City scooters: features, rating of the best manufacturers and selection
Many city dwellers these days began to actively use another very original way of moving around the streets - with the help of a scooter. This vehicle has become a good help for many adult citizens to get to work and home as quickly as possible without problems and traffic jams.
Modern scooters for city trips weigh about 5 kg, they can be compactly folded, for this reason, the owner of such a vehicle, if necessary, can transfer to city transport or a taxi and continue the journey without a scooter.
Device and main characteristics
The design of such an original device includes a frame with a deck, two wheels, a durable steering wheel, reliable brakes and, in some models, shock absorbers.
This simple structure was at one time completely modernized for the following purposes:
- for the implementation of various maneuvers and tricks that are difficult to perform (for these tasks, lightweight devices of an extreme type are suitable, but long trips on them will be too tiring and even inconvenient);
- for riding in hard-to-reach places (dirt scooters will help with this - they have inflatable wheels, thanks to which they have high cross-country ability, but at the same time they are too heavy, are noticeably bulky and cannot fold;
- for the most comfortable riding on the streets of the city, even at a fairly serious distance, city scooters were invented, which are very light and can be quickly folded if necessary.
A city scooter is not a very complex device, in which only wheel bearings and grips will be subject to the greatest wear over time. Special wheels provide an average speed of movement and help you easily drive through small cracks on the way, move calmly on tiles and even low curbs. The presence of shock absorbers, special flexible decks or inflatable wheels will help reduce vibration when riding on various types of roads, and special quick-folding systems will greatly simplify the transportation of this structure in your hands.
All that remains is to carefully use this product and follow simple preventive measures - in this case, you can safely skate on your scooter for several seasons.
You just need to fulfill the following conditions:
- do not operate it in inclement weather, as the presence of moisture in the parts will lead to rapid wear of the bearings;
- from time to time check the quality of the fastening of the bolts;
- wipe the product with a rag after each trip;
- once every couple of weeks, remove dirt from the entire product and replace the lubricant;
- do not put a wet scooter in the cold: frozen water can damage parts.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of riding a scooter are as follows:
- it is perfect for traveling long enough distances;
- there are no difficulties with parking - the device can be easily and quickly folded and carried with you in your hands;
- the product will not be a problem if you need to change to public transport;
- during his trip, a city dweller can breathe fresh air unlimitedly, which is good for health;
- when traveling, you can get a boost of vivacity and excellent mood.
Cons of this type of transport:
- low strength for various jumps, performing complex tricks and other extreme entertainment;
- medium roll-off, because you can't really get to the maximum speed on this scooter;
- this scooter needs good asphalt.
The conclusion is simple: a city scooter is just perfect if you are not going to set trick records on it and just want to ride it comfortably.
Popular brands
The most famous manufacturers of city scooters are presented below.
- The French brand Globber offers a range of Globber ONE. It was Globber that released the very first designs with a unique quick-folding system for the device; in the brand's lineup, this model is called One K180.
- Hepros is a German brand. Products deserve close attention here. XXXL Ultra with quality folding mechanism. You can buy models with different types of wheels - inflatable or polyurethane, their weight is almost 0.5-1 kg less than that of competitors, and the carrying capacity is about 120 kg.
- Kleefer - a French company, whose specialists have developed their own original mechanism for high-speed folding of the device. These days in the lineup Kleefer 3 the most demanded models - Pure 180 (with creative twin wheel), Swing (with cruise wheel) and the E-Pure electric scooter.
- Micro - a company from Switzerland, which today is very actively spreading popular ideas of mobility in a modern metropolis. It was the creator of this company, Wim Uboter, who invented the very first folding scooter for the city.
The production of almost all of these and many other well-known scooters is located in the PRC, the only exceptions are the Xootr and Go-Ped models, which are produced in the United States.
A review of the very best products, according to consumers, will be useful to many. The rating looks like this.
Razor Beast
Ranked 4th in the top. The frame made of aluminum and the handles made of steel speak for the increased quality of the product. It features polyurethane wheels and a special patented brake type. The product is completely safe, so you can easily perform any kind of simplified tricks on it. Many experts call the Razor Beast model unique and note its versatility. The color of the frame of the product with an original print on the platform will suit both male users and modern women who like original novelties.The design looks high quality and stylish.
Advantages:
- it has a very light frame;
- steel brake;
- rubber handles;
- the height of the steering wheel can be adjusted.
The disadvantages are rather arbitrary. For example, if you brake too often, then the wheels will wear out very quickly and will have to be replaced.
Triumf Active HT02-205
3rd place for the Triumf model. This eye-catching design is crafted with the finest materials and creative design. Triumf Active can be called the best solution for all types of outdoor activities of the modern city dweller. An aluminum frame is considered to be quite sturdy. Handles made of rubberized materials will prevent the palms from slipping. The handlebars can be adjusted up to 95 cm in height. Polyurethane rigid wheels will handle any bumps on the way well. ABEC 7 bearings provide a smooth ride and quiet movement. The anti-skid platform allows the rider to place both feet on it. The model can be easily folded up quickly and is very comfortable to store or carry.
Pros:
- there is a comfortable stand;
- folds well;
- reliable assembly.
Many users point out that it is almost impossible to detect the minuses. If someone has small problems, but they can be attributed to improper operation.
Triumf Active AL02-205
2nd place. This model has a lightweight aluminum frame, hand brake, and 2 shock absorbers - front and rear of the product. The size of the wheels reaches 20.5 cm. The handle can be controlled in height within the range of 77-100 cm. This will allow using this product not only for adults, but even for children. In addition to the hand brake, the model also has a conventional brake fender. In this case, you can easily use both options at once.
The smoothness of movement will be guaranteed by the presence of two shock absorbers, with their help the suspension of the product will absorb various vibrations during movement over bumps. For protection from water in wet weather, there is a special fender on the front wheel. The fold-down footrest lets you place your device wherever you want.
This design can be a good solution for purposeful trips along city streets and parks. The weight of the product is only 5 kg.
Advantages:
- a light weight;
- hand and parking brakes;
- creative design;
- high-quality folding mechanism.
Among the minuses, consumers note not very good shock absorbers.
Globber FLow 125 Lights
1st place. This model features a good steel frame. The platform is supplemented with a strip of anti-slip material. The scooter is released with a T-bar, which can be easily adapted to any user's height. Wheels are made of the highest quality polyurethane with nylon coating. They have LED backlighting. The model includes a face fender and a double clamp. Sticks are made of flexible dual material for maximum durability. In addition, this design contains soft rear brakes, it is they who will guarantee smooth braking, which will prevent damage to the rear tire.
pros:
- stylish look;
- comfortable model;
- strength;
- reliable assembly;
- compact parameters.
Users do not report cons in their reviews.
How to choose the right one?
To choose the right scooter for active city traffic, it is worth paying special attention to its quality and certain characteristics.
- Mobility... In order to safely move on a scooter on city roads for long enough distances, it is very important that the product is easy to operate, as well as transport and carry. When buying in a store, it is imperative to try to fold the chosen scooter yourself and make sure that the process of carrying the structure in your hands is really convenient and does not require excessive efforts from you.
That is why it is best for women to immediately buy a scooter model for the weaker sex, and for men - models designed exclusively for them.
- Maximum load. For some riders, this kind of performance can be considered quite principled, since standard models are usually able to withstand up to 100 kg of user weight. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that the greatest load is designed for perfectly flat road surfaces, so it is best to choose a scooter for yourself with a certain load reserve.
- Step. A folding type device will allow the user to quickly park when necessary.
- Wheel diameter... The larger the wheels in this useful invention, the easier it is to ride and the greater the speed it will be possible to develop; urban women's scooters in this case differ in a low speed mode. For city scooters, the usual wheel diameter is 200-230 mm.
- Wheel type... Polyurethane is just perfect for smooth city roads, because they have high wear resistance, the inflated wheels have excellent shock absorption, they are easy to drive even on cobblestones, and you can also safely move on tiles or dirt roads.
- Bearing class. It is best to opt for classes ABEC-7 and ABEC-9.
- Availability of shock absorbers... They make the trip more comfortable, shock loads are not transmitted to the body.
- Frame. It is mainly made of aluminum, and therefore the device is lightweight and at the same time quite durable.
- Folding system... There is a manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic system for folding the product, all of them are easy to use, but manual time will take much more.
- The presence of a telescopic steering wheel. Conveniently, both a teenager and an adult can ride a scooter.
- Pens. It is best to choose rubberized handles, they are very easy to clean and are highly resistant to wear.
- Brake. Many city scooters have a foot brake-wing; it is quite rare to find a hand brake as well.
- Wings. It is good if they are present on both wheels so that dirt does not fly off of them onto clothes.
- Additional details. Certain products may be sold with quite useful accessories, such as a waterproof case or a sturdy strap to make it easier to carry the scooter.
In the next video, you will find an overview of the best city scooters for adults.