Red Rock Motor > Evolve Motor

Yesterday I went for my first night time skate session with the Red Rock guys.

I should start by saying that these guys are all more experienced skaters than me. But I said in a previous post that I thought the Evolve board had a stronger motor. Despite trying my best, they all left me eating dust. Up hill, down hill, they were faster. Was it due to my inexperience? Or can Red Rock simply provide more power for less money? Seems Red Rock has the power.

After coming home, I had a sad experience. A group of Mexicans who live next to me were all coming home on their bicycles. They wore lights, and had just pulled into the apartment on their bikes while I parked my car. After a long ride, they lingered outside, doing the usual thing. Locking their bikes. Taking off their helmets. Talking about the ride. I have no idea where they came from, but probably it was work.

Then they all saw me, coming home. Driving. Only to open the trunk and take out my electric skateboard, and backpack with El Wire. It was somewhat humbling. They ride bicycles out of necessity. I burn gas just ride my longboard for fun.

Such is the American way. Hey, at least I commute on my board.

By the way

Yesterday, as I was riding home on my board, I had the moment I’ve been waiting for.

Ever since a pedestrian decided to take a step to his left for no reason, knocking me off my board, I’ve been vocal about my intention to pass. I see a horn in my future. But until then, I’ve been shouting “Excuse me!” like it’s nobody’s business.

I came across a couple running side by side. I shouted “Excuse me!” The man jogged over to the side.

“By the way, you can use the bike line.” said the woman.

“I *can’t*. A cop pulled me over and gave me a ticket for using the bike lane. By the way.” I shouted back to them.

It was a great moment for me, as I felt the tension. I knew the moment would happen, and last night was when it finally came.

But wait, there’s more.

Today, riding to work on the sidewalk, I saw the same cop who pulled me over, in the same place. Only this time, I was riding on the sidewalk.

Goodbye Emad

Goodbye, Emad.

When Emad finally returned my skateboard to me, I knew I’d had enough. My complaint? That the board only goes three miles, while the box advertises seven to ten. They told me the 225 weight limit on the box was what the board could withstand without breaking. But that to get seven to ten miles, I’d have to weigh more like 125-150. Those numbers appear nowhere on the website or the box. They had one of their guys test my board, by riding it on a five mile track. Not twice around for ten miles. Once around, for five miles, and told me the board was working.

I disputed the charge on my credit card. I’d kept records of the board and of my returning it three times. The credit card company gave me full credit for the board. $425. Then the scooter shop I bought the board from, asked me to return the board to them. Which I did.

Normally this would be the end of the story. But mine has a bit of a twist. When my mother heard that I returned the board, she was sad. She wanted the board. It rides like a tank, and that made it the only skateboard in the world she could stand on with confidence. The only board she could ride.  She called the scooter shop and bought the board ‘as is’ for $200.

I bought a board for $425. Returned it for $425. Then my mom bought the same board for $200. I picked up the same board the next day. What a crazy world we live in. This only goes to show, that while Emad boards are cheap and made in China, and lie on the packaging, they do serve a purpose. They are great beginner boards. Great boards for our elders.

Kickr

So I’ve found some of the other electric skateboarders in my city. Namely, the man behind Red Rock Board Shop, and his friends. Together this weekend, the five of us all went on a cruise around town. It was awesome.

Zipping around as a group, we finally got to yield the power that most longboarders only dream of. Light changes before you can quite make it? No problem for our critical mass. The cars had to wait for us! We even found a large parking garage, with perfect surface, no speed bumps, and completely empty! How the gods of the boards shine upon us!

If you want to see some of it, check out my Instagram. I took some of my most liked vids ever, due to the Weekend Hashtag Project being #whpwhatmovesme

While we were there, I learned about a new Kickstarter. It’s called Kickr.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/424686603/kickr-electrify-every-longboard?ref=live

It’s kind of like the Rubbee, but for skateboards. It’s a very simple motor that doesn’t use a drive chain. It attaches directly to the skateboard wheel. It attaches and comes off very quickly and easily. For an elegant devices that can turn any board into an electric board.

One of the biggest differences is that it doesn’t use a remote controler. Instead, it has a pressure pad to step on in order to throttle.

But the only downside is that there aren’t any brakes. This makes me sad. Brakes are perhaps my favorite part of electric skateboards. They are a major selling point, because they make boards *safer*. They gives me confidence going downhill. They allow me to charge the battery (a little).

Kickr is basically a board with more power, but no brakes.

So for an experienced longboarder, the Kickr is the best thing since slide gloves. But for someone who only ever rode on electrics with brakes like myself, it’s really a deal breaker. I trust that in the future, however, they’ll add the brakes in, and I’ll sing praise of their more elegant design.

Red Rock FTW

This weekend I met up with Aaron, the mastermind behind Red Rock Board Shop. If you didn’t know, they’re a small company that makes the one component in an electric skateboard you can’t find anywhere else. The custom trucks. http://www.redrockboardshop.com/

Together with another friend, the three of us engaged in my first ever, electric only shred session. I had the carve of my life!

First thing I noticed? His boards were light. Much lighter than my Evolve board. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to weigh them. Because a Red Rock Board involves buying so many parts from other manufactures, I’m sure he’s picked his parts with weight in mind.

The next big advantage is that the motor sits behind the wheels. I’m not really sure how big of a deal this is. But on my Evolve board, the motor sits in front of the wheels, and this simply doesn’t feel optimal. Even the new Evolve model changes the motor to the rear, so kudos to Red Rock for getting that part right.

Riding the board was remarkably similar to the Evolve board. I want to say the motors Evolve uses are ever so slightly stronger than the motor Aaron had on the board he let me ride. But when you consider his board was about $400 less … well the Evolve motor isn’t *that* much better.

And it really isn’t fair to knock the motor, because if you wanted a stronger motor, you would just buy a stronger motor and use that one. It’s the beauty of Red Rock Board Shop. You get to decide exactly what you want on your board.

The only real drawback to Red Rock is waterproofing. There isn’t any. Not that you’d want to take an electric out in the rain. But I’ve splashed through puddles on my Evolve that would make me worry on a Red Rock. Also, the waterproofing seems to act as a muffler for the motor. Other than that, the Red Rocks are very comparable boards, for ⅔ the cost.

There is a slight issue about where the battery goes. The board I used had the battery on top of the board, which limited my foot space. You also have the option to mount the battery on the bottom of the board, which is more standard. Or to run a cable and keep the battery in your backpack. When I build a Red Rock, I’m probably going to have the battery sticking out of the back of the board -- like a dog’s tail. This should keep it out of the way, and also help onlookers to identify me as an electric longboarder.

If you’re a skateboarder who wants to upgrade his board, then Red Rock Board Shop is the place to go. If you’re a father who wants to work on a project with his son, Red Rock Board Shop. If you want an electric board, but want to keep the bill under a thousand -- Red Rock Board Shop.