, at the end of the day, it’s still a fair range.

As for the trucks, the Maxfind FF-Belt goes with Double Kingpin trucks and pairs them with 105 mm Cloudwheel clones. We will go into details on how the trucks and wheels perform a little bit later.

For the motors, Maxfind FF-Belt rocks a pair of 1500W motors and combines it with the latest 12s Hobbywing ESC, which comes with a smart power-on. This gave the Maxfind FF-Belt a marketed top speed of 28 mph or 45 km/h which we can hit without a problem.

All in all, the Maxfind FF-Belt is very polished and well built. Unlike most Chinese brands that just assemble off-the-shelf parts, slap on a logo, and call it a new product, you won’t find off-the-shelf generic parts on Maxfind here. However, all of this means nothing if the board wasn’t pleasant to ride, so now, let’s talk about the riding experience!

Riding experience of Maxfind FF-Belt

Maxfind FF-Belt electric skateboard's super flexible composite deck

Maxfind FF-Belt is a comfortable ride, thanks to the deck it uses. The composite deck is very comfy, wide, long, and has a good concave. The double-dropped deck allowed lower riding height and added to the stability of the ride.

The 12s Hobbywing ESC is also, as usual, buttery smooth. Like we always mention, Hobbywing has already perfected the formula in speed control, acceleration, and braking. The torque and braking are both strong. It’s not really surprising for a belt-driven board. To give you some context, the torque is stronger than most mid-tier belt-driven boards such as Exway Flex Riot. Maxfind FF-Belt, however, is not as strong as some of the torque specialists, such as the Beastboard Viper and Ownboard W2 Pro.

To check out our review on Beastboard Viper, click here.

To check out our review on Ownboard W2 Pro, click here.

Stable Double Kingpin trucks

On maneuverability, we previously reviewed the Maxfind FF Street and the Double Kingpin trucks just didn’t work. It wasn’t stable and tended to sway a lot. However, Maxfind has improved on its build and design, and we can finally say that this installation of Double Kingpin trucks is quite alright when it comes to stability and has a decent return to the center. There’s definitely better turning and carving. Being Double Kingpin Trucks, they are obviously easy to turn, and fun to carve in, more so than reverse kingpin trucks for sure. It’s not the best Double Kingpin truck we’ve ever tried, but it’s decent.

To check out our previous review on Maxfind FF Street, click here.

Cloudwheel clones perform well

Maxfind FF-Belt electric skateboard's 105mm wheels. Similar to Cloudwheels but seem to have less grip than Cloudwheels.

Finally, let’s get closer to the ground and talk about the ones that keep the ride rolling—the 105mm Cloudwheel clones. Maxfind FF-Belt was destined to do well in vibration handling given that it was designed with a flexible deck and big 105mm wheels.

Riding on rough roads with this one wasn’t too bad, but we have to say that these wheels are inferior compared to the original Cloudwheels. These 105mm shock-absorbing wheels are harder and seem to have less grip than Cloudwheels. Even though these Maxfind wheels absorb less shock compared to the original Cloudwheels, these wheels still do their job well enough to reduce the vibrations. Size does help, after all.

THE VERDICT – Should you buy the Maxfind FF-Belt?

Maxfind FF-Belt electric skateboard - no glaring weakness in build and specs

So, to sum it all up here’s the verdict.

When it comes to value, paying $899 for a 12s3p belt-driven board with a beautiful composite deck and swappable battery feature is not a bad value proposition by any means.

However, the critique I have for Maxfind FF-Belt is that, while it does everything well—torque, range, speed control, maneuverability up to vibration handling, that’s all it is. The Maxfind FF-Belt is pretty good, but it wasn’t amazing in any of those categories.

What it is, however, is a good-looking board that has no glaring weakness, and isn’t that how a lot of us choose our cars?

RIDE SAFE, GUYS!

If you are interested in buying the Maxfind, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive 5% off during check out.
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!