Backfire isn’t any stranger to launching new merchandise by way of Kickstarter, they usually’re doing it once more with the Backfire Nalu. Presently priced at $349 on Kickstarter, the Backfire Nalu is an electrical shortboard outfitted with a surf skate truck.
Not like most electrical skateboards below $400, the Backfire Nalu has a really polished look with 4 designs to select from, every with totally different graphics for the deck and lightweight colours. Past its look, the Nalu appears to make use of high quality elements regardless of its present low $349 price ticket. However first, let’s go over the construct and specs, beginning with a better have a look at the deck.
Backfire Nalu Specs:
| Worth | $349 |
| Battery | 99Wh Lithium Polymer battery |
| Controller | Hobbywing ESC |
| High Velocity | 16 Mph (25 Kph) |
| Vary | 12.5 miles (20 km) |
| Deck | Fibreglass and Maple composite |
| Motor | 340W hub motors |
Deck
Beginning off with the deck, the Nalu’s deck is 30″ in size and 10” in width—a typical dimension for a shortboard. It includes a usable kicktail and a wholesome concave for extra responsive management.
They’ve additionally added shock-absorbing grip tape, which is a pleasant contact since highway vibrations may be notably harsh on shortboards.
The deck is constructed from a fibreglass and maple composite, and it’s good to see anti-collision pads included on the nostril and tail to guard the gorgeous deck. The clear pads additionally permit the icy blue gentle strip to shine by way of.
It’s virtually 2025, and it seems like each board now comes with built-in lights! Jokes apart, they undoubtedly flip heads while you’re using at evening. In case you’re on the shy facet, you’ll be able to flip off the lights by double-clicking the ability button on the distant.
Double-clicking the ability button additionally permits you to cycle between three gentle modes: regular, respiratory, and blinking.
For some riders, the flexibility to “go stealth mode” is precisely what they need from the Backfire Nalu. Because of its built-in ESC and battery and quiet, hidden hub motors, the board may simply go as a daily shortboard.
Battery
Subsequent, the battery contained in the deck is a 99Wh Lithium Polymer battery. Its dimension makes it flight-friendly, although we suggest double-checking along with your airline.
It’s price noting that Backfire probably opted for a LiPo battery as a substitute of Lithium-Ion to supply extra punch in a smaller dimension. Most boards with deck-integrated batteries use LiPo for that reason. We love Lithium-Ion batteries for his or her longevity and security, however Backfire has been utilizing LiPo in boards just like the Hammer Sledge, and we haven’t heard any detrimental reviews. So, our considerations appear to have been overblown.
The battery is marketed at a variety of 12.5 miles (20 km) on a single cost. It takes 2 hours to totally cost with a typical charger or simply 55 minutes with a GaN quick charger.
ESC and Distant
Shifting on to the ESC, the Backfire Nalu makes use of the usual Hobbywing ESC—fortunately.
We had been a bit nervous that Backfire may pull an “Exway Ripple” and use a LingYi ESC as a substitute.
Whereas LingYi ESCs are clean, particularly on informal boards with hub motors, we all the time choose the marginally extra refined and intuitive management of the Hobbywing ESC, to not point out the better-looking distant that Backfire sometimes pairs with their boards.
Motor and Wheels
As for the motors, the Backfire Nalu includes a pair of 340W hub motors, and it’s marketed to succeed in a prime pace of 16mph (25km/h). Whereas this isn’t quick by any means, it’s a cushty cruising pace for sidewalks. The motors are fairly quiet, which inserts with the stealth theme.
The Nalu’s wheels are 80mm, which is sort of typical for a shortboard. This provides the board a nimble really feel however could restrict your journey to sidewalks or well-paved roads.
Vans
One distinctive side of the Nalu is the Surfskate entrance truck. And it’s not simply any surf truck—it’s a cast CNC-precision surf truck. I’m unsure how essential it’s to make use of such a sturdy cast truck for one thing that tops out at 16mph, however I suppose Backfire didn’t wish to go away any room for accusations of skimping on high quality.
Specs Abstract of the Backfire Nalu
Many manufacturers have tried to make their shortboards as gentle as potential. A current instance is the Exway Ripple, which weighs 13.1 lbs (5.9 kg). The Backfire Nalu beats it, weighing simply 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg). Each boards are fairly refined, however Backfire makes use of the Hobbywing ESC, barely bigger 80mm wheels in comparison with the Ripple’s 75mm, and a Surfskate entrance truck as a substitute of a standard reverse kingpin truck just like the Ripple.
However I’ve to say, in terms of shaving weight, each of those boards lose to our DIY Orbiter Shrink, which weighed solely 10 lbs (4.5 kg) and was solely barely much less polished.
Driving Expertise on the Backfire Nalu
The Backfire Nalu rides as anticipated, for essentially the most half. Velocity management is tremendous clean. Braking and acceleration are snug and intuitive due to the Hobbywing ESC.
What takes time to get used to is the Surfskate truck. It may very well be the brief truck hanger or simply how Surfskate vehicles behave, however after we leaned exhausting to show, the board would topple over if we leaned previous a sure tipping level. It took us a while to be taught that tipping level and to remain inside it.
As soon as we acquired previous that, we actually loved what the board supplied, a brilliant nimble and responsive journey. It’s enjoyable to carve with the Nalu, because the vehicles are so fast. You’ll be able to thread by way of pedestrians with ease. Not that it’s best to, however you might for those who needed to. For even tighter turns, you’ll be able to all the time use kick turns.
The excellent news is, even with the Surfskate vehicles, the Backfire Nalu is totally steady at its prime pace, which isn’t a lot of a difficult feat. In spite of everything, the highest pace is just 16mph.
As anticipated, highway vibration is fairly sturdy; the shock-absorbing grip tape can solely achieve this a lot. However we don’t actually blame the board for this, because it wasn’t designed for tough roads anyway.
Verdict – Backfire Nalu
So what’s the verdict? The Backfire Nalu was designed to be a conveyable journey that performs nicely and appears good, and it achieves simply that. With cast vehicles, wonderful construct high quality, and fairly lights, we predict that the Backfire Nalu will retail for $469 after the crowdfunding marketing campaign ends. So, it’s a tremendous worth for those who can seize it on the present crowdfunding value.
We don’t normally see eye to eye with how Backfire makes their merchandise however we love this one particularly. The Backfire Nalu is smart to lots of people. Inexperienced persons will discover it straightforward to journey, and veterans will respect its agility. And at this present $349 value level, it undoubtedly will promote like hotcakes.
If you’re occupied with shopping for the Backfire, remember to try our affiliate low cost hyperlink right here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to obtain $5 off throughout checkout.
It should enable you to get a small financial low cost and assist us out too. On prime of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electrical Skateboard HQ buyer and doubtless be handled higher. Cheers!