*2020 Update* – It appears LiftBoard is no longer in business, so please head over to our best electric longboard post to see our current top 5 picks.
One of the companies we suggested keeping an eye on earlier this year was LiftBoard. In a sea of newly emerging competition, LiftBoard stood out because of a very affordable price point for their entry level Single Motor LiftBoard they are offering for half the price of other electronic longboards. For folks who are new to electronic longboards, the financial barrier to entry is relatively low and enticing if you’re trying to own your first e-board. Let’s ride!
Specs:
Deck Length: 39″
Weight: 15lbs
Distance on 1 charge: 16 miles
Top Speed: 16mph
Hill grade: 15%
What you’re getting with the LiftBoard
With each model, you’re going to get a fully assembled board, a multi tool, all necessary chargers, and the hand held wireless remote. In addition to the Single Motor LiftBoard, the company also offers a Dual Motor LiftBoard for a few hundred more. As the name would suggest, the Dual Motor LiftBoard comes equipped with a second motor that make it a more serious contender when stacked up against other e-boards available on the market. The Dual Motor model is going to be better if you live in an area with lots of hills.
Each motor is equipped with 900W of power. The Single Motor LiftBoard comes equipped with 900W of power in the motor, while the Dual Motor LiftBoard clocks in at 1800W. Both models come with rechargeable lithium ion batteries. On a full charge, you’ll be able to ride up to 16 miles on a single charge on both boards. With the Single Motor LiftBoard you can expect to attain speeds of up to 16 mph. On the Dual Motor LiftBoard you’re going to be able to clock speeds of up to 18.6 mph.
The second motor is not only going to help you achieve a higher top speed, it’s also going to help with ascending inclines. The Single Motor LiftBoard can comfortably attack hills of 15 degrees, while the Dual Motor LiftBoard can tackle hills that have a slope of up to 25 degrees. If you live in a hilly area, you should have no issues with the dual motor model. The motors are belt driven and offer plenty of low end torque to conquer the hilliest of terrains. Both boards are rated to carry 265 lbs.
The deck on both models is 39 inches long and is made of 7 ply Maple. This helps to make the deck both durable and lightweight. The board comes with 80mm polyurethane wheels rated at 78a and the trucks are made of adjustable steel. The softness of the wheels makes for a smooth ride. Its should be pointed out that you must use the wheels that come stock on this board. Charging either unit takes approximately 3 hours to get from fully depleted to ready to roll. To maximize battery efficiency and hit that full 16-mile range, the manufacturer recommends sticking to flat ground.
One feature of the LiftBoard design that makes it very unique is that there is a handle cut into the board. This is helpful in situations where you might need to carry it for prolonged distances instead of riding it. You could also use the hole to tie the board down to a bag or something similar.
The board is controlled by a lithium ion powered wireless remote. Both acceleration, throttle, and braking are controlled by the remote. A series of red and green lights on the controller show which mode is currently enabled. There is a beginner configuration on the remote, and there is also a fast mode. The board ships in beginner mode while you find your footing and get up to speed. This mode caps the speed at 9 mph. It takes about 2 hours for the remote to become fully charged. Another big difference between the single and dual motor models is that regenerative breaking is only available on the dual motor model.
Pros
Compared to other e-boards that are available for purchase, the price of the Single Motor LiftBoard is hard to beat. Both models ship in a matte-black color configuration that looks great to ride on. The top speed and battery life are both qualities that make the LiftBoard highly desirable. The braking is consistent and not too harsh. Many owners have reported the acceleration being quite zippy on both models. Owners have also reported that when they have an issue, customer service has been on point. Both models ship with a manufacturer’s warranty.
Cons
One common complaint that board owners have pointed out is that this board is not water resistant. The board does not have tight gaskets/seals on ingress points. The power button and the charge port are two points specifically that can be troublesome if exposed to water. The copper wiring inside the motors can also be affected by moisture and liquid. Your best bet is to steer clear of any type of riding when it is wet out, or you risk shorting out the electronics on the board.
Another complaint is that the remote control doesn’t feel like it’s made of high quality materials like the Boosted board is. Multiple owners have reported having to replace the remotes for unexplained failures. Other owners have reported there being lag in the remote which can prove to be dangerous while riding. In that same breath, other owners have reported never encountering these problems.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to get into electronic longboarding, the Single Motor LiftBoard would be an excellent beginner’s electronic longboard. If you’re just starting out and not quite ready to go electric- dip your toes in the water with a standard beginner’s longboard. The Liftboard is one of the most affordable e-boards currently available which also makes it a great choice for a beginner who’s ready to go electric. Getting out there and riding is a great way to figure out what you like and don’t like in an e-board. Each board is going to be a little bit different, but developing a feel for balance and how e-boards ride is going to be great long term. This is definitely going to be a good board for someone who is just starting out.
Deciding which model to go with will largely depend on your personal riding preferences. If you’re just starting out, the Single Motor LiftBoard would be a great entry point to the world of e-boards. If you’re a more advanced rider who wants more speed and acceleration, the Dual Motor LiftBoard is probably a better direction to head. Either way, you can’t go wrong!
