Comparison SkateX Penny vs Xiaomi Acton Smart Electric Skateboard

— Skateboard. Traditional skateboards are the most famous and common type of skateboard. Usually, decks in such models are bent upwards on both sides (front and back) and have a symmetrical shape close to the oval. This design is convenient primarily for performing jumps and other stunts. At the same time, such boards are capable of accelerating well. However, in terms of speed characteristics, they are noticeably inferior to longboards (see below), and in general, they are more likely to be designed for skateparks and are not suitable for long-distance riding — especially since a classic skate does not cope with small bumps on roads, and even a short trip on a rough surface can be uncomfortable.

— Longboard. A high-speed type of board for riding, characterized by increased stability and good acceleration ability, but not intended for performing tricks. Outwardly, longboards differ from classic skateboards in their increased length (both the board itself and the wheelbase), as well as larger and softer wheels. This ensures stability and smooth running at high speeds. Also note that longboards are more diverse in terms of board sizes and shapes, as well as wheel widths. They can have different specializations: downhill (downhill, involves a large weight of the board, a characteristic shape with narrowing around the wheels and lowered suspension), freeride (an analogue of downhill, allowing side dri...ft of the skateboard), freestyle (longboards with curved tails and noses, allowing individual elements of stunt driving), etc. The cruiser is also considered a type of longboard. However, for several reasons, such models are distinguished into a separate type (see below).

— Cruiser. Cruisers are usually called longboards, designed mainly for comfort when riding around the city. Such models are equipped with slightly wider and softer wheels than the classic longboards, in addition, they may have a curved edge (kicktail) in the back of the deck. Cruisers are also quite varied in shape, they are made in different sizes and with different suspension widths and deck shapes. Plastic deck cruisers are commonly referred to as mini cruisers (see below).

— Mini cruiser. Another popular name is "pennyboard". A specific variety of the cruisers described above differs in the material of the deck — it is made of a special plastic that combines lightness, strength and elasticity. Compared to plywood, such plastic is lighter and more durable, it better tolerates contact with moisture and daily exposure to the open sky, including in wet weather this is especially important for regular trips around the city. Mini cruisers come in two standard lengths, 22" and 27"; the smaller version is more manoeuvrable and fits even in a backpack without any problems, and the longer one is wider, more stable and easy to learn.

— Rollersurf. A board consisting of two decks(under each leg) fastened with a torsion bar; allows each deck to tilt right and left (relative to the rod) independently of the other deck. Another key difference between a rollersurfer and more traditional skateboards is the number and design of the wheels. There are only two of them, one for each platform, while each wheel has a swivel mount (caster) and can rotate 360 °. As a result, the technique of riding a rollersurfer is significantly different from the classic skateboard, and in general, such boards can seem very difficult to master — after all, the rider needs to constantly move in a special way to maintain balance. However, such riding is not much more difficult than riding a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, and the specific design allows the roller surfer to perform unusual stunts that are not possible with a traditional four-wheeled skateboard. In addition, the manoeuvrability and speed of this variety are also very decent, although some of the "classic" features (such as jumping) are still not available.

— Separate rollersurf. The original projectile is a cross between the roller surfer and roller skates described above. Like a regular rollersurf, it consists of two platforms, each of which has 360° swivel wheels. However, in this version, these platforms are not connected by anything, each of them moves separately. In addition, a separate rollersurf has 4 wheels — 2 per deck — otherwise it would be almost impossible to maintain balance. This design further expands the possibilities for performing specific stunts, and can also make it easier to get through tight spots. However, a separate rollersurf is even more demanding on the rider's skills than a regular one; therefore, this variety has not received much distribution.

— Surfboard. Surfboards are a cross between cruisers and rollersurfers (see above for both). Unlike the latter, this type of board has a one-in-piece deck, most often in the form of a "fish"; however, the wheels in a classic surfboard are not four, but only three — one in front and two in the back. And some models generally have only two wheels, like a rollersurf. Anyway, riding such a board is more difficult than a cruiser, it requires a special technique, reminiscent of surfing — hence the name.

— Electric skateboard. An electric skateboard equipped with an electric motor and a battery to power it. Such a board can ride on its own, without effort on the part of the rider; for control, a remote control is usually provided. The main disadvantage of electric skateboards, in addition to high cost, is a significant weight — from 8 kg. Because of this, this variety is only suitable for riding on a relatively flat hard surface — for rough terrain and even more so for stunt riding, an electric skateboard is not suitable.

— Skatecycle. Very original devices, according to the principles of design and movement, are similar to the rollersurfers described above but also have significant differences. The name comes from the Skatecycle, the first device of its kind. The main external feature of skatecycles is wheels — these are rings that do not have central axes (the so-called "centerless wheels"). There are two such wheels, they are connected by a rigid rod, and inside each of them, there is a deck for the foot. The fastening of each platform allows you to tilt it back and forth, and the wheels themselves can be rotated relative to the central rod. Actually, due to the “snake” movement, the skatecycle rides, while the rider does not need to push off the ground. Such models combine compactness, ride comfort and quite extensive possibilities for performing stunts.

— Balanceboard. A specific type of board is used exclusively for training and performing tricks in one place and is not intended for riding. The balance board consists of the board itself and a cylindrical roller on which this board is placed; for the roller to move only in the right directions (along the board), special guides are provided in the design. True to its name, the balance board is great for balance exercises; it can be used both as a stand-alone stunt tool and as a training tool in the off-season. In addition, there is evidence that such boards contribute to the development of stabilizing muscles, which is difficult to achieve with conventional fitness; so balance boards have found application even in sports medicine and rehabilitation programs.

The dimensions of the deck in length and width (according to the largest dimensions).

Both small and large decks have their advantages and disadvantages. So, a short and narrow deck contributes to manoeuvrability, but puts forward additional requirements for the rider's skill — it can be difficult to cope with a small "nimble" skate, especially at high speed. A long and wide board, on the contrary, is more stable, but it is difficult to make sharp manoeuvres on such a skateboard. In addition, the optimal length for each type of skate (see above) also depends on the age category of the skater: for example, classic skateboards in the adult version have boards no shorter than 600 mm, and anything less refers to children's models. The width, in turn, can be determined by the size of the foot: a person with a large size (from 44) may simply be uncomfortable on a narrow deck.

Detailed recommendations on the optimal dimensions for each type of skate and planned riding features can be found in special sources.

The material from which the skateboard deck is made.

— Maple. Maple wood is known for its strength and relative lightness, making it a popular choice for skateboard boards. The decks are made from different types of maple: American, Canadian, Chinese and Russian. More details about them are described in the relevant paragraphs.

— American maple. A durable and reliable base for a skateboard deck made from maple wood that grows in the North American region. Boards made from this material usually have a dense and hard structure, which makes them suitable for performing difficult stunts.

— Canadian maple. Due to its strength and density combined with elasticity, Canadian maple is considered the most suitable material for skateboard decks. However, such decks are not cheap.

— Chinese maple. A variety of maple, somewhat inferior to the Canadian types in terms of performance characteristics and durability, but also costs significantly less.

— Russian maple. Another relatively inexpensive analogue of Canadian maple. The features are similar to the Chinese one, but for several reasons it is used much less frequently.

— Chinese birch. A budget option, used infrequently, mainly in children's boards. It is inexpensive but does not have any special ad...vantages.

— Bamboo. Due to its properties, bamboo is primarily suitable for longboards and therefore is used primarily in this type of board (see “Type”). However, relatively few bamboo models are produced.

- Plastic. Plastic is generally considered a budget option, but this stereotype is not entirely justified. The fact is that there are many varieties of this material: for example, mini cruisers(see “Type”) use high-quality plastic, which, according to some manufacturers, can even survive being hit by a car wheel. So it is safe to say that the quality of a plastic product directly depends on its price category. Among the common features of all types of plastic, it is worth noting the absolute insensitivity to moisture and the ability to be produced in the most complex shapes and colours; the latter makes it easier to create skateboards in original designs and unusual designs.

— Composite. Decks that combine several dissimilar materials — for example, wood with a layer of fibreglass or plastic with a layer of carbon fibre. This combination allows you to combine the advantages of individual materials and compensate (at least partially) for their shortcomings. The specific composition and properties of composites may vary; here, as in the case of plastic, it makes sense to focus on the price category of the skateboard. However, most modern skateboards use high-quality composites, and such a board is most often a sign of an advanced model.

- Aluminium. Aluminium (more precisely, aluminium alloy) is characterized by high strength and durability with relatively low weight, and it also tolerates moisture without problems. On the other hand, this material is not cheap, but the spring properties are rather weak and are not suitable for jumping. Therefore, it is used mainly in rather specific types of skateboards, such as split roller surfers and skateboards (see "Type").

Stiffness of skateboard wheels.

This parameter is denoted by a number and the letter A; the higher the number, the stiffer the material. Higher stiffness allows the wheel to maintain speed better, increase wheel life, make it easier to slide (drifting, for example) and perform jump tricks more efficiently. On the other hand, soft wheels cope with small bumps in the road better, they have better grip and manoeuvrability, and they are also less noisy. Accordingly, the choice of wheel stiffness depends primarily on what surfaces it is planned to ride.

In general, wheels up to 80A can be classified as very soft, and up to 87A — are soft; such wheels are best suited for driving on not-very smooth, worn asphalt, paving slabs with an abundance of joints, etc. Indicators 88A — 95A correspond to medium hardness, such wheels are designed mainly for high-quality "urban" surfaces like a new sidewalk. Stiff wheels are marked from 96A to 99A, they are designed primarily for skate parks and other specialized surfaces, and indicators of 100A and more correspond to professional-level options.

It is worth noting that the wheels are usually made removable, and if necessary, they can be replaced with others, harder or softer. However, one must also take into account the fact that the entire design of the skateboard is usually designed for a certain stiffness of the wheels, and significant deviations from this parameter are unde...sirable. And you should not forget about the type (see above): for example, it is hardly worth looking for especially soft wheels for a traditional stunt skateboard.

The diameter of the wheels installed on the skateboard.

The speed reached by the skateboard is directly proportional to the diameter of the wheels, and the acceleration is inversely proportional. In other words , larger wheels will accelerate more slowly, but to higher speeds. Accordingly, when choosing this parameter, it is first of all necessary to take into account what is more important: good speed (for this it is better to choose larger wheels) or the ability to manoeuvre (small ones are suitable for this). In addition, the large diameter makes it easier to cope with small bumps on the road.

It is also worth remembering that each type of skateboard (see above) has its requirements for the size of the wheels, due to the specifics of the application: for example, high-speed longboards have larger wheel diameters than classic stunt skateboards. Accordingly, only models of the same type can be compared with each other according to this parameter. Detailed recommendations on the optimal diameter for different types of skateboards can be found in special sources.

The wheels are usually made removable, which means that if desired, wheels of a different diameter can be installed on the skateboard. However, they should not differ greatly in size from regular ones. You should be especially careful with large wheels: it may turn out that the deck will reach them when tilted, and this is fraught with falls and injuries.

The thickness of the wheels installed on the skateboard.

The width of the wheel is, roughly speaking, the width of the track left during movement. Narrow wheels are convenient for stunts, in particular in grinds (sliding along pipes, railings, etc. directly on the suspension), but they require flat surfaces; wide, in turn, behave better on rough roads, they are more stable and cope with small bumps more efficiently. Accordingly, narrow wheels are typical mainly for stunt models designed for skate parks and other specialized locations with high-quality surfaces; wide, in turn, are better suited for longboards and "city" cruisers who often have to ride on less than perfect roads.

The wheels in modern skateboards are made removable if desired, they can be replaced with wider or narrower ones. However, it is still not recommended to deviate from the “native” width value — riding can become uncomfortable, if not dangerous.

The bearing is responsible for fastening the wheel on the axle, it is thanks to it that the wheel rotates — which means that the characteristics of the wheel rotation directly depend on the characteristics of this part. Without going into technical details, we can say that the class determines, first of all, the accuracy of manufacturing bearing parts. But higher accuracy, on the one hand, reduces friction, making the bearing (and wheel) more fast, on the other hand, it reduces the life of the part and significantly affects its cost. Accordingly, it makes sense to look for high-quality bearings primarily for professional use; and for a simple ride relatively simple options are quite suitable.

Most modern skateboards use ABEC 3, ABEC 5 and ABEC 7 class bearings, which are sufficient for most applications. The minimum class is ABEC 1, which is found mainly in low-cost and children's skateboards. But the super- precision ABEC 9 and ABEC 11 are mainly used in professional longboards, for which high speed is crucial.

Note that most skateboards allow you to replace regular wheels with others with higher-end bearings.

The power of the motor installed in the electric skateboard (see "Type"). A more powerful motor, on the one hand, allows you to reach greater speed and better cope with high loads (climbs, heavy weight of the rider). On the other hand, high power affects the weight and cost of the skate, both due to the characteristics of the motor itself, and because it requires more capacious batteries.

In the most modest models, the motor power is only 150 – 200 W; such motors are intended more for assistance in acceleration than for full-fledged independent movement. In the most powerful modern electric skateboards, this parameter can reach 4 kW, which allows you to reach speeds of up to 40 km/h.

The maximum speed that the electric skateboard can reach (see "Type"). This parameter is quite approximate since the actual maximum speed will depend on the weight of the rider and general driving conditions. Nevertheless, according to this parameter, one or another model can be quite reliably evaluated and compared with other electric skateboards.