Electric skateboard gear ratios explained: 32T vs 38T and what actually matters for your ride

If you have ever swapped wheels on an Evolve board or looked into a conversion kit, you have probably noticed two belt options sitting alongside your new rubber: a 32T and a 38T drive gear. Most riders pick one without fully understanding what changes. This article explains what those numbers mean, when each setup makes sense, and how it affects real-world performance on the terrain most New Zealand riders actually deal with.

What the T number actually means

The "T" stands for teeth. It refers to the number of teeth on the drive gear that connects your motor to the wheel pulley via the belt. A higher tooth count means a larger drive gear, which changes the mechanical ratio between the motor and the wheel.

In simple terms: a 38T gear turns your wheels with more force per motor revolution. A 32T gear turns them faster per motor revolution. That is the core trade-off, and everything else follows from it.

Both gears use the same motor, the same belt system and the same wheels. You are not changing the motor's output. You are changing how that output is translated into wheel speed and torque at the road surface.

32T: built for speed on sealed ground

The 32T is the standard street setup. It prioritises top-end speed and efficient rolling on smooth surfaces. With less mechanical advantage from the drive gear, the motor spins the wheel faster relative to its own RPM, which is exactly what you want on asphalt where grip is consistent and torque demands are moderate.

On flat sealed paths, the 32T setup feels sharp and responsive. Acceleration is quick, and top speed comes easily. For commuting across flat terrain or putting in long sessions on well-maintained infrastructure, it is the right tool.

The trade-off shows up on steep climbs or loose surfaces. With less torque multiplication, demanding gradients require the motor to work harder to maintain speed. That is fine within the board's rated capability, but on technical off-road terrain it becomes a limitation.

38T: where torque matters more than speed

The 38T is the all-terrain drive gear. The larger tooth count increases torque at the wheel, which translates directly into stronger hill climbing, more confident traction on loose ground and better low-speed control in technical environments.

The mechanical trade-off is top-end speed. The larger gear effectively lowers your top speed ceiling compared to the same motor running a 32T. That is an acceptable exchange when you are riding through gravel, grass or uneven ground where raw speed is not the priority anyway.

For riders using pneumatic all-terrain tyres, the 38T is the correct pairing. The tyres already introduce rolling resistance compared to urethane street wheels, and the additional torque from the 38T compensates for that. Running a 32T with AT tyres would leave the setup feeling sluggish at the bottom end and straining under load.

Why the pairing between gear and wheel type matters

This is where a lot of riders go wrong. The gear ratio is not a standalone decision. It works together with your wheel diameter, tyre resistance and riding environment. Matching them correctly is what makes the whole drivetrain feel cohesive.

Urethane street wheels are light, hard and fast-rolling. They suit the 32T because the gear ratio complements their low rolling resistance. Pneumatic AT tyres are heavier, softer and grip-hungry. They suit the 38T because the increased torque offsets the additional resistance.

When you buy an Evolve 2-in-1 board or use a conversion kit to swap between setups, the kit includes the appropriate drive gear for the wheel type. That is not an oversight. It is the system working as designed.

What this means on New Zealand terrain

New Zealand's riding environments are genuinely varied, and that variety makes the gear ratio conversation more relevant here than in flatter cities elsewhere.

Auckland's volcanic terrain means short, sharp hills are unavoidable on almost any route. The 38T setup handles those transitions without breaking momentum. Wellington is notorious for steep, wind-exposed streets where torque and confident braking matter far more than top speed. In Christchurch, the flat grid is well-suited to street wheels and 32T, but venturing into the Port Hills immediately changes the calculation. Hamilton offers long flat stretches ideal for the 32T street setup. Queenstown, where riders regularly transition between sealed paths and gravel tracks, is probably the strongest argument for the 2-in-1 approach: having both setups available and choosing the right one for the day.

The Diablo Bamboo All-Terrain in this context

The Diablo Bamboo All-Terrain ships with 175mm pneumatic tyres and the 38T all-terrain drive gear. That combination is deliberate. The dual 3500W motors produce 7000W of total output, and the 38T gear translates that power into confident traction on surfaces where urethane wheels would slip or bounce.

With a 45%+ hill gradient rating and a max load of 120 kg, the board is built to perform in demanding conditions. The 864Wh Samsung 50S battery delivers up to 50 km of real-world range on AT tyres, which accounts for the higher rolling resistance of pneumatic rubber. The 3-ply bamboo deck adds natural flex underfoot, which matters on rough terrain where a rigid deck transmits every impact directly to your legs.

If you later want to run street wheels, the Evolve conversion kit brings the 32T gear alongside the urethane wheels, and the same board becomes a fast, efficient street cruiser with up to 80 km of range. Same board, two completely different characters depending on how you have it set up.

Common questions about gear ratios

Can I run AT tyres with a 32T gear?

Technically yes, but the setup will feel unbalanced. You will lose low-end torque and put more load on the motors during climbs. The 38T is the correct gear for AT tyres, and Evolve's conversion kits are designed around that pairing.

Does changing the gear ratio affect braking?

Yes. The same torque multiplication that improves hill climbing also increases regenerative braking force. On the 38T setup, braking can feel more aggressive at low speeds. This is manageable through the braking curves in the Explore app, and most riders adjust quickly.

Will a higher tooth count reduce my range?

Not significantly on its own. The larger factor affecting range when running AT tyres is the tyre rolling resistance rather than the gear ratio. Expect reduced range on AT compared to street regardless of the gear, and plan your ride accordingly.

Is the gear ratio something I need to set up myself?

When you buy a board configured for street or AT, the correct gear is already installed. If you buy a conversion kit, the appropriate drive gear is included. You swap both the wheels and the gear together as part of the process.

The short version

32T is for street riding: faster, more efficient on sealed ground, lower torque multiplication. 38T is for all-terrain riding: stronger torque, better hill climbing, more confident traction on unpredictable surfaces, slightly lower top speed.

If you are riding a mix of terrain and want to use both setups, the Diablo Bamboo 2-in-1 includes both wheel sets and both drive gears. If all-terrain is your primary environment, the All-Terrain configuration is the cleaner, more focused choice.

For a visual walkthrough of how gear ratios work in practice, the video below covers it well.