One of the biggest downers in the summer is having a belt snap on you mid-ride when you are shredding it up on your Boosted Board. The folks here at ROMP Supply wanted to share some of their own thoughts on how to help extend the lifespan of your belts and minimize downtime.
Easy Does It
The biggest contributing factor that is within the rider's control is how hard we crank on the acceleration and braking. The more stress we place on the belt, the more likely it is to fault under pressure. By taking a more gradual approach to acceleration and braking, our riders have experienced a 600+ mile riding experience with our Kevlar Cord Belts. Kickstarting your board (kicking the board into motion instead of using the motors) is an excellent method to accomplish this, not to mention the battery life saved.
Tension Is Key
Setting the correct tension on the belt is critical. Improper tension can lead to premature breakage and wear. We recommend setting a tension that allows 3 to 5mm of flex on the belt.
Boosted has their own set of instructions on how to do this. The link is here or you can read below:
"You will occasionally need to tighten the belt tension on both the 1st and 2nd generation boards. If your board is making a loud sound on braking, this is a sign you need to tighten the belts.
To adjust the belt tension of the 2nd generation board, use a 3mm allen key to remove the two holding the motor cap on. Using the same 3mm allen, loosen the 4 motor screws exactly 1/2 turn from snug. Wrap your fingers around the motor and use your thumb to press against the wheel, pulling the motor away from it and putting tension on the belt. You should be pushing with a medium force, no need to go crazy.
While maintaining tension, tighten the two vertically aligned screws farthest from the motor first. Once they're tight, let go of the motor and tighten the two remaining screws closest to the wheel. Reinstall the motor cap and you're good to go."
Please note, the instructions for 3rd generation boards are the same as 2nd generation boards.
Keep It Clean
The drive train should be inspected and cleaned on a regular schedule in the peak riding season (right now!). The motor pulleys of the Boosted Board can have all kinds of debris and pebbles stuck inside the grooves. We have noticed the V2 Boosted Boards have a higher chance of this since the pulleys are made of plastic, which have more flex compared to the metal pulleys of the V1. Foreign objects stuck in the pulley will slowly but surely wear through your belts.
Change It Out (Gen2 and Gen3 Boards Only)
The motor covers will wear down over time and possibly create plastic splinters that extend toward the belt and pulley, creating another point of wear. In addition to keeping your motors safe, changing the covers will help keep your belts in good health.
Metal vs Plastic Pulleys
Metal pulleys are less prone to chipping and bending of the teeth, both of which can lead to repeated and accelerated wear of your belts! Luckily, we have you covered. The ATOMs, our very own high-performance aluminum pulleys, are the ultimate upgrade to your drive train. Check them out here!
We hope these tips will help extend the life of your belts! In the event replacement belts are needed, check out our shop! Have fun and safe riding out there!
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