All Terrain Evolve Bamboo GTX Review 2020
The Bamboo GTX series is a long range, high powered electric skateboard with road or all terrain capability.
Evolve Bamboo GTX Electric Skateboard Key Features
Take a quick look below at the Bamboo GTX key specs, or read on for an in-depth Evolve Bamboo GTX Review.
| Dimensions | Speed | Range | Charging time | Weight | Smartphone app | Waterproof rating | Lights | Max Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Length 102 cm (40 inches) Deck wheelbase 95 cm (37.5 inches) | 36-42 km/h (22 – 26 m/h) on both setups | Street setup 50 km (31 miles) All-Terrain setup 30 km (18.5 miles) | 4-5 hours | Street setup 7.9 kg (17 lbs) All-Terrain setup 9.5 kg (21 lbs) | No | Not Waterproof | None | 100 kg (220 lbs) |
Evolve Bamboo GTX Series Overview
The Australian Evolve Skateboards company was started in 2010 by extreme sports professionals and enthusiasts. Just for this reason, you can guess that their products are going to be extremely fast, powerful and comfortable. Not only are Evolve skateboards are great, but the community of enthusiasts surrounding the brand is very passionate. For this reason, in 2016 the company started an annual Evolve Skateboards World Cup.
The Evolve electric Bamboo GTX skateboards are some of the fastest electric skateboards on the market are mostly aimed for people who have experience riding longboards, skateboards, or snowboards and want extremely fast and versatile electric vehicles.
However, this does not mean that amateurs and beginners cannot enjoy an adrenaline-filled ride with Bamboo GTX longboard. It’s relatively easy to learn how to ride the board since its comfortable, stable, and versatile.
Check out this in-depth review of Bamboo GTX series skateboards to understand what, in our opinion, makes these longboards one of the best performing and most fun green means of transportation.
What models are in the Evolve Bamboo GTX Series?
In this overview we will be looking at three options that are available in the Evolve Bamboo GTX series:
- A street electric skateboard
- An all-terrain electric skateboard
- A 2in1 package to fulfill all your needs
As you can see whether you want to go extreme off-roading, agile street racing, or city commuting the Bamboo GTX eco-friendly skateboards series have an option for you.
Speed, Power & Distance
In terms of power and speed the Bamboo GTX longboards are one of the top electric skateboards we’ve reviewed in 2020. Dual 1500 Watt high-performance brushless motors give a total of 3000 Watt power that allows long distances at extremely high speeds and hill climbs of up to 25% gradient.
The Evolve Bamboo GTX series have the same speed and power specifications as their sister series Bamboo GT, but the big difference between the two series is a bigger battery. Bamboo GTX will allow you to ride much longer distances compared to Bamboo GT.
How fast does it go?
Evolve Bamboo GTX series electric skateboards can go up to 36-42 km/h (22 – 26 m/h) depending on the terrain and rider weight. If you are going to go off-roading on rough terrains like rocks, branches, and paths with hills, then, of course, you will have a lower maximum speed. But at least for us, the speed is more than enough for an adrenaline-packed ride.
Does it have more than one speed setting?
Yes, Evolve Bamboo GTX longboards have 4 speed modes that should allow beginners and amateurs to learn how to ride these electric skateboards gradually from slow speed and low acceleration to full power.
The 4 speed modes are:
- Slow – 20% of power with limited speed
- Eco – 40% of power with limited speed
- Fast – 60% of power with full speed
- GT – 100% of power with full speed and max acceleration
What age/weight is it suitable for?
The weight limit on the GTX e-boards is 100 kg (220 lbs), which we feel is a bit low and prohibits some people from riding the skateboard.
Adding to that, we asked our friend who weighs around 95 kg (210 lbs) to test the longboard and as we expected he couldn’t get to maximum speed but did reach 35 km/h (22 m/h) which is still faster than most of the electric skateboards on the market that we have reviewed.
If not properly handled these skateboards can be dangerous. Therefore, they are not suitable for children under 14 years old unless under adult supervision.
What is the range/distance?
The distance that the Bamboo GTX series can travel with a full charge is the biggest distinction between Bamboo GT and Bamboo GTX series. With the street setup, you will be able to reach up to 50 km (31 miles) which makes the Bamboo GTX street longboard one of the best long-range electric skateboards currently available.
If you choose to go with the All-Terrain (AT) wheels your max range will be 30 km (18.5 miles) of fun and extreme adventures.
Can it be used off-road?
The all-Terrain 7-inch hard rubber off-roading wheels allow for extremely good grip on various terrain including gravel, soft earth, and even grass. We have seen these electric longboards ride with no trouble through forests, rocks, dirt roads, cobblestone.
Probably the only thing we wouldn’t suggest going through is water. These electric longboards do not have an IP waterproof rating, which means they are not designed to be drenched and sprayed with water.
Battery Life & Charging
Bamboo GTX series longboards have a bigger battery than the GT models. The GTX boards are equipped with 36V 10ah Lithium-Ion batteries.
How long does it take to charge?
The bigger batteries on these powerful longboards will charge in 4-5 hours with the standard charger, which is quite fast considered the distance you get. But we would advise to additionally pick up a fast charger that will allow you to charge the battery 0-100% in just 2-3 hours.
Battery protection & safety
We had trouble finding official information about Evolve Skateboards batteries protection. The company does mention that their battery comes with Battery Management System but we found no in-depth information.
How long will the battery last for?
The Lithium-Ion batteries should last around 1000 charge cycles. Which means you can charge and discharge the battery around 1000 times before seeing a major drop in performance. This number is not exact and depends on many variables like battery quality, charging habits or battery maintenance. No one knows for sure how many charge cycles you will have, but with proper care, you should get around 1000 cycles.
Bamboo GTX series skateboards should have a lifespan advantage over most other electric skateboards because they can go for much longer distances before they need a recharge. Less charging to get the same amount of mileage means longer battery life.
Design and Ergonomics
The original looks of these longboards are definitely not our favorite part. They do look like ordinary longboards and, at least to us, a little boring. Having in mind that these skateboards are designed for extreme conditions it is probably fair that more attention was paid to performance and ergonomics than a flashy design. This is down to personal taste, though.
Just as Bamboo GT the GTX models have the same deck that is flexible and comfortable to ride for long distance and has better maneuverability as a longboard.
What material is it made from?
The deck is made from 7-ply Canadian maple and 2-ply laminated. Being made from high-quality softwood allows the deck to be very flexible and durable.
Even though the softwood construction is light, the motors and big battery take its toll on the weight. All-Terrain setup skateboard will weigh 9.8 kg (21 lbs) and the street setup will be 8.8 kg (19.5 lbs). Definitely not the lightest electric skateboards we’ve reviewed.
Remote
Not too long ago, Evolve Skateboards redesigned their remote and now have the R2 with all their electric skateboards. The remote is remarkably designed to have all the features you would need when riding an electric skateboard. This is what you get when professionals design a product they use themselves.
The R2 remote has an LCD screen that shows your current speed, battery status, distance, and speed modes. It has well-designed brake and acceleration controls with a dead mans switch to allow for a smooth and safe stopping/accelerating.
Does it connect to your smartphone via app or Bluetooth?
Unfortunately, no smartphone applications currently exist for Evolve Skateboards.
Build quality and ease of use
Evolve Bamboo GTX skateboards are not only well designed but have a very high-quality build. Since the skateboards are widely used by professional and extreme sports enthusiasts it is essential for them to endure high loads of pressure for extended periods of time.
During our test, we didn’t see any signs of bad quality parts and even when researching online we found very little complaints about the Bamboo GTX series, which is very rare in the electric transportation niche.
As we mentioned at the start of this overview, Bamboo GTX series skateboards are not only easy to use for professionals but also for beginners as well. You can start off with lower speeds and learn how to maneuver the skateboard and then gradually move onto higher speeds to enjoy adrenaline filled off-roading or high-speed ride on the streets.
Safety and usability on the road
Since these skateboards provide an extreme sensation you should not forget you need to be extremely safe. Always wear your helmet and protective pads when riding for your own safety. Additionally, if you want to ride at night you might need to add custom lights to the skateboard because none of the Bamboo GTX models have lights or reflective stickers.
When riding on streets and roads you will have a blast with Bamboo GTX Street model. Its 91mm wheels have great grip for quick stopping or accelerating. We think the biggest advantage of the Bamboo GTX Street model is the distance it can travel on streets and roads.
For people who live in cities with bad roads and pavement, we highly suggest using the AT setup. The big wheels gave us no trouble to go through cracks in the pavement, rocks, and bumps that we encountered during city commute.
Are Evolve Bamboo GTX skateboards waterproof?
Sadly Evolve Bamboo GTX skateboards do not have an IP waterproof rating. Because of this, we would strongly advise keeping your boards away from rain, puddles, and other water sources. Any water that can drench the board will likely damage battery/motor/electronics.
Maneuverability
Having a flexible deck Bamboo GTX skateboards are very maneuverable. If you really like carving, cruising, or just going crazy while off-roading the Bamboo GTX skateboards are very comfortable and give more control compared to some stiff skateboards.
Restrictions and availability
Evolve Skateboards have a wide variety of retail partners all over the world so most people should be able to get their hands on Evolve Bamboo GTX series. Check the stockist list here.
Also, do some research on your local legislation if you want to ride this electric skateboard in public. Some countries or states prohibit personal electric vehicles like skateboards and scooters on public roads and pavements. Make sure you are up-to-date with current local laws.
Which model should you choose?
If you still haven’t decided which model fits you best let us give you our opinion on the Evolve AT vs Street model. Both AT and Street models are champions in their own areas. If you like carving and coasting on the streets for long distances, then the Street model is probably a better option. Whereas if you want extreme experiences then the AT model. However, for a small change in price, we think the 2in1 package is well worth it.
Why not have the equipment to go for extreme off-roading one day and relaxing coasting on the street the next day?
Evolve Bamboo GTX Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals 2020
We haven’t come across any significant price movements for these electric skateboards, so it’s difficult to predict whether or not there will be any Evolve Bamboo GTX Black Friday deals in 2020. At this stage, our analyst team think its unlikely that we’ll see discounts on these models, but if you’re looking to get the best price, it might be worth waiting to see if any Evolve Bamboo GTX Black Friday deals are released as we approach Thanksgiving and deals week. We’ll list any information, deals and news on this page so check back for updates. Discover sensational savings with our list of possible Black Friday electric skateboard deals this 2020! Alternatively, check out our in-depth Evolve Bamboo GTX Black Friday analysis here.
