Meepo Mini 5 Electric Skateboard Full Review

Intro

Today, I'm excited to talk about the skateboard that surprised me the most in the last couple of years. I've actually been riding electric skateboards since 2017, so that's about six years now. Throughout that time, I've always been chasing after two things: acceleration and range. And I'm sure many of you can relate! As e-skaters, we all want to go faster and further, right?

But recently, I had an experience that completely changed my perspective on the specs I was chasing after. All it took was this little thing right here. This is the Mini 5 electric skateboard from Meepo, and let me tell you, it's been an absolute game-changer for me. I've had so much fun on this shortboard, and I've discovered new ways to ride that I never even thought were possible on a long board.

That's why I'm here today to showcase the Mini 5 to all of you watching, whether you're a seasoned veteran of the e-skate community or just getting started. Not only is this an agile commuter, but it's also a new way to have a blast on your rides. So, if you're looking to update your electric skateboard game and have a ton of fun while doing it, the Mini 5 is definitely worth checking out.

Formfactor

As I mentioned before, I've always been focused on acceleration and range, but the Mini 5's compactness and kicktail opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities.

The short format and kicktail design allow riders to navigate city terrain and roads that are typically designed for walking instead of for higher speed vehicles. Let me give you an example. Check out this 90% angled sidewalk here. On almost all of my longboards, I would have to get off and redirect the front of the board, but with the Mini 5, I can handle the turn with ease. It can even turn while stationary if you use the kick tail! This level of agile mobility just isn't possible on a longboard.

This has led me to start exploring new places and routes that I previously avoided on my longboards. It's amazing to think about all the possibilities and where the Mini 5 can take me. So, if you're looking for a versatile electric skateboard that can handle any city terrain, I highly recommend the Mini 5

Official Meepo Website Promotion image

Carving

Let's talk about the its incredible wheel setup. This little board uses the same 78A wheels as the Mini V5, which are also commonly used by many other Chinese brands. But here's the thing: these wheels feel much softer and rubbery than your average urethane wheels. It's almost like they're made of a medium to soft rubber.

The benefit of this is that these wheels offer excellent grip, which is essential for carving and making sharp turns. If I were to run my hands over the surface of a normal street wheels vs these 78A stock wheels that came with the board, the latter would stop my hands from moving as I feel significant friction with these wheels. It's a testament to their grip and traction, and I love it!

But that's not all. The Mini 5 also boasts the shredder reverse kingpin trucks, which make the board super responsive and aggressive in its turns. You can make really tight turns and carve with ease and it's so much fun that it'll put a silly grin on your face when you feel how different it is from a long board. And the best part? You don't need a super-fast board to have a great time. The Mini 5 is a prime example of that.

Range

Alright, so let me give you a rundown of my experience doing a range test with this little board. I managed to get a decent 7-mile ride out of it. Now, I know some of you might think that's not a lot, but hear me out. I weigh in at 198 pounds and it's a chilly 39 degrees outside, or 4 degrees Celsius for those of you using the metric system. So, considering the weight and temperature conditions, I'd say the mileage is actually pretty impressive considering it's using 144wh battery. 

Of course, if you're lighter or the weather is better, you can expect even better performance from this board. It's designed to be ultra-portable, perfect for that last mile commute to your office or school. You can easily stash it under your seat or desk when you're not using it.

Now, I want to touch on something that I think is important. I wholeheartedly agree with Meepo's decision not to add any more batteries to this board. Adding extra batteries would increase its weight and compromise its intended purpose of mobility. The Mini 5 is perfectly tailored for its job, and it excels in that department of being portable.

So, if you're looking for a compact, convenient way to get around town and want to avoid tiring yourself out or having to lug around a heavy board, the Mini 5 is definitely worth considering. You can carry it easily in your hand or stash it in a compact location like your under your seat or in a locker. It's a versatile board that's perfect for the urban commuter.

Underside of Meepo Mini 5

Meepo Donut Wheels

Now let's talk about the donut wheel you can add on the Meepo Mini 5.

As you may know, going over rough roads can be a real pain, both physically and mentally. The road around where I live is particularly bad sometimes, and it often feels like my feet and head are being shaken to pieces. But with the donut wheels, that's all changed.

These cloudwheels competitors are designed to dramatically dampen road vibrations and improve the quality of your ride. They're much softer and ride just as well as regular wheels, but they're also super quiet. I've been using them for a while now, and I have to say, I'm really impressed.

One thing that really stands out about these wheels is the color. They're darker than Meepo's standard orange, almost a blood orange closer to a dark red color. I just love how they look on my board. They give it a really distinctive and stylish appearance.

Now, it's worth noting that these wheels will eat into your range a bit. But for me, the added comfort and smoothness of the ride more than makes up for it. I'd highly recommend these wheels to anyone who wants to enjoy a smoother, more comfortable ride.

Wheelbites

one thing I want to address before we move on to another topic is the issue of wheel bites. With their larger diameter, the donut wheels are more likely to hit the board when turning, resulting in a wheel bite. However, there is a way to mitigate this problem by tightening the bushings until the board no longer touches the wheels during turns. It's important to note that donut wheels aren't designed to be carvers, so it's perfectly fine to tighten the bushings to prevent wheel bite.

As you can see in this demonstration, the contact patch of a donut wheel is primarily located in the center of the wheel. When I run over some water, the contact patch will dry first, giving you a pretty good look at the wheel's true contact patch length when a rider is standing on it. The contact patch is narrower than most street wheels. This means that carving ultra aggressively on these wheels, even without the risk of wheel bite, may not be the best idea. Donut wheels are designed with rough roads and comfort in mind, serving a completely different purpose than traditional polyurethane wheels.

However, if you live in an area with terrible roads, I would still recommend giving donut wheels a try. Not only are they designed for rough terrain, but they are also significantly cheaper than other options like cloud wheels. So if you're on a budget and looking for a smoother ride on rough roads, donut wheels might be the perfect choice for you on the mini 5.

Speed and Acceleration

The braking and acceleration on this board are incredibly smooth. I really have no complaints in that department. The LingYi FOC 1.0 ESC delivers a seamless and responsive ride that feels great at all times.

In terms of speed, this board is definitely packs a punch for its seize. However, it's not designed to be a speed demon, and I wouldn't recommend pushing it beyond 20 miles per hour. This is mainly due to the board's short form factor, which can make it a bit unstable at higher speeds.

However, considering the price point of this board, the acceleration is actually quite decent. It's not going to blow you away, but it's more than enough to get you around town at a more than comfortable pace.

My only real complaint about this board is that I'd love to see a belt version of it. As it is, the hub motors mean that I'm limited in terms of the types wheels I can use. I would to love to have more options to play around with and customize my ride.

Meepo Mini 5 vs a Standard Long Board