CHINESE BUILD: 10S3P | Maytech VESC | Maytech 6374 190kV mono drive | BOOSTED BOARD Deck | 97mm Wheels | Winning remote

Hey everyone! Today I’m starting a build log for my first board. I have just finished ordering the last few parts, so building will commence shortly. Despite unpopular opinion, I’m really admiring what the Chinese are up to in the electric skateboard area. They’re bridging the gap between mass produced boards and hobbyists like us. As a result I’m plunging into the Chinese world for parts, and so far I’m pretty impressed.

PARTS: Boosted Board clone deck: https://world.taobao.com/item/536855694383.htm?fromsite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4004-14838118875.2.l7tyh8

Trucks, Wheels, Pulleys etc. https://world.taobao.com/item/528942351980.htm?fromsite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4002-8431072093.46.pxndcc

15T Pulley to replace the 12T in the kit^ https://world.taobao.com/item/39638387460.htm?fromsite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w1017-2425805193.25.dtrbwl&

10S BMS (for charging only, discharging will bypass the board) https://world.taobao.com/item/21608808908.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.a5w3ik#detail

42V 2A Charger https://world.taobao.com/item/533987952568.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.fmqxg9#detail

INR18650-25R batteries 10S3P https://www.nkon.nl/rechargeable/18650-size/samsung-18650-inr18650-25r.html

Winning Remote https://world.taobao.com/item/537250175577.htm?fromsite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4002-8275179524.59.hggibp

Maytech VESC https://world.taobao.com/item/536720652464.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.skowvc#detail

Maytech 6374 190kV Motor https://world.taobao.com/item/540349637949.htm?id=540349637949

12 Gauge Wire https://world.taobao.com/item/524776541213.htm?fromsite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4002-12883306582.78.nxljx9

Lights https://world.taobao.com/item/538090351353.htm?fromsite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4002-8275179524.56.hggibp

XT90 Connectors https://world.taobao.com/item/15753414213.htm?fromsite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4002-14849163110.19.wssrqc

Battery Display https://world.taobao.com/item/524929127650.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.idmlv8#detail

As you can see, everything I’m buying is coming from China, except the batteries since I live in Europe. (Heads up: NKON is hands down the cheapest supplier of 18650s in Europe if you didn’t already know). Everything else that’s coming from Taobao is coming through my agent. Buying direct from Taobao to Europe (and especially America) is possible, but it’s not easy and a lot of sellers have no interest in shipping internationally.

So far what has arrived is:

  • Deck
  • BMS
  • Remote
  • Wheels trucks pulleys etc
  • Lights
  • Wire

My verdict on parts so far: Deck: At first I was a bit skeptical, especially considering the price. Once it arrived I noticed that only the top and bottom of the deck is bamboo, the inner 3 layers are ply. But regardless, the build quality seems to be very high. The deck is springy like the genuine boosted deck, and generally feels pretty good. Note that it has 6 holes drilled towards one side, for fitting an electronics case to it. But once you put grip tape on it it’ll be all covered up so it’s not a problem if you don’t want them. Grip tape is included with the board.

Wheels They’re just generic fake 97mm flywheels. Never seen real flywheels so I can’t comment, but these seem quite flexible (little concerning?). Will ride with them for a while, but I think they’re going to need replacing in the long run.

Trucks, Bushings, Bearings All very solid, very pleased with them. No spacers included in the kit.

Pulleys They seem pretty good. I got a few extra belts to prepare for the worst. Replacing the 12T gear with a 15T.

Motor Mount Note sure if I should be concerned about the mount or not. The metal is quite thin. But it is all steel. The rest of the mount looks solid. The mount fits really nicely with the trucks and gears. They also included a belt shield. Once I sand off the branding it should be all good.

So that’s my verdict on the parts so far. Looking forward to testing the Maytech VESC. If things continue at this success rate, I should have a very good value board! Please leave me any feedback if you’ve got any, very new to the world of e-skating! :slight_smile:

13 Likes

Hey buddy ! Interesting build ! Am also going for that kind of board with the same specs. Except sourcing everything within Europe :slight_smile: Have got the vanguard flex 2 and it is quite flexy so a split enclosure is the way to go. Is that board as flexy that you would need a split enclosure ? I’ll get the same exact cells from nkon. Isn’t the 10s4p a better value ? Since you get a discount with 40 cells ? And do you have a spot welder available ?

Whats the total sum you have spent so far :slight_smile: ? Info about Shipping and duration concerning taobao would be cool

What currency is that when you click through to taobao? Yen?

1 Like

To be honest I tend to find a bit exaggerated the systematic negative comments that you see on the site with regard to Chinese components. i have had the opportunity to work with some Chinese companies in the past in the capacitors industry, and I can tell you they progressed really fast and it did not take long for them to catch up with their Western competitors who had been in the industry for decades, and at a far cheaper cost. So paying twice the price does not systematically means you get a better quality. The problem is always the same: how to find the right supplier that will provide quality products in the hundreds that you have available on the various Internet platforms? It takes time and energy, and many of us do not have that, especially for what is for most of us a hobby. i think it would be far more constructive to share experience of bad and good suppliers so that others do not make the same mistake and get the benefit of experience. After all one of the leaders in the commercial drones industry is DJI, is fully Chinese and develops products that are far more technical and sensitive than our motors, ESC and batteries with a high level of quality. After that you can still decide to buy “Made in USA” or I don’t know where and pay the “fair” price, but are you sure quality is always guaranteed? I am not necessarily convinced

2 Likes

The currency is Yuan. Not as cheap as Yen unfortunately!!

I see another problem : copies without any care for patent, intellectual property and so on. To me, it is much more problematic than the rest.

Sounds good! This board is quite flexy, will definitely be using a 2 part enclosure. The flex is quite comparable to a boosted board.

Yes 10S4P would be more cost effective but ultimately only by a few euro. Considering the VESC that I’ll be using, it won’t be able to handle the extra current of a 4P pack, as far as I can tell…

I’ve asked NKON to put soldering tags on each battery, so connecting them all up shouldn’t be too tough

I would definitely agree with you in regards to the boosted deck and fake flywheels, but if you look on this forum, a huge number of people are using things like fake flywheels from European and American e skate shops. What they’re dong isn’t any worse than the Chinese.

I would definitely agree. I have been importing from China for the past 2 years now, the range in quality from manufacturer to manufacturer is huge. It’s all about finding the good guys, then it’s easy sailing from there on.

That’s for sure, they do not have much consideration for that, even though it is slowly evolving. But that is more a moral point of view, unless you are yourself a manufacturer and don’t want to be caught, which I perfectly understand.

Sure … copying without rights is bad regardless from where it comes.

Indeed … but I wish moral and ethic would have a larger place in the decision to buy stuff. :slight_smile:

Nice build, I’m trying a dual hub motor build for my buddy, was going to get steel hubs but he wants to go with less expensive parts. I’m interested to see your VESC results if it holds up well. I have a quote for some parts from Maytech and I’m about to bite. Some interesting food for thought is the WIRED documentary done on Shenzhen manufacturers with how they create products with the inspiration from other designs from other companies in or outside of china… :slight_smile: There are some good points in the video how they are advancing their tech quicker than ever because they aren’t fighting one another with patent and IP suits as it slows down the speed to advance. Its a pretty interesting documentary, maybe it will change perspective for some who are just down right nasty with the Chinese manufacturers and their products influences.

1 Like

careful with the nano remote, its know to have some issues.

and How is the flex on that clone deck? looks nice but is it fiberglass laminated like the loaded?

It’s like that with everything in life though. Consumerism has a very dark side to everything we purchase

Thanks for the heads up. I’ve heard… But at the same time I’m willing to give it a shot, as it seems like some people have 0 problems while others encounter a lot. The ergonomics are really good.

The flex is pretty good. After riding on it today it seems a slight bit less bendy than the boosted board ( go to 16 seconds to 19 seconds https://youtu.be/BUsL-IxPquA?t=15s ). Not sure what sort of finish is on it, I can feel the grain, so my guess is that it’s some sort of thin lacquer coating. For the price of 30something dollars (?), it’s a very good deck.

1 Like

Yea I think its more a quality control issue or signal interference which is different based on location.

I’ve taken a quick ride on the boosted 2 and it was crazy flexxy! I didn’t even check the conversion, at that price its looks really nice! :slight_smile: Depending on shipping maybe i’ll get one for a regular push board! (that will probably become electric because i’m lazy now!)

Total costs for the whole board (by the time it reaches my doorstep): (item price + agent fees + tax + shipping (approx):

VESC: 90 USD Motor: 115 USD Charger: 10 USD Wheels trucks pulleys kit: 125 USD Deck: 50 USD BMS: 20 USD Smaller bits: 60 USD Remote: 40 USD Batteries – TOTAL (every cost included by the time it reaches my door) 510 USD

Taobao is pretty reliable. You get what you see, and it will arrive (if you’re getting it sent to a Chinese address). Shipping to my Chinese address from Taobao takes about 2-4 days (they post on weekends too). Once everything arrives to my chinese address I ship with DHL so I have everything in another 3/4 days. In my situation, I buy from Taobao more than I would buy from the likes of Amazon for example, because it’s actually a lot quicker and more convenient (crazily enough). But it does vary from person to person of course :slight_smile:

3 Likes

After looking at a couple more videos of the boosted, I don’t think it’s as flexy, for example, I don’t think I could press the middle to the ground (but also my wheels are much larger at 97mm). The boosted board’s bamboo runs in vertical strips rather than horizontal sheets, which helps with the flex.

I’d say try the board, I’m really enjoying it so far!

Please tell us about the VESC, if it works it’s sooo great !