Recs.
Updated
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Minimalist stealthy clean design
The minimalist, light, and stealthy design of the board shows a clean look, that is not bulky and does not attract too much attention. Nothing is screwed under the deck, and a seamless top deck is used to create an air-tight seal to protect the electronics. No lid screws, no seams, watertight.
Pro Easily protects from damage
The board is designed to be able to take a hit. If you lose control and the Marbel collides with a wall or curb, front and rear bumpers made from urethane rubber will protect the board from chips or cracks. No need to waste money on costly ugly bumper accessories just to protect the nose and tail.
Pro Wheel options - 76mm and 100mm
This allows you to adjust for your riding style, and street conditions. Larger wheels go over bumps/cracks easier, and roll more efficiently.
The wheels can be ordered, but have not shipped until the app is released. You set the wheel size in the app which corrects/adjusts your speeds to match the wheel chosen.
Pro Goes 16 miles on a single charge
Once fully charge the board will average (depending on the riders weight and speed) 16 miles before it is fully depleted. This is actually not that bad of a distance as many boards will only do 10 miles, so is good for those that may need the extra mileage.
Pro One of the lightest
Marbel is light because it is made from carbon fiber, the batteries used are the latest lithium-ion technology, similar to what is found in the Tesla Model S.
Newly shipped boards are 10.3 lbs brand new. They added additional insulation to eliminate some short circuiting affecting wireless receivers dropping. 9.9 lbs was their original claim to fame, but ultimately it needed a bit more material to help with some issues encountered in real world use.
Pro The Carbon Fiber stiffness offers more stability riding at higher speeds
A flexible board is a smoother ride at slow speeds but the stiffer board offers more stability riding at higher speeds and carving around sharp turns. Flexible boards can feel a little loose above 20mph. Just like a snowboard for those who are familiar. This is a preference based on riding style but if going fast is your thing and you need a stiff suspension to get around those tight turns then this is the Lambo of skateboard designs . It carves like it is on rails.
Pro Anti-theft system
You can set a pass code to lock your board when the app arrives. A locked Marbel board can only be unlocked with the passcode or having the board sent back to our facility... making the Marbel board useless to a thief (Similar to what both Apple and Google have done with their phones).
Pro Smartphone App integration and advanced features
While not released yet, previews show advanced features and community options within their app.
Throttle control. Great to see are things like Remaining Range, Social/Community integrations, Security Lock, Range Alarm, and Wheel size choice. Odometer and trip miles
Mode, Map, gasoline saved, customized acceleration and customized top speed.
Custom mode can be configured (mode 4) exactly to your preferences. For current users (without the app) Mode 4 duplicates Mode 3 "sport mode".
Cons
Con International customers have had issues receiving their board
Many international backers who paid for this board through Kickstarter have not received it due to restrictions on shipping the battery. Check out the Kickstarter page comments to see how many other international customers are still waiting.
Con International shipping delays
Many international backers who paid for this board through Kickstarter have not received it due to restrictions on shipping the battery. No timeline has been set for when these boards will be delivered. Check out the Kickstarter page comments to see how many other international customers are still waiting.
Con Boards have reliability issues
Users of the Marbel board are reporting significant quality control issues; boards dying within a week, multiple replacements coming with the same issues. This may be due to the large demand and understaffed assembly.
While build quality is not an issue every owner has experienced, if you do experience it, there may be a long wait to see any resolution.
Con Mobile app still unreleased
It is currently in a closed customer beta version for both iOS and Android. The beta app itself crashes at times, so is still unstable and difficult to come by (since it is a closed beta). Release dates have been given numerous times, with the app still not being released after missing a few dates such as the original July 2015 date.
Con Resistance while not powered
For those that would like to push kick there will be a slight resistance to moving the board due to the drive train. This is something to consider for those that wish to use the board non-powered a lot. This is an inherent problem with all belt drive systems.