midtier electric skateboard Archives - Electric Skateboard HQ

June 2, 2023June 2, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Verreal ACE Review: Is This $599 Electric Skateboard Worth It?

Verreal has recently released a new electric shortboard, the Verreal ACE, priced at $599. This board is considered a mid-tier shortboard, with a price tag that is $200 more than your typical entry-level electric shortboard. So, what makes the Verreal ACE stand out and deserve that higher price? Let’s dive into the specs and features to find out.

Verreal ACE – Key Specifications

Deck: 29″ (75 cm) deck – maple + fiberglass
Truck: Generic RKP trucks
Wheels: 90mm with 105mm Grey Cloudwheels option (+$100)
ESC: 12s Hobbywing ESC, 3-speed mode, with OLED remote
Motor: 1500W x2 Hobbywing 5255 motors,
Top speed – 30 mph (50 km/h)
Battery: 12S2P 8Ah 345.6Wh with Samsung 40T 21700,
Range: 15.5 miles -18.5 miles (25km – 30km)
Weight: 17.6 lbs (8 kg)

Verreal ACE has No IP rating, but it has water-resistant. The board’s enclosure was sealed off with a silicone gasket, and there was a silicone O-ring pad for the charge port and power button.

However, I wouldn’t ride it on wet roads anyways, as battery durability suffers when wet, and skateboard wheels don’t grip well on wet roads. (Don’t ask me how I found out about that).

Motor and Battery

After examining the specs, it’s clear that a significant portion of the budget has gone into the large, powerful motors and the high-quality Samsung 40T battery. Verreal always prioritizes specs over styles and did the same with the Verreal ACE. This board has a look of an entry-level electric shortboard but has a lot of battery and an outrageously powerful motor for the $599 price tag.

Speed Control and Performance

The Verreal ACE uses the familiar 12s Hobbywing ESC, which provides smooth and intuitive speed controls. However, the powerful acceleration can be tricky to handle on a shortboard. The board tends to do a wheelie when the throttle is pulled. We have to really brace ourselves and make sure we didn’t put weights on the kicktail, or else the strong acceleration will put weight on the back foot, engaging the kicktail, raising the nose of the deck, and throw us off the board.

This may scare inexperienced riders, but experienced riders who love power and are comfortable with shortboards will likely appreciate this feature.

The kicktail is easy to use (when intended to), and the board turns easily, as most shortboards do. The trucks are relatively stable, which we are comfortable pushing to around 20mph(30km/h). Once passed that speed, it became quite scary. That said, we did not and are not planning to verify the marketed top speed of 30 mph (50 km/h). The board is faster than it needs to be, really.

We do know, however, that Verreal did not overstate the range. Our 220 lbs (100 kg) test rider achieved the promised 15 miles (24 km) in a single charge.

Deck and Ride Comfort

The deck is 11.8 inches (30 cm) wide, providing enough room for even new riders to feel comfortable. As with most shortboards, the stiff deck can make for a less comfortable ride on rough roads due to road vibrations.

Verreal ACE on rough road — We were blessed with super rough road.

However, the belt-driven Verreal ACE performs better in this regard than hub-driven shortboards. Switching to cloud wheels can improve ride comfort on rough roads without sacrificing torque, as the Verreal ACE has plenty of power to spare.

Comparison with Competitors

When compared to competitors like the Tynee Mini 2 and the Exway Wave, the Verreal ACE excels in stability, has a more useful kicktail, and offers superior power. The Tynee Mini 2 is more stable at high speeds but is heavier to kick the tail. The Exway Wave is more maneuverable, fun to carve, and easy to kick-turn but less stable.

Click here to read our review on the Tynee Mini 2 and Exway Wave!

Verdict – Verreal ACE

The Verreal ACE is a mini powerhouse with incredible torque and power. For beginners looking for a fun electric shortboard to ride around, the power may be overkill and make the board less relaxing to ride.

However, seasoned skateboarders who want a shortboard with ridiculous power, or heavier riders who need every bit of power for uphill rides, will find that the Verreal ACE is tailor-made for them.

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

May 28, 2023June 4, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Backfire Zealot S2 Review: A Premium Electric Skateboard Under $1000

In our previous post, we reviewed the impressive Backfire Zealot X, a $1200 belt-driven electric skateboard that excelled in power, aesthetics, build quality, and riding enjoyment. Today, we’re taking a closer look at its more affordable sibling, the $849 Backfire Zealot S2. If you haven’t read our review of the Backfire Zealot X yet, we recommend checking it out first.

Main Differences Between Zealot S2 and Zealot X

The two boards share many similarities, but three key differences make the Zealot S2 $400 cheaper.

Specification	Zealot X	Zealot S2
Price	$1,199	$849
Deck	38″ x 10.6″ Composite Deck – Glass Fiber, Maple. Stiff, minimal concave	Similar
ESC	14s Hobbywing ESC; smart turn-on	Similar
Remote	Halo Remote, OLED display, 4-speed modes	Similar
Battery	Samsung 50S 14S2P, 504Wh, 50.4V	Samsung 40T 14S2P, 403.2Wh
Motors	1500W x2 – Belt Motors	875W x2 – Belt Motors
Marketed Range	34 miles / 55 km	30 miles / 48 km
Marketed Top Speed	31 mph or 50 km/h	30 mph or 48 km/h
Trucks	8.5″ Forged Truck (10.6 inch / 270 mm CNC Precision Forging)	8″ Cast Trucks
Wheels	96MM / 80A Street wheels	Similar
Other Features	Ice Blue Board Light, Smartphone App	Similar, but with Purple LED lights

1. Battery Size and Range

First, the Zealot S2 has a slightly smaller battery, using Samsung 40T cells instead of the Zealot X’s Samsung 50S, resulting in a 403.2Wh battery compared to the Zealot X’s 504Wh. Fortunately, the Zealot S2 maintains the 14s2p configuration, giving it an advantage in power and torque over other boards in this price range, which typically use 12s configurations.

The Zealot S2 boasts an advertised range of 30 miles or 48km, and our 155lb 70kg rider achieved 23 miles or 37km while riding at high speeds. Surprisingly, this is slightly better than the range we got on the Zealot X. With a heavier 220 lbs 100kg rider, the Zealot X managed only 20 miles or 32 km. This highlights the impact of rider weight on mileage and, perhaps, the smaller motors on the Zealot S2 limit how fast one can drain the battery.

2. Motor Power

That brings us to the second difference, the motors: the Backfire Zealot S2 uses a pair of 875W 5255 motors, while the Zealot X features 1500W 6358 motors. Even with smaller 875W motors, the Backfire Zealot S2 never feels underpowered.

We reached a top speed of 30.5mph or 49km/h in turbo mode, practically identical to the Zealot X. The only difference is that the Zealot X accelerates rapidly from the start, while the Zealot S2’s acceleration isn’t as aggressive. For some context, the Zealot S2’s power and torque are slightly behind the Meepo Voyager X and neck and neck to the Exway Flex Pro.

You can read our reviews on Meepo Voyager X (here), and Exway Flex Pro (here).

3. Trucks

The third distinction lies in the trucks. The Zealot S2 utilizes a pair of cast trucks, while the Zealot X has forged trucks, which, unsurprisingly, perform better besides being more durable. When we reviewed the Zealot X, we were impressed by how good the trucks are. The Zealot X turns easily like a double kingpin truck while still amazingly stable at top speeds. In comparison, the Zealot S2’s 8″ reverse kingpin trucks felt slightly tighter and less responsive, sacrificing a bit of carving fun in favor of stability.

However, this is not to say that these trucks were bad. They are still very good; it just goes to show how exceptional the trucks on the Zealot X are.

Shared Features with the Zealot X

Apart from these differences, the Backfire Zealot S2 shares all the fantastic features and outstanding build quality of the Zealot X. This means the Zealot S2 boasts cool elements like the LED light strips along the deck, this time in purple; the premium-feeling halo remote, and the included Kegel pulley for easy wheel swaps.

The ESC remains the 14s Hobbywing ESC, which is well-known for being smooth, intuitive, and powerful in both acceleration and braking.

Shared Drawbacks with the Zealot X

However, the similarities between the two boards also extend to certain drawbacks. For instance, the Zealot S2 shares the same deck as the Zealot X, which is a 39-inch composite deck made of ABS, glass fiber, and maple.

The deck is stiff and mostly flat, featuring only a subtle concave at the edges. Consequently, it can be challenging to gauge foot placement without looking down or readjusting during the ride. The stiff deck also doesn’t provide much comfort when riding on rough terrain.

Thankfully, as a belt-driven board with sizable 96mm wheels, the ride isn’t too uncomfortable on rough roads, but there is room for improvement. Upgrading to larger wheels would enhance the board’s vibration-dampening capabilities, as well as increase top speed and ground clearance – rather important, as the motor mounts currently sit quite close to the ground.

By the way, we tested Backfire’s 120mm wheels and were pretty impressed. They provided excellent vibration absorption and maintained a solid grip even on wet roads.

Comparison with Competitors

So, how does the Backfire Zealot S2 fare in comparison to its competitors?

Priced at $849, the Zealot S2 is likely to be compared with the $899 Exway Flex Pro and the $999 Meepo Voyager. Among these, the Zealot S2 holds its ground quite well. Although it offers slightly less exhilarating acceleration and a lower top speed than the Meepo Voyager, the Zealot S2 and Flex Pro both surpass the Meepo in terms of smooth speed control. Moreover, the Backfire and Exway boards boast a more premium feel in their build and design.

On the flip side, we find the Zealot S2’s deck to be the least appealing among the three, as it’s too flat for foot comfort and too stiff for enjoyable carving. In contrast, the Flex Pro features the most flexible deck with a comfortable concave, enhancing carving fun at the expense of high-speed stability. Meanwhile, the Voyager’s deck strikes a balance between the two, offering slightly more flex than the Zealot’s deck and a comfortable concave.

In terms of battery capacity, the Zealot S2’s 403Wh battery outperforms the 345Wh battery in the Exway Flex Pro but falls short of the Meepo Voyager’s 544.3Wh.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Backfire might argue that the Zealot S2 has better spec than the Exway Flex Pro Belt and offers a more enjoyable riding experience than the Meepo Voyager – and, indeed, there is truth to that claim.

Conclusion

If you’re seeking a stylish, sub-$1000 electric skateboard with a premium appearance, solid specs, and stability at high speeds, the Backfire Zealot S2 could be an ideal choice.

It may not be the perfect fit for those who prefer a more flexible deck with a pronounced concave, but this minor shortcoming is easy to overlook when everything else is near perfection. Undoubtedly, the Backfire Zealot S2 will be a popular pick for the best electric skateboard under $1000.

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

April 6, 2023April 6, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Wowgo Pioneer X4 Review – A Great All-Around Board

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Wowgo Pioneer X4. This board was released in November 2022 and is the successor to the popular Wowgo 3X.

Previously, the Wowgo 3X was known for its silky smooth riding experience thanks to its flexible deck, genuine Paris V2 trucks, and smooth urethane wheels. It was even touted as the best spiritual successor of the Boosted board.

With this in mind, another thing we’re excited about in this review is the comparison between Pioneer 4 and X4.

Pioneer X4 features a belt-driven motor unlike the hub-driven Wowgo Pioneer 4. Other than that, the two boards are identical in every other aspect. It’s only natural for e-skaters with $400 entry-level boards to consider upgrading to the Pioneer X4 at $699.

So, enough of the context. Let’s see if the Wowgo Pioneer X4 provides a similar riding feel.

Wowgo Pioneer X4 Build and Specs

Deck: Canadian maple, bamboo, fiberglass; mild concave
Electronic Speed Controller: Hobbywing V5.0 ESC; 4-speed modes, remote w/ display screen
Battery: 12S2P Samsung 40T battery
Marketed Range: 20.5 miles or 33 km
Motors: 4230 2*700W Belt
Marketed Top Speed: 28 mph or 45 kp/h
Trucks: Wowgo Trucks
Wheels: 90mm Polyurethane Wheels (can upgrade to 105mm Cloudwheels)

Let’s start with the deck. The Wowgo Pioneer X4 uses the same deck as the Wowgo Pioneer 4. The deck is a combination of Canadian Maple, bamboo, and fiberglass. Unlike the very flexible deck of the Exway Flex ER, the Pioneer X4 has a mild flex that still provides a comfortable ride without sacrificing stability.

The deck has a mild concave and is flat without any camber or rocker. This Pioneer X4 deck is less flexible than the Wowgo 3x, but it provides more stability at high speeds. The board still rocks the Boosted look, featuring an orange and black color scheme.

As for the electronics, the Pioneer X4 uses a Hobbywing ESC with four riding modes with a top speed of up to 28 mph (45 km/h). The remote control is easy to use and has a clear screen that displays speed, battery life, and riding mode.

About the battery, the Wowgo Pioneer X4 is equipped with a 12S2P Samsung 40T battery that provides a capacity of 345Wh. This battery configuration is similar to the Exway Flex ER which also features a 345Wh battery.

More Range From Pioneer X4

The Pioneer X4 has a marketed range of 20.5 miles (33 km). Riding the Pioneer X4 aggressively in the highest speed mode, our 165 lbs (75 kg) test rider managed to get 17 miles (28km) on a single charge. This is surprisingly more than what we get from the hub version Wowgo Pioneer 4.

This goes to show that your mileage may vary depending on how hard you ride the board, the road condition, and how much you just ate. If you ride conservatively, you probably can achieve the 20.5 miles (33 km) as advertised.

Effortless 28 mph Top Speed

Now, let’s talk about the motors and top speed of the Pioneer X4. The board uses 4230 700W dual belt-driven motors, which are powerful enough to take on steep hills and handle rough terrains.

The Pioneer X4 has a healthy marketed top speed of 28 mph (46 kp/h). During our top-speed test, we managed to hit exactly 28 mph (46 km/h). Nice!

For context, this is the top speed that most mid-tier electric skateboards can reach but Pioneer X4 got there without a sweat (more on that later).

Lastly, let’s talk about the wheels. The board comes with 78A soft 90mm polyurethane wheels which are pretty good and provide a smooth ride on the tarmac.

For those who plan to ride on less perfect terrain, there is an option to switch to 105mm Cloudwheels.

The Wowgo Pioneer X4 weighs in at 18 lbs (8.4kg) which is pretty standard for an electric skateboard of this size.

As you can see, the board was put together very well, as to be expected from a veteran brand.

Wowgo Pioneer X4 Ride Experience

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

When it comes to speed control, the Wowgo Pioneer X4 has a smooth and intuitive acceleration and braking system. The 12s Hobbywing ESC provides really smooth acceleration and braking on all four-speed modes. Nothing is surprising here as it is expected from the Hobbywing ESC.

The 12s ESC combined with a strong belt motor system should make the board feel powerful and torquey, yet it is all smooth sailing with the Wowgo Pioneer X4. It’s strong, and powerful, but not jerky even in turbo mode.

During our test, we can accelerate to 25 mph (40 km/h) in just a few seconds without sacrificing comfort. The speed ramped up so smoothly.

To put this into context, the Pioneer X4 felt a bit stronger than the higher-priced Exway Flex ER-Riot. Although, it is not as strong as the power-specialist Meepo Voyager.

Also, voltage sag was not an issue for the Pioneer X4. The board can still reach its top speed at 25% battery.

Compare the Exway Flex ER in this review.

Wowgo Trucks Work Just As Well As Paris Trucks

The Pioneer X4 is a great board for carving, too. The trucks are pretty responsive and have a good return to center. Carving on the board is a lot of fun.

However, we did notice that the trucks came out of the box on the tighter side. This made sharp turns a bit difficult. It’s possible that Wowgo designed the trucks for heavier riders, or maybe they just wanted to prioritize stability.

Nonetheless, after loosening up the trucks a bit, we were able to find the perfect balance between stability and ease of turning. The trucks rode just as well as Paris trucks.

In terms of road vibration and ride-smoothness, the Wowgo Pioneer X4 also performed well. The belt drive system provides a comfortable ride even on poorly paved roads. Plus, the mild flex of the deck helps ease out the road vibrations. However, we did wish that the deck had a bit more flex (it’s personal preference) but it will also make the board even more comfortable when riding on rougher roads.

We think that most riders won’t need to upgrade to Cloudwheels. The stock wheels perform pretty well, as long as you’re not going off-road.

Learn more about Meepo Voyager X here.

Wowgo Pioneer X4 VS Exway Flex ER – Riot

There is no doubt that the Wowgo Pioneer X4 is an excellent electric skateboard and the best value-for-money choice for those who are looking for a premium ride feel on a belt-driven board.

However, is it the best board in the mid-range ($400-$800) market?

Just as the Exway Flex ER looms over the Wowgo Pioneer 4, Exway Flex ER – Riot ($799) casts its long shadow over Wowgo Pioneer X4 ($699). Exway Flex ER – Riot is approximately $150 pricier than the Wowgo Pioneer X4 after factoring shipping fee, but comes with a smartphone app, a waterproof rating, and a fast charger out of the box.

Otherwise, both boards have similar specs, the same battery size, the same 12s Hobbywing ESC, similar ride profile, similar built quality, and post-sale service.

Exway Flex ER has the more flexible deck out of the two, and Wowgo Pioneer X4 has stronger power right out of the box.

Well, it is a close call, and both are really great boards that nobody ever regrets buying. All the improvements of the Exway Flex ER are nice to have, but not really enough to sway a decision one way or the other. In the end, I guess the optimal choice comes down to things like ongoing promotion, waiting time, and stock availability.

Wowgo Pioneer X4 VERDICT

Overall, Wowgo Pioneer X4 is an excellent electric skateboard and the best value-for-money choice for those who are looking for a premium ride feel on a belt-driven board. For $699, the specs are right and the built quality is great. Whether you’re going fast or riding casually, the board delivers great power while maintaining perfect smoothness and stability.

It is easy to see the Wowgo Pioneer X4 be a board that’s universally loved, by beginners and veterans alike, just like Wowgo 3X was. Good job on this one, Wowgo.

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

March 19, 2023March 22, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Wowgo Pioneer 4 Review – Can It Beat Exway Flex ER?

It’s been almost a year since we reviewed the Wowgo 2s Max, which we considered the best budget electric skateboard at $500.

Now, meet the Wowgo Pioneer 4—a new and better Wowgo with a $700 price tag. The name might be new but the Pioneer 4 hub and Pioneer X4 belt are actually successors of the wildly popular Wowgo 3 and 3x.

However, Wowgo Pioneer 4’s $699 retail price will be going head to head against the very popular Exway Flex ER. Direct comparisons are unavoidable, so that’s what we will do throughout this review.

Before we get into real-world riding experience, let’s run through the specs real quick!

Wowgo Pioneer 4 Build and Specs

Deck: Canadian maple, bamboo, and fiberglass; mild flex, wide and subtle concave
Electronic Speed Controller: 12s Hobbywing ESC
Battery: 12S2P 345Wh 8.0Ah Samsung 21700 40T
Marketed Range: 22 miles (35 km)
Motors: Hobbywing 2*680W HUB Motors(5230)
Marketed Top Speed: 28 mph (46 kp/h)
Trucks: 45° Reverse KingPin
Wheels: 78A soft 90 mm PU wheels (with 105mm Cloudwheels option)

The WowGo Pioneer 4 deck was made with a combination of Canadian Maple, bamboo, and fiberglass. It has a mild but respectable flex to it. The concave is wide but subtle with a flat profile. There’s no camber or rocker.

As always, Wowgo put on a foam grip tape to improve vibration absorption, which helps when riding on rough roads. The design on the grip tape is alright, but we really like the graphic design on the bottom of the deck. The stealthy black and gray color theme gave the board a premium look. As you can see, the board’s overall polish and build quality are also tip-top.

The Wowgo Pioneer 4 also uses a 12s Hobbywing ESC. The brand claims to be a newer 5.0 version, not that we notice any difference. Of course, it also comes with a smart power-on feature.

There are 4-speed modes, with the highest speed mode named Turbo. As usual, it uses the familiar remote that comes with telemetry.

Now, let’s look at the trucks. Wowgo Pioneer 4 uses a 45-degree reverse kingpin truck. Compared to the Wowgo 2s Max 50-degree trucks, these trucks felt more satisfying to carve and easier to turn.

As for the motors, Wowgo Pioneer 4 uses 680W dual hub motors. These should be powerful enough. For context, the very strong Meepo V4s were rocking dual 540W motors, and the Wowgo 2s Max dual motors also gave more power than anyone would need.

To check out our Meepo V4S review, click here.

On the other hand, the similarly priced Exway Flex ER does have a much higher wattage on its hub motors. On paper, the Exway Flex ER rocks dual 1000w hub motors. Then again, motor wattage is a poor judgment of a board’s actual torque and power. Fortunately, we have reviewed both of these boards and will compare them later.

This 680W motor on the Pioneer 4 does have a healthy marketed top speed of 28 mph or 46 kph, and we managed to hit 44 km/h during our top-speed test. This is the same result we got from the Exway Flex ER.

When it comes to power, Wowgo Pioneer 4 uses a 12S2P 8.0 AH battery with good Samsung 40T cells. This gave a battery pack of 345wh in size and had a marketed range of 22 miles or 35km. Exway Flex ER also has the same battery configuration and size.

Riding the Pioneer 4 aggressively in the highest speed mode, our 155 lbs or 70 kg test rider managed to get 15.5 miles or 25 km. If you ride conservatively, you probably can achieve the 22 miles or 35 km as advertised.

Now, let us look away from the electronics and move on to the wheels. Wowgo Pioneer 4’s standard wheels are 78A soft 90 mm PU wheels. These wheels perform pretty well on tarmac roads.

There are also 105mm Cloudwheels available as an added option. We will talk about how they perform later.

The board weighs 18 lbs or 8.2kg and comes with a 6-month warranty. The board was put together really well, certainly as good as the Exway Flex ER or any premium brand.

Interested to learn more about Exway Flex ER? Click here.

Wowgo Pioneer 4 Ride Experience

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

First, let’s talk about speed control. Wowgo Pioneer’s speed control is perfect, as can be expected from the 12s Hobbywing ESC.

Both the acceleration and braking of the Pioneer are buttery smooth and intuitive. The motors feel powerful, and the braking is very strong too.

Pioneer 4’s dual 680W motors perform just about as well as Exway Flex ER’s dual 1000W motors. In fact, if you did not use Exway’s mobile app to max out the power configuration, the stock Wowgo Pioneer 4 is actually the more muscular ride out of the two.

With that being said, both boards are powerful enough for even the heaviest rider.

When it comes to turning and carving, we’re pretty impressed with how Pioneer 4’s trucks perform. The board is fun to carve and responsive to control. Sharp turns are not a problem.

Right out of the box, the Flex ER is much more nimble and carves harder compared to Exway Flex ER. The Pioneer, on the other hand, is more stable and allows a relaxed ride even at top speed.

Like all hub-driven boards, Wowgo Pioneer 4 rides the best on a well-paved road. You can feel the strong road vibrations on poorly paved roads, but it’s tolerable. Unlike the Backfire Era 2, the Wowgo Pioneer 4 performs much-much better on the poorly paved tarmac. At the end of the day, having a flexible deck and using foam grip tape will help.

In case you don’t know yet, Backfire Era 2 is the most portable eskate we reviewed! Learn more here.

Install the 105mm Cloudwheels and it improves further. Just keep in mind that you will sacrifice some range and some of that ‘sticking to ground ride feel’.

To round up the riding experience, Wowgo Pioneer 4 is an all-around great board that both beginners and veterans will like. It has great torque, good range, and is a comfortable ride. It has good specs for $699. It is very well-built, and it looks nice.

The VERDICT – All-Around Board for Beginner and Veteran Eskaters

However, is it the best board in the $400-$800 range? Or perhaps, we should just cut to the chase and ask ourselves, is the Wowgo Pioneer 4 a better buy than the Exway Flex ER which has the same battery size, same 12s Hobbywing ESC, similar ride profile, and similar built quality, and post-sale service?

Well, it is a close call, but I guess it comes down to things like ongoing promotion, waiting time, and stock availability.

When factoring in the shipping fee, Exway Flex ER can be $150 pricier than the Wowgo Pioneer. With that higher price, you do get a smartphone app, a waterproof rating, and a fast charger out of the box.

If those features aren’t important to you, or you are the frugal type, go with Wowgo Pioneer 4 instead; it is a similar board for less money.

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

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!