A very interesting PEV just dropped, and it’s made in the USA. It’s the 2Swift board, an e-board with the most high-end components we’ve seen on a PEV–almost every bit of hardware is brand-name.

We decided to check out something different, as we’re all about portable electric vehicles, and we got ourselves the brand new 2Swift Board. It has two wheels and a deck, but get this, no handlebars!

Two ways to think about the 2Swift board. One, as a 2-wheeled electric skateboard, but with really big wheels. Alternatively, you can call it a hands-free electric scooter. Regardless, the founders at 2 Swift saw a gap between the two and ultimately designed this unusual but very interesting (and fun) PEV.

We got the very first one, so ride along with us on the world-premiere review of the 2Swift.

2 Swift is a Cleaveland, US-based, newly launched PEV company about to make some major splashes in micro-mobility. Founders Andrew, Mo, and Dan identified a gap in 2-wheeled e-boards and decided to change that. They sat down and came up with what we’re now calling the 2Swift Board, a super innovative e-board with some of the highest quality components in the space.

It’s a light and portable PEV with a great capacity for speed and range thanks to the 544 wh battery with the best brand of battery cells we’ve seen (hint, not Samsung or LG). Also, the board is driven by a 500 w rear motor with high-quality VESC-based controllers that feel more tuned for speed than torque.

There’s a bit of a learning curve involved with proper steering and maintaining balance on the 2Swift board–but that’s what? 5 minutes to 30 max. That said, for those that will get into it, the potential for fun on this thing is through the roof. Another interesting bit is that it has a higher rider weight capacity than quite a number of our commuter scooters–so if you lean closer to 230.0 lbs, this could be it for you.

Currently, the boards are on pre-order. It is listed for $1,799, but you’ll save $100 by getting in early, and they expect to start shipping in April. Initially, 2 Swift is just shipping to the US, but they expect to expand to international markets soon.

We were also quite impressed by something we’re not used to seeing. While they haven’t started shipping yet, they already have spare parts listed on their website and at reasonable prices. This is an important detail that’s often overlooked in most product launches—the first step in the right direction 2 Swift.

Our Take: A High-Quality, Re-imagined Board Reshaping The Boundaries of the PEV Space 

Is it Good for Bigger, Heavier Riders?

The 2Swift Board is rated for a max rider weight of 230.0 lbs, and we’d recommend it only for riders within that weight capacity.

That said, the deck is incredibly spacious at 25.0 inches by 8.5 inches. Lengthwise, only our 23.5-inch (long) Dualtron Storm Limited comes close. The spacious platform is necessary since you’ll be doing all the steering with your feet.

Riders within the recommended weight should also experience a smooth ride thanks to the relatively large 9.5-inch pneumatic tires that roll easily over potholes and other track obstacles. In addition, the 2Swift has a large 544 wh battery that caters to the higher power needs of heavier individuals. 

Therefore, while it may not be a good fit for really heavy riders, average-sized adults should have a ton of fun on this e-board.

2Swift Board Review

Acceleration

If you’re new to e-boards, and you probably are since there are not that many and they’ve not been around that long, the most critical aspect of this two-wheeler is a predictable throttle.

It’s not about how fast you get to speed, but rather gaining and maintaining balance, then leaning into the acceleration. This makes the 2Swift’s 0-15 times a bit longer compared to scooters we’re used to, 7.6 seconds, to be precise. However, once you get the board going, the acceleration sort of feels like that of the Apollo Air or the Segway Ninebot. 

Something to note is that low speeds have a caster effect on the wheels, like a supermarket shopping cart to allow for sharp turning radiuses. However, once you’re on higher speeds, gyroscopic forces prevent the wheel from wanting to turn side to side, and you are able to ride fast while remaining super stable.

Top Speed

If boards are your thing, then the 2Swift has immense potential for speed. The manufacturer-claimed top speed is 24.0 mph. Paul surpassed that number on our official speed test run to reach 24.3 mph. In fact, he admits that there was room to hit higher speeds but wasn’t brave enough to crouch down and let the 2Swift go.

That said, the top speed is great, even relative to our lightweight scooters. For instance, the Apollo Air only goes as fast as 19.9 mph, while the Segway Ninebot tails at 18.4 mph. In scooter land, the 2Swift Board is a match for the Uscooters Booster Sport and the Mercane Jubel–two amazing sporty commuters.

Hill Climb

Going up hills takes a steady foot. You want a smooth throttle over blasting through your hilly track, which leaves the 2Swift a few seconds behind scooters of similar power.

On our 200.0 ft, 10% hill test, the 2Swift Board cleared that stretch of track in 21.1 seconds. This is a phenomenal achievement–and a guarantee that you’ll not need to walk your board up virtually any hill you might encounter.

The hill time matched that of the seated scooter, the Fiido Q1S. And it did not trail too far behind the Apollo Air’s 18.6 seconds and the Ninebot Max’s 17.0 seconds.

Range and Battery

The 2Swift Board has a 42 v, 544 wh battery with Molicel P42A cells (in a 12S, 3P configuration if you care about such things). You get a 4 amp charger with the board that juices up the battery in about 190 minutes. Fully charged, the board has a claimed range of 16.0 miles–21.0 miles. Of course, this depends on your rider weight, the riding track, and your riding style.

Logistical reasons kept us from completing the usual ESG range test. However, going off the battery size, motor wattage, and acceleration numbers, we estimate that an average-sized adult on a full charge will get a solid 20.0 miles off the electric board. That puts it somewhere between that long-ranged scooter we never talk about  and (again) the seated Fiido Q1S.

Braking

You’re probably wondering, “How do I stop this thing?”

Well, the 2Swift Board has a rear regen brake sensor on the deck for braking. The brakes are as smooth and predictable as the throttle, which we really like. 

Paul, “The brakes ease up a bit toward the end to help you stay on board…For all of the riding I did, I felt like the brakes were tuned right where I’d want them.”

The resultant braking time from 15.0 mph was fairly long at 48.5 feet. But, when you think about it, you only need ultra-short stopping distances in an emergency stop, and here’s where the board magic kicks in.

You have no handlebars. Therefore, if a car cuts you off and you’re going less than 15.0 mph, it’s easy to just bail out if needed–offering you an Emergency-Only safety backup.

Ride Quality

This was super fun, albeit unusual, coming, of course, from riding scooters. And while there’s an agreeable learning curve, the 2Swift felt incredibly intuitive to ride for most of us, which was a bit surprising. 

You put down the 2Swift, step on the front of the board with your foot facing sideways, shove off, ease into the throttle (hand-held controller), and off you go. The hardest bit about riding was learning to lean forward as you apply more throttle and lean back as you apply more brake so as to stay balanced front to back. But you pick it up very quickly.

The 2Swift board has three-speed modes: Low, Medium, and High. Starting off in Low makes it pretty easy to get used to. To segue from that, it was also strangely fun having the freedom of having 1 and a half hands-free–one and a half, because one of your hands is free, but holding the controller that you use to change ride modes, accelerate, monitor speed, and to monitor board and controller battery status. If you’re coming from scooters, it feels a little intimidating at first having nothing to hold onto. But, it quickly starts to feel natural.

The steering geometry feels somewhere between riding a skateboard and riding a bicycle no-handed. You can lean your body, your feet, or both, and the unique front wheel mount and steering head angle are designed to pivot left or right with your weight. At speed, the gyro effect keeps the front end stable, and at slower speeds, it lets you carve sharper corners, though those admittedly take a bit of getting used to.

The board has a high-end, Cane Creek adjustable steering damper built in to prevent any wobble at speed. Paul took it to top speed a few times and reported that it felt surprisingly stable each time. 

Now, this was quite unfortunate, but at some point, someone  tried to scooter-jack Paul by shoving him off the scooter. Thankfully, he didn’t fall. But that incident also demod how stable the board actually is.

An unintended (good) consequence of riding the 2Swift board is that it also rapidly improves your skills riding regular electric kick scooters, and here’s why. It teaches you to perfectly balance yourself front to back using only your stance and how to steer with your feet and not your handlebars. These are the two key elements to carving the best corners on an e-scooter. 

The 2Swiftboard is set up in zero-start, so the initial kick is just to help you get your balance started, and you can add throttle whenever you want. You do that by rolling the wheel on the remote forward. Then when you want to slow down, you roll it back the other way. Starting from a complete stop is a bit trickier than with a kick scooter or e-skate, but it gets easier as you get used to it. 

Paul, “For me, the hardest thing was getting started up steep hills. But after less than 1 hour of deck time with the 2Swift board, I was able to launch it up our 10% grade test hill.”

Another thing you’ll need to get used to is how to handle potholes. You’d usually hop over them on a kick-scooter or lift up on the front end. However, on a board, you have to make sure to go around. The good news is that, unlike an e-skate, the much larger 9.5-inch diameter tires of the 2Swift meant that even when you hit a couple of potholes head-on, it was actually not that bad. 

Paul’s final sentiments on the feel of the ride, “It took an hour or two to really get into the swing of things, and then I really started to get it. It feels really cool to be carving around, with your hands free and absolutely nothing in front of you. It’s like you’re flying at low altitude.” 

2Swift Board Features

Portability

As a first and last-mile commuter, the 2Swift Board stays winning. It weighs 30.6 lbs, just a little less than the Anyhill UM-1, which is light enough for most teenagers and adults to carry. But that’s not even the best part. 

The 2Swift has no stem to fold; therefore, in terms of storage, you’re good to go with just about most spaces–48.8 inches x 8.5 inches x 12.0 inches. Also, unlike an eskate, you don’t even have to carry it when you get where you’re going. Simply switch to tow mode, and tag your board along.

Lights

The 2Swift Board has no lights. We advise against riding in high-traffic situations and in the dark. However, should you decide to take a late-night cruise around your hood, wear reflective gear–or even better, get a helmet with integrated lighting.

The guys at 2 Swift tell us that future versions might feature lights (and fenders), we’ll keep you updated should they do that.

Tires

The 2Swift Board has a set of 9.5-inch pneumatic tires. The tires are tubeless, meaning you get the ride comfort of air-filled tires, with the averseness of tubeless tires to pinch flats. They also look an awful lot like the ones used on the Ninebot Max.

They have a great tire profile, especially for cornering–use the tire’s edges to lean like a snowboard when taking a sharp turn. You’ll also find that the tires can take on a bit of light off-roading, but for the best experience, stick to paved roads. 

Deck

The deck on the 2Swift is ultra-long and wide at the same time: 25.0 inches by 8.5 inches. It is intricately designed to handle the aggressive nature of pro-boarding. You have the CNC-machined wooden deck on a 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum frame. Then there’s the underdeck that’s fitted with a UHMW skid plate, which is an extremely tough material that’s resistant to both abrasion and wear. The board’s battery is encased within the aluminum channels in the deck.

The deck is further lined with the Jessup brand of grip tape. It’s worth mentioning that this brand of grip tape is so grippy that Paul’s initial report was that he found that it made it difficult to reposition his foot without lifting it completely off the board. That said, we expect the grip tape to break in and lose its absurdly high level of grip. BUT… better over than under when it comes to how much of a hold you get on your deck.

Build Quality

The founders of 2 Swift really pushed the needle on quality when designing and building the 2Swift board. There’s plenty of thought behind every piece of this board-puzzle. And while that naturally means a steeper price tag, we don’t mind it in this case  since the end result is so good. Let’s break it down.

To start us off, we have the battery. You’ve probably heard us say that Samsung and LG cells are the best ones you will see in an electric scooter. That’s true. And we’ve never seen better cells…until now. The 2Swift’s Molicel brand battery cells are so high-end that many people have never heard of them, and we’ve never tested a scooter that uses them. 

Molicel battery cells are very expensive, very reliable, and very high performance, both in terms of battery life and fast charging. With the included 4A charger, you can fully charge the 2Swift board in just over 3 hours. That’s less than half the typical charge time of most scooters in our database. And to keep your battery in optimum health, the battery is fitted with a BesTech battery management system.

We mentioned the high-end Cane Creek steering damper built into the front curved tube frame. From riding the board, we can confirm that it’s been quite effective at preventing caster flutter. The 2Swift’s front round tubing is built from 4130 chromoly steel, which is ultra strong and durable. Then you have a CNC-machined wooden deck with aircraft-grade aluminum in the frame. 

Usually, we don’t mention the brand of grip tape, but in the spirit of highlighting the 2Swift’s premium quality, we’ll also include that they use the Jessup brand of grip tape, which is as good as grip tape gets. And there’s also the VESC-based high-quality motor controller for the 500 W motor.

Now, down to what not to expect on the 2Swift. First, the board doesn’t have handlebars since it’s not a scooter. Naturally, you don’t also expect a display. However, it comes with a neat and handy remote that will tell you your current speed, what speed mode you’re in, and the state of charge of both the board and the remote itself. It fits comfortably in your palm, and, more importantly, it doesn’t feel tasking to hold onto.

If you like to ride at night, you’ll need to bring your own lights because the 2Swift board doesn’t have any other than the nice green glow surrounding the on-switch.

It also doesn’t have any fenders, so watch out for bad weather and watch where you plant your rear foot, or you could get a rub mark on your shoe. There’s no official IP rating, but the makers say it should do ok with light splashes of water, which is similar to what we say about most scooters. 

But the most surprising detail about the build may be where the 2Swift board is made. That would be Cleveland, which of course, is in Ohio, which of course, means this is made in the United States. Very few PEVs are made here. In fact, the only ones that come to mind are Rion and the Hollyburn scooters. If you know others, engage us on our YouTube comments section and let us (and the community) in on those other US brands. 

We can, therefore, summarize and say that this board is one of the highest quality PEVs we’ve had the pleasure of interacting with–and that’s saying a lot since you know how down we are with our scooters.

Safety

The 2Swift has predictable and smooth throttling and braking, which gives the rider complete control over their riding. The built-in headset damper ensures that your speed and stability are not compromised. In addition, The board’s high-quality design is also a safety guarantee -the durability of the individual components amplifies the sturdiness of this board and gives pro boarders peace of mind as they test the limits on the 2Swift.

As an added measure, grab some reflective gear and a helmet, especially if you intend to ride in moderate to high-traffic areas.

Warranty 

A 6-month warranty covers your 2Swift board against manufacturing defects–craftsmanship and materials. They advise that you retain the shipping box in the event you have to return your board following a product defect. You can reach out to them via email in case of any queries. 

Cosmetic damage, damage from misuse, water damage, a board that’s undergone modification–these are not covered under warranty. However, the warranty nitty-gritty is well laid out on the website, so check it out. They also have a host of replacement parts available for sale on the website if you’re ever in a bind.

2Swift Board: Review Conclusions.

What’s the real value proposition of the 2Swift board? Well, the first big advantage of the 2Swift Board is over an eskate. The 2Swift has big wheels that work better on rough pavement, potholes, and off-road. The second advantage is over a conventional kick scooter, and it’s that you get to ride hands-free.

But, who’s it for? From looking at the 2Swift board, you can probably figure out that enjoying this ride requires a higher skill level than an eskate or a kick-scooter. Just about anyone can make it go, but we think it’s the kind of thing that gives you even more fun in return as you put more time into it. 

We’ve only had the 2Swift Board for a few days and have had a lot of fun. But just like snowboarding, the 2Swift Board has that cycle of ‘improve your riding skill, have more fun, improve your riding skill, have more fun,’ and it goes on for a while. 

Therefore, if you have a few scooters or skateboards already and are looking for something really different and fun, or are just getting started in PEVs and want to play or commute on something no one else has, you should check it out.