I have over 200 miles on my Dual+, and I have to say it is still so much fun to ride. As far as quality and design goes, they really do great work. I took the controller apart once to see how it worked. You can see they really put a lot of thought and durability into the feel and use. Also, when the belt loosened up a little on me I assumed I would need to take it apart and retighten everything. Nope, you just loosen one allen screw, and a spring pushes the belt to the proper tightness, and then you re-tighten the screw, so easy and well engineered throughout. My only gripe was that you could only go 5 miles (in the fastest mode) riding the way I do. But I see they've addressed that.
I just pre-ordered the new one and I can't wait to ride longer distances.
Can you or someone else on here offer your thoughts on the safety of these?
I used to be a big longboarder, and after shattering my collarbone coming off a hill, I had to sell it. (My second big accident on it.)
Obviously, not much can be done about the physics of a big-headed, top heavy primate toppling, but do these boards have a way of governing their speed going down hills?
If so, I'm looking forward to buying one. I miss skateboarding.
I've done about 700miles on mine in a year. Amazing to drive, only had two spills. No real damage.
One thing I do suggest to everyone is to get a proper full-face helmet. The longboarding kind, not motorbike (lighter). It makes the ride less windy and cars take you more seriously in traffic.
Plus, at 22mph you can do some serious damage to your moneymaker. A $200 helmet will stop that. Totally worth looking like a bit nerdier.
Can't wait to get the new version of the board. With daily riding, it amortized against Uber in 3 months.
Since you seem to ride one of these a lot, I'm curious if you ever used a long board before. How you would feel if you had to use a long board instead of a boosted board for a day?
It seems insane to me to charge a skateboard, but since I've moved to a very hilly area it does make sense, just maybe not at 1500 bucks for me.
I'm happy to see Boosted continuing to develop their product.
Yesterday morning, I came off the Caltrain (walking my bike), and there was a guy with a classic short board with flat gray tape.
As I heard that telltale clack-and-roll and watched the guy kick down the sidewalk, I overheard two guys joking that it was really strange to see a guy with an "old-school non-motorized" skateboard coming off the train.
I own a first gen. The only negative is the disdain people show you while riding. I get shit from skaters and random people. The high price tag was manageable for me but it causes people to put you in that "rich techie" bucket and talk shit. Though maybe I'm just too self-conscious.
It's super fun to ride though. I was comfortable on a normal longboard before getting one. I'd say it's worth learning the ropes on a regular longboard first so you can get comfortable with braking without the engine in case things go south.
I find this sentiment incredibly odd. It's my commute, and it's super fun. Why would I possibly care if some skater kid thinks it's "cheating" and what would that even mean? It's such an inane point of view, I feel pretty comfortable ignoring it completely.
This is the only reason I haven't bought one - I see people in SF riding them all the time and they look like so much fun, but I get enough techie hate as it is :\
Sometimes I like to blow people's minds by gently pedaling once before engaging the motors. Bystanders are visibly baffled by how one kick could produce so much momentum.
This is only an issue if the battery is already fully charged. I live on a very steep incline ~18%, I know if I charge my battery 100% that I can't ride it downhill for the first leg of my trip, I simply unplug it a few minutes early to leave room for the extra charge that comes from riding it downhill first. Really not a big deal at all.
Does anyone here have any experience with one of these in a hilly city? Does it work, or is the utility so compromised that it's no longer worth it? I wouldn't mind one but I'm in Seattle and afraid that our inclines would severely crimp it.
I've clocked over 400 miles on my Dual+, most of that has been in the hills of SF. I go up a 20% grade at ~15MPH just fine. Best part is, you gain a lot of that charge back on the way back down :)
Are there advantages to sticking with such small wheels on a powered board like this? I'd think that something like this [1] but with a motor would be way more usable on real-world streets.
In general though, I really do think that these kinds of "personal transportation" devices are the way of the future. I ride my self-balancing electric unicycle [2] from the light-rail to the office any time it's nice out and I'm not hauling anything in. It's the best way to get around in the city as far as I'm concerned.
I feel like it's a better solution because of the big, pneumatic tire. I can ride it up a bump of about an inch without even thinking. I feel like it'd be quite a challenge to ride something with wheels that small on the roads/sidewalks/trails around here (Minnesota).
Edit: I will say, the one thing I'm really jealous at with the boosted board is that it's half the weight of my wheel and apparently has the same range. Carrying this thing around for extended periods of time can get tiring.
The primary reason you don't use those large wheels is the same reason that the boosted board has the same range as your monowheel at half the weight: large wheels (especially air-filled ones) with tread have incredibly high rolling resistance, which has to be constantly overcome by the battery.
I'm really interested in trying this, but have little skateboarding experience. Is there a steep learning curve to riding one of these in a dense city?
I tried a non-powered longboard as a more-compact supplement to a bicycle for city transport. The handling isn't hard to pick up, but riding with traffic is more challenging, especially without a brake. I ended up just sticking with my bike.
These boards appear to have engine braking, but they also note that it's subject to fail on a steep hill or when the battery runs out:
http://boostedboards.com/faq/
So— it'd probably be useful for a flattish, quietish commute of up to a few miles where storing a bicycle would be difficult. The learning curve also probably depends on your skills with reading traffic, e.g. if you've biked or motorcycled lately. (Driving helps too but won't necessarily give you an appropriate fear of big busy streets)
I had never skateboarded before getting a boosted board. It took me a week of commuting (20 minutes each way) to get somewhat comfortable at the top speed. There are three speed caps, slow medium fast, so you sort of level up after each ride or two. I don't think riding on a street is a good idea (seems super dangerous if there are any cars around), and my commute follows a separated-from-the-road bike path.
I've commuted a little over a thousand miles on mine. When I first got it I was worried that I might not be able to use it, but you get comfortable on it pretty quickly and it's pretty easy.
I haven't rode an electric, but thought a longboard would be good to cut down the 15 minute walk from the office to the subway in nyc, thinking the ability to carry it on the train would be great.
I bought a nice ~$200 made in brooklyn longboard and started to use it.
It did cut down the commute time, and I liked riding it, but then I hit a pebble or something and was thrown forward, the board sliding across a busy street.
I am laying there, with a yellow cab having to swerve to not hit me, people honking, its amazing I didn't break anything, and me or my board didn't get run over.
Longboard wheels are just too small, too easily stopped. I gave up on it and just walked, not worth broken bones or a broken skull, and having to carry a helmet negates some of the benefit anyhow.
I would ride one if it had larger pneumatic tires and a foldable handlebar that would let you take a bump and stay on the board.
Boosted rider with over 500 miles so far here. 0 boarding experience prior to purchasing my Boosted Board. The learning curve will be steep if you have no experience commuting on something like a bicycle.
A lot of the challenge is in learning the roads and behavior of the drivers. I biked for ~ 3 years prior to getting my boosted board which contributed a lot towards knowing some of the "safer" routes.
That being said, your legs and calves will hurt like hell until you start to adjust to riding every single day. I go the gym 5x a week and still get achy calves from riding long distances.
I've only taken a single spill thanks to losing and regaining bluetooth connectivity going full throttle through a turn (mostly my own fault).
I can't recommend Boosted Boards enough. Extremely reliable piece of tech.
Haven't tried the Boosted Board (yet) but I've started riding a Penny board when I was 26, and all my life I was horrible at skateboarding or snowboarding (I was always an inline skater). The carving potential definitely helps and it takes getting used to, but nowadays I can use it to ride at an airport or in the city - give it a try :)
The critical skill you learn as a skateboarder isn't so much how to stay on the board, but how to wipe out without hurting yourself when you inevitably get spit off.
Looks cool. Very much dig the approach to having modular components. Gotta say seeing this kind of evolution is exciting for my own pursuits as well (personal mobility with power assist).
But one thing sticks out to me: The 80mm wheels - polyurethane? No mention of different wheel/tire combinations for different terrain though? Like, I get there may be dynamics and clearance issues with feet, and some rolling resistance / unsprung weight / geometry to consider, but I don't like the idea of the wheels.
Are there any thoughts regarding making a strong rim and high quality rubber / treaded tire (inflated?) that would reflect influence from automotive technology[1], versus the holdover from the skate/longboard world?
[1] For reference, I see Ford is about to "mass produce" carbon fibre composite wheel rims (still very limited) and I've followed tire tech through various racing outlets, and would probably contact Michelin as my first choice.
I'm glad to see "The Bluetooth radio that connects the board to the remote is upgraded for improved signal strength and security." I read an article a while back about hacking into a few brands of electric skateboards: https://www.wired.com/2015/08/hackers-can-seize-control-of-e...
Also, be sure to wear a helmet. Unlike riding a bicycle, various seemingly small obstacles can cause a longboard to come to an immediate stop, sending you flying. I'd love to see a board that address this problem somehow, as that's a big safety concern for me.
I was just about to order a inboard due to the international shipping limitations on the first gen boosted. It seems to still have the classic belt based design instead of wheel based on on the inboard.
Is anyone here with more insights which board might actually be better?
Ive been waiting 13 months for my marbel board (http://ridemarbel.com). They're ignoring all attempts to get refunds too. Time to try and get a chargeback and get one of these.
Same here, still chasing them for a refund but not holding my breath. My feeling is that they have a great product but can't get their production groove going, hitting delays, defects and requests for refunds. Wouldn't surprise me if they went out of business soon. The irony is that I chose Marbel over Boosted for the better range over a year ago!
>International customers will be responsible for shipping fees
and additional local duties or taxes.
Would've been great to see at least a cost estimate. It's hard to tell how large the packaging is and how much the weight is.
And dropping $1000+ > just to get slapped with some unknown shipping fee is a bit strange.
Edit: Nevermind, just checked the laws. Because the board is faster than 6km/h, you would need lights, bell, reflectors, insurance, a license plate and a drivers license in Germany. Yikes. Let's hope that gets changed.
Competition really heating up in this space. The other leading electric skateboard company from Australia just announced their second generation too and it has a whopping 31 mile range.
Congrats to the founders, Boosted is truly a great product. I've been using a (less expensive) electric skateboard, but I think I'm going to sell it and grab one of the 2nd Gen Boosteds for commuting around Boston.
I was hoping that there would be a more compact version for improved portability. @skdoo -- any chance we'll see something like this in the future?
[+] [-] eyeareque|10 years ago|reply
I just pre-ordered the new one and I can't wait to ride longer distances.
[+] [-] JPKab|10 years ago|reply
I used to be a big longboarder, and after shattering my collarbone coming off a hill, I had to sell it. (My second big accident on it.)
Obviously, not much can be done about the physics of a big-headed, top heavy primate toppling, but do these boards have a way of governing their speed going down hills?
If so, I'm looking forward to buying one. I miss skateboarding.
[+] [-] Swizec|10 years ago|reply
One thing I do suggest to everyone is to get a proper full-face helmet. The longboarding kind, not motorbike (lighter). It makes the ride less windy and cars take you more seriously in traffic.
Plus, at 22mph you can do some serious damage to your moneymaker. A $200 helmet will stop that. Totally worth looking like a bit nerdier.
Can't wait to get the new version of the board. With daily riding, it amortized against Uber in 3 months.
[+] [-] codemac|10 years ago|reply
It seems insane to me to charge a skateboard, but since I've moved to a very hilly area it does make sense, just maybe not at 1500 bucks for me.
[+] [-] samstave|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] samcheng|10 years ago|reply
Yesterday morning, I came off the Caltrain (walking my bike), and there was a guy with a classic short board with flat gray tape.
As I heard that telltale clack-and-roll and watched the guy kick down the sidewalk, I overheard two guys joking that it was really strange to see a guy with an "old-school non-motorized" skateboard coming off the train.
Congratulations, Boosted, you've reached male-SF-techie hegemony!
[+] [-] jonathankoren|10 years ago|reply
I never can get over the price for a Boosted board. $1500. Wow.
[+] [-] ASinclair|10 years ago|reply
It's super fun to ride though. I was comfortable on a normal longboard before getting one. I'd say it's worth learning the ropes on a regular longboard first so you can get comfortable with braking without the engine in case things go south.
[+] [-] etrautmann|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tommoor|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] arkadiyt|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] primitivesuave|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dabernathy89|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] orblivion|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rvanniekerk|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] karlcoelho1|10 years ago|reply
Anyway, wouldn't it make more sense to walk a bit when you are on a downhill, less tiresome than going uphill.
[+] [-] Analemma_|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] JeffreyKaine|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jinxedID|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] beamatronic|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] trevorcreech|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] azdle|10 years ago|reply
In general though, I really do think that these kinds of "personal transportation" devices are the way of the future. I ride my self-balancing electric unicycle [2] from the light-rail to the office any time it's nice out and I'm not hauling anything in. It's the best way to get around in the city as far as I'm concerned.
I feel like it's a better solution because of the big, pneumatic tire. I can ride it up a bump of about an inch without even thinking. I feel like it'd be quite a challenge to ride something with wheels that small on the roads/sidewalks/trails around here (Minnesota).
[1] http://imgur.com/jm5NoCJ.jpg
[2] http://i.imgur.com/lHoVGQ3.jpg
Edit: I will say, the one thing I'm really jealous at with the boosted board is that it's half the weight of my wheel and apparently has the same range. Carrying this thing around for extended periods of time can get tiring.
[+] [-] phasmantistes|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] whamlastxmas|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] hebleb|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] akgerber|10 years ago|reply
These boards appear to have engine braking, but they also note that it's subject to fail on a steep hill or when the battery runs out: http://boostedboards.com/faq/
So— it'd probably be useful for a flattish, quietish commute of up to a few miles where storing a bicycle would be difficult. The learning curve also probably depends on your skills with reading traffic, e.g. if you've biked or motorcycled lately. (Driving helps too but won't necessarily give you an appropriate fear of big busy streets)
[+] [-] pkrein|10 years ago|reply
Riding is super fun :)
[+] [-] gonehome|10 years ago|reply
Watch out for manhole covers.
[+] [-] willholloway|10 years ago|reply
I bought a nice ~$200 made in brooklyn longboard and started to use it.
It did cut down the commute time, and I liked riding it, but then I hit a pebble or something and was thrown forward, the board sliding across a busy street.
I am laying there, with a yellow cab having to swerve to not hit me, people honking, its amazing I didn't break anything, and me or my board didn't get run over.
Longboard wheels are just too small, too easily stopped. I gave up on it and just walked, not worth broken bones or a broken skull, and having to carry a helmet negates some of the benefit anyhow.
I would ride one if it had larger pneumatic tires and a foldable handlebar that would let you take a bump and stay on the board.
[+] [-] rvanniekerk|10 years ago|reply
A lot of the challenge is in learning the roads and behavior of the drivers. I biked for ~ 3 years prior to getting my boosted board which contributed a lot towards knowing some of the "safer" routes.
That being said, your legs and calves will hurt like hell until you start to adjust to riding every single day. I go the gym 5x a week and still get achy calves from riding long distances.
I've only taken a single spill thanks to losing and regaining bluetooth connectivity going full throttle through a turn (mostly my own fault).
I can't recommend Boosted Boards enough. Extremely reliable piece of tech.
[+] [-] freshfey|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] blisterpeanuts|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Fricken|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jonnycowboy|10 years ago|reply
Looks like a great redesign - the waterproofing alone makes it worth it.
Good job to the team!
[+] [-] 6stringmerc|10 years ago|reply
But one thing sticks out to me: The 80mm wheels - polyurethane? No mention of different wheel/tire combinations for different terrain though? Like, I get there may be dynamics and clearance issues with feet, and some rolling resistance / unsprung weight / geometry to consider, but I don't like the idea of the wheels.
Are there any thoughts regarding making a strong rim and high quality rubber / treaded tire (inflated?) that would reflect influence from automotive technology[1], versus the holdover from the skate/longboard world?
[1] For reference, I see Ford is about to "mass produce" carbon fibre composite wheel rims (still very limited) and I've followed tire tech through various racing outlets, and would probably contact Michelin as my first choice.
[+] [-] beamatronic|10 years ago|reply
Most of these are asking $1000+
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=boosted+board&s...
[+] [-] muraiki|10 years ago|reply
Also, be sure to wear a helmet. Unlike riding a bicycle, various seemingly small obstacles can cause a longboard to come to an immediate stop, sending you flying. I'd love to see a board that address this problem somehow, as that's a big safety concern for me.
[+] [-] dvcrn|10 years ago|reply
Is anyone here with more insights which board might actually be better?
[+] [-] blisterpeanuts|10 years ago|reply
I'm holding out for one of these babies:
https://youtu.be/kwXWTsQh3F8
[+] [-] dayglo|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] heimatau|10 years ago|reply
[1] https://twitter.com/RideMarbel/status/693081497264373760
[2] https://www.facebook.com/ridemarbel/videos/vb.75887281080344...
[+] [-] desmat|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] antfarm|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] goatforce5|10 years ago|reply
But no harm in asking your card issuer to see if they can help.
[+] [-] thesimon|10 years ago|reply
Would've been great to see at least a cost estimate. It's hard to tell how large the packaging is and how much the weight is.
And dropping $1000+ > just to get slapped with some unknown shipping fee is a bit strange.
Edit: Nevermind, just checked the laws. Because the board is faster than 6km/h, you would need lights, bell, reflectors, insurance, a license plate and a drivers license in Germany. Yikes. Let's hope that gets changed.
[+] [-] westwooded|10 years ago|reply
Evolve Carbon GT:
http://www.gizmag.com/carbon-gt-electric-skateboard-review/4...
[+] [-] heimatau|10 years ago|reply
I'm looking for a rubber tire long board, looks like they have a decent model. Woot! :)
[+] [-] syngrog66|10 years ago|reply
[+] [-] hanklazard|10 years ago|reply
I was hoping that there would be a more compact version for improved portability. @skdoo -- any chance we'll see something like this in the future?
[+] [-] niallmcginley|10 years ago|reply