Notice: I only promote electric skateboards with fully covered belt covers.
Many have a partial belt cover where if going over leaves or gravel, it can get caught up in the belt and clog it up. The Zboard, Fiik, E-Glide and many of the boards now have fully covered belts. Also, rain can get in an uncovered belt and cause it to slip.
Belt types vary so much depending on which belt each electric skateboard company is using.
A crappy belt is noticed the most when going up steep hills and trying to accelerate on a loose or worn out belt from heavy and frequent breaking and trying to go up hills when the belt is strained. There are some belts that I have heard that just suddenly break and snap while riding but is rare.
I like the Gates belts the best as I get the fewest complaints about them. I Googled them and read lots of reviews on their belts. I called alot of companies non related to skate boards and most said that Gates is the best brand.
If the weight limit is exceeded the belts can weaken too. If a company says it can hold 300 lbs and I actually add 300 lbs, then it should not strain with a 225 lb person on it. I can usually pick out a fake weight rating right away. See my weight limit page if you haven't already. Also, I talk about belts on my uphill review page too.
Many belts on the cheaper belts need to be replaced more often and some are easier to take off and install than others. Some belts will just need to be adjusted more often than others. Usually when the belt starts slipping is when something is wrong which is usually obvious.
Note: I urge people to ask how often the belt has to be replaced when buying any brand of skateboard. As long as people don't abuse the break system, the belts usually don't have problems prematurely. See my breaking review page.
Belts can be about 15mm to 20+mm wide belts. The belts on the Gnar board, for example are huge and it can handle super heavy loads without wearing them out. They have 4 belts, one on each wheel too.
If going up steep hills, make sure the belt is not one of those types that you have to replace often. Know that all belts if used long enough will have to be replaced one day in the future sooner or later. The only other option is using a chain instead of a belt. The E-glide makes a chain verson and its super expensive and super time consuming to maintain. Every time its taken out about several times it needs to be cleaned and the chain needs to be oiled and lubricated at all times. No sand can get in the chain either.
Note: if you hear a clicking when you push the acceleration trigger, this is usually the time to change belts. It could snap while riding it. I urge people to never ride with a clicking belt. This usually doesn't happen as much on flats and mostly on uphill riding.
I urge people to buy extra belts at the same time they buy a skateboard. People get pissed when they have to wait a week to get more belts. You can also go online and order from belt companies or distributors. Gates is the one I always tell people to get.
If you plan on breaking alot down hills or going up steep hills, let me know on my skate quiz.
