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Right here I’m, again at it with one other take a look at run of a brand new product in electrical mobility. This go-around is with Base Camp and its F11 electrical skateboard. In contrast to most of the longboards I’ve reviewed previously, the F11 is far nearer to the skateboards I grew up unsuccessfully kickflipping on. Its specs gained’t blow you away, however its portability, ease of use, and accessible equipment are positively value a glance.
Base Camp desires to be a skateboard model for the folks
Base Camp was based by two product design college students whereas they have been nonetheless in faculty. Though the corporate focuses on electrical skateboards and scooters at present, its roots have been paved in browsing… and failure.
The corporate’s first product was a browsing accent whose manufacturing ended up 3 millimeters askew from the unique design draft. Quite than promote the inaccurate dimension accent and threat a 0.6% failure fee, Base Camp founder Steven determined to tug the product and eat a lack of $150,000.
Clearly, high quality is essential to the Base Camp crew. Based on the corporate’s web site, the shopper’s love for its merchandise is way extra essential than the pursuit of earnings. Most economists would possibly argue there’s a center floor there, however that is an admirable ethos nonetheless.
Since then, the corporate has (hopefully) recouped from its early losses and is providing an expanded lineup of electrified mobility options and security equipment. My first publicity to Base Camp is its lone electrical skateboard providing – the F11. This mini-board is gentle, transportable, and tremendous enjoyable to carve round on, particularly should you grew up skating.
The Base Camp F11 electrical skateboard specs
As you’ll see in my video evaluation beneath, it is a considerably smaller board than I’m used to… at the least in comparison with all-electric rides. The F11 from Base Camp is a mini-board, though I’d argue it’s solely mini in comparison with a longboard and is comparable in dimension to a traditional skateboard from the ’80s. Bart Simpson would love this factor.
It measures 29.1 inches in size and is 9.3 inches extensive, providing a compact, cellular footprint that’s a blast to carve round on. I felt like one of many Lords of Dogtown, crouching and zooming round on this board, and located myself way more snug on it from the primary journey due to its smaller dimension (I’m admittedly extra snug on skateboards relatively than longboards).
The Base Camp F11’s small dimension does have its downsides, nevertheless, particularly should you’re a seasoned electrical skateboard rider. The restricted area on the 8-ply maple deck permits for a 4,000 mAh (14.8 Wh) battery pack, and the appropriate rear wheel homes the board’s single 300-watt hub motor.
In consequence, the F11 can solely attain a prime velocity of 10 mph – fairly a bit decrease than different boards that normally prime out round 25-30 mph. Some would argue that degree of velocity is pointless for an electrical skateboard. I’ll agree that 30 mph on a deck scares me, however it could have been good to go a bit quicker. The distant management provides 4 totally different velocity modes along with 4 totally different ranges of braking distance (one thing I’ve by no means seen earlier than):
- Newbie Mode: 0-3.1 mph
- Eco Mode: 0-6.2 mph
- Knowledgeable Mode: 0-10 mph
- Professional Mode: 0-10 mph (quicker acceleration)
It might have been good to have a second motor for some further energy going up inclines. The F11 is simply designed to deal with hills as much as 10 levels, a undeniable fact that was instantly obvious. I misplaced a variety of velocity on the slightest inclines.
On flat surfaces and downhill rides, nevertheless, Base Camp’s skateboard and its 90 mm wheels present one helluva journey to cruise round on. It’s additionally, palms down, probably the most transportable electrical skateboard I’ve ridden but.
Backpack, helmet, and equipment in addition
Remember to take a look at the video evaluation beneath so you may get a really feel for the equipment that include the acquisition of a brand new F11 electrical skateboard from Base Camp. Every deck comes with a backpack that may be folded up and used by itself or can securely retailer the F11 and your instruments/different stuff throughout travels round city.
I threw all the things into the backpack, hopped on my electrical bike, and rode to a flat open space to check the F11 out. It might not appear to be a lot, however the backpack accent is a very nice contact right here by Base Camp – I beloved having all my skate stuff in a single transportable bag. It’s nice for storage when not utilizing the board, as properly.
Along with the skateboard, Base Camp additionally despatched me a model new BC019 helmet to check out – full with a chargeable rear gentle with 5 totally different show settings. It’s like having taillights on the again of your head!
Whereas I stay a proponent of security, I’m admittedly not an enormous fan of helmets – largely as a result of I’ve a much bigger head and have struggled to search out one that matches comfortably with out making my dome appear to be an egg. The BC019 provides a light-weight ABS shell that’s simply adjustable and an EPS liner that could be very snug. The colour I selected is named Tumbled-Inflexible, which is darkish denim, however there are 4 different choices to select from.
Pricing, availability, and my video evaluation
Total, I’d classify Base Camp’s F11 as a newbie skateboard attributable to its restricted velocity (10 mph) and vary (9 miles actual world). It’s positively not a commuter board, neither is it attempting to be. I’d suggest the F11 to riders who aren’t solely new to electrical skateboarding however are maybe extra snug on a shorter board.
You gained’t go breaking any land velocity information, and also you’re going to need to maintain your terrain as flat as attainable, however while you do journey the F11, it’s a blast to crouch, carve, and cruise… simply don’t attempt to ollie! (You’ll see why within the video.)
The compact dimension and portability is the actual promoting level of this board, for my part, as you possibly can strap it into the backpack, hop in your bike or the prepare, then simply skate round on it wherever you find yourself. I can’t say that about most electrical skateboards.
One other enormous perk of the F11 is pricing – Base Camp is at present promoting the skateboard bundle (together with the backpack) for $299.99 – that’s virtually $200 off. Remember to take a look at Base Camp’s website should you’re , and should you’d prefer to study extra – watch my full video evaluation beneath.
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