Propel Pivot S Review: A Practical 2-in-1 Electric Skateboard

Introduction

Propel has built a reputation for off-roading electric skateboards, particularly with the Endeavor series. The company has now entered the 2-in-1 market with the Pivot series, which includes the more affordable Pivot S and the higher performance Pivot GT. This review focuses on the Pivot S, while also covering the key differences between the two models.

The Pivot S stands out primarily for its price and its battery design. At its pre-sale price of $799, it offers a practical level of performance that makes it an appealing option for riders who want an Evolve style street board without the premium price tag.

Battery Design: A Key Differentiator

The battery design is arguably the Pivot’s biggest unique selling point aside from the low price. Battery packs for electric skateboards are typically made up of individual cells connected together with spot welded nickel strips. While this approach usually works, spot weld joints in poorly assembled packs can break apart due to vibrations. Electric skateboards receive a lot of vibrations compared to most other types of vehicles.

On both the Pivot S and GT, the battery cells are instead mounted onto nickel strips fixed on a flexible circuit board, making the design free of any easily compromised spot weld joints. The cells are also spaced apart for greater heat dissipation and to prevent rubbing that could eventually lead to a short circuit. The entire pack is protected in a plastic shell, which together with the flexible PCB helps absorb vibrations before they reach the battery cells.

Compared to many battery pack designs, this approach is less likely to break from everyday use. Boards that use this battery design typically cost at least a few hundred dollars more than the Pivot S.

The Pivot S battery is 518Wh, made up of 4000mAh Lishen cells in a 12S3P arrangement. The Pivot GT is 864Wh, using 5000mAh Samsung cells in a 12S4P arrangement. The GT battery has about 33% more weight but about 67% more energy. According to Propel, using their 97mm urethane wheels, the Pivot S should give a 75kg rider about 44km of range, and the GT about 87km of range. Many factors affect range, so actual results may vary.

Deck and Ride Comfort

Propel calls the Pivot deck “BVR,” which stands for “bad vibe reduction.” It is a carbon fiber and fiberglass composite that, according to Propel, gets an average of 15% more vibration dampening than a rigid carbon fiber deck. While the dampening effect may not be immediately noticeable, the deck offers good comfort overall. The foam grip tape and flat platform help make the ride easy on the feet.

The deck is quite wide, especially with the middle being completely flat. Riders may find themselves constantly checking their front foot’s position because there is no concave until moving the foot far to the side. Some riders might prefer this wider, flatter design, but others may find it less secure. Both the Pivot S and GT use the same deck, with the only difference being the color of the logo.

Speed Controller and Performance

Both the Pivot S and GT use the LY-FOC speed controller with the standard remote. Propel says they are working on a remote with a color display that will be compatible. The LY-FOC on the S is rated for 55A, and the GT is 70A. The S model is more than powerful enough for most riders. For context, most 2-in-1 boards from just a couple of years ago used 30A ESCs, and those were already very powerful for street use.

For most people, the Pivot S would be more than powerful enough for street use, as well as off-roading and large hills. Like most boards using LY-FOC, the control does not feel as precise or natural as most boards using other ESCs. Acceleration and brakes feel totally fine, but fine-tuning the speed can feel jerky at times. For example, if cruising at 21 km/h and wanting to gently increase speed to 22, the board may lurch forward a bit and bring the rider to 23 instead. This is not a deal-breaker, but it is a uniquely LY-FOC issue. LY-FOC does have its own benefits, like push to start and adjustable brake strengths on the remote.

Motors and Drive System

The motors are a pair of DXW 6374, which are pretty standard today but also very big. They allow the board to go up to 60 km/h according to Propel. That speed should only be attempted with the appropriate safety gear and road conditions.

The stock wheels on the Pivot S are 97 by 52mm urethane wheels. The front wheels use the Abec clone core pattern, and the drive wheels have the pulleys built in, meaning they cannot be taken apart. According to Propel, this is to make things easier for first-time owners. They have said they will offer separate pulleys and wheels in the future.

On the Pivot GT, the stock wheels are machined alloy wheels with 155mm pneumatic tires, complete with wheel weights attached for counterbalance. For both the S and GT, there is an option to get both sets of wheels when placing an order.

The pneumatic wheels are very nice, but the urethane wheels offer a more connected feel with the board. The board is slightly more responsive and closer to the ground with the smaller wheels. The pneumatics are more comfortable and can roll over more obstacles, but the 97mm wheels provide a more engaging ride experience.

The trucks are standard Evolve clone double kingpins with slop stoppers. They feel pretty much like most other e-skate double kingpin trucks.

Lighting and Extras

Both the Pivot S and GT have a brake light built in. A pair of 2000-lumen headlights are optional on both. The headlights can rattle, which is not very noticeable with pneumatic tires but can be quite loud with the 97mm wheels. Tightening them may help, but they can quickly start to rattle again. They are best suited for riders using pneumatic wheels.

The GT comes with a pull bar that is very easy to install. If getting the S with the 97mm wheels only, the pull bar will not be very useful because the motor mounts end up on the ground when pulling.

Appearance and Build Quality

The Pivot is mostly good looking, but it is a bit of a mixed bag. Parts of the board look premium, like the finishing on the deck, the baseplate covers, and the GT’s alloy wheels. Other parts look surprisingly basic and even cheap, like the ESC plate, the trucks, belt covers, and cable management.

Compared to its closest competitors, the appearance ranks somewhere in the middle. It is far from the worst looking, but there are better looking options. The fit and finish is nowhere near the Propel Endeavor series, but the Pivot series is about half the price.

Buying Advice

Price is likely where the Pivot S and GT stand out the most for the majority of customers, especially the Pivot S at its pre-sale price of $799. The 12S3P battery on the S is smaller than most 2-in-1 boards’ batteries seen today, but 518Wh should be enough for most people, especially when sticking with the 97mm wheels. For many riders, 20km would already be enough, and the Pivot S would provide about twice that range.

The 55A power is plenty. The PCB battery is a plus for peace of mind. The brake light is a nice bonus. Everything else is pretty standard for this type of board. No frills, but no giant price tag either.

The Pivot S is a more affordable option for people who want an Evolve style street board. As for the Pivot GT, it is also a great deal, especially for those who care about the PCB battery and alloy wheels. But once the pre-sale price ends, there will be quite a few direct competitors to consider. Personally, the Pivot S is the better deal.

Conclusion

The Propel Pivot S offers a practical level of performance at a competitive price. Its flexible PCB battery design is a genuine innovation that addresses a common failure point in electric skateboards. The board delivers plenty of power for street use, off-roading, and large hills, with a comfortable ride and useful extras like the built-in brake light.

While the deck is wider and flatter than some riders might prefer, and the LY-FOC controller has some fine-tuning quirks, these are minor issues in the context of the overall value. For riders looking for an affordable 2-in-1 electric skateboard with a reliable battery design, the Pivot S is a compelling choice.