This is not a which one is better it’s more of which would be better suited for what I’m planning to do. I’m about to move to Seattle and I’ve decided I’m either going to do a mtb style build or a carver. Both seem to be great for different reasons and I’m having a hard time picking one. I’m not sure what the Seattle area is like so I’m not sure if there is even going to be times and areas for off roading so I’m kinda thinking there will be more street then off roading but then again a emtb can do road and off-road but a carver can only really do road. They would both be using Marrix II trucks and lithium ion batteries although the carver would probably have more range. Any opinions or thoughts appreciated!
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Personnaly I got a trampa carver deck and mini carver trucks @IDEA motor mounts (pain in the ass to install really straight on the mini’s) with a top enclosure (almost offroad roads where I live so wouldn’t risk it with an underdeck) with 6" trampa urban treads and 7" inline (haven’t tried to fit them). It’s a good mix for urban and offroad but go with wider trucks for offroad.
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The same drivetrain on a carver and an EMTB should have the same efficiency. You can fit a surprising amount of batteries in a top mount. With non studded tires you can hit pretty decent wh/mi or wh/km on a 2WD MTB.
A Trampa deck with gas pedals or a Kaly deck with some semi slick 8" wheels would be a nice compromise between street and offroad riding.
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What part of seattle? Are you going to have to lug it around up stairs or the sort?
Our bike trails and paths in seattle are fairly groomed. Depending on what part of seattle the streets themselves are ok in some of the less ghetto places.
I myself am in south seattle/ rainier valley/rainier beach area. Streets are jacked up so I stick to AT wheels. But the bike paths o frequent are great for urethane.
Metro 155 are awesome here. If you plan to commute on some of the main roads all the decks with the 30degree ends should be fine. The trampa will bounce more so may not be ideal for higher speeds. My kaly is the medium flex and it’s sorta that way but I just adjust my stance and ride style I guess to accommodate it.
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Huh I like this idea. Then I would be able to switch between 8” slicks and 8” off-road tires. I could also see bindings as a fun why to get around and hop off curbs and such and you can’t really use them on a bottom mount so maybe a urban carver but with a top mount and bindings to try and get best of both worlds…
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Capitol Hill. I am only gonna run pneumatics on the rest of my builds. I prefer stiff decks so I’m not gonna use trampa decks. I’m at the point where it’s like I am not sure if there is going to be off road situations but also the control over a mountain board is much greater then any other styles of boards so maybe doing something like a cross over?
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Only thing I see with a emtb/carver cross over is the price will get jacked and if I use bindings how safe are the for ding around Seattle?
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Riding*
Also @Lee_Wright you seem to know a lot about these kinds of boards so what’s your thoughts?
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My only thoughts on the matter is if you might ever want to do off road stuff go for a mountainboard build. Essentially they are the same style of board just one has the go juice on the bottom and one the top.
I personally would always choose an eMTB just because they are way more fun to ride. Being able to go anywhere and not worry about bashing your stuff up feels really freeing.
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I don’t really want to be doing crazy speeds and would care more about torque.
This is a really good pint and kinda makes me want to go emtb for all terrains. My only concern is safety regarding bindings when urban riding. Do you have any words of wisdom regarding this?
*point
He means batteries 
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I always use full feet and heel straps regardless of the situation, personal preference I think.
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Ah makes got it 
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Got it thx! And final thing is, is it possible to use bindings on a under mount enclosure? I’m assuming no just curious
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Absolutely possible, just have to install the bindings before the battery (except on the haero bro as these bolt in from the top
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Got it thx for answering my questions. I think I’ll do something with a kaly deck but top mounted with bindings no heal straps (at least for the start)
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Cap hill the roads are fairly jacked up till you get to the main roads or where businesses are.
A lot of the businesses are kinda cramp so if your thinking of using it to stop by for a quick bite could be a issue with a mountain board,kaly, lacroix but to each their own.
The evo I just finished assembling is my quick access board it’s lighter and a bit more narrow then the kaly and haero.
Our group rides though we go to brewaries pubs that accommodate us so your good there.
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I have drive train, battery, enclosure for a carver board FYI as well.
Problem with this site while in slow at work. Shop for deals and spare parts out the yin yang haha
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