Add a handle, a steering device, a seat, and make it wider, and I would definitely buy one.
Are you looking for a moped maybe?
Boosted Boards (YC S12) Unveils Its Magical Electric Skateboard
61–70 of 172 posts
Re: Boosted Boards (YC S12) Unveils Its Magical Electric Skateboard
#62Why is there an obsession with calling things "magical"? Technology is the opposite of magic. The word "magical" both creates unrealistic expectations and handwaves over all of the incredible technology inside.
I've ridden the board.. calling it magical is not a stretch.
The industry should use words like "brilliant" instead of "magical" to emphasize the skill and dedication required to create amazing products, instead of tacitly implying that they are outputs of inscrutable black-box processes. Kids who ride this skateboard realize that someday, they could engineer something even better than it.
Re: Boosted Boards (YC S12) Unveils Its Magical Electric Skateboard
#63How is this different from: http://www.alteredelectricskateboards.com/pro-line_600.htm Except that it has twice the price and half the range? Ok, seems like it's significantly ligther (12 vs 40 lbs). Any other differences? Stronger motors, but still same speed .. strange
That's ugly. It doesn't even look like a skateboard. I think the reason Boosted Boards looks so awesome is the fact it actually looks like a longboard... with a motor !
It's not even just that it looks like longboard, it is an actual longboard that's been modified. It's a Loaded Vanguard from what I can tell which is a really nice board. The existing electric boards tend to be made specifically for the electric board and the result is a not very good skateboard/longboard.
Also, the difference in weight is huge. 40 lbs is something that I need two hands to pick up and is a pain to carry. Bringing the weight down to just +4 lbs over the original longboard means this is something I can actually carry under my arm.
Re: Boosted Boards (YC S12) Unveils Its Magical Electric Skateboard
#64the Freebord was also a Stanford engineering project which went to production
Re: Boosted Boards (YC S12) Unveils Its Magical Electric Skateboard
#65No motorized skateboards in CA :( http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21968.htm However, I wonder how strongly this is enforced...
If the company is successful to the point that this law starts being enforced, they can get a well-connected investor who can help lobby to get the law changed.
Re: Boosted Boards (YC S12) Unveils Its Magical Electric Skateboard
#66Cool, when can I get one equipped with smartwheels?
Re: Boosted Boards (YC S12) Unveils Its Magical Electric Skateboard
#67Earlier quoted context omitted.
Trek's Ride+ uses regenerative breaking. http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/electric_assist/f... TBH, it's not that big of a deal (over-hyped). P.S. I only mean regenerative breaking isn't that big of a deal. This product actually looks pretty cool to me.
I wonder how the Trek Ride+ does on hills?
It's pretty great. There are 4 assist settings from barely helping (1), up to make you feel like superman (4).
On the 3rd-4th setting hills are a breeze, on the 2nd setting you still work a bit, and on the 1st setting it really just makes up for it's weight imo (motor + battery = heavy).
You can also go into resistance / negative settings (-1 to -4) is you're a masochist (or in amazing shape).
Re: Boosted Boards (YC S12) Unveils Its Magical Electric Skateboard
#68This is way cool, but the company has a few challenges to face to be "serious, eco-friendly transportation devices that could replace your bike, scooter, or maybe even your car." I live and work in manhattan and for the summer I've been skating to and from work nearly every day (40ish blocks). According to my research, skateboards are considered "play" devices. Whereas bikes and all motorized vehicles are required to…
I don't see skateboards ever becoming a mainstream way to commute, no matter what kind of educational campaign. I used to ride a skateboard for years but I'd most likely just hurt myself if I tried to get on a skateboard today. My 5 block commute is filled with some many cracks and curbs that it would be a total aerobic workout to get there on skateboard and I'd be sweating like a pig. Most likely I'd bail a couple of times along the way and show up to work with scuffed up elbows and knees!
I applaud anybody who ride their board to work, but it's definitely not for most people. I think these boards are cool & will surely appeal to the skater & recreational crowd. The motors look like really promising tech as well so I think overall this is just a cool idea.
Re: Boosted Boards (YC S12) Unveils Its Magical Electric Skateboard
#69Earlier quoted context omitted.
Brushless motors. You could put them on a bike but then you'd break the laws governing electric bicycles (500w or 1000w limits depending on the jurisdiction).
Couldn't you get around that by calling it a moped rather than a bicycle?
Of course, but then you'd be subject to restrictions on where you can use a moped. Depending on where you are, this would likely rule out bike lanes, sidewalks, etc. and thus make the bike less useful. Enforcement is highly variable, though, so this may or may not matter.
Re: Boosted Boards (YC S12) Unveils Its Magical Electric Skateboard
#70Earlier quoted context omitted.
Brushless motors. You could put them on a bike but then you'd break the laws governing electric bicycles (500w or 1000w limits depending on the jurisdiction).
Couldn't you get around that by calling it a moped rather than a bicycle?
The problem there is that mopeds / scooters are often regulated. For example, in Toronto you need a license and insurance for scooters which drastically increases your costs compared to a bicycle or skateboard (motor or not).
I expect some cities are mulling over the regulations on e-bikes since many of them (but not all) are basically scooters but with an electric motor and useless pedals.