Scooters for adults: types, selection and operation

The scooter for adults is increasingly proving to be the most attractive form of transport. With such a means of transportation, you can gain mobility, improve coordination of movements, strengthen muscles and solve the problem of physical inactivity characteristic of a sedentary lifestyle. How to choose a scooter so that it suits a person of high or medium height, what you should pay attention to when choosing equipment for daily riding, driving around the city or conquering off-road conditions - we will consider in this article.

To understand all the variety of offers on the market, you should study the rating of the best scooters, read the reviews of active pastime lovers. An overview of models with large wheels - t-shirts, as well as trick and dirt versions will also be useful. Among the many modern scooters, there is definitely exactly what will suit even the most demanding rider.

A scooter for adults is a full-size vehicle with 2 or 3 wheels, a handlebar adapted to the height, some models have a saddle and even an electric motor. Unlike children's and teenage models, it is able to withstand significant loads, has a full-fledged shock absorption system, wheels with an increased diameter and many other necessary options. The speed developed by such devices is also far from a snail's - models with large wheels with a diameter of 200 mm can easily accelerate to 40 km / h.

The load capacity of the platform on 2 wheels varies in the range of 100-150 kg, and the lightest models weigh 4-5 kg. For the convenience of users, manufacturers provide convenient folding mechanisms that allow you to comfortably carry and transport equipment used for riding.

Is it useful to ride a scooter and how important this type of physical activity is for health - let's figure it out. In fact, the favorite mode of transport for children and adolescents is quite capable of giving a lot of positive emotions even to an adult. Walking with a scooter helps:

• prevent the development of varicose veins, vascular thrombosis;
• strengthen the muscles of the back, legs, buttocks;
• improve the functioning of the vestibular apparatus;
• make up for the lack of movement with an inactive lifestyle;
• burn calories while losing weight;
• get positive emotions;
• provide blood flow to the pelvic organs;
• increase movement speed;
• stop wasting time in traffic jams and public transport.

The scooter is undoubtedly a useful transport that has a beneficial effect on health. But only in compliance with traffic rules and safety precautions. Before leaving for the city, you need to take care of the equipment, master the braking and make sure that the equipment is in good working order. For some diseases of the musculoskeletal system, riding a scooter may be excluded from the recommended types of physical activity. If in doubt, it is best to consult your doctor.

A scooter is a vehicle in which a certain set of components is present. Some of them must be present in the design of the product.

The main supporting structure, which carries all the main load. The scooter frame is made of steel or aluminum alloy. This part determines what kind of load mobile transport will be able to withstand, therefore special requirements are imposed on it.

The platform on which the user's feet are placed. It is a horizontally located flat platform, on the surface of which a non-slip coating is applied, most often based on sandpaper. The deck can be solid, connected to the scooter frame, mounted on top of it, or it can be a transition element between the front and rear of the frame.

It can be made in the form of a joystick or a T-bar with two handles covered with soft grips. The steering wheel, depending on the design of the scooter, can be adjustable or permanently fixed. Side elements - holders, can be removable for easier transportation and greater compactness during storage (in all models, except for the trick category).

All traditional adult scooters are two-wheeled, and models with 3 or 4 wheels are called kickboards. Standard diameters range from 4 "to 10" or 100-254 mm. T-shirts have larger wheels, they can reach 737 mm. Wheels are made of metal in stunt models and SUVs, urban ones are content with polymer materials.

Most of the scooters are equipped with molded rubber or polyurethane tires. Some versions use inflated chambers - such wheels have a diameter of 205 mm, metal discs are used. Usually they are used for off-road trips outside the city. Scooters for the city have a design in which the diameter of the front and rear wheels does not match.

Scooters for adults are equipped with a foot-operated braking system. When exposed to it, the wing comes into contact with the rear wheel and stops its rotation through contact with the brake pad. Some scooters have a handbrake attached to the handlebars. In this case, the connection is pulled to the brake pad on the front and rear wheels.

With the help of a folding mechanism, the scooter frame is transformed, giving it compactness and ease of transportation. A typical scenario is offset to the deck of the steering column, the front wheel is pushed forward. This is the most common option. In addition, only the steering column can be folded, while the wheel remains stationary. The mechanism is absent in all stunt scooters so as not to weigh down the structure, and is rarely found in T-shirts.

This element is not present in all scooters, it can be installed on the front fork or both wheels at once. Spring-loaded shock absorbers are designed to cushion the load from uneven road surfaces and aggressive driving style. Besides, the shock-absorbing effect can be provided by flexible materials of the deck and wheels with cameras inside.

All types of scooters for adults are divided into categories according to their purpose and adaptability to moving on different types of road surfaces.

Comfortable models for riding on smooth road surfaces. There are views for one rider and for two, with an enlarged platform. There are also scooters with pedals and a chain drive, which are pressed by analogy with the step-platform of simulators.

The classic urban version is a two-wheeled one, set in motion by the muscular strength of a person. Electric scooters can also be called one of the types of this transport - they are equipped with a motor and a battery, they can be with a saddle, which facilitates long trips.

Usually there is an adjustable steering wheel, with a shock absorber and non-slip comfortable grips. The length and width of the deck can be varied - the most comfortable ones allow you to stand on two parallel legs or ride together. City scooters are equipped with 6-10 ″ wheels and are considered the fastest. Flexible decks made of modern materials, folding aluminum frames allow manufacturers to create truly light and compact city transport for riding without unnecessary extreme.

This is a specialized category of scooters focused on performing tricks on floors or smooth hard surfaces. Such models have a rigidly fixed size of the handlebars in relation to the length of the deck to maintain stability and safety of the rider's body position. The diameter of the wheels in them does not exceed 125 mm or 5 ″. The rudder design is Y-shaped or bat wings.

Special models of dirt scooters are intended for smooth riding on uneven surfaces. They are driven on gravel, slopes and jumps installed in a special park. With its help, special tricks are performed, by analogy with a bicycle dart.

This category includes scooter models with large wheels, rubber bladders and structural elements typical of bicycles. On such a technique, you can ride off-road, cover considerable distances, set speed records. But riding on shirts takes more effort.There are walking and sports varieties, the second has subtypes for sledding sports, high-speed racing on the highway and downhill.

Among the market leaders, one can single out the popular European companies today - Austrian, Swiss, as well as the unattainable American Razor, which so far no one has been able to surpass... The top best models are as follows.

Among the inexpensive popular models, there are 3 leaders.

1. Razor Beast. A sports scooter well suited for mastering simple stunts. Includes small maneuverable wheels, Y-fork. The model is made in BMX style, equipped with a reliable steel frame.
2. Explore Voltage. An adult scooter with wheels of different diameters and striking design. Amortization is minimal, but on a flat surface, the vehicle demonstrates good acceleration. Bright, ergonomic grips make operation more comfortable.
3. Roadweller Urban. A reliable urban scooter with a folding mechanism. The model is distinguished by good softness due to high-quality shock absorbers, it is equipped with an extended rear wing that protects from dirt. Suitable for long and high-speed skiing, looks stylish.

Among the leaders of the rating in this category are - truly impressive scooters with a full complement of characteristics necessary for good skiing.

1. Razor A5 Lux. Urban model of a scooter with 200 mm wheels, a long adjustable handlebar stand, a wide range of colors. The lightweight frame provides the model with a weight of only 3.86 kg, the absence of shock absorbers does not affect the acceleration speed on the asphalt surface. The model provides a reliable braking system, a wide and comfortable deck. The maximum load bearing capacity is 100 kg.
2. MaxCity MC Fusion. Model with 200 mm polyurethane wheels, folding frame construction and striking, memorable design. In addition, the scooter is distinguished by a wide (155 mm) deck, with a ground clearance of 75 mm. The handle is made so that even a tall person is comfortable to hold. The set includes high-quality bearings, the folding mechanism does not affect the front wheel, and has a button for easy transformation.
3. Tech Team Super Jet 300. A scooter for those who dream of off-road riding. The model with large inflatable wheels with a diameter of 300 mm is ideal for riding on dirt roads, softens any bumps and bumps. The package includes a footrest, handbrake. Double frame construction, reinforced, bicycle handlebars, with wide arms. This is a full-fledged football shirt with a good set of characteristics for riding with pleasure.

In order to choose the right scooter for riding, it is worth considering a lot of aspects that can affect the final decision. Among the most important of these are the following.

• Man's height. The simplest rule is that the handlebars should be above the rider's waist. In terms of height, it is most difficult to select scooters for tall people; it is better to give preference to a model with a telescopic steering column and a wide platform.
• Design. You can make choices based on gender and age. Women's models are often made brighter - pink, orange, yellow, purple. Men are usually more restrained in colors. White, gray, black are suitable for all riders.
• The presence of a folding mechanism. Non-transforming models are suitable for obese people and, in general, are better able to withstand heavy loads. Folds are more compact, and often come with a carrying bag that you can use to ride the subway. But they are not suitable for heavy riders. Stunt scooters and most fat bikes do not have a folding mechanism.
• Travel speed. If you need a very powerful scooter that can overcome the 30 km / h threshold, you can immediately give preference to the electric versions or models with large wheels. Tire material also affects speed performance.The fastest are made of polyurethane, the slowest have a chamber inside and are pumped with air.
• Frame material type. Most adult scooters are made from aluminum alloys, the cheapest and heaviest options are steel. Stunt and heavy-duty models are fitted with fiberglass and carbon steel reinforced frames.
• Wheel type. For sports riding, you need hard wheels with a marking of at least 86A. Wheels with the designation 74-82A are suitable for a comfortable ride and soft traction.
• Coating type. For dirt roads, gravel tracks, soft, wide wheels with a large grip area are needed. Fatbikes have worked well here. Urban scooters and stunt models need a firm, level surface to ride confidently.
• Platform material. Most often, it is metal, rigid and durable, such scooters are well suited for high-speed skiing. Composite combinations of plywood and fiber provide good cushioning, soften the ride on uneven surfaces, and increase comfort.
• Wheel diameter and profile. The standard diameter for the city is 120-200 mm, a larger size is simply not needed to overcome small obstacles. Stunt scooters are equipped with wheels no more than 125 mm and have a flat profile. The rounded shape of the tire provides agility and speed on straight sections. Narrow-profile models are the fastest.

To learn how to ride a scooter, it is important to follow simple and obvious guidelines. The first attempts to stand on the platform should be done not on the street, but at home. First comes adjust the height of the steering column for height, choose a jogging foot - usually it coincides with the leading hand in a person. The scooter is placed on the side of the supporting leg, then it is placed on the surface of the platform. Pushing off the asphalt with a jogging foot can set the vehicle in motion.

You cannot turn sharply. It is imperative to first brake and then change the direction of the steering wheel. Inexperienced riders may find the handbrake option more convenient. But usually the simplest foot is enough.

When riding for a long time, it is recommended that you change your legs every 15-20 minutes to avoid back and knee pain. When choosing scooters with large wheels, high speed development should be avoided. They gain it faster than usual, especially downhill, but climbs are harder to overcome, a lot of effort will have to be made.

When riding a scooter, you must observe certain security measures... In this case, the use of protective equipment is mandatory, especially if the person does not have experience in driving two-wheeled vehicles.

In the case of scooters, the main type of injury is associated with falling on the palm of the hand or elbow, kneecap. Riding in knee pads, elbow pads, helmets allows you to fully protect the rider from serious injuries and fractures.

Useful recommendations also include the use of hair ties, hairpins for people with long hair. They must be soft, elastic, and injury-free. For riding, you should choose loose, comfortable clothing; for the dark time of the day, it should be equipped with removable or sewn-on reflectors.

Scooters with polyurethane wheels lose their ability to brake in the rain in the usual way using the pad on the fender. They should not be used for driving on wet surfaces. When braking on a dry road, only the standard systems provided by the design must be used.Jumping off the platform while walking can result in injury.

Modern scooters receive the most impressive reviews from users. Adults are increasingly choosing them for driving on city roads and country roads. Moreover, riders are no longer ready to be content with the most budgetary solutions, they are interested in the most technically advanced models. In this case, the original variants of equipment may have neon illumination, modern disc brakes, footboards, signals. Experienced users are advised to pay attention to the presence of mudguards and the length of the wings, otherwise, when riding in mud and in the rain, flying splashes will fall on clothes.

Off-road scooter models are praised for their good cross-country ability. Even the budget models have large, vibration-dampening wheels, shock absorbers and a reliable tall frame with high ground clearance. Among the top-end versions, there are options with a truly spectacular design and an impressive roll-forward. It is noted that on a flat road, they easily reach the speed threshold of 30 km, and in terms of physical activity they are not inferior to bicycles.

There are also some difficulties. For example, it is difficult to find an adult scooter for tall people - only the most serious brands have taken care of such riders. With the rest of the models, a taller than average person looks as if he took away the transport from a child. There are also problems with the weight of the equipment, it is often quite serious, especially with steel frames.

For an overview of an adult scooter, see the video below.