What are factors to consider before buying your electric scooter?
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Design
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Ride Quality
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Wheel Size
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Motor Power
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Range
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Weight & Size
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Maximum Load
Looking to add micro-mobility to your life with a new e-scooter? Are you overwhelmed with the number of details, models, and features you need to evaluate? Before making your choice, it’s important to keep these factors to consider when buying an electric scooter in mind. With our guide, you’re sure to find the perfect model for you and your travel needs. Read on!
Design
The first thing to do is think about what kind of design you want your electric scooter to have. While looking ‘cool’ on your commute isn’t your priority, it’s an easy thing to think about before diving into the nitty-gritty of this transportation option.
Some electric scooter models, like the KickScooter series from Simply Moving, come with powder coating, customizable colors, LED lights, cruise mode, anti-theft sensors, alarms, “find your vehicle” capabilities, and more. These intelligent features could be valuable additions to your daily travel.
Ride Quality
Once you’ve decided on what kind of design you’d prefer, you can research the quality of ride you’re looking for. While they may look great on the webpage, poorly-made e-scooters are difficult to use for more than a few kilometers. There are many factors that affect the ride quality:
Wheel Size
We recommend looking for models with wheels equal to or larger than 10 inches in diameter. Smaller wheels tend to give a rougher ride, and can easily catch on potholes and cracks on the road.
Tires also come in two varieties: pneumatic (air-filled) and non-pneumatic (airless). While air-filled tires are more common, they can be prone to punctures and require regular maintenance. On the other hand, non-pneumatic tires require less maintenance, are fairly durable, and shock-absorbent.
Suspension
Suspension for electric scooters works similarly to other vehicles. Proper suspension is needed to smooth out the bumps and dips from the ground. Without the right suspension for your ride, you will be on the receiving end of uncomfortable vibrations and jolts, which can make traveling difficult.
If your typical travel routes are full of rough, old roads, then suspension should be a key consideration for you. To help you avoid discomfort even on long rides, Simply Moving’s electric scooters all come with robust suspension systems that allow you to sail over rougher terrain without trouble.
Brakes
Lastly, ride quality also includes your safety. Your electric scooter’s brake system should also be a factor. There are generally three types of braking systems:
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Electric brakes — low maintenance, but less effective at stopping you quickly at higher speeds.
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Disc brakes — low maintenance, provides consistent performance even in wet conditions, and have the highest stopping power.
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Foot brakes — rider-operated and high maintenance. Can be difficult to use if the rider is unaccustomed to using a kid’s scooter, and are not as comfortable to use nor effective as electric or disc brakes.
Simply Moving puts our customer’s safety first. With our double-braking system, we include both a mechanical and electric brake to enhance the safety and usability of our electric scooters.
Motor Power
An electric scooter’s motor provides the power and the acceleration it needs to climb inclines. The higher the motor’s wattage, the higher it can climb without trouble. Most scooters start with motors with 250 watts and can reach speeds of up to 15 mph. While this might seem good, they won’t be able to climb up slopes and may struggle to reach their top speeds on roads with even a slight incline.
Since it is rare to travel through completely flat routes, look for an electric scooter that has at least 350 watts. You might also want to consider aiming for motors with more than that if you tackle ramps, ascents, and hills regularly. For those with tough commutes, we highly recommend using Simply Moving’s electric scooters, whose motors can climb up 20°slopes.
Range
The range of your scooter is also important to consider. While most electric scooters can travel 15 miles easily, this may fall short for some users. If you underestimate your travel distance, you may be stuck carrying your scooter for the rest of your journey.
It is also important to note that the quoted ranges are best-case examples. They assume your travel is on a smooth, flat, straight road, with a fully charged battery. Generally, a scooter with a range of around 30 to 40 km is perfect for those intending to use it daily. These models will allow you to comfortably travel around 25 km before needing a recharge.
Weight & Size
We recommend that you choose the right weight and size of scooter for you. These will also affect the motor power and range your electric scooter can achieve. If your scooter is too small for your stature, then you will find that the motor is unable to reach its maximum potential. Consequently, the range it can travel will be reduced.
The presence and type of folding mechanism should also be considered. If it can fold, it is generally much easier to transport. You should also check if your electric scooter is the right weight and size for you when folded. Think about your commute and how much weight you can bring with you up the stairs or while on the bus and train.
For easier travel, Simply Moving’s electric scooters all sport a sleek, lightweight one-step folding system. With this mechanism, our users can quickly fold up their scooters and bring them on public transportation or any destination.
Maximum Load
Not all electric scooters are capable of carrying the same load. Most electric scooters have a maximum load of 100kg, but some will only perform well with passengers of 80kg and below.
If you’re using an electric scooter that isn’t suited for your weight, the scooter’s performance will likely suffer, posing a risk to your safety. Check if the scooter you’re choosing can hold well above your weight so that you can make the most out of your vehicle.
Simply Moving’s electric scooters cater to a wide variety of users. With our robust frames and powerful motors, our KickScooter models can carry riders of any body type, size, and weight.
Key Takeaway
These six points are the most important factors to consider when buying an electric scooter. We advise you to pay close attention to your travel needs as well as the scooter’s specific features before making your final decision.
If you’re looking for a brand that has a diverse collection of electric scooters, Simply Moving has got your back. We have models for both children and adult users, with both categories designed to provide high-performing, reliable transport to any rider. Click here to check out our catalog of consumer electric scooters, or send us a message about our products here!
