When comparing Mellow Board vs Evolve Bamboo, the Slant community recommends Mellow Board for most people. In the question“What are the best Boosted Board alternatives?” Mellow Board is ranked 1st while Evolve Bamboo is ranked 4th. The most important reason people chose Mellow Board is:
The two-year warranty for both the drive system and the remote is the longest in the sector, ensuring quality and justifying in part the Mellow's relatively higher price. Unlike most other manufacturers, Mellow has stated that the warranty is fully transferable and covers water damage (within IP65 conditions). The battery has a one-year warranty.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro 2 year full warranty
The two-year warranty for both the drive system and the remote is the longest in the sector, ensuring quality and justifying in part the Mellow's relatively higher price. Unlike most other manufacturers, Mellow has stated that the warranty is fully transferable and covers water damage (within IP65 conditions). The battery has a one-year warranty.
Pro The battery is waterproof
The battery is waterproof up to IP65 conditions, meaning fully dustproof, and proof against direct streams of water. Even though battery pack is hot swappable, the connection is actually even stronger when it is clicked-in (immersion proof at IP67). Since the rest of the board is IP65 though, they recommend against putting and using it underwater.
Pro 4 different driving modes
Mellow Board offers four different driving modes that you can cycle between using the Mellow app or the remote control. These enable you to tailor riding style, and to conserve battery power during your trip. The modes are “Rooky Ride” (Acceleration 20 percent, top speed 12 mph), “Eco Ride” (Acceleration 40% percent top speed 19 mph), “Pro Ride” (Acceleration 100 percent, top speed 25 mph), and “Endless Ride” (Acceleration 10 percent, you push and the cruise control keeps the pace).
Pro Allows the use of ones own deck
The Mellow Drive replaces the rear (and/or front, in a 4WD setup) truck of pretty much any board. You can use your current board as an electric one by putting the Mellow on, or revert a Mellow Board to a standard trick board (grinds, etc), by replacing the Drive with a standard rear truck. Being able to replace a broken or weatherbeaten deck saves you money, and even lets you ride in the rain without getting splattered by using a wide deck shape without cutouts.
Pro Dust and waterproof
The electronics, motors, battery AND remote are dust and waterproof (IP65). This is great for city riders who have to deal with dirty streets and for riders in rainy areas. The external bearing is grease-filled, sealed and user replaceable; the inner one is a long lasting industrial grade, protected behind a grease-filled reservoir behind a flange on the axle.
Pro Can be taken on an airplane
The battery comes in at 99 Wh, right under the limit allowed on a plane, meaning that it can be taken on board on flight. Being able to double as a USB powerbank to charge phones gets it on flights in carry-on baggage without problems.
Pro Can be used to charge the phone
The removable battery pack has a USB charge port also be used to charge phones or other portable electronic devices (around 9 full iPhone 6 charges). This feature lets be brought on flights in carry-on baggage.
Pro Swappable battery
The battery can be swapped on the fly, which is good for those wanting to go on a long journey or those who don't have the opportunity to charge between rides.
Pro Good range and speed
This board has a range of 9 miles and a maximum speed of 25 mph, which is pretty solid for an electric skateboard. In fact, it has a longer range than some of the higher tier boards, which is good for those that want to travel farther in one go.
Pro The remote has a magnetic safety strap
To make sure the remote does not get caught on anything if you fall, the magnetic safety strap will break away when pulled forcefully, protecting you from potentially breaking or twisting your wrist.
Pro Good customer support
The Mellow Team has a very good support. It is always a pleasure to write them.
Pro Good value for money
This skateboard provides a great range-to-price ratio without sacrificing speed or portability. The Bamboo Street gives you at least 10 miles of range even if you're constantly going at max speed. If you ride sensibly you can get up to 25 miles of range.
Pro Adjustable belt tension
You can adjust the belt tension as needed. This is even more useful for those who use customized drive wheels or change the gear ratio.
Pro Ships worldwide
Evolve ships worldwide, so no matter where you live you can easily have a board shipped to you.
Pro Experienced company
Since Evolve has been making electronic boards for a while now, you won't have to be afraid of errors caused by inexperience – the type of mistakes that could be made by a startup company. This also increases the odds they will be around to honor their warranties.
Pro Good build quality ensures good control
The board comes with double carving trucks and a super low drop-through. There are a ton of wheels available to choose from. You will be able to slide it, carve it, or just cruise like you would with any other board. There’s very little friction from the motor, and at low speed it’s basically imperceptible. It's a really good ride, even compared to a traditional longboard.
Pro Small remote
The remote is discreet enough to be palmed in one hand. There is a lanyard cord to attach it to one’s wrist so it is not dropped as well. The small size makes it easily pocketable when you’re not using the board.
Pro It only takes 5 minutes to turn it into an all terrain electric longboard
The all-terrain setup can be switched pretty quickly making for an easy way to go off-road with the board. It costs $1,399 with both AT and street setup. AT setup can be bought separately for those that already have a board.
Pro Quiet motor
The motor is very quiet compared to other boards on the market.
Pro Regenerative brakes that don’t overcharge the battery
The brakes are able to recharge the battery as you slow down, but won’t turn the board off if you overcharge the battery (this is a problem for some boards on the market).
Cons
Con Very expensive
The drive costs €1,499, which is quite a lot considering it doesn’t come with a board. The drive and board combination is priced at €1,799. But over all considered you still get more for the money than you would get with the same amount of money spent for a Boosted Board
Con Design not as slick as initially featured, is now a black box
Some of the distinctive design features teased in the Kickstarter campaign have been replaced by more generic, less inspired designs. What doesn't makes this board bad and it's still the best on the market!
Con No longer officially sold in the US
There is no option to purchase this board from Evolve in the US, so it will either need imported, or the user will need to wait till the newer version of this board is out of pre-order.
Con Weak brakes at low speed
The brakes are good at high speed but they don't stop the board at slow speed. When going downhill, the board still goes around 5mph even on full brake.
Con Not waterproof
The board can be ridden through "some surface water" but is not fully waterproof or weatherproof.