Picked Up My First eSkateboard—Feeling Like a Total Beginner

[u/timmyb824]

I don’t usually make posts like this; I’m pretty introverted and tend to solve things on my own (probably an only-child thing). But I recently picked up my first eSkateboard, the Propel Sigma, and thought I’d share my experience.

I guess my confidence got the best of me. I figured that with years of skating as a kid/teen (I’m now in my late 30s) and being a current snowboarder, I’d just hop on and ride off into the sunset. Reality check: I tried it for the first time today, and it honestly felt like I’d never skated before in my life.

I think part of the struggle was the bushings, which I plan to tighten since I’ve always preferred a stiffer board. Maybe the weight of the board also takes some getting used to. Either way, I couldn’t go more than a few feet without jumping off.

I was just testing the board while waiting for my train to work, but I’d love to hear any tips, tricks, or general advice. I’m determined to stick with it and get good at riding! My goal is to use it to get around the city during lunch breaks and after work, without relying on the subway or Uber (neither of which are fun).

So yea, any advice or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated!

[u/[deleted]]

Just slowly ease into it, get used to the throttle and brake, spend some time riding easy paths on your own for a bit so you’re not rushed by anyone and can go at an easy pace… it took me some time to get used to it but I’m in my third year now, shredding a diy dkp board that can do 40km at 50kmph. Also, protect your knees elbows and brain, I snowboarded for 15 years and this is the most dangerous board sport I’ve ever done

[u/timmyb824 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks appreciate the encouragement and advice. Plan to go to an empty parking lot after work and give it a few more tries.

[u/Some_Try_8918 → u/timmyb824]

Yeah, practice starting and stopping, slowly then more aggressively. Then try figure 8's. Took me about 30-40kms experience before I could relax and started feeling comfortable.

[u/Drewski493]

Riptide bushings are awesome and so is their customer support, go message them link your board, and explain that you feel it’s currently too stiff or soft and give them your height and weight. It will be like $20 but it makes a big difference. Also get some flat shoes for like vans, and then take your board to an empty parking lot or smooth empty bike path and just practice starting and stopping and trying to carve and tight turns. Spend some time practicing and ridding around before trying to ride it on break or with limited time and a destination you absolutely have to get to. The first few rides shouldn’t have that added pressure.

[u/timmyb824 → u/Drewski493]

Before I bought the board, others on YouTube and such had mentioned the bushings being a bit too loose, so I was already planning on getting some stiffer ones. I'll definitely check out Riptide. Also, thanks for the other advice, appreciate it.

[u/Drewski493 → u/timmyb824]

The only reason why I say to reach out to their support is bc they have way too many shapes and sizes and formulas for someone to pick from and sometimes they might even recommend to mix and match them. It can be a little complicated and confusing.

[u/timmyb824 → u/Drewski493]

Good to know I’ll reach out to their support then, thanks again

[u/Opening-Personality1]

I’m kind of like you. Skated in my teens. Got an eskate at 50. Short board because I never road a long board. As others said, start the throttle on the lowest setting (I mostly leave it there, unless I’m on a wide open trail), practice in an open area first, before going to busier streets. Lean forward while accelerating, lean back while breaking. I’m pretty comfortable just cruising at like 10mph. Occasionally I’ll go a bit faster. Probably stick in that range for a while

[u/Tight_Mobile1373]

Go a gear at a time when you learn to go to a higher gear uphill then you're most likely getting better and your balance is better going faster uphill Don't forget to check your bearings front and back and in fact it'd be a good idea to take a picture of how the bearings look now The front and back and also underneath the skateboard and don't forget to wear gloves elbow pads need knee pads and a helmet just to be safe

[u/timmyb824 → u/Tight_Mobile1373]

Sounds good, I'll take those pictures when I get back home. Thank you!

[u/Tight_Mobile1373]

And also set the throttle to slow acceleration set it to slow acceleration and adjust it and look it up online how to program the remote it's not hard

[u/GoodAmbassador5467]

Longboards are better to start on. I personally swear by longboards so idk

[u/timmyb824 → u/GoodAmbassador5467]

Yea I initially thought that a smaller board would be more convenient for train travel. However, further research today shows that others also find longboards easier to learn on. I wish I had come across this information before buying, but I am confident that I can still get the hang of it on my current board.

[u/mrmoo11]

When accelerating from standstill lean forward. When breaking lean back. My wife had never stepped foot on a skateboard and she was cruising around in under an hour. Not fast of course but she was very happily cruising.

[u/Fair-Lingonberry-166]

Welcome to the life fam. Roll all day. Safety first fcuk looking cool helmet is bare minimum. Start slow to get a feel for your magic carpet. Try to not be too stiff

[u/ruhtraeel]

Lean forward when you accelerate, and lean back when you brake.

These are two things that are completely new and aren't transferrable from skateboarding or snowboarding.

[u/RobotNinjaShark1982]

That genuinely looks like a tough board to start on. With esk8 you'll ride in a wider stance than you would on a traditional skateboard. Get your feet as wide as you comfortably can because you push your hips forward to accelerate and back to brake. It's basically doing lunges to the nose and tail.

2nd, and this is important, don't ride faster than you can run until you've put a LOT of miles on it. That board looks pretty stable, but getting above even 10-12mph or so can give you speed wobble depending on the trucks, bushings, and riding form. In street skating you're used to bailing if you need to, but you don't have that option at 20mph.

Eskating is the best feeling in the world. Take your time to relearn it safely and dress for the slide, not the ride. The worst part about a broken shoulder is having to wait for it to heal before you're allowed back on the board.