The magic of the Summerboard is in the powered caster wheel that allows for 360 degrees of control.
Combined with four edge wheels, the powered casters can be controlled and maneuvered just like a snowboard.
You have two options for braking and stopping - mechanical braking (like a snowboard) or electronic braking (slowing down the motors with the remote).
The most fun and effective way is to slide to a stop just like a snowboard. You use the edge wheels just like your edge on a snowboard. You can even stop on your toe side or heel side edges!
There is also an option to use the electronic brake. The electronic brake is engaged using the remote control and simply tells the motors to slow you down. The electronic brake is not as effective, but it will charge the battery while you are using it!
The new wider Powerball design on the Summerboard drastically reduced the learning curve for new riders. Typically someone that has average athletic ability and has snowboarding experience will learn to carve on both edges in less than 30 minutes.
It is best compared to learning a self-balancing unicycle or a bike. Because the first 5 minutes feel very foreign - much like the first time you learned to ride a bike. But it is fascinating how just 15-20 minutes of riding drastically improves your skills.
Onboarding Training Series
Summerboard built an onboarding video training series that breaks down the skills required to ride the Summerboard into bite size segments. Each challenge takes 10-20 minutes to complete. If you go through each video in sequence, then you will learn to shred much faster.
One Battery Challenge
When you receive your Summerboard, charge the battery and the remote control to full charge. Then go to a flat area like an elementary playground or basketball/tennis courts. You want flat, smooth and no traffic. Bring food and drinks, and commit to not leaving until the battery is empty. You will be shredding before the first battery cycle is dead!
Yes! The Summerboard is an excellent commuter option, and nothing is better than walking through your front door of the office stoked from a shred session.
The heaviest rider we have witnessed shredding Summerboard is 6'5" tall and weighs 310lbs. However, we have pulled three riders on one board, which combined weighed more than 500 lbs!
The Summerboard can ride over grass or packed dirt, but is not designed for riding exclusively offroad. However, linking paths and riding through sections of dirt and grass are super fun! We recommend getting the Freshies Wheel Set for any offroad adventures.
We measured our battery ranges using a 160lb rider going 15mph on flat ground. Riding range is dependent on a number of factors, including rider weight, speed, head winds and incline. Lowering any of these factors (especially speed) will increase your range. This averaged to about 19 kilometres.
On your first day learning, one SBX battery will likely last you all day since you will be just getting your bearings and going slower.
The standard charger will charge the SBX in 4 hours. The super charger will charge the SBX in 2.5 hours from completely dead to a full charge.
The maximum speed is based on your weight and battery charge. Even the heaviest riders will reach 37 km/h, but lighter riders will reach 42+ km/h. The speed is unlimited on a downhill slope, and many riders have reached 65+km/h.
However, you can go as slow as you like - and ride at your own pace!
The Summerboard is highly water resistant, just don't submerse the board in water. However it is important to note that parts like wheel bearings are not waterproof, and therefore must be maintained if you're riding through water (just like any skateboard).
Yes, the Summerboard handles cracks well. You can ride straight over anything that is 2cm or less in height (about one inch). You will have to dodge or jump over deeper cracks or debris taller than one inch.
Yes, you can now snowboard UP hills!
We tested on the steepest hills in Orange County (Laguna Beach) and the SBX climbed every hill we could find. These hills were around 20% grade. Any city street in the USA built after 1975 is limited to 15% grade.
Always Remove Battery From Board BEFORE You Leave For The Airport
Airlines allow for the transport of spare batteries, which is defines every Summerboard battery. However, the Summerboard is a very new product so the TSA might not be familiar with our product. Therefore, it is best practice to remove the battery from the board before getting to TSA security so they know that the battery and the board are truly separate pieces.
Always Carry On Your Batteries & Remote Control
All Summerboard batteries (including the remote control since it has a battery inside) must be carried on in your carry-on luggage with you inside the cabin of the plane. DO NOT ever put the battery or remote control inside checked luggage - or else TSA will confiscate your battery and possibly your luggage as well.
Show The Battery Sticker To TSA At Security Checkpoint
Our battery stickers note the watt hours located in each battery, and this is how TSA judges if the battery is allowable on the flight. The TSA Guidelines Here note that batteries are allowed that are under the 160 watt-hour maximum. Just in case your specific TSA agent is un-informed, we have included links below from the TSA website that show each battery is allowable under their guidelines. This information is also included on the battery sticker.
SBX TSA Guidelines
TSA Guidelines on SBX Battery (110 Watt Hours):
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/lithium-batteries-more-100-watt-hours