Urban Transport

Kickr adds an electric motor to any longboard

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Kickr is designed to add an electric motor to any longboard
A close view of where Kickr attaches to the board
Riding a longboard with Kickr
A view of the parts of the Kickr longboard motor
A close view of the Kickr motor attachment
Kickr is designed to add an electric motor to any longboard
Demonstating Kickr
The final Kickr design proposal
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Longboards are a great way to get around for many people, but kicking on the flats can be rather tiring. That's where motorized options like the LaGrange L1 truck come into play. Now, a new option called Kickr offers an electric motor without requiring the user to change trucks.

To use Kickr, the skater connects the device to their existing board. To do so, they wrap the battery pack around the bottom of the board, remove one of the wheel bolts and attach the motor above said wheel. Once everything's reattached, the user steps on the throttle button (which is on the strap for the battery) and the motor turns the wheel and moves the board.

The design allows the motor to work with almost any longboard, which means users can keep using the board with which they are comfortable, instead of having to adapt to a new one.

Kickr promises speeds up to 20 mph (32 km/h) and enough battery power to travel about six miles (9.6 km). A full charge of the battery should take about two hours. The device weighs less than five pounds (2.3 kg), so it shouldn't add too much weight to the board.

A view of the parts of the Kickr longboard motor

The execution of the prototype is a little rough to look at, but it's easy to see where the design makes sense. The final design looks a lot cleaner, but the creators haven't shown off that look in a final working prototype.

The team at Kickr is seeking funding for its motor on Kickstarter. Buyers interested in getting a kit for their longboard can do so for a minimum pledge of US$399, assuming the funding goal is met.

The pitch video below shows the motor in action.

Sources: Kickr, Kickstarter

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8 comments
iperov
No brakes, throttle by pedal, unreal high price.
Milton
@iperov
No brakes? - wrong.
Throttle by pedal? - wrong.
Unreal high-price? - I suppose that's an opinion. But considering its one of the least expensive electric-skateboard options I've ever seen (and I've seen a LOT), I wouldn't agree.
thk
If a wheel can be swapped with one that has a gear so that a more efficient transfer of energy can be effected, the concept will be more appealing. With the design they have now, how long will it last before slippage occurs frequently?
Ozuzi
The point is to not have to modify your board much. It will fit in an elevator and can be carried onto a bus/train. Heaps cheaper than those daggy electric bikes. The drive is spring loaded, direct drive might be suicide if a component fails.
Milton
@iperov My mistake. I stand corrected:
There are no brakes!
(In another build-topic I remember them claiming braking-abilities... guess they canned that idea).
Gregg Eshelman
Looks like it'd quickly grind the wheel down to a nubbin.
Ben Samar
I think that lack of brakes are not not a deal breaker considering how smart and practical this solution is. show me a better way to motorize an existing longboard setup without needing to compromise by swapping the desired existing parts. any experienced longboarder knows how to stop very quicky without brakes, although learning not to push your speed too far in a dangerous setting will be an important new consideration.
JordanKlicker
honestly this isnt a bad idea considering some people live on top of a hill. this would help get me up the hill faster, breaks arnt need to climb up a incline. this seems to be a very good project. there wouldnt be a need for new tires all the time. it helps spin the tires, if it was trying to stop the tires then there would be grinding on the tires. but thats clearly not the case this idea im giving 2 thumbs up for sure!