The Italian-designed Linky 2.0 takes what was already a pretty cool folding electric longboard and makes it even better in a number of key ways. If its Kickstarter works out, one could soon be yours for a pledge of €649 (about US$696).
I’m no “board-er”, but I’m skeptical as to the structural integrity of a folding longboard, even before we get to the electric part. Have non-electric folding longboards existed? I wasn’t able to find any prior examples from a cursory web search.
If it’s a quality hinge like used on quality folding bikes, it’ll be far stronger than a regular board, but loosing that flex probably isn’t a good thing for skateboards.
That’s a good point about the flexing; I hadn’t thought about that aspect. My concern was more that the hinge in this case is being forced open by standing on it, putting metal in compression. Whereas a folding bicycle hinge or a door hinge has the force trying to tear the hinge asunder, with the metal in shear tension. If it does hold up, ostensibly it’ll be heavier than other designs would demand.
I’m also no mechanical engineer, so this should be taken with a grain of salt. It does seem awfully fascinating as an idea though, a folding longboard: cruising around with the benefit of a long wheelbase.
I’m no “board-er”, but I’m skeptical as to the structural integrity of a folding longboard, even before we get to the electric part. Have non-electric folding longboards existed? I wasn’t able to find any prior examples from a cursory web search.
If it’s a quality hinge like used on quality folding bikes, it’ll be far stronger than a regular board, but loosing that flex probably isn’t a good thing for skateboards.
That’s a good point about the flexing; I hadn’t thought about that aspect. My concern was more that the hinge in this case is being forced open by standing on it, putting metal in compression. Whereas a folding bicycle hinge or a door hinge has the force trying to tear the hinge asunder, with the metal in shear tension. If it does hold up, ostensibly it’ll be heavier than other designs would demand.
I’m also no mechanical engineer, so this should be taken with a grain of salt. It does seem awfully fascinating as an idea though, a folding longboard: cruising around with the benefit of a long wheelbase.