When comparing ZBoard 2 Pearl vs Bamboo GTX 2in1, the Slant community recommends Bamboo GTX 2in1 for most people. In the question“What are the best electric skateboards?” Bamboo GTX 2in1 is ranked 1st while ZBoard 2 Pearl is ranked 15th. The most important reason people chose Bamboo GTX 2in1 is:
The board has a wide truck system and a flexible wooden deck which makes it great for carving.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Very long range
This board has a 24-mile range, beating the vast majority of electric skateboards in this regard that usually don't go farther than 14 miles.
Pro It offers a unique riding experience
The Zboard Pearl is controlled by two pressure pads instead of a handheld remote. Pressing on the front pad increases forward speed; pressing on the back brakes or sends you in reverse. Having controls different from the majority of alternatives makes this board more fun but also more challenging to ride, even for those who have experience with electric skateboards.
Pro Front and back lights enable riding at night
There is a headlight and taillight for riding in the dark. These lights allow the rider to be seen and to see where the board is going.
Pro Low battery warning lights
In order to keep users from being surprised by a dead battery, the ZBoard 2 now comes with LED indicators that keep you apprised of the remaining battery life.
Pro You can use it as a regular skateboard
When the battery is completely drained, the brushless motor allows ZBoard to be pushed like a regular skateboard.
Pro Good for carving
The board has a wide truck system and a flexible wooden deck which makes it great for carving.
Pro One of the best options for experienced riders
This is easily one of the top performing boards in terms of power and speed on the market right now. Naturally, it takes some skill and experience to ride. It has a huge max range - 31 miles, while the vast majority of alternatives don't go farther than 14. It can go as fast as 26 MPH, which for most people is too fast to be comfortable. It beats most competitors at climbing hills as well with 25% hill grade, compared to the usual 20%.
Pro It's great for long-distance rides
On just one charge you can go anywhere from 18 to 30 miles, depending on the terrain, your weight, and other factors. A typical electric skateboard can only go around 10 miles before requiring charging. The wooden-bamboo deck makes long rides more comfortable by absorbing impact from various bumps on the road that can cause strain in your legs.
Pro You can ride it both on the city streets and off-road
The GTX Bamboo 2in1 has two sets of wheels - one for riding in the city and a larger set that can get you through rough terrain. If you don't want to pay for both, you can alternatively get either the Street or All-Terrain versions of the board.
Cons
Con Steep learning curve
ZBoard has a unique design. While it is similar to other skateboards in many ways, riding ZBoard doesn't come naturally, even for experienced skaters. Controlling the board's speed and direction using the pressure pads can be difficult to accomplish while remaining balanced, so lots of practice is necessary before riding this in a crowded environment.
Con It's very expensive
Even among premium options, this board is one of the most expensive ones. Before committing such a large sum, one should carefully consider if he truly needs such a powerful board, or would a cheaper but still a very well-performing option, such as Boosted or Inboard, do the trick.
Con The weight capacity is quite limited
This board can carry weight up to 220 lbs, while many high-end boards have a max load of 250+ lbs.
Con It takes an experienced rider to use it
The GTX 2in1 is not the best option if you're only starting to explore electric skateboards. It's not only very expensive but also powerful and fast, which means riding it can be dangerous if you're not experienced enough.
Con Its NOT waterproof
All though with street wheels its a hard to ride it wet conditions anyways, the ATs are fine.