M1 Premium Electric Skateboard Review
- A really fun experience with or without the battery charged
- Innovative approach to design
- Best looking board on the market
- Light-weight and easy to carry
- Quick exchange battery system
Price list
Description and Review
One of the joys of the internet is its ability to transform ideas into reality. Websites like Kickstarter not only gives start-ups a launching platform it is also funds them. For extreme sports enthusiast Ryan Evans and mechanical engineer Theo Cerboneschi the dream was simple- to provide an electric skateboard that would be easy to carry and would ride like a normal skateboard after the battery dies. Since 2014 they’ve raised over $400,000 on Kickstarter and, in 2015, launched their first board: the M1 Premium electric skateboard. Today, we’re going to find out if it was a dream worth keeping.
Features
As the inboard name suggests the M1 premium is a self-contained unit. The wires, motors and batteries are all neatly tucked away somewhere in the slim, satin black body. Looks-wise this board is one of the prettiest available and it looks every inch the exclusive item that its price tag suggests. It’s also one of the lightest boards you can buy with a carry weight of just 12llbs.
On this board, innovation doesn’t end with the appearance. The motors, dual 1600W, are built-in to the wheels. Inboard call this the Mantra drive and, in case you wondering, the technology is patented so you won’t find it anywhere else. With no gears, pulleys or chains this power system offers 40% more torque.
The real benefit of this system is measured after the battery dies though. There’s almost no friction when manual pushing which means you only have to contend with the added weight when free-rolling. It feels just like a normal skateboard and Ryan Evans’ experience in extreme sports has clearly manifested itself in this product.
The standing deck has a noticeable stiffness which is important for navigating tight turns at top speeds- a feature that will be appreciated by pro riders. At the top speeds the stiffer deck really helps with stability which encourages even novice riders to push themselves to the limit. This is a fun product which stays true to the type of thrill that attracted people to skateboards in the first place.
As a concept the M1 premium is flawless. It looks cool and it recreates the skateboarding experience very well but the performance has to be judged against similar priced products. When Tech Gear Lab road-tested this product they found its top-speed clocked in around 19mph – not the fastest but still fast enough.
The Inboard’s range is where the problem begins with just over 6 miles per charge. That is mitigated by the excellent, click-in click-out battery replacement system but spare batteries cost around $250 at the time of writing. That’s a big additional cost given the board itself is one of the more expensive boards on the market.
In spite of its patented engine system, the M1 does struggle on inclines as well as with acceleration. This is probably due to the lack of drive belt. The braking is not particularly responsive either but it does regenerate the battery increasing charge. These performance issues are reduced by its feel and the ability to ride the m1 like a normal skateboard but this is not the best performer you can buy whilst its price tag suggests it should be.
back to menu ↑M1 Electric Skateboard Video Review
Strengths
- Rides just like a normal skateboard when you need to manually push
- The best feel and stability when riding at top speeds
- The looks, design and innovation is very impressive
- Quick replaceable batteries as well as USB connectivity
- Regenerative braking
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t perform quite as well on inclines as similar priced boards
- Acceleration and braking both suffer without a drive belt
Specifications
Deck Dimensions: 37″ long (94cm) x 10″ wide (25cm)
Deck Flex: designed for speed and stability
Weight: 12 pounds
Wheels type: 6.5 inches
Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
Motor: 250W motor
Miles per charge: 10 miles
Maximum Speed: 24 mph
Battery Type: Swappable Lithium Ion
Charging Time: 1.5 Hours
Available Colors: Black, Blue, Gold, Pink, Red & White
App Connectivity: AppStore, Google Play Store
Additional Features: USB Connect, regenerative braking, Bluetooth, RFLX remote or vision throttle control
Price History & Alerts
Inboard M1 Skateboard, Inboard
