Many electric skateboard enthusiasts confine their rides to the familiar streets of the urban landscape, unaware of the exhilarating experiences that await beyond the confines of the concrete jungle. However, for those seeking adventure, the world of off-road electric skateboarding opens up a realm of possibilities that extend far beyond paved roads and city streets.
Picture yourself carving up dirt roads, effortlessly rolling over roots and rocks as if they were mere pebbles, or leisurely exploring winding trails around a serene lake. These are just a few of the underrated activities that become accessible when you venture off-road with your electric skateboard. But, before you embark on such adventures, it’s essential to ensure that you have the right setup.
Transitioning from urban to off-road riding requires more than just a change in scenery. In fact, achieving an optimal off-road electric skateboarding experience necessitates specific components and adjustments to your riding style. Whether you’re investing in a dedicated all-terrain e-board or seeking to customize your current electric skateboard, this article aims to provide insights into what it takes to conquer the trails. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge needed to prepare yourself for the thrilling journey ahead.
Buy VS Modification VS DIY
When it comes to venturing off-road with an electric skateboard, you have several options to consider:
1. Buy a Dedicated All-Terrain Electric Skateboard
Opting for a dedicated all-terrain electric skateboard ensures you have a purpose-built machine equipped with the necessary features to tackle rugged terrain. These boards typically come with optimal protection, specialized wheels, and powerful motors capable of conquering even the toughest hills. While they offer the best performance for off-roading, they often come with a higher price tag compared to standard e-boards.
2. Convert Your Current Board
Many existing electric skateboards can be transformed into capable off-road machines with the addition of a few extra parts. While these converted boards may not match the performance of dedicated all-terrain models, they can still handle off-road trails adequately. Converting your current board is a cost-effective way to explore off-roading without investing in an entirely new skateboard.
3. Make Your Own
For enthusiasts seeking a customized all-terrain electric skateboard without the hefty price tag, building one from scratch is an option. However, this DIY approach requires considerable expertise and access to the right components. Building your own board allows for complete customization, but it demands time, skill, and resources to assemble the skateboard to your specifications.
What is different from All-terrain electric skateboard and mountainboards ?
When discussing off-road electric transportation options, it’s essential to differentiate between all-terrain electric skateboards and electric mountainboards, as they serve distinct purposes.
All-Terrain Electric Skateboards
These boards closely resemble traditional electric skateboards but are optimized for off-road use. They typically feature a longer deck for stability, a larger battery for extended range, one or two motors for propulsion, and specialized all-terrain wheels. While they can handle rough terrain, they are designed with a similar form factor to standard electric skateboards, offering a familiar riding experience.
M24 Pro electric mountainboard
Electric Mountainboards
In contrast, electric mountainboards are specifically built to conquer challenging terrain and rough conditions. These boards feature oversized wheels, full suspension systems, and often incorporate foot bindings for added control. Their design is more akin to snowboards equipped with wheels, providing riders with enhanced stability and maneuverability on rugged trails.
While both options cater to off-road enthusiasts, it’s important to recognize the differences in their design and intended use. This article primarily focuses on all-terrain electric skateboards and does not delve into the specifics of electric mountainboards.
All-terrain wheels
Having the right set of all-terrain wheels is crucial for transforming your electric skateboard into an off-road machine. Unlike traditional skateboard or longboard wheels, all-terrain wheels are pneumatic, meaning they are filled with air and constructed from rubber rather than Polyurethane material. This design makes them highly adept at navigating varied terrain and traversing over small debris commonly found on trails.
A quality set of all-terrain wheels boasts substantial tread, providing enhanced grip on uneven surfaces. The presence of tread allows the wheels to maintain traction, particularly on rugged terrain. However, it’s essential to strike a balance, as excessively grippy wheels may sacrifice speed due to increased drag. Opting for larger wheels can help offset this trade-off, enabling higher speeds while maintaining traction.
Pneumatic wheels
Another advantage of pneumatic wheels is their adjustable internal pressure. By adding or reducing air, riders can customize the firmness of the tires to suit different terrains. Firm tires are optimal for smoother surfaces, offering enhanced speed, while slightly deflated tires excel on rougher tracks, providing improved shock absorption and stability.
Many riders, including commuters, prefer utilizing all-terrain wheels in urban environments due to their added stability and balance. These wheels mitigate the impact of common urban obstacles such as cracks, curbs, and debris, enhancing overall ride quality. However, riders should exercise caution around sharp objects, as pneumatic wheels remain susceptible to punctures and ruptures unlike solid Polyurethane wheels.
Sturdiness and flexibility
Ensuring that your electric skateboard is equipped to handle the rigors of off-roading is paramount for a safe and enjoyable experience on the trail.
A key consideration is the deck of your board, which should strike a balance between sturdiness and flexibility. Opt for a deck that is robust enough to withstand the bumps and vibrations of off-road terrain while also possessing enough flexibility to absorb shocks without snapping. Additionally, a longer and wider deck provides greater stability, enhancing your control and balance on uneven surfaces.
Protecting the battery is equally essential. A durable hardshell covering is crucial to safeguard the battery from impacts and collisions while traversing rugged terrain. Without adequate protection, the battery is vulnerable to damage, which could compromise its functionality or pose a fire hazard. Boards like the Ecomobl Telum BA models, crafted from resilient carbon fiber, feature sturdy battery casings that provide reliable protection. Furthermore, the strategic placement of the battery at the front of the board ensures optimal safety and accessibility during rides.
Telum BA AWD off road eboard
Torque Motor
When it comes to off-roading with your electric skateboard, the drive system plays a crucial role in navigating challenging terrain. While delving into the technical intricacies of motors, drive trains, and belts may be necessary for DIY enthusiasts, everyday riders can focus on a few key considerations.
For starters, prioritize a powerful motor for your all-terrain adventures. A robust motor provides the necessary force to tackle hills and uneven surfaces with ease. Instead of fixating solely on top speed, pay attention to torque—the force generated by the motor per rotation. Torque is particularly vital for ascending hills reliably, even if it means sacrificing speed.
Although torque specifications may not always be readily available, don’t hesitate to inquire about this crucial metric directly from the manufacturer. Premium electric skateboards typically feature motors with commendable torque, with options ranging from single to dual motor drive systems. While a single motor setup can suffice for moderate off-roading, opting for dual motors enhances performance and stability, especially on rugged terrain.
Keep in mind that powerful motors consume more energy, necessitating equally robust batteries to sustain extended rides. Before embarking on your off-road excursions, verify that your electric skateboard’s battery capacity aligns with your desired range, typically around 10-12 miles, to ensure uninterrupted adventures without frequent recharging.
Ecomobl new boards use hall sensor motor
Trucks, Bearings, and Suspension
When venturing into off-road terrain with your electric skateboard, it’s essential to consider the size of your trucks, bearings, and the presence of suspension systems to optimize performance and ensure a smooth ride.
The size of your trucks plays a crucial role in determining the compatibility of your electric skateboard with off-road wheels. Larger wheels, such as 8” pneumatic variants, typically require larger bearings, which, in turn, necessitate larger trucks. It’s important to note that not all electric skateboards can accommodate oversized off-road wheels due to limitations in truck size.
Some trucks feature integrated suspension systems, offering enhanced shock absorption and ride smoothness. These suspension-equipped trucks elevate your board from the ground and effectively absorb shocks, minimizing bumps and vibrations for a more comfortable experience. While suspension systems are not commonplace in electric skateboards, you can either opt for models equipped with built-in suspension or customize your board with aftermarket suspension kits.
For optimal performance, consider adjusting your trucks’ bushings based on the terrain you’ll be riding on. Standard bushings may feel rigid, especially on twisty off-road tracks, where flexibility and maneuverability are key. Loosening the bushings can improve responsiveness and agility, facilitating sharper turns and navigating bends with ease. By adapting your trucks’ setup to the specific terrain conditions, you can enhance your off-road riding experience and tackle diverse landscapes with confidence.
Off road place
There are certain kinds of terrain that are more fun than others when it comes to off-roading.
Loose sand, mud, and other soft surfaces that shift easily are terrible to ride on. Even the most powerful all-terrain electric skateboards can struggle with these conditions. Spin-outs, tail whips, and dug-outs are all possibilities.
Firm surfaces, like dirt trails, grass, gravel roads, and even compact sand are much more enjoyable. Although they are not completely flat, they offer enough traction to ensure that (most of the time) your ride goes smoothly.
Skill
When tackling off-road terrain with your electric skateboard, maintaining proper posture and weight distribution is key to navigating challenging obstacles and maintaining control over your board.
Lowering your center of gravity by squatting closer to the ground is essential for stability and balance, especially on varied terrain. This posture adjustment allows you to better adapt to the changing landscape and ensures that you can respond effectively to unexpected bumps and obstacles.
Bending your knees when encountering large bumps or obstacles helps absorb the impact and reduces strain on your body. This technique allows you to smoothly navigate rough terrain while minimizing discomfort and fatigue.
Ecomobl Telum off road skateboard with flexible deck
When riding uphill, it’s important to avoid leaning too far forward, as this can cause the board to lose traction and spin out. Instead, maintain a balanced posture and shift your weight slightly backward to distribute it evenly across the board. This ensures optimal traction between the wheels and the ground, allowing you to ascend steep inclines with confidence.
If your electric skateboard features front-wheel drive, such as the Ecomobl Telum, you may not need to adjust your weight distribution as significantly when climbing hills. Front-wheel drive boards typically provide better traction and stability on inclines, allowing you to maintain control with less emphasis on shifting your weight.
What is your all-terrain setup like?Let us know in the comment section below!