Especially for new riders, choosing the right electric device can be a daunting task. The electric industry has exploded in recent years. Thousands of boards, bikes, and scooters from hundreds of brands might make it seem almost possible for a newbie to come to a conclusion about which one is right for them.
Luckily, the tight-knit community surrounding e-equipment has worked to make it easier than ever for riders to discover the perfect one. Countless resources exist online, and the industry and its leading brands have become more specialized than ever. That being said, the best way to find your perfect fit is to search for those that are specialized for your needs.
What do you want out of this? Do you plan to ride for an extended amount of time, or speed through streets and carve-up hills? Are you a commuter? All of these questions and their answers will help you to determine the right longboard, bike, or scooter. Our guide will help to clarify the most important considerations as you search for the right electrized equipment for you.
Ask yourself what kind of electric you need
This is likely the most important first step for anyone looking to find the perfect electric device. As electrized technology continues to develop and the community continues to grow, they are becoming more and more specialized. companies might market their board as the ideal commuter device, for example, while other manufacturers make modifications made specifically for high-speed carving.
Still, you might want to go for one with multiple applications. Maybe you enjoy riding at high speeds, but you also want all-terrain capabilities and a solid range. That’s okay! Many companies also produce electrics that can be used for multiple purposes. We’ll cover these allrounders in this section as well.
Allrounders
For most new riders, an allrounder is an extremely safe bet. Allrounders typically don’t excel very much at any particular performance spec. Rather, these generally offer solid performance in nearly every metric. An Allrounder can come with a variety of features, especially when it comes to things like wheels and deck designs. But at their core, these provide riders with a good all-around that can be used for nearly anything.
Allrounders will usually provide a sufficient range for most activities, as well as relatively impressive top speed. You shouldn’t expect to hit incredible speeds on most allrounders, although some lean towards higher top mph numbers. Your primary goal when searching for an allrounder should be to find a device with relatively high stats in most categories, but no exceptional stand-out numbers.
All-Terrain
If you anticipate riding over a wide variety of surfaces or skating off-road, an all-terrain might be perfect for you. To start with, all-terrains, or A/Ts will usually feature large rubber wheels. Wheels that are too small might have trouble retaining traction on rough surfaces. More importantly, small wheels might make an e-device a bit shaky on the legs as they glide over rough pavement, manholes, or sidewalk cracks.
But there’s a bit more to consider in an “all-terrain” than just the wheels. To minimize the shaking created by rough surfaces, you’ll also want a relatively large, solid deck. e-devices considered “all-terrain” can vary greatly when it comes to top range, so be sure to consider this when buying your all-terrain device.
High-Ends or Boutiques
Of course, some riders want the best of the best. High-end, often known as "Boutique: are often able to provide their riders with impressive qualities and specs in nearly every category. The most popular high-end brands can easily offer a compact and streamlined structure while hitting top speeds of 25 mph or more and ranges of 20 miles or more. This is just for e-skates. Electric Bikes and Scooters easily surpass these numbers.
The main downside to high-ends will always be the price. In the electric industry, you get what you pay for. The most popular high-end brands can easily run up costs to over $1,200 for an e-device This makes it unlikely that new riders will want to look for the high-end devices to start. Additionally, we generally advise new riders to stray away from most high-ends because their high top speeds might be unfriendly to newbies. However, some of the high-end manufacturers might also sell new rider-friendly models, so some boutiques are never really out of the question.
Budget
On the other end of the spectrum, some riders might be looking to find a solid device without breaking the bank. As the electric industry expands and new companies fight for their share of the market, cheaper options will almost always be available. The main consideration here is quality. When it comes to cheaper, you really want to make sure that you’re dealing with a company with a proven track record of solid specs and performance.
Beware of Budget devices that sound too good to be true. It’s unlikely that you’ll find a quality device with crazy high-end specs for a truly low price. Still, it never hurts to keep a budget in mind. As long as you’re dealing with a reputable distributor and your budget e-device still offers the technical specs you need, buying on a budget is always possible.
Do the Research
The great thing about the growing e-skating industry is the incredibly informational community that’s constantly being established and expanded. Resources are available all over the internet to help you find reviews, guides, and information about the top electrized brands.
Social Media Platforms
The exciting e-device community has solid roots on multiple social media platforms, namely Reddit and YouTube. The electric skateboarding subreddit, for example, has over 33,000 active members. The subreddit provides a place for e-skaters to gather, discuss their builds, and clarify any questions they may have. Veteran e-skateboarders are always willing to lend a hand to newbies, making Reddit an excellent resource as you look for a new board.
YouTube is likely your best bet when it comes to specialized, individual reviews of specific products This is an important part of your research, and content providers all over YouTube make their livings off of reviews of electric skateboards. Like we mentioned with blogs, be sure to check the potential endorsements and biases of your YouTubers before taking their perspectives to heart.
Hit the Road!
Many devices come with extended warranties in the case of customer dissatisfaction, so be sure to extensively test the one you choose with your own eyes. After all, the road is the ultimate decider of whether or not it's worth the money.