andyzbox

ha! I know

I was in Greenwich park in the UK. Basically I cut through the park on my way to work each day. Leading up to the Olympics I got to the side entrance I normally go in and it was open fine, So I thought just a normal day.

I start going through the park but all the paths seem to be blocked with plastic barriers. I'm going this way and that trying to figure a route through. In the end I'm getting the hump so I jump over a few barriers etc to try and get out. Nearing the end I wizz round a corner and there is a row of Army men lined up blocking my path holding their guns etc. They call me over.

So I go over and the guy goes "what are you doing in the park!?" "We have been tracking you all through the park and your lucky one of our snipers didn’t take you out!!" I don’t know if they was joking or not but guy seemed serious lol. They said the whole park was shut as it was an Olympic venue, I was trespassing in a restricted area!

I did look a big odd as you can imagine I had a big rucksack on my back too with my works stuff in it, wizzing along on an electric board, with the remote in my hand which you knows looks like a gun! ha ha ha. Still why they didn’t have anyone on the side gate is beyond me. I had no idea they had closed the park. When they escorted me to the main entrance it was obvious it was shut as there was loads of army patrolling it etc.

I know they say skateboarding is dangerous but that takes the mick! :cornut:

Hi guys

Very interesting post.

privateer, I did exactly the same as you and brought a cheap board as couldn't make my mind up about the Es5OO or 600. That got me hooked and I saved and brought the 500 mainly due to the weight factor.

When it 1st arrived I was blown away. The power and speed and moverability awesome. Big smile on my face ever time I rode it.

Mine too was to get to work, which is 9 miles each way. Mainly flat but a few hills. The board flew up hills no problem. It made it all way easy. Charged it at work and getting home fine too. Going to work had never been such fun!! :cornut:

Now ref carrying IMO you it's still heavy you def need a bag to throw it over you shoulder. Found one perfect size surfing the web.

The bad side is I've had a few problems along the way. So far I've had a replacement motor (got jammed), motor bracket (snapped), drive belt (snapped) and just today a drive wheel! The parts take a long time to arrive when you need replacements as its quite specialist and es don't generally have stock in my experience.

Andrew at ES has been fantastic though. Top notch customer service and always willing to help or answer any questions. I def don't regret buying it!

So I've come to the conclusion that if I was deciding to buy again between the 500 & 600, I would gone for the 600. It's built much better for the distances I'm covering and given that I need to use a bag anyway the little but of extra weight I'd take in exchange for better performance and a more robust board. Once your used to the 500 you can pretty much ride it flat out no probs, you find yourself wishing it just had a tiny but more.

I'm busy now saving for the 900. It's got me totally hooked. It's board has been used far more on non work journeys the actually going to work lol

I would also reccomend ordering a spare drive wheel and belt at time of purchase. I did and have needed both lol better to have to hand than wait weeks without your deck!!

So my advice is go for it soon as you can afford order it you won't regret it!!

People always stare and I've been chased by dogs across the park, legged it from police, and even stopped by the army after being tracked by a sniper!!! I kid you not lol. The buzz you get from riding it though is all worth it!!

:peace:

Far out dude!!!Welcome :thumbsup:

Have you noticed a difference changing from super reds to ceramics? :confused5:

Board done the job nice to work so happy days.

The mrs is getting fed up, I made her drive my daughter to street dance whilst I skated there! She not impressed with my new found love!

Changing my deck in a couple of weeks, are the bits easy to take off and fit to another? Will post some pics when finished.

What wheels do you have on your air? Are they the ES Solor Gum PU or Gum ball wheels? Do you know the differace ie which ones best etc or does it depend on the skating conditions? Sooo many questions lol :arf:

Man I'm sooo happy with my board. Last couple of days have been the 1st chance I've had to use it due to weather to get to work! It's top notch outta this world.

I was worried it wasn't going to get me all the way it's about 9 miles but there are a few steep hills etc but it's handled the job beautifully :peace:

I used to get the train and dlr and it would take me about 1 hour 15 min door to door. I've nailed that down to 43 min via the air! I'm soo happy it's such a buzz and actually makes going to work fun ha ha

You don't half get some odd looks! ESP as where I work it's suit city central ha ha

I was wondering how often should I be cleaning my bearings? Wondering how long I'll get outta the wheels too doing 45 miles odd a week let alone the weekends!!

Ha your lucky then pretty sure in the uk the would have words as nothing better to do!

Ceramics are the best but cos we have the drive wheel it's not worth getting about super reds. :thumbsup: besides you have to replace them regularly :devil:

Check here:

http://bonesbearings.com/products/bearings/

Hi

I don't know if they would fit the 900 I guess they would but check.

I would say 100% they are def worth it. I compared both on identical journeys and freewheel is def improved with the reds. So I range has too and top speed, well if def felt quicker

I researched it a bit and bearings cost all sort of prices. Bones seem to be highly regarded. Someone told me go for bones super red as any higher ones you wouldn't really notice the diff for the price tags. Paid £29

Managed to get out and do a couple hours riding today was heaven :peace: only moment is when I luckily spotted the police and started using as a normal skateboard when going past! Has anyone here had any encounters with the law whilst out skating?

Ha success with the pics then :peace:

Hi All

Thanks for the replies

@Roman - wow I can only imagine what the ES900 must be like! The 500 is so fast and having that extra range must be awesome. I went for the 500 as needing to carry it into work, getting the train home if it rains etc. How far have you tested it?

@Kia, ahhh ok, I'll try renaming a few now and seeing if I can attach. Glad to be here :thumbsup:

@Wolf, yeah I thinking from the testing I have been doing it should make it. I'm gonna charge it whilst in the office for the journey home! I'll let you know if I make it or not LOL. I’ll try attaching my chosen route :cornut:

Gotta say it feels like xmas back when I was a child today. The other bits I ordered turned up today, bag, pads & helmet (really guess I should wear this if I'm going all the way to work) and the super red bearings! The wife is going nuts on how much I spent ha ha ha ha

Ref fitting the bearings I put them on but wasn’t sure if the black casing or the see through one should be visible. So I fitted with the see through on the inside i.e. when you look either side of the wheel you see the black casing. I'm hoping that’s right, they seem to spin nicely! Can’t test them as its still wet out!!! booo hoo

The bag seems a good fit I didn’t want anything too big! Pic below if it attaches!

Weather shows sun for tomorrow, I'm itching to get out but I have to cut down a couple of blooming trees which will take up most my day :smow:

Cheers

Andy

ohhh cant seem to figure out how to post the pics! :confused5:

I've added them to my attachments but all that comes up is what is displayed above

Hi,

Got my air 500 just over a week ago and I'm addicted :peace:

The wife is thinking of filing for divorce as I'm out on it every chance I get. If I'm not out I'm searching the web for a bag or cleaning it LOL

I'd been looking for a couple of years when the air 400 was out but could never quite take the plunge to splash out so much cash. Not to mention not having it! lol Finally I bite the bullet after slowly saving up and I don’t regret it one bit the board is sooooo amazing! Its soo quick to accelerate much better than I thought it would be. The range seems decent enough I'll report more on this once I suss out a decent gps tracker for the iphone. The deck turns on a dime the pivot trucks are well worth the extra.

The plan is to ride it to work, at the moment I get a train and Dlr and the trip takes about an hour. I reckon I can do it on the board in around 40mins as its only 8 miles away. 1st day back is Monday so wish me luck for both range and weather! The board will be saving me a small fortune if it works out on travel costs!

I took this week off to get out and about on the board, but it’s been wet! Still I’ve managed a few decent hours worth in the dry spells :thumbsup: My little girl has a 100w elec skooter so we been buzzing around everywhere although the solo trips when you can test it to the limts are my fav. Helmet and pads are order!

For the record I'm 37 not skated for many a year. Back in the 80's and 90's I had my old Santa Cruz deck which I lived on day and night. I still have it as couldn’t bear to part with it after all the years! I brought a cheap Raptor board off ••••, It didnt go very fast or far but that got me looking for something that could.

In terms of any mods, I've ordered some bones super reds as the bearing are rubbish that comes with the deck as standard which surprised me. Free rolling is pretty nonexistent with the ones that come fitted even allowing for the drive wheel.

The deck came with some scratches on it which can be seen under the clear grip tape, so in a few weeks it’s getting swapped for one with a carbon finish. Can’t wait big mistake having clear grip because apart from the scratches you always have to clean it as the dirt shows bad. Shame the battery is not a smooth finish (it has ridges) as I have some great art stickers I could decorate it with.

Oh and Andrew @ ES is awesome, really helpful and sorted me out with a few teething problems or any questions I had, even over bank holiday!! Top geezer :cornut:

I'll post some more pics as I pimp it up if people are interested. By good to hear from any other air owners and what sort of ranges you’re getting out of you board etc.

Cheers

Andy

Ah thanks Dave very useful. I'll order super reds then and save the cash :thumbsup:

Yeah I ordered it with the pivot pin steel trucks as an extra. Just gutted about the weather. Board came last week and i booked this week off to have a good skate. Not looking too good rain all week predicted

What sort of ranges do you get out if your air? Im hoping it will get me all the way to work which is 8 miles various terrain. That would save me over £20 a week in travel costs, so board would start paying for itself over the summer lol

Would you say bones super red rather than bones Swiss super 6?

Not sure what the difference is apart from the swiss seem to have 6 bearings rather than 7.

http://bonesbearings.com/products/bearings/bones-super-swiss-6/

Nice board :peace:

I got my air 500 last week and it's the nuts!

Ref the bearings have you noticed a big diff between the super reds and ceramic?

I was weighing up between super Swiss 6 or Swiss Labyrinth :confused5: