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FUELING THE POWERED BOARD REVOLUTION |
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CLASSIC JET BOARDS TOW-IN BIG WAVE SURFING - JUST AN EVOLUTIONARY STEP? THE GIRLS OF POWERBOARDING.COM
OUR CREDO POWERBOARDING.COM EXISTS BY AND FOR POWERED BOARD ENTHUSIASTS, POWERED BOARD MAKERS AND POWERED BOARD DREAMERS. IF YOU MAKE, RIDE OR SELL POWERED BOARDS OF ANY TYPE, WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT! SEND PICTURES, ANNOUNCEMENTS OF EVENTS, AND UPDATES. IF YOU NEED INFO NOT FOUND ON THE SITE, LET US KNOW AND WE WILL TRY TO FIND THE ANSWER FOR YOU.
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5/23/08 - NEW UPDATES COMING - check back soon! We are still tracking down and fixing a broken link here or a missing picture there. Thanks to our supporters for your patience!
NEW! A HOMEBREW ONE WHEELED SELF-BALANCING ELECTRIC POWERED BOARD
Check out this Ben Smither's homebuilt one wheeled self-balancing electric powered board here. Some impressive engineering and interesting technical details. You can see it in operation in a YouTube video here. There is a version of a self-balancing one-wheel board included as part of the Segway patents, but we have never seen a working self-balancing one wheeler til now. This is some impressive engineering for an individual to pull off! *update - 4 more self-balancing skateboard projects catalogued on hackedgadgets.com (follow this link to their article) In related news, an industrial design graduate has produced a slick visual prototype representing his vision for these type self-balancing boards and dubbed it the "iSlide."
NEW! ATTACK OF THE CHINESE ROBOT COMPANY It was only a matter of time until a multitude of Chinese made electric skateboards arrived. Zhejiang Robot Leisure Products Co., Ltd. seems to be leading the charge with their electric skateboard offerings (available to importers only, so you can't order just one board from them). You can see these HERE. While we haven't seen any of these particular boards in person, the variety of models is impressive (though fairly conventional and predictable). Their website explains, in an obviously off-kilter English translation: "Microcomputer wireless remote-controlling electric skateboard, with international leading, moves and works according to thinking of people. The skateboard has the functions of no-grade accelerating, decelerating and ABS electronic brake. The remote-controlling can be used to accelerate, decelerate and brake smoothly according to the purpose of people." WHEW! That's a relief, we were starting to think they would accelerate, decelerate and brake according to the purpose of EVIL ROBOTS!
Since the first cave dude constructed a crude set of wheels and trucks using rocks and wood and zoomed down the smooth volcanic glass of a prehistoric volcano slope, we have dreamed of a skateboard that could carry us back up the hill. The wait is over... WHERE TO GET ONE The two main companies selling high quality electric skateboards today are E-Glide and Exkate. Both of these pioneering companies are producing excellent boards and you can't go wrong with either. Check out both their offerings and buy the board that's best for you. We here at Powerboarding.com ride and enjoy both! OTHER BRANDS - Some Good, Some Bad, and Some Just Plain Ugly There is a proliferation of cheaper, alternative, and just plain 'junk' electric skateboards out there these days. Even a piece of junk can be fun, not talking them all down... And some of these new companies and designs may prove themselves worthwhile over time. But in our experience if you want a quality, reliable board today you are better off going with E-Glide or Exkate. Both have been building their excellent boards for years and both apply their true spirit of enthusiasm for powered boards to their products with pride.
EBAY is an excellent source for electric skateboards and other powered boards. Just try searching:
METROBOARDTM A NEW ELECTRIC SKATEBOARD AVAILABLE NOW
Design seems well thought out. Features wireless controller, lights, and a horn. We haven't had a chance to try it yet, but we should be featuring a review of their longboard next month.
Alteredtm high performance wireless Produced by Exkatetm Your body becomes the antenna with these wireless control electric skateboards from Exkate/Altered. Exkate's boards are fantasticly reliable, durable, and powerful. Cruise for miles, functional transportation as well as an extreme skateboarding thrill. FUTURE SERIES: In today's futuristic world, these are the standard in basic futuristic powered skateboards
REVOLUTION SERIES: Forward looking designs
SURFACE CUSTOM COLLECTION: Exotic surfaces and designs
M4 ROUGH TERRAIN COLLECTION:
We here at Powerboarding.com have enjoyed a long association with Altered. During the days of our related retail operation, Ultimate Sports Warehouse, we introduced hundreds of the Florida's finest surfers to the pleasures of "Altering" their boarding life to include electric skateboards. Over time we have found Altered's to be one of the very best, if not the very best, electric skateboards available ever. Their excellent range of products, stoked vibe, and legion of supporters are legendary. Find out more or order at Altered's web site
E-Glidetm high quality, high performance E-Glide is currently selling many different models, something for every taste. E-Glide has been making and refining their excellent boards for years and their genuine stoke and dedication is evident in each of their boards:
DC 36 Weight: 39 lb Length: 36 inches A lighter shorter board for maximum turning radius and ease of carry
42 SPECIAL Concave, pool style deck available in natural wood or black.
44 MAGNUM Length: 44 inch Lots of concave, classic lines in a popular longboard size.
DEWEY WEBER 48 Length: 48 inch Weber Surfboard deck. The nine ply Canadian Maple deck design with retro/traditional/classic "surfboard" look.
SECTOR 9 44 Inch Popular with Sector 9 fans and purists
SECTOR 9 46 Inch Bamboo Pintail Features 'W' concave, mild camber, and genuine bamboo construction.
cable-connected E-Glide's boards are controlled by a cable-connected control which is preferred by some. Testing over the years between cable-connected and wireless controllers has shown us here at Powerboarding.com that neither is better although some may prefer one or the other. Each has its advantages and disadvantages but in the end the board's overall shape and performance are much more important than the type of controller. The performance of the E-Glide boards has proven excellent. These boards feature high quality English made electronics and top notch components throughout from the speed controls to the batteries. An amazing one year warranty on the electronics should give you confidence. The E-Glide folks are cool people to deal with. They are true enthusiasts who are producing some of the best electric skateboards ever.
PIONEERS AND CUSTOM BUILDERS Hall Of Fame THE HEART AND SOUL OF POWERED SKATEBOARDS PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE Powered skateboards have been built in a variety of forms by many enterprising and talented custom builders throughout the years, continuing today. We have been fortunate enough to assemble pictures and stories from many of these enthusiasts and we are constantly researching to add new info and personalities. If you know someone or are someone who should be on the list, contact us with your story and pictures. - more names coming - - nominations accepted - POWERED SKATEBOARD HISTORY AND VINTAGE MODELS - more models coming - - have pictures and info of another model? Send 'em on!
The readers have spoken - POWERED STREET LUGES - ARE POWERBOARDS AND THEY SHOULD THEY BE ON PBDC! Street luges travel at high speeds, are certainly a type of board, and have been powered to extreme velocities by engines and solid rockets, but since they are not stand-up boards are they powerboards? The overwhelming feedback is that yes, these are true powerboards and one of the most extreme forms of powerboard at that. So we open the floodgates for more coverage of extreme powered street luge action like Billy Copeland's rocketluge achievements here and here). E-Glide agrees, they are now producing powered luges as seen below - more to come!
wanted - pictures of other powered luges
VAUGHN SHAFER REACHES 67 MILES PER HOUR ON A POWERED SKATEBOARD AT THE 2000 UTAH SALT FLATS WORLD SPEED EVENT
According to Ellen Wilkinson of the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association, "In 2000 Vaughn Shafer ran a specially designed skate board at our World of Speed Event. His goal was 100 mph but he was only able to achieve about 67 mph. As far as we know this has been the only attempt with a 'skateboard'." UPDATE - We have been contacted by someone who knows Vaughn Shafer, and we should soon have some new stories and info directly from him! Stay tuned!
SO WHAT IS THE WORLD SPEED RECORD FOR A POWERED SKATEBOARD? Next time you see your car's speedometer zip past 67 or 70 miles per hour, pause a moment to glance out at the asphault whizzing by and ask yourself, "How would this feel standing on a board?" Has some previously unknown speed crazed wahoo managed to break these records already? What about those who have tried and failed? (hope they were wearing pads) WANTED! PICTURES, INFO AND STORIES OF WORLD SPEED RECORDS BY POWERED BOARDS.
Tekno Extreme's powered skateboard
According to the company, "The fact that two different types of wheels can be mounted on the StreetBoard extends dramatically its usage flexibility. The StreetBoard with the three regular wheels is perfectly suitable for any conventional street or track, the version with the spike-furnished rear wheel and the two runners in the front masters seamlessly any kind of ice track... The wheels' direction is determined by the feet and the lateral movements of the body. Moving back or forth the body accelerates or stops the StreetBoard. These simple and safe movements will recall you an exciting and wild snowboard ride..."
For more info: http://web.archive.org/web/20070208181942/http://web.tiscali.it/no-redirect-tiscali/Tecnoextreme/index_e.html Introducing WILDFIRE Electric Powered Skateboards
The WILDFIRE is a new series of electric powered skateboards that have been in prototype, research and development for several years by Joel "Flash" Fremlin and his team. They are seeking a manufacturer or others to assist them in bringing their designs into production.
THE
MOTOBOARD?
Engine
Type: Air Cooled, 2 Cycle MORE INFO ABOUT THE MOTOBOARD?
THE ALL-TERRAIN SURFER
Engine Type: Air Cooled, 2 Stroke MORE INFO ABOUT THE ALL-TERRAIN SURFER
B Astrobirdz hotrod skateboard from Astrobirdz.com
WANTED! HAVE YOU BUILD YOUR OWN POWERED SKATEBOARD? SEND US PICTURES AND THE STORY OF HOW YOU BUILT IT AND HOW IT RIDES SO WE CAN SHARE IT WITH THE WORLD!
WANTED - INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER POWERED SKATEBOARDS. SEND INFO AND LINKS! |
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Contents are Copyright 2004 by Bill Cobb Productions, Inc. and cannot be used without prior approval. All rights reserved. POWERBOARDING is a trademark of Bill Cobb Productions, Inc. |
