Propel EV Sigma Electric Shortboard Review
Imagine a skateboard small enough to carry under your arm, but powerful enough to hit freeway speeds (well, almost). That’s the kind of promise the Propel EV Sigma shortboard makes. Priced at around $900 (save more with code: EVTECH), the Sigma aims to deliver serious performance for both casual commuting and adrenaline-fueled riding. After spending some quality time with it, I’m here to share my first-person experience – the good, the bad, and how much value this mini electric board really brings at its price point.
I remember unboxing the Sigma and immediately noticing its build quality. The deck is a sleek, jet-black slab of carbon fiber with a subtle texture of 3K weave. It’s about 33 inches long and fairly wide (around 11 inches at its widest), giving my feet plenty of room. The shape includes a classic kicktail, which is a huge plus for a shortboard – it looked functional, not just decorative. Lifting the board out of the box, I felt its weight: at 19 pounds (8.6 kg), the Sigma isn’t a featherweight. For a mini board, it’s on the heavier side, but there’s a reason for that heft. It packs a lot under the hood – or rather, under the deck – including a large battery and dual motors. The heft actually gave me confidence; nothing about this board feels cheap or flimsy. Every component, from the CNC-machined trucks to the snugly integrated battery housing, feels solid. Even the power button and charge port are neatly integrated. In my hands, the Sigma feels like a premium piece of tech, more like holding a high-end electric device than a toy skateboard.
Smooth and Nimble: My first rides on the Sigma were through city streets during my daily commute. Kicking off on a calm morning, I immediately appreciated how smooth the acceleration is. The Sigma uses a custom ProFOC ESC paired with a new “Palm” remote, and the result is an extremely smooth throttle response. As I gently pushed the thumb wheel on the remote, the board rolled forward without any jerks – just a clean, controlled launch. For context, I’m about 170 lbs, and even in the lower riding mode the Sigma had no trouble carrying me up to cruising speed. In the city, I kept it around 10-15 mph in bike lanes and side streets, and the board felt very controllable at those speeds. The acceleration can be tamed for casual riding, which is great because you don’t always want a rocket launch when you’re just cruising to the store or maneuvering around pedestrians. I found myself weaving through foot traffic and rougher alleyways with ease. The turning radius is nice and tight – one of the perks of a shortboard. I could carve around corners and dodge sidewalk cracks with just a slight lean. The reverse-kingpin trucks on the Sigma are well-tuned for carving: not too twitchy, not too stiff. Out of the box they felt middle-of-the-road in terms of hardness, which for me meant a good balance of stability and maneuverability. In dense areas I even used the kicktail frequently – a quick press on the tail let me pivot the board sharply or lift the front over curbs and bumps. That kicktail isn’t just for show; it’s functional and really helps in tight spots, behaving like a classic street skateboard when I needed it.
When it comes to braking in commuter traffic, the Sigma is a reliable partner. Navigating city riding means lots of start-stop action – red lights, crosswalks, unexpected jaywalkers – so good brakes are critical. The first time I feathered the brake wheel on the remote, I noticed how progressive and smooth the braking felt. There’s no sudden jolt. I could gradually slow down to a gentle stop at a traffic light without upsetting my balance. And if I needed to stop more quickly, pushing the brake further ramped up the braking force in a controlled way. After a few tries, I got very comfortable with it. It’s confidence-inspiring to know that if a car suddenly pulled out or a dog ran across my path, I could come to a quick stop without the board throwing me off. Even going downhill, the regenerative brakes kept my speed in check. Importantly, I didn’t experience any cut-outs or disconnects – the remote stayed reliably linked, which is something you might not think about until you’ve had a board that drops signal (thankfully not the case here). Overall, for casual commuting speeds, the Sigma’s acceleration and braking combo is dialed in just right: gentle when you need it, but ready to bite when called upon.
Performance Riding – Unlocking the Beast: Of course, once I got comfortable, I had to unleash the Sigma’s wild side. This board isn’t just a slow cruiser; it’s packing dual high-power belt-drive motors (about 2250W each) and a 13S2P battery that pushes 54 volts – higher voltage than a typical e-skate. Switching to the highest performance mode, I headed to a smooth, open stretch of road to test the top speed and acceleration in a more aggressive setting. I crouched low, took a deep breath, and floored the throttle. The Sigma rocketed forward in a way I honestly did not expect from such a short deck. It launched from 0 to 20 mph in just a few seconds, pressing me back with that thrilling g-force feeling. There was no sluggish mid-range either – it kept pulling strong well past the usual city speeds. In a blink, I was in the mid-20s (mph) and still feeling power on tap. Eventually I hit around 30 mph (my GPS recorded roughly that before I decided to ease off). The Sigma’s claimed top speed is 31 mph, and it feels entirely capable of that. Hitting that speed on a board this small is exhilarating and honestly a bit intense. I won’t sugarcoat it: at around 30 mph, the ride demands your full attention. The board was stable enough – the carbon fiber deck and precision trucks do a good job – but you definitely feel every twitch at that velocity on a short wheelbase. I had tightened the trucks a notch before attempting the top speed run (I prefer a bit more stability when approaching 25+ mph), and I think that was the right call. There were no wobbles as long as I kept my stance solid and weight balanced, but I could sense that if I got careless with my footing, speed wobbles could sneak in. It’s simply the nature of physics: a 33-inch board is never going to be as inherently stable at high speed as a 40-inch longboard. Still, I came away impressed – the Sigma handled high speed runs far better than most mini boards I’ve ridden. It’s nice to know the performance ceiling is so high, even if I won’t regularly push it to 30 mph.
With that much power, I was also eager to see how the Sigma tackles hills. In my area I have a particularly steep residential street – roughly a 15-20% grade that goes on for a couple of blocks. I’ve had other boards where I approach that hill and they start to slow to a crawl or I worry about overheating. The Sigma, however, made that climb its victim. I charged up the incline at around 20 mph without any sign of struggle, and it only slowed slightly near the steepest part. This board is advertised to handle up to a 43% incline (which is extremely steep, practically a wall), and while I couldn’t find a 43% slope to verify that, the performance on my local hills convinces me that inclines are basically a non-issue. If you live in a hilly area or want to use a board as an alternative to biking up big hills, the Sigma has you covered. Even weighing 170 lbs and with a backpack on, I never felt the motors lagging on steep terrain. That’s a big win for performance riding – you can take the “shortcut” up the steep street and not worry about burning up your motors. And after repeated hill climbs and some top speed runs, I checked the board’s temperature; nothing was overheating. The carbon fiber deck didn’t even feel warm, and the motors, though warm to the touch (as expected after hard use), were well within safe temps. The Sigma clearly has robust components designed for this kind of stress.
Now, all that speed and power means nothing if you can’t slow down confidently. I already touched on the brakes at city speeds, but I also tested braking from higher speeds during my performance runs. Going around 25 mph and then braking hard, the Sigma scrubbed speed quickly. It’s the kind of braking that throws your weight forward, so I had to brace myself and bend my knees – just as you’d do on a bicycle or scooter when making an abrupt stop. The important part: the board remained composed. The wheels didn’t lock up or skid uncontrollably; it was a controlled deceleration. It took maybe a couple of seconds to come to a full stop from 20+ mph, which felt very solid for a skateboard. If I eased into the brakes at high speed, I could come to a gradual stop without drama. So whether I was dropping from 30 to 0 in an emergency, or just shaving off a little speed before a turn, the brakes felt trustworthy and strong. That’s huge for a performance board – knowing you can reliably reel it back in after a high-speed sprint gives you the confidence to actually use that speed when you want it.
Ride Quality – The Feel of the Road: Let’s talk about how the Sigma feels under your feet, because that’s a make-or-break factor for both commuting comfort and high-speed control. The deck, being carbon fiber, is stiff – there’s virtually no flex when I bounce on it. This rigidity is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the lack of flex means immediate response: when I carve or lean, the board reacts instantly. There’s no sponginess, which makes the ride feel precise and sporty. It also likely contributes to the stability at speed – a flexy board can wobble more at high velocity, whereas the Sigma’s stiff deck keeps things predictable. On smooth pavement, this yields a dream ride: it’s like gliding on silk. I could carve gently, feeling the grip of those 88mm polyurethane wheels, and the board just felt locked in and responsive. The stock wheels (88 mm diameter, fairly soft urethane) do a decent job of smoothing out very minor road texture, and they offer good grip while carving. However, on rough or cracked pavement, that stiff deck translates into vibration coming straight through to your feet. Hitting a section of rough asphalt, I felt the chatter. It’s not teeth-rattling by any means – the wheels and the rubber riser pads (if any) do soak up the initial shock of bumps – but after a while on bumpy roads, my legs definitely felt more fatigue compared to riding a longboard with a flexy bamboo deck. On one stretch of old brick-laid street (just for science, and maybe a bit of masochism), the vibration had me slowing down to avoid discomfort. This is a common trade-off: the Sigma prioritizes stability and responsiveness over cushioned flex. I’d say for rides under 5-10 miles on mixed pavement, it’s perfectly fine; just be aware that if your daily route has a lot of cracked concrete or poorly maintained roads, you’re going to feel it. The good news is the Sigma’s deck has a wide platform with coarse grip tape and slight concave, so I never felt my feet slipping even when the ride got rough – I was planted and secure the whole time.
One way to mitigate the rough road vibration (and something I’m considering myself) is to upgrade the wheels. Propel actually offers optional 105mm wheels for the Sigma. I haven’t tried those yet, but in theory, a larger 105mm wheel would roll over cracks and bumps more easily and add a touch more cushioning due to the larger urethane volume. The trade-off would be a tiny reduction in top speed and a bit less agility, but for someone concerned about ride comfort, it’s nice that the option exists. For my testing, I stuck with the stock 88mm wheels. They strike a middle ground that’s suitable for most pavement conditions as long as you dodge the really gnarly potholes (which, to be fair, you should be dodging anyway).
Portability – The Urban Practicality Test: A big reason to choose a shortboard like the Sigma is portability. In theory, a mini board should be easier to carry and stow than a longboard. In practice, the Sigma is a mix of convenient size and noticeable weight. Let’s start with the size: at 33 inches long, it’s short enough to fit under my desk at work, or between my feet on a train or bus. I even put it in a large backpack at one point (though the wheels stuck out) just to see if I could – definitely doable for a quick trip. It’s great that I don’t have to find special storage; I can tuck the Sigma in a corner or locker pretty easily. I’ve carried it into shops, and because it’s not towering over my shoulder like a longboard would, it feels more discreet. Now, about the weight: 19 pounds isn’t something you’d want to lug around in hand for a long time. Carrying the Sigma for a couple of minutes is fine – I usually hold it in one arm, tucked against my hip. The design actually helps here: the CNC arc trucks are curved in such a way that grabbing the board by the front truck (with the deck resting against my arm) is fairly comfortable. It’s almost like a built-in handle, distributing the weight a bit. I notice the weight most when I have to climb stairs or walk a longer distance; you won’t forget you’re carrying 19 lbs, that’s for sure. Compared to ultra-portable boards (some small commuter boards are around 12-15 lbs), the Sigma is heavier, but none of those smaller boards have the Sigma’s performance or range. So I see it as a fair trade-off: I’m willing to carry a bit more weight because I know I have a powerhouse of a board that can take me far and fast. If I need to carry it just from the curb into my office or up a flight of stairs, it’s perfectly manageable. And if it ever gets cumbersome, I can always just roll it alongside me (the kicktail comes in handy again here – I can hold the nose up by the front truck and roll it on the rear wheels, like towing a suitcase).
Battery Life & Range – Freedom from Charging: Another standout aspect of the Sigma is its battery capacity. This little board hides a beefy 468 Wh battery inside (for reference, that’s nearly the capacity of some electric bikes, and definitely larger than most e-skateboards of this size). The advertised range is about 31 miles (50 km) under ideal conditions. I was curious what real-world range I’d get, especially because I ride somewhat aggressively at times. In my testing, I consistently achieved around 20 miles on a single charge with mixed riding (some high-speed bursts, lots of medium cruising, a few hills, and me at 170 lbs). On one occasion I really took it easy – mostly cruising around 10-15 mph on flat ground – and I managed to stretch it to roughly 25 miles before the battery indicator was seriously low. That’s impressive. For everyday use, this meant I could ride to work, run a couple of errands, and ride back home (a total of, say, 12-15 miles) and still have a healthy buffer of battery left. No range anxiety whatsoever. In fact, I stopped bothering to charge it every single night, because I realized even at half battery I had plenty for the next day’s short trips. When I did charge, the included charger (3A standard charger) took about 3 hours to juice it up from near empty to full. That’s pretty reasonable given how big the battery is. If you’re in a rush, Propel offers a faster charger accessory that could probably cut that time down, but for me, plugging it in during work or overnight was hassle-free. I should note that the battery is configured as 13S (high voltage), which helps with sustaining performance even as the battery drains. I noticed the Sigma maintained strong acceleration and top-end punch until the battery was quite low. Only in the last maybe 10-15% did I feel a slight drop in power. But even then, it was very rideable and not sluggish – just maybe not as ferocious as on a full charge. For commuting, having this much range is a game changer. I didn’t have to plan my rides around charging points or worry if a detour would leave me stranded. For a board of this size to offer the freedom of a long-range ride is a huge value-add. It makes the Sigma versatile – one day it’s a “last-mile” solution when I take public transit, and the next day it’s doing a 15-mile joyride by itself.
Controls and Extras – Remote & Lights: Before wrapping up, a quick nod to the Sigma’s little details that enhance the experience. The PALM remote deserves mention. I’ve used many skateboard remotes, and this one is quite unique. It’s a round-ish, pebble-shaped controller with a large thumb wheel for acceleration/braking and a clear OLED display. At first glance, I was unsure about the shape – it looks a bit like a gadget from a sci-fi movie – but in hand, it actually feels ergonomic. My thumb naturally rests on the big wheel, and the trigger action is smooth. The screen displays useful info: current speed, battery levels (both board and remote), riding mode, etc. While riding, I found I didn’t need to constantly check the display (you kind of feel the speed), but it’s nice at a glance when you’re stopped to know how much range you have left or to double-check your mode. The remote’s connection was solid the entire time and it has a built-in vibration/blink for warnings (like low battery), which is helpful. Also, the remote’s battery lasted many rides – I only charged it once in the whole week of testing, and it never died on me.
The Sigma also comes with a bit of visual flair: integrated ambient lighting. Under the deck, there are strips of LEDs that give the board a glow. You can customize the colors and patterns (there are a few preset modes, and apparently up to 120 individual lights you can tweak, though I mostly just cycled through the presets). I’ll admit, I’m usually focused on performance over looks, but this feature grew on me. During a late evening ride, I turned on a soft blue underglow – it looked awesome carving through the dusk, and I even had a cyclist give me a thumbs up at a stoplight, probably because the lights caught their eye. It’s not just about looks either; the side glow does make you more visible to others at night, which is a safety plus. If someone isn’t expecting a fast-moving skateboard in the dark, the lights help announce your presence. And if you’re not into it, you can turn them off completely for a stealthier look (which I did during daytime rides). They’re “invisible” when off – you wouldn’t even know the board has lights until they’re on, which is neat. Overall, the lighting is a fun extra that I didn’t think I’d care about, but ended up appreciating during certain rides.
Propel Sigma Electric Short Board Gallery
Value and Final Thoughts: So, after all this riding, how do I feel about the Propel EV Sigma and its $900 price tag? In a nutshell, I feel it delivers great value for the money. Nine hundred dollars is not a small amount – it puts the Sigma in the mid-to-upper range for electric shortboards – but what you get in return justifies that cost in my eyes. Here’s why: performance and range. Many boards around this price require you to choose either a high top speed or a long range, but the Sigma confidently offers both. I have a mini board that can outrun some bigger boards and go the distance with them too. That combination is rare at this price point. Add to that the build quality and features: the carbon fiber deck, the robust trucks, a high-end ESC and remote, and thoughtful touches like the kicktail and lighting. It’s clear that Propel didn’t just throw a big battery and motors on a cheap deck; they engineered the whole package to work together. The ride experience feels refined – I’d compare it to what you get from boards that cost a lot more.
That’s not to say it’s perfect for everyone. If you’re a rider who prioritizes a super lightweight setup or a very cushy ride over rough roads, the Sigma might feel a bit heavy or stiff for you. There were moments carrying it through a long hallway where I wished it was a few pounds lighter, and on really cracked asphalt I thought to myself, “okay, maybe slower here or get bigger wheels.” Those are the trade-offs: weight in exchange for huge battery capacity, and stiffness in exchange for stability and strength. For me, those trade-offs are acceptable, even preferable – because I value the extended range and solid ride at speed. But a complete beginner might find the Sigma’s power overwhelming; I’d recommend starting in the lower mode and treating it with respect until you get used to it. The good news is, you can grow with this board. As a casual commuter, you might ride it gentle and slow at first, and it will be friendly and easy. As you gain confidence or if you’re already an experienced rider, you unlock the beast mode and it’s a whole different thrill. It’s like having two boards in one.
After all my testing, I genuinely enjoy the Propel Sigma and feel it was money well spent. It fits seamlessly into my daily life – cruising to work or class, stashing under my desk, then tearing it up on the way home for fun. Not many e-skates can play both roles this well. At $900, the Sigma strikes an impressive balance of portability, performance, and premium build. It stands out in a crowded market of electric skateboards as a mini board that doesn’t force you to compromise. In fact, every time I ride it, I’m a little amazed that such a small board can pack this much punch. That’s the value proposition of the Sigma: you’re getting a portable shortboard that feels like a high-end longboard in performance. For anyone looking at a do-it-all electric skateboard under the $1000 mark, I can confidently say the Propel EV Sigma is a strong contender that has earned my personal stamp of approval.
And that wraps up my review. The Sigma proved to be a trusty commuter and a weekend racer all in one. It’s been a blast to ride and evaluate, and I hope this first-person insight helps you understand what it’s like to live with this board. Stay safe out there and happy riding!
Propel EV Coupon: EVTECH
