On Remotes

So, with the new wheels on my Bamboo Series, the board is much smaller. Small enough to make it easy to take on the bus for my daily commute. Having rode my Boosted, I decided it was time for a change.

This week, I’ve been riding the Bamboo Series to work. But the first day I took it out, I noticed something when using the brakes on a downhill. I heard a clicking sound. I’ve been riding electric skateboards long enough to know that that means. It means the belt is skipping over the teeth in the drive gear. The drive gear is made out of plastic, and they’re expensive, for a piece of plastic.

Not to mention that it means I was skating with greatly reduced braking. So when I got home, I tightened the belt. The Bamboo Series two, with a loose belt, rolled really well. But with a tight belt, the roll has been significantly reduced. But that’s okay, because I’d rather have perfectly working brakes.

There are a few downhills on my way to work that are often filled with foot traffic. I’ve grown accustomed to skating down these hills at just the right speed to weave through the college students without making anyone scared. At least on my Boosted I was able to do that.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Bamboo Series Two. But it’s biggest flaw has to be that damned remote. The brakes are either not sensitive enough, or way too sensitive. When you first hit the brakes on their new remote, it’s not a break … it’s more of a slightly slowing down. But when you push the brake harder, its a strong brake. I find it’s effectively impossible to fine tune the brakes on my Bamboo Series Two to the degree that my Boosted can.

How fucked up is that? The Evolve board has the motor, it has the battery and the power, but the remote doesn’t let you use it effectively.

Then, add to that it’s cold here in Northern Florida. Record cold. So I want to ride with my hands in my windbreaker pockets. But the way the Evolve remote is designed, the trigger can easily catch. It’s another kudo to the design of the Boosted remote, which I never had problems using in my pocket.

Then, even when I am using my Evolve remote in my pocket, it constantly loses signal. I tried to put my hand behind my back, and it lost signal there, too. Basically, the only way I could effectively ride my Bamboo Series Two was to keep my hand in the wind. I felt like I almost got frostbite!

I want to try and make an Instagram or youtube video to demonstrate how this remote can lose signal, depending on where you hold it. And I sincerely hope that Evolve comes out with a third version of their remote, one that is the equal of the superior Boosted remote. One which allows the rider to fine tune the amount of brakes the motor applies, and even lets the rider smoothly transition in reverse.

Finally, please don’t take my bitching about Evolve too negatively. I still love their boards, and I’d still buy them in a heartbeat. I love you, Jeff Anning! I just need to tell it like it is.