What is a 2-in-1 electric skateboard and do you actually need one?

A 2-in-1 electric skateboard comes with two complete wheel sets, street and all terrain, so you can switch between sealed surfaces and rough ground on the same board. It is not a gimmick. For riders who commute during the week and explore trails on weekends, it removes the choice between two separate setups.

Most electric skateboards are built for one environment. Street boards roll fast and efficient on asphalt but struggle on gravel, grass or rough paths. All terrain boards handle the rough stuff comfortably but feel heavier and slower on smooth roads. The 2-in-1 format exists because most riders do not live in just one of those environments.

How the wheel swap actually works

Switching between street and all terrain is not as simple as pulling off one wheel and bolting on another. Each terrain type uses a different drive gear ratio and belt, so the conversion involves swapping the wheels, hubs, belts and drive gears as a complete system. It takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes with the Y-tool that comes in the box.

The result is a genuinely different riding experience each time. Street mode gives you higher speed and longer range. All terrain mode gives you grip, comfort and the ability to ride surfaces that would stop a urethane wheel dead.

Both wheel sets are included when you buy a 2-in-1, so there is no additional purchase required to unlock either configuration.

Why the Diablo Bamboo 2-in-1 is worth looking at closely

If you want one board that handles both environments without compromise, the Diablo Bamboo 2-in-1 is the strongest argument for the format in Evolve's current lineup.

It runs dual 3500W motors and an 864Wh Samsung 50S battery. On street wheels, that translates to up to 80 km of real-world range and a governed top speed of 50 km/h. Swap to the 175mm pneumatic all terrain tyres and range drops to around 50 km, but you gain the ability to ride grass, gravel, dirt paths and anything else in between.

The hill climbing rating sits at 45% or more in both configurations, which is relevant in cities like Sydney and Brisbane where steep residential streets are unavoidable. The 35% gradient minimum that most boards advertise starts to feel marginal on real hills. At 45%, you are not hunting for a flat route.

The bamboo deck is worth understanding specifically in this context. Three plies of bamboo and two plies of fibreglass give the board a controlled natural flex. On all terrain tyres, that flex works with the pneumatic cushioning to create a ride that absorbs bumps without feeling vague or loose. On street wheels, it gives a surf-carve feel that rigid carbon boards do not replicate.

Street mode in practice

Fitted with the 97mm urethane street wheels, the Diablo Bamboo rides like a high-performance longboard. The SuperCarve 2 trucks hold stability at speed and respond cleanly through corners. In Melbourne, where wide bike lanes and smooth shared paths stretch for kilometres, street mode is where you will spend most of your time. The 80 km range means a full week of commuting without worrying about charge.

The EFOC 2.0 motor controller delivers smooth acceleration rather than aggressive punch, which matters for street riding where you are sharing space with pedestrians and cyclists. Braking modulation is equally refined. You can hold a precise speed downhill rather than lurching between power and freewheel.

All terrain mode in practice

The 175mm pneumatic tyres change the character of the board entirely. On the Gold Coast, where sealed paths transition quickly to grass verges and packed dirt, the all terrain setup handles the shift without hesitation. In Perth, where long coastal trails mix bitumen and compacted sand, the extra grip and tyre volume make a genuine difference.

The ride is softer and more planted. You sit higher off the ground, which takes a couple of sessions to recalibrate your balance, but the payoff is confidence on unpredictable surfaces. The 45% hill gradient holds in both configurations, which means the same climbing ability regardless of terrain type.

Weight in all terrain configuration is 15.3 kg. That is heavier than a street-only board but not unusual for what you are getting. The tradeoff is access to almost any surface you want to ride.

Who the 2-in-1 format suits

• Riders who commute on sealed roads but want the option to explore trails
• Anyone who wants one premium board rather than two separate setups
• Riders in cities with mixed infrastructure, where smooth paths end and rough ones begin without warning
• Those who travel between locations with different terrain, Brisbane's river paths to hinterland trails, for example
• Anyone who values flexibility and does not want to be locked into a single riding style

If you ride exclusively on smooth sealed surfaces and never have a reason to leave them, the street-only Diablo Bamboo Street at $2,849 is the leaner choice. The 2-in-1 costs $3,049 and includes both wheel sets, which makes it considerably better value than buying them separately after the fact.

What comes in the box

The Diablo Bamboo 2-in-1 ships with both the 97mm street wheels and the 175mm all terrain tyres already included, plus the Phaze CNC aluminium remote, a 5A fast charger, Y-tool, spare screws and a leash. The fast charger brings the 864Wh battery from flat to full in around four hours. Both wheel configurations are ready to ride from day one.

If you are based in Queensland, the Evolve store at Mermaid Waters is worth visiting if you want to see and feel the board before committing. For everyone else, the standard online order process covers delivery across the country.

The honest summary

A 2-in-1 electric skateboard is not about doing everything at once. It is about having genuine options. On a given Tuesday you might want fast and efficient on smooth roads. On Saturday you might want to take a different route through a park or a trail. The Diablo Bamboo 2-in-1 handles both without asking you to compromise on quality in either direction.

The 864Wh battery, 45% hill capability and dual 3500W motors are flagship-level specs. The bamboo deck keeps the ride feeling natural rather than mechanical. And carrying both wheel sets in the box means the flexibility is real from the moment it arrives.