There are so many electric skateboards out there that it is tricky to figure out which board is the best for you.
If you’re just comparing the specs, there are plenty of cheap boards that are mass-produced and in theory, have fantastic numbers in terms of range.
Here we outline what you should look for other than just specs and why Linky Innovation produces the best electric skateboard in the market.
1. Portability
There are quite a few reasons why you might want to use a lightweight or compact electric skateboard. Traditional eskates are fun to ride and can reach extreme speeds, but many of these devices weight quite a bit. They can be a pain to move around, and many urban riders might end up carrying their board pretty far during the average ride. This problem only becomes bigger if you’re forced to transport your skateboard multiple miles. Holding a forty-pound board on your lap or in your backpack for miles on the train or in the car can quickly sap the enjoyment out of riding. Lightweight electric skateboards can be the solution.
It goes without saying that the only electric skateboard that can be folded and put into a backpack is the most portable electric longboard.
Linky is 12.1lbs(5.5kg) in weight only, and can be folded into a 15.8inch(40cm) package that can be easily stored in backpacks.
2. Is it Waterproof?
Nobody can predict the weather. As it is a scientific fact that water and electronics do not mix, this point cannot be overstated: if your board isn’t waterproof, water will damage it and is incredibly unsafe.
When you’re searching for a waterproof board, look for an Ingress Protection Rating – IP65 or higher is ideally a safe waterproof reading.
With Linky you can ride without worrying about rain, it is certified IP65.
3. Comprehensive Warranty
Taking the time (which is admittedly time-consuming) to inspect and investigate the fine print of warranties pays off in spades later down the road.
A few general tips to keep in mind are:
- The longer a warranty is, the better (let’s say two brands offer the same product – one has a 6-month money back guarantee, and another has one full year; who would you go with?)
- Read customer responses on various online forums
- Find out if you’ll void the warranty by attempting to repair the board yourself
- When your board needs repairs, will the warranty cover the part replacement or will you pay out of pocket?
The answers to these questions (and any need-to-know info concerning warranties and coverages) should be on the manufacturer’s website. If it isn’t, consider an alternative board. A company that isn’t forthcoming about how it provides your needs isn’t a company that deserves your money.
You can read about our policy here.
4. Battery
The type of battery your board is packing determines the total max distance you’ll be able to ride. Just imagine this: you plan for a full hour of riding as far as you want, blissfully catching a nice tan on your back as you glide through the air. Then your board slowly fizzes to a stop. You’re miles from an electric socket. Now you’re forced to walk (or push) to the nearest electric outlet and charge the battery – which usually takes anywhere between 1-3 hours.
No fun.
That’s why it’s crucial to always get bigger batteries – these babies hold more juice. Generally, Li-ion batteries (Samsung is the most popular) are the perfect choice in an ideal world. It’s a good idea to keep this figure in mind: on average, 99wh batteries = ~6 miles.
While larger batteries and battery packs cost more upfront, they require fewer recharge cycles. Smaller battery packs, by their fundamental design, hold less juice capacity and need to be recharged more often.
Linky has a range of 18 km (12 miles) thanks to its long-life lithium battery derived from the automotive industry. It charges 85% of capacity in just 30 minutes. Remove the battery for transportation or swap it in a few minutes for a never-ending ride. A USB port allows you to use the board to charge your cell phone.
5. Modularity
What modularity means is the ability to fix parts and components yourself. If you own a bike, car, or ATV (or any other vehicle) you already know that regular maintenance is not only good for your vehicle but gives you opportunities to see any potential (and expensive) problems and fix them.
We’re taking these babies over rough terrain, at moderate-to-high speeds, and generally putting these things through hell. Sadly, electronics aren’t easy to get to – and require a certain level of knowledge to repair yourself (often by design). This is where specialists, with special tools, come in handy.
At Linky, we give you all the assistance to fix the smaller problems yourself. For example, here you can watch a video where our founder Paolo explains how to change the belt 🙂
