‘Go’ And ‘Flow’ Meepo Electrical Skateboards Get The Enjoyable Rolling

The Meepo Go electrical skateboard seems to be like a typical longboard however packs twin motors that may get it going 28 mph.

Meepo

To say I used to be an avid skateboarder is an understatement. I rolled untold miles on my trusty Powell-Peralta “stick” from grade faculty on up by way of my school years. But the key phrase right here is was, and as I moved on to vehicles, bikes, mountain bikes, and finally parenthood, the wheels on my beloved Rat Bones kicktail had been nonetheless for ever-longer durations of time; first weeks, then months, then many years. Only when my younger son took an curiosity in skateboarding did I attempt to see if my now extra mature synapses might revive the enjoyment of skating and possibly pull off a couple of outdated tips. Maybe. And on stability, I discovered I might nonetheless skate (and it was nonetheless enjoyable), though a lot of the extra daring maneuvers from my youth had been now nicely out of attain.

In the lengthy hole between my carefree using days of the Nineteen Seventies and my son’s first try at an ollie within the 20-teens, skateboarding grew to become firmly mainstream. Skaters defy physics at X/Gravity Games competitions, and whereas my hoodlum skater pals and I had been chased off faculty grounds and harassed by The Man, at the moment, devoted skate parks are scattered throughout Portland, some close to to excessive faculties. Rather than working from the cops, my son and I spent many sunny days collectively amongst phone-obsessed and nonetheless considerably rebellious skater children who carved by way of the bowls and banks of in style skateparks. Good occasions, for positive, however finally, his curiosity in skateboarding pale in favor of biking, soccer, and soccer, and my outdated board now hangs proudly on the wall of my storage as I got down to journey the world by bike.

And then: New battery and electrical motor tech introduced e-bikes to the transportation scene, they usually had been shortly joined by new and progressive electrified skateboards, higher recognized now as e-skates (or Esk8s). And instantly, I used to be using once more. A lot. As had been a whole lot of different older skaters I knew. And these new boards weren’t toys or novelties; they pack pace and precision nicely past analog boards. Pre-pandemic, I even commuted to work on one mannequin for a number of months.

Lately, I’ve been using two choices from e-skate maker Meepo; the beginner-friendly Go longboard and the corporate’s kicktail model, the Flow (under).

The Meepo Flow is extra of a Nineteen Seventies kind of ‘kicktail’ skateboard however with greater wheels and a swallow tail for lifting the entrance wheels or doing tips.

Meepo

Founded and operated by a veteran skater, Meepo has been producing electrical skateboards since 2017 and is likely one of the largest e-skateboard producers worldwide, with over 150,000 models produced. They specialize solely in skateboards, not scooters or different gear. They are usually not a startup and clearly perceive the fervour skaters have for his or her boards.

Meepo Flow and Go Tech Overview

The Meepo Go eskate packs a big battery with 20 miles of vary within the pod beneath the board.

Meepo

The Meepo Go is what might be referred to as a “starter” e-skate. It’s a longboard format skateboard with a prime pace of 28 miles an hour within the flat at full energy, and belief me once I say 28 mph on any skateboard is hella quick – particularly for those who’re a bit older and may bear in mind how twitchy boards might get as speeds rise.

While longboards might be… lengthy, the Meepo Go is an affordable 38 inches lengthy.

Meepo

The $699 Go (above) options two-wheel drive by way of exterior motors and belts (some Meepo fashions place the motors contained in the wheels). The two 1,500-watt motors present drive energy, and are managed by a typical eskate handheld distant with a thumbwheel (under).

The Go distant management encompasses a complete show that exhibits battery ranges, pace, energy setting, drive course and extra.

Meepo

The board can function in “normal” mode with the rear wheels driving it ahead, or in reverse, or, within the case of the Go longboard, with “front wheel drive.” There are 4 journey modes, L, E, S and S+, that escalate output energy and pace, however riders should cowl simply over six miles earlier than the sooner S and S+ modes are accessible.

Rolling the thumbwheel backwards prompts the “brakes,” very like utilizing “one pedal” driving mode in an electrical automobile. The braking impact is totally variable and controllable. There can also be an “auto reverse” function for tricksters doing board spins that pops it into reverse mechanically throughout a course change. Another sensible function: A handhold lower into the deck makes the Go straightforward to hold, regardless of the almost 20-pound weight.

The Meepo Flow encompasses a wooden deck, huge battery, and a raised tail with a grip-enhanced floor for enhanced rider management.

Meepo

The $899 Meepo Flow (above) is way more like my outdated P/P kicktail in that the entrance finish might be simply lofted over obstacles. However, it’s extra highly effective than the Go and has a prime pace of 32 miles per hour, which is considerably terrifying but in addition nice enjoyable —beneath the precise circumstances, with correct setup, and whereas carrying the precise protecting gear. Meepo claims 24 miles of vary, doubtless on the L setting. It has a distant just like the Go and works in primarily the identical manner. However, it doesn’t have a carry cutout mid-deck, which might not jibe nicely with its extra conventional look – a small sacrifice for fashion.

Neither mannequin consists of built-in lighting results just like the Backfire board I examined in 2024, which helps make the rider extra seen after darkish. LED floor results or not, I strongly counsel that anybody using an e-skate or e-bike put on a extremely seen LED-equipped helmet, such because the Unit 1 Aura or the Livall BH51M Neo, which each function fall detection and different tech-forward options.

Ride Time

Veteran riders will doubtless discover the Go and Flow fashions acquainted, however extra snug to journey and each require so much much less effort.

Meepo

I began out on the Go within the lowest mode, and after shortly adjusting the stiffness of the vans with the included instruments, I used to be gliding down my native streets and having fun with the journey, which topped out at about 14 mph, which is loads quick for a newbie. Leveling as much as “E” journey mode elevated pace to 18 mph, and I tightened up the vans a bit extra for added stability. Riders might want to modify truck response as they go, that’s simply how it’s with skateboards. Eventually, you discover a candy spot for turning and stability.

After finishing the requisite six miles of break-in using, I might entry S and S+ modes, and I discovered I rode in E and S modes more often than not. Once set as much as my liking, the Go is enjoyable and quick, however simply managed each by way of the distant and turning motion. As I famous, I didn’t come up on longboards, so not having the ability to elevate the entrance wheels over obstacles had me cautious on tough pavement and the bits of particles I encountered, however the bigger wheels of the Go surmounted nearly each impediment. Still, the hazard of a sudden cease because of an unseen sidewalk lip or a big little bit of gravel is current, so I didn’t degree as much as S+ mode until I used to be on a really clear, easy floor with good gentle. And I didn’t keep at 28 mph for lengthy, regardless of the joys of that type of pace on comparatively small wheels. Nice to know it could possibly do it; no have to do it on a regular basis.

The bigger wheels on the Go and Flow enable for smoother rides on complicated surfaces.

Meepo

Riding the Flow “swallow tail” was extra pure to me, and the large 105mm wheels have glorious grip. The vans on the Flow are wiiiiide for added stability and cornering clearance, and since I used to be in a position to pop up the entrance finish over small hazards, I felt extra at residence on the Flow than the Go since I by no means was a longboard fanatic (however I nonetheless get pleasure from them). The potential to loft the entrance wheels over obstacles added to my confidence, and after getting the vans correctly tensioned, I took the Flow as much as its prime pace of 32 mph on a number of events the place area and circumstances allowed. Young riders would possibly suppose going 32 on a skateboard is “NBD” (No Big Deal), however I’m right here to inform you it’s each breathtaking enjoyable and considerably terrifying on the similar time.

On these high-speed runs, I wore my bike using package, together with an armored jacket, padded and rip-resistant pants, boots, gloves, and a full-face bike helmet. I don’t care how powerful you might be; in case your physique meets concrete or an impediment at 30+ mph, you’re in serious trouble. Gear up and journey protected.

Who Are They For?

Still obtained the itch to carve? The Meepo Flow has the shape issue, energy and vary for hours of enjoyable.

Meepo

Either deck is appropriate for a starting or re-entry rider (or an skilled rider new to electrified skateboards), and it’s nice to have each the longboard and kicktail choices.

Despite the Go being pitched as a “beginner” board, at 28 mph max, it’s loads quick for anybody save these crazies doing highway-speed downhill runs, something neither of these is designed for (those boards are not electric – it’s all gravity). For this older rider, I felt extra at residence on the kicktail Flow and it has the bonus of a better prime pace, however as famous, the Go is loads quick for the huge majority of riders who could have an curiosity and could be very troublesome to outgrow.

What I Liked – And Would Like To See Changed

Note the cutout on the left for simpler carrying of the Go mannequin. Smart!

Meepo

Both the Meepo Flow and Go boards are well-built and carried out reliably throughout my assessment. Designed and crafted by riders who perceive their calls for, these boards are appropriate for every day use. I personally wouldn’t suggest performing aerial tips in skateparks (though there are plenty of videos out there of riders doing simply that), because the belt drive techniques and batteries may very well be broken. But they’re good for on a regular basis using and commuting, and lofting them off a curb is definitely inside their purview. Additionally, I counsel in opposition to submerging the boards in water, however using in Oregon’s rain and moist circumstances induced no points. It’s additionally clever to test the belts for any obstructions after every journey.

Since it’s winter and sunlight hours are brief, some using inevitably happens at midnight. For each boards, I’d prefer to see built-in illumination as a regular function, as I’ve noticed with different e-skate makers like the usually EL-wire trimmed Backfire Boards. Including a provision for including head or tail lights could be appreciated; within the meantime, riders ought to put on acceptable security gear, together with a helmet, and I like to recommend selecting a helmet with built-in LED markers, such because the Unit 1 models and others.

Otherwise, these are stable choices for each new riders or retruning veteran riders like myself who thought their skateboarding days had been just about over. Not so quick (or, nicely, really pretty quick)! If you miss the enjoyment of using however would possibly want a little bit of help on getting on top of things, both Meepo providing is a stable possibility. Highly beneficial.

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