Electric scooters have revolutionized our cities in a matter of years. They allow us to move from one point to another in a comfortable, simple and sustainable way. They are relatively cheap and today they do not have a series of periodic expenses attached such as insurance or administrative fees, which has made many people opt for these vehicles to the detriment of the moped. If you are thinking of getting one to move around your town or city, these are the most important aspects that you must take into account before making the purchase .
What to look at when buying a scooter?
Almost all the scooters you find on the market will have a similar design, and will be limited to the same maximum speed . However, not all scooters are the same, and these are the characteristics that you should take into account to choose the model that best suits your needs.
Autonomy
20 kilometers should be the minimum , but you have to calculate the use you are going to make each day. If you live in a big city, this point will be the most important. If you cannot recharge the scooter at work, school or college, you will have to go for a model with greater autonomy . Keep in mind that as we use the vehicle, the battery will deteriorate, so do not buy a model that is very fair, because you risk being left lying when the scooter begins to get old.
Repairability
Your scooter is going to break. Many times. You must assume it from day one. The brake disc will end up bending. The side reflectors will fall off if you go through irregular areas. And your tires will go flat if you don’t check their pressure every week.
It is not necessary that you get the best model on the market. The important thing is that you buy a model that is easy to repair , or, at least, that has spare parts and at prices that are affordable.
Quality of materials and construction
A scooter that has the battery in the base does not handle the same as one that stores it in the mast. It is also not the same to carry a vehicle with normal wheels as one with rigid wheels. In fact, although many people recommend this type of tire , you will lose a lot of grip, and you will put yourself at risk if you cross any type of wet ground.
Most of the scooter models that we currently have on the market can be folded , but not all of them weigh the same. For convenience, we do not recommend that you get a model that weighs more than 13 kilos.
Occupant comfort and weight
When riding the scooter you must be comfortable and take a relaxed posture . If you are very tall, we recommend that you look for a model that allows you to adjust the height of the handlebar so as not to take a forced posture, which can damage your back —and more so if you carry some type of backpack or load on you. In the photo that we have put, the scooter is at a decent height for the girl, but we cannot say the same about her partner, who poses well in the image, but when it comes to moving, he will take a really uncomfortable.
The same goes for the weight of the occupant . Each model specifies the maximum weight that the person driving the vehicle must have. In the most basic models, the maximum weight is around 80 kilos, but there are many alternatives that are perfectly suited to larger people.
Look for a scooter that can manage your weight and also look for a table of the pressure to which you should inflate the wheels based on this parameter. It is a matter of both ergonomics and safety.
The best scooters you can buy in 2022
Don’t know where to start? Here we leave you a list of some of the most interesting models that you can buy right now.
Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3
The Mi Electric Scooter 3 is the natural heir to the model that started it all. Xiaomi currently has an entry scooter below this product. However, the quality of finishes and the autonomy of the Essential make it difficult to recommend it, since the Mi Electric Scooter 3 gives you much more for a little more price.
This model has a maximum speed of 25 km/h and a range of 30 kilometers . Its braking energy recovery system makes it very interesting and comfortable to drive, and its display will inform you at all times of the remaining battery, the mode in which the vehicle is operating and the speed. Its price is not unreasonable, and it is the wildcard scooter for most users.
Ninebot KickScooter MAX G30LE II
Ninebot is the company that manufactures scooters for Xiaomi, and under its product portfolio they have the MAX G30LE II, a model limited to 25 Km/h and with a range of 40 kilometers .
However, its strong point is that the brushless motor is located on the rear wheel , which means that we are going to gain in handling and also in safety. Ninebot has also equipped it with 10-inch wheels, which improve grip and better resist punctures. The front wheel brake is not a caliper, but uses the classic drum mechanism. It is a suitable model for users weighing up to 100 kilos.
Cecotec Bongo Series A
If you have a small budget and do not want to risk it with totally unknown brands, both this Cecotec and the Xiaomi Mi Essential are the best options.
This model has 25 kilometers of autonomy and 8.5-inch anti-puncture wheels. It is not the best model you will find, but it does have sufficient quality for moderate use.
If you want to control it through an app, you will have to make the leap to the Serie A Connected .
Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2
This Xiaomi model is designed for taller users and also for those who have to do more kilometers a day . The platform is a little longer, the handlebar is higher. It is also more comfortable to carry folded.
Its maximum autonomy is 45 kilometers , limited to 25 km/h, a speed that can be reached in just 3 seconds with its 600-watt motor. Its only negative point is that it does not have active damping, although the model can be modified with customization kits.
ICe Q5 Evolution MAX
Electric scooters go very well on the flat and downhill, but not so well when we have to go up a slope. If there is a lot of inclination from one point to another in your city, the ICe Q5 Evolution MAX is a perfect scooter for this use, although its price is at another level.
It has two 1400-watt motors , one for each wheel, a battery capable of giving a range of 60 kilometers , adjustable suspension and double disc brakes . You can turn the motors on and off to use them in a single or combined way and you can configure everything from its huge screen full of options.
Enhance the experience with these accessories
At this point, you will have more or less an idea of which model best suits your needs. However, we do not want to end the post without recommending that you invest in security from day one. The scooter may be safer than a moped due to the fact that it circulates at a lower speed, but it is essential to be aware that we can do a lot of damage if we fall or if we are run over, so we must not neglect this aspect.
Helmets
The regulations on road safety and scooters are taking a long time, but we all know that sooner or later, in any city in Spain, it will be mandatory to wear a helmet. Therefore, it is absurd to delay the purchase, and we recommend that you get one next to the scooter.
You can buy a rigid model, the typical one used for cycling or skateboarding. There are also versions with lights that can help make you visible if you are going to use the scooter at night.
Brakes
Almost no one is going to recommend this to you at the outset, but from experience, we are going to tell you this so that you have it in mind from the beginning. The most comfortable way to control the speed of your scooter is by setting the electric motor retention to maximum. In this way, to take a curve you will simply have to lift your finger from the accelerator or remove the cruise control. However, when it comes to braking properly, most scooters have very basic brakes that can be improved.
If your scooter comes with a single piston brake, the disc will bend sooner or later. There are very cheap kits that not only allow you to fit a double-piston kit , but also allow you to brake with much more precision , gaining many meters and also improving your safety and that of others. The operation is not entirely simple, and if you do not have experience changing the brake of a bicycle, it is recommended that you go to a store or workshop to have it installed. We assure you that there is a before and after when it comes to using a quality brake caliper on your scooter. There are complete kits, but you can also get the parts kit, buying the disc, the caliper and the adapter separately.
Maintenance
Maintaining the pressure of the wheels is vital to avoid a puncture against a curb or with an object that we accidentally step on. Although you can use a manual inflator , the Xiaomi model is ideal, as it allows you to fill the wheels in seconds and select the target pressure on the screen without complicating your life. In addition, it has a price that seems very adequate.
On the other hand, if you are going to travel a lot with your scooter, for example, to go to work, we recommend that you carry a set of Allen keys . In a matter of seconds you can adjust the brake or align a wheel, minimizing risks and avoiding having to return with the vehicle on your back.
