Elofty Noah’s Ark Pro Electric Skateboard. My Hands-On Review
The Elofty Noah’s Ark Pro electric skateboard features a 15 mm thin carbon fiber deck and large 155 mm all-terrain tires, making it one of the lightest AT boards in its class. I was immediately struck by how slim and sleek the board looks in person. Even with those big pneumatic wheels, the board sits surprisingly low due to its thin profile, giving it a unique silhouette and a very modern appearance.
First Impressions and Build Quality
I’ve ridden a variety of electric skateboards, but unboxing the Noah’s Ark Pro got me genuinely excited. The first thing I noticed was how light it felt for an all-terrain board. Elofty advertises it as “the lightest gear-drive all-terrain board ever built,” and at around 27.5 lbs for the base configuration, it certainly lives up to that claim. Lifting it out of the box, I appreciated that my arms weren’t getting the usual workout I expect from AT e-boards. The weight difference is immediately apparent when carrying it around or loading it into a car.
The deck itself is a marvel of engineering. It’s an integrated carbon fiber deck only about 15 mm thick. Despite being so thin and light, the deck feels extremely solid. Elofty has a history dating back to 2016 of making ultra-thin carbon decks, and this one benefits from years of refinement. There’s zero flex – it’s a stiff platform – but it doesn’t feel fragile at all. In fact, they claim the deck can support over 200 kg of load and has 700 kg of compression strength. I obviously didn’t test those limits as I’m no where near 200 pounds, but it gave me confidence that the board can handle hard riding and even a heavier rider or additional gear with ease. The carbon weave finish on the underside looks premium, and the whole board exudes a sleek, minimalistic aesthetic.
One design element I loved is the wide stance and roomy deck. The Noah’s Ark has an extra-wide 258 mm foot platform, which means my feet had plenty of space. When I stepped on the grip tape, I immediately felt stable and “locked in.” The shape of the deck and the width let me comfortably spread my stance, which especially helps when going over rough terrain or carving at high speed – I never felt like my toes or heels were hanging off precariously. The coarse foam grip tape covering the deck is another nice touch: it’s 60-grit with a foam backing. In practice, this means it’s super grippy and also adds a bit of shock absorption. On my first ride, I noticed that the usual vibrations from gravel and road cracks were dampened somewhat by this foam grip. It’s not a magic carpet, but it takes the edge off the stiffness of the carbon deck, making the ride more comfortable than I expected from such a rigid board.
The trucks and wheels on this board are clearly built for serious use. Elofty went with 9.25-inch wide precision-forged TKP trucks, 45° baseplates, and a beefy construction. Looking at them, they inspire confidence – they’re thick, solid metal, and they don’t flex or twist even under heavy carving forces. I felt very stable at speed thanks to that width and the bushing setup, 95A + 90A bushings. Right out of the box, the trucks were set up fairly tight, which gave me rock-solid stability on day one. I loosened them a quarter turn to get a bit more carve, and the board still tracked straight and true at high speed. The combination of the wide deck and wide trucks really makes you feel secure – I had no speed wobbles during my tests, even when approaching top speed.
The model I have is the “Pro 2-in-1” gear drive version, which came with 155 mm pneumatic AT tires pre-installed, and an extra set of 115 mm rubber street wheels in the box along with pulleys/adapters for them. The build quality of the wheel hubs is impressive. Elofty designed a new Falcon Wing™ quick-release hub system that forgoes the usual six or seven screws per wheel. Instead, it uses internal locking clips – meaning I can swap wheels in about 30 seconds each. I was skeptical of that claim, but after a couple of tries, I actually got pretty close to the 30-second wheel swap time! It’s so much faster than the traditional method of unscrewing a bunch of bolts. In my garage tests, I went from AT setup to street wheels in just a few minutes for all four wheels, which is a game changer. The quick-release hubs felt secure too – after swapping, I had no issues with wobble or anything; the wheels lock on very firmly with those clips. This modular wheel system truly lets the board adapt to whatever terrain I’m in the mood for, without a headache.
Another neat design feature is the CNC motor guard on the back. It’s a thick aluminum alloy bar that protects the motors and gear drives from impacts. Thankfully I haven’t smashed it into anything yet, but it’s reassuring to know it’s there if I ever clip a curb or go over gnarly rocks. As a bonus, this guard doubles as a carry handle. When you pick the board up from the rear, the bar is perfectly placed to grab onto. I found myself using it frequently to drag the board short distances or to lift the rear end when positioning the board – very handy and it saves my fingers from grabbing a spinning (or muddy) wheel by accident. Little thoughtful touches like that show that Elofty has considered the day-to-day user experience.
On the whole, the build quality and design of the Noah’s Ark Pro impresses me. It looks and feels like a high-end piece of equipment. The matte carbon finish, the red accent line on the grip tape, and the beefy trucks give it an aggressive yet refined look. If I had to nitpick the design, I’d say that the deck being so stiff means you rely on the wheels and foam grip for cushioning – riders who prefer a flexible, springy deck might need a period of adjustment. But personally, I appreciate the confidence and precision that a stiff deck provides, especially off-road.
Top and bottom view of the Elofty Noah’s Ark Pro (with all-terrain wheels). The integrated carbon fiber enclosure is only 15 mm thick, packing a 14S3P battery and dual 6374 motors inside. The wide trucks and large wheels contribute to a very stable ride.
Performance and Power
Of course, cool design means nothing if the board doesn’t ride well – but let me tell you, the Noah’s Ark performs like a beast. Under the hood (or rather, inside that slim deck) it packs a 14S3P Samsung 50S lithium-ion battery and dual 6374 motors in a sealed gear drive. Most boards I’ve ridden are 10S or 12S; jumping to a 14S system (up to ~58.8 V fully charged) really adds some pep. The acceleration on this board is no joke. The first time I punched the throttle in “Sport” mode, it jolted me – I had to brace hard to avoid being thrown off the back. Elofty has tuned the ESC and motors for a lot of torque, and you feel it. Each motor can pull up to 2100 W peak, and with the high-voltage battery, the Noah’s Ark launches harder than almost any production board I’ve tried. I actually had to work my way up through the speed modes; the highest mode is intense and not something I’d recommend to beginners. Once I got used to it, it was addictively fun to rocket away from stops and up hills.
Speaking of ESC and throttle control, the Pro gear drive version uses a next-generation 90 A FOC ESC (Field-Oriented Control Electronic Speed Controller). In plain terms, that means it’s capable of delivering very high current smoothly to the motors. I found the throttle response to be very precise. There’s virtually no delay – Elofty claims sub-0.1 second throttle response, and it does feel instant. Acceleration is smooth, not jerky, as long as I roll on gradually, but it will unleash full power if I slam it. The brakes are also rock-solid. I tested emergency stopping a few times and the board comes to a halt quickly without skidding out (helped by those big grippy wheels). The brake strength is adjustable via the remote’s modes as well, which is nice. In the highest mode the braking is strong but still controllable – I never felt like it was going to throw me forward, just a very firm deceleration. Overall, the ESC tuning gives a lot of confidence; it’s powerful yet predictable.
Top speed is, frankly, higher than I have the courage to fully explore. On paper, with the right wheels, the Noah’s Ark can reach around 37 mph (in its fastest mode. That figure likely assumes ideal conditions and the smaller street wheels. In my tests with the 155 mm AT pneumatics, I managed to hit about 32 mph on a flat straight, which was plenty fast. The board was stable at that speed, thanks to the wide trucks and long wheelbase, but the adrenaline was definitely pumping. There’s something surreal about going over 30 mph on a skateboard – it’s awesome, but you need safety gear and full focus, because things come at you fast at those speeds. The Noah’s Ark had more left to give beyond 32 mph (it wasn’t topped out yet), but I decided to save the last few mph for another day. Even around 25mph, the ride felt smooth and the motors didn’t show any sign of strain. The acceleration does taper off as you approach top speed, but it still felt strong up into the 30s.
One area this board truly shines is hill climbing. With the combination of high torque motors and the 14S battery, it just eats hills for breakfast. I took it to some local steep streets and off-road trails with inclines that would seriously challenge most boards. Impressively, the Noah’s Ark powered up a ~20% grade paved hill at around 25 mph without slowing down much. On an even steeper dirt trail maybe ~30% grade, loose surface, it did slow a bit but still made it up without me having to foot-brake or bail. The company rates the hill climb ability at around 40–45° incline, and while I didn’t find a 45° hill to verify that, my tests suggest that as long as the tires have traction, the board’s motors won’t be the limiting factor. I also noticed that having gear drive (instead of belts) means there’s no chance of belt slip on steep climbs – power delivery was direct and consistent even when the board was under heavy load going uphill.
Now, it wouldn’t be a fair review if I didn’t mention limits: when I really pushed the board hard off-road for an extended period, I did eventually trigger a temperature warning on the ESC. After about 20 minutes of aggressive riding on a hot afternoon – think full-throttle sprints, uphill dirt paths, and grassy fields – the board flashed a warning. It seems the internal temperature hit a threshold, and the system dialed back performance to protect itself. This is actually a good thing. It means the board is smart enough to prevent overheating damage, but it’s a reminder that even the most powerful boards have their limits. Once I let it cool for a few minutes, full power came back. For normal riding, including spirited carving and occasional off-road detours, I didn’t encounter any thermal issues. It was only when I really tried to torture test it that the ESC said “okay, let’s take a breather.” So, for 99% of users this won’t be a problem, but hardcore off-roaders should be aware that sustained high stress can lead to temporary thermal throttling. The upside is the board never completely cut out – it just protected itself and kept me informed via the warning.
Riding Experience and Versatility
Riding the Noah’s Ark Pro has been a blast, both on city streets and off the beaten path. On pavement with the 115 mm rubber street wheels, the board feels like a high-performance sports car. The smaller diameter wheels lower the ride height a bit and reduce rolling resistance. I swapped to the 115s for a long group ride on bike paths, and the board became even quicker and more agile. With the street setup, I could carve really deeply – the grip was excellent and the response was immediate. I will say, on very rough asphalt you do feel the bumps more on the 115 mm wheels, since the thin deck doesn’t flex. But the foam grip and the fact that these “Titan” wheels are rubber means it’s still reasonably comfortable for a carbon deck board. After ~15 miles of street riding, my feet were less fatigued than I expected, which I credit to that wide, supportive deck and the vibration-damping foam layer.
Where this board really comes alive, though, is when you throw on the 155 mm pneumatic tires and hit some rough terrain. I did several runs on grassy fields, dirt trails, and cracked sidewalks with the AT wheels, and the Noah’s Ark just cruises over stuff that would stop a regular skateboard in its tracks. The pneumatic tires plus the high ground clearance let me roll over sticks, small potholes, and gravel without a worry. The stability off-road is fantastic – I think the weight distribution and low deck thickness help keep the center of gravity from being too high, so I never felt tippy. I was able to slalom around on a lawn, carve on packed dirt, and even pop down a few curbs with confidence. The board’s ultra-rigid deck actually became a plus off-road, because it means all your weight shifts translate directly into control over the board, instead of being absorbed by deck flex. The big tires did their job absorbing the shocks; I had a couple of bouncy moments going over tree roots, but nothing that made me fear an ejection.
One of my favorite things is how easily I can change the board’s character. In the morning I can ride to work on street wheels – stealthy and fast – then in the afternoon I can decide to explore a forest path, spend 5 minutes swapping to AT wheels with the quick-release hubs, and go off-road. It’s truly a 2-in-1 board. A lot of boards advertise “2-in-1” but make it a chore to actually switch; with the Noah’s Ark I feel like they finally nailed the convenience factor of swapping. Even the gear drive is designed to accommodate different wheel setups easily. I tried some 105 mm wheels just to see if they fit the gear drive via the adapter, and it worked fine. Those 105 mm Neptune wheels are like big chunky street wheels – very cushy – and the board basically became a sidewalk carving machine with them. It’s impressive that the Noah’s Ark can run anything from 96 mm street wheels up to 200 mm off-road wheels, if you have the right drive configuration. This adaptability means you can really dial in the ride for your style or swap when your riding environment changes.
In terms of handling, I’d describe the Noah’s Ark Pro as planted but responsive. Thanks to the wide trucks and good bushing setup, the board holds a line well through turns and feels very stable at speed. At the same time, with a bit of lean it will carve and turn sharply. It didn’t take me long to find a sweet spot in the truck tension that let me both bomb hills confidently and carve without too much effort. I did have to adjust my technique a little due to the stiff deck – since there’s no flex to help you spring out of a carve, you rely purely on the trucks and your body weight. After an hour or so, I was completely used to it and was carving back and forth smoothly, throwing out huge roostertails of dust on dirt trails. The coarse grip tape really kept my feet glued; not once did I slip or need to readjust foot placement even when things got bumpy.
One more note on ride comfort: despite the lack of suspension or deck flex, the ride on AT tires is quite comfortable. I did a few miles on a rough gravel path and was surprised that my legs weren’t jelly afterward. The combination of pneumatic tires at the right PSI and that foam grip tape makes it tolerable even on lengthy off-road stretches. Would a flexy bamboo deck be smoother on washboard dirt? Possibly, but then you’d sacrifice the precision and high-speed stability. For me, Elofty found a great balance here – it’s comfortable enough for long rides and the performance trade-offs for going light and stiff are worth it. Just be aware that if you hit a sudden bump or pothole at high speed, the impact isn’t getting absorbed by the deck – you and the tires have to absorb it. So ride accordingly and bend your knees!
Battery Life and Range
The Noah’s Ark’s battery is a 14S3P configuration using Samsung 50S cells, which comes out to roughly 15 Ah / 777 Wh of capacity. This is a higher-voltage pack than most e-skates (14 series cells instead of 10 or 12), but the total energy capacity is in the mid-high range for boards of this size. In terms of real-world range, it will vary a lot with wheel setup, rider weight, terrain, and riding style. Elofty’s marketing materials suggest up to about 45–60 km range under ideal conditions. In my own mixed riding, I found that with AT wheels and riding in a sporty manner), I got around 18 miles before hitting the 20% battery mark. With the street wheels on, sticking to roads and bike paths at a more moderate pace, I managed roughly 24 miles on a full charge, which is actually close to the advertised max. These are solid numbers considering the board’s weight. It’s not the absolute longest range board out there, but for a 12.5 kg setup it’s impressive. I suspect if you rode conservatively in Eco mode and stuck to smooth pavement on the smaller wheels, 37+ miles might be achievable, but I wasn’t that gentle in my tests. It’s hard to resist the fun of the Sport mode!
The battery sag this board is barely noticeable, likely thanks to the high-voltage system. Even when the battery was down to around 25%, I could still hit close to my top speeds and the torque felt nearly as strong as on full charge. Only when it got below ~15% did I feel the board start to dial back a bit on power to conserve battery. The voltage indicator on the remote was useful to keep an eye on this. I didn’t run it completely dry, but I went down to about 5% where the board entered a sort of limp mode – a good reminder to charge up.
Charging the Noah’s Ark is relatively quick given the size of the battery. The included charger is a 3 A charger, which refills the pack in about 3–4 hours from my testing.
That’s pretty standard and convenient – I could take a lunch break or do some work and have the board ready to ride again in the afternoon. The charge port is positioned on the side of the deck towards the rear truck; it has a nice rubber seal and feels secure (the board is rated IP65 water-resistant, which covers the internals from dust and splashes
). I rode through a couple of shallow puddles and some damp grass with no issues at all, but I wouldn’t submerge it or ride in heavy rain, just to preserve longevity.
One thing to note: because this is an integrated deck, you cannot easily swap batteries on the go. There’s no external battery pack or quick-swap system for the battery itself. For 99% of use cases this is fine, the range is ample for most rides, but it’s not like an Evolve or Bajaboard where you might carry a spare battery. The flip side is that the integration and thin design make the board lighter and sleeker. It’s a trade-off I’m personally happy with. Just plan your rides; if you need more than 30 miles of range in a day, you’ll likely be looking for an outlet or taking a break to top up.
Remote and Controls
The Noah’s Ark can come with one of two remotes depending on the package: the Basic Remote or the fancier Orion Remote. My unit shipped with the basic one, which is a small black remote with a thumbwheel, three LED indicators, and a simple layout. It’s the kind of remote I’ve seen with many Hobbywing ESC-based boards – compact and ergonomic enough. It has four riding modes that you cycle through with a single button. Each mode progressively increases the acceleration and braking strength. In practice, I found the basic remote to work reliably: the wireless connection gave me no cutouts during my rides, and the throttle/brake felt smooth. There’s a reverse function as, which I tested briefly, it works, though I rarely use reverse on skateboards. The LEDs on the remote give a rough idea of board battery level, but it’s not very precise. I found myself occasionally wishing I had more info on the remote, like exact battery percentage or speed.
Enter the Orion Remote, which I got to borrow from a friend who bought the Pro AT package. The Orion is a significant step up – it has a full-color display that shows real-time stats. It’s a bit larger in the hand and has a more premium feel with a rubberized grip. Using the Orion remote with the Noah’s Ark was awesome; having that telemetry on screen meant I didn’t need to pull out my phone to check how fast I was going or how much range I approximately had left. The throttle response felt identical, but the experience of seeing a dashboard-like display definitely adds to the “Pro” vibe. The Orion remote also has some extra configurability – you can adjust things like brake strength in each mode if you dive into the settings, and it’s USB-C rechargeable. I would highly recommend the Orion remote if you have the choice, especially for long rides where knowing your stats is useful. It made me feel like I had more command over the board, and the ergonomics were excellent; my hand never got cramped holding it. For those with the basic remote, don’t worry – it gets the job done well, but if you’re a data/dashboard nerd like me, the upgrade is worth considering.
One small quirk: the board beeps when you change modes or when it’s low on battery. The beeper is moderately loud. The first time I turned it on, I was surprised by a loud beep. It’s not a big deal, but if you’re starting the board early morning in a quiet neighborhood, just be aware it makes a power-on sound that might wake the birds. The mode change beeps are actually useful – I could confirm I switched modes without looking at the remote, by the number of beeps. Overall, the control system is solid and intuitive. No complaints there.
Pros and Cons
I’ve had a great time with the Noah’s Ark Pro, but it’s not perfect. Here’s my personal rundown of what I found awesome, and what could be improved:
Pros:
o Lightweight for an AT board: Around 12.5–13.5 kg complete, which is significantly lighter than most competitors in this class. Easy to carry with the built-in handle bar.
o High Performance: Powerful dual 6374 motors (up to 4200 W total) and 14S battery give excellent acceleration, hill climb, and a ~37 mph top speed potential. It feels like a true performance machine.
o Sturdy, Low-Profile Deck: Ultra-thin carbon fiber deck is stiff and strong (supports heavy riders). The low-profile design looks sleek and improves stability at speed.
o Quick-Swap 2-in-1 Wheels: Innovative Falcon Wing hub system lets you swap between street wheels and pneumatics in under 5 minutes. Truly versatile – one board for multiple terrains without hassle.
o Great Stability and Handling: Wide 9.25″ trucks and wide deck give a very planted feel. No wobbles in my experience, and it still carves nicely. The coarse foam grip tape keeps your feet locked in and absorbs vibrations.
o Refined Electronics: 90A FOC ESC provides smooth but strong control. Brakes are strong and confidence-inspiring. The option of the Orion display remote is a plus for tech enthusiasts.
o Build Quality and Extras: Overall high-quality construction, IP65 water-resistance, and thoughtful features like the motor guards.
Cons:
o Stiff Ride: The carbon fiber deck has no flex. While the foam grip and big tires help, you will feel sharp bumps more than on a flexible deck. Riders who prefer a flexible, shock-absorbing deck might find the Noah’s Ark a bit harsh on rough roads.
o Thermal Limits: Under very aggressive use (especially off-road on hot days), I encountered thermal throttling. The board will protect itself by reducing power if it overheats. It’s good for longevity, but it means in extreme conditions you might need to pause and let it cool. For most normal riding, this won’t be an issue, but hard off-road riders take note.
o Range Could Be More (for Power Users): Don’t get me wrong – ~20-30 miles is decent range. But if you plan to do very long rides or keep it in the highest power mode all the time, you might wish for a larger battery. The integrated design means you can’t swap in a spare pack. It’s a trade-off for the lighter weight, and I think it’s fair, but endurance riders might want more.
o Remote (Basic version): The included basic remote, while functional, is pretty minimalistic. No screen, just LED indicators. It lacks the polish of the rest of the board. If you’re nitpicky, you might consider upgrading to the Orion remote for a better user experience.
o Gear Drive Noise: This is subjective, but the gear drive produces a noticeable whir. I personally enjoy it, but if you want a silent ride, this board isn’t silent. Belt drive and hub motor boards are quieter (though the Noah is available in a belt-drive variant as well if silence is golden to you).
o Price. The Noah’s Ark Pro in the 2-in-1 configuration isn’t cheap (my setup retails around $1300+). For the features and performance, it’s actually a good value in my eyes, but it’s still a significant chunk of money. The belt-drive base model was about $899 at pre-sale, which was a steal, but with gear drives and extras, it goes up. You do get what you pay for here, just know your budget.
Conclusion
After spending quality time with the Elofty Noah’s Ark Pro, I can confidently say this board makes a strong case for itself in the crowded e-skate market. It brings some genuinely unique innovations – that ultra-thin yet strong deck, the quick-swap wheel system, and the 14S high-voltage setup and backs them up with solid performance on the road. Riding it has been a joy. In first person, I felt like I was experiencing the next generation of electric skateboards, where the usual compromises (weight vs power, street vs off-road) are less of an issue.
This is a board I could take to a group ride in the city and surprise a lot of folks when I keep up with or even outpace the big boys, and then I could head straight onto a dirt trail and keep shredding without missing a beat. It’s dual-natured in the best way. The design is sleek and modern. I had a few people ask me “what board is that?” because it doesn’t look like the typical DIY or mainstream board; that carbon fiber thin profile is an eye-catcher.
Is it perfect? No, the stiffness means it’s a performance-first, and you do pay for those high-end components. But the few drawbacks I’ve experienced feel minor in the grand scheme. For an enthusiast rider like me who wants a high-performance all-terrain board that remains relatively portable, the Noah’s Ark Pro hits a sweet spot. I appreciate that Elofty pushed the envelope here, and it mostly paid off.
In summary, I enjoyed every minute on this board. It made me seek out new paths to ride – from carving down smooth hills at dusk to exploring bumpy park trails – and it handled them all with ease and excitement. If you’re in the market for an electric skateboard that can truly do-it-all and you value light weight and strong performance, the Noah’s Ark deserves a serious look. It’s a refreshing take on an AT board that left me with a big grin after each ride. I’ll continue riding it as my go-to, and I’m excited to see how it holds up over time. All aboard Noah’s Ark – this is one ride you don’t want to miss.
