How To Buy A Scooter
The scooter is the hottest innovation in self-propelled
transportation since inline skates. Anyone can learn to use them in
minutes, making scooters great recreation for kids or adults. And
since they're lightweight and usually fold up, they're a practical
means of transportation as well. Scooters come in several styles,
each adapted to different riding styles. So how you plan to use your
scooter is the most critical factor in deciding which model is right
for you.
Types of Scooters
Whether you're just looking to get from point A to B or to do
cool new tricks, there's a scooter type engineered for you.
Folding Scooters
Common Traits
- The most popular style of scooter, the standard folding scooter can be used to glide around the
neighborhood, go to work, or even do tricks
- Folding scooters are designed to balance compact size and lightweight construction for a smooth ride
- You can collapse these models in just a few seconds, making them small enough to carry easily
- These two-wheeled models typically feature polyurethane wheels like those on inline skates, but larger
- Most folding scooters are made of lightweight aluminum or steel and have fender brakes where you simply
step on the rear fender until it presses against the wheel and stops the scooter
Unique Features
- A feature that provides the ability to do more freestyle riding is the kicktail - a portion of the deck
that extends upward over the rear wheel. This provides the leverage you need to do tricks. Most freestyle
scooters also have handbrakes since the kicktail prevents use of a fender brake
- Three-wheeled scooters use 100 mm inline skate style wheels like a folding scooter, with two up front and
one in the rear for extra stability
Electric Scooters
- Bigger, heavier scooters designed to transport you short distances, such as around campus or your
neighborhood
- Battery-powered motors travel upwards of 10 to 20 miles per hour for up to 8 to 16 miles a trip before
you need to recharge the battery
- Most are made out of very durable aluminum
- Rear hand brakes allow you to control your speed and stop easily
- Be sure to check the size of the battery so you know how fast the scooter will go, and how far it can go
between recharges to determine which electric scooter will suit your needs
- Also make sure local authorities permit you to ride an electric scooter in public roadways before doing
so
Gas-Powered Scooters
- Usually faster and more powerful than other scooter types.
- Runs on a gasoline engine.
- Can have an extended range depending on the fuel tank size.
- Also make sure local authorities permit you to ride a gas-powered scooter in public roadways before doing so.
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Scooter Components and Construction
There are many key components to consider when buying a scooter.
 Folding Design
- Most scooters are designed to collapse so you can carry them
easily
- Typically, scooters have a folding mechanism at the bottom of
the handlebar assembly
- You simply unlock the mechanism, fold the scooter and re-lock
the mechanism to hold the scooter in its folded position
- The handlebar assembly usually includes a quick-release lever
allowing you to collapse the handlebars before you fold the scooter
- A typical folded size for a scooter is: W 4 in; H 7 in; L 23 in
- Most scooters weigh approximately 6 lbs making them very light
to carry when folded
- On average folding scooters can support up to 350 lbs
Wheels
- Most scooters come with polyurethane wheels like those on
in-line skates
- Scooter wheels are usually larger than in-line skate wheels to
make the ride smoother and faster
- Like in-line skates, scooter wheels come with an ABEC rating
for the bearings. The higher the ABEC rating, the smoother and
faster your ride.
- Standard wheels
- Standard wheels (usually around 100 mm) are typically made of
solid polyurethane with a small hub in the center
- These wheels will go moderately fast speeds and provide a
reasonably smooth ride
- They are small enough that they won't be cumbersome if you
want to do tricks
- Large wheels
- Large wheels (up to 180 mm) will clear cracks and bumps in
pavement more easily, but are not well suited to doing tricks
- These wheels are usually constructed of a spoked metal wheel
covered by a thin polyurethane tire
- Children's wheels
- Some models of children's scooters come with large wheels
with knobby tires for greater traction and safety
- These are typically much slower than standard polyurethane
wheels
Decks
- The deck is the part of the scooter that you stand on
- Decks usually range in length from 16 in up to 23 in
- Most are made of lightweight aluminum or steel. However, some
brands use wood laminate or wood and fiberglass laminate
- Decks typically come with grip tape for better traction
- Some scooters include a urethane cushion between the deck and
the frame to absorb shocks and make your ride smoother
Handlebars
- Handlebars typically adjust in length from as low as 22 inches
up to 36 inches
- Most scooters feature a quick-release clamp ring or push-pin
adjustments on handlebars
- Most scooters come with T-style handlebars that turn to let
you steer the scooter. But a few models come with a ball-style grip
where a rubber ball replaces the "T" at the top of the handlebar
- T-style handlebars
- T-style handlebars are like the standard handlebars on
bicycles
- These handlebars have two foam-covered grips extending from
either side of the center stem
- Most T-style bars turn to let you control the direction of
your scooter
- However, on some styles of scooters, the handlebars are
fixed, simply helping you balance as you lean to turn the scooter
- Ball-style handlebars
- Ball-style handlebars replace the "T" at the top of the
handlebar stem with a simple rubber ball-grip
- These handlebars are always fixed
- The bar helps you balance while you ride the scooter
surfboard-style, leaning side-to-side to turn
Brakes
- Most scooters have brakes to help you stop, especially from
faster speeds
- While the most common brake is a simple fender brake many
scooters use handbrakes just like those on bicycles
- Fender brakes
- Fender brakes are very simple braking mechanisms
- You just step on the rear fender, which is mounted on a
hinged spring
- The fender presses against the wheel using friction to
stop
- Handbrakes
- Handbrakes use a caliper mounted on the
wheel that you operate with a hand lever mounted on the
handlebars
- Just as on a bike, when you squeeze the lever the brake pads
pinch the wheel and stop the scooter
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