How To Choose a Scooter

Scooters are popular means of transportation and entertainment for all generations, from children to seniors. There is a wide variety to choose from, with varying types of ride quality, maneuverability and speeds.

Advantages and disadvantages

Compactness (especially folding models)
Many types to choose from
Improves coordination
Develops good balance

Not suitable for off-road

Frequently asked questions when choosing a scooter

Which scooter is suitable for going to work?

These are very practical due to their lightness and ability to be folded up at any time, eg. on public transport. Another advantage is easy storage, for example in the workplace or the gym. You simply put it under a table or in a cupboard/ locker. For longer trips, choose a scooter with inflatable wheels, which is more comfortable and faster.

Do the same regulations apply when riding a scooter as when cycling?

Yes. From a legal point of view, a scooter is considered to be a bicycle. Therefore, riders under the age of 18 must have a protective helmet. You can use it on city and district roads and it can be taken with you (usually for an additional fee), for example, on a train.

Can I lose weight by riding a scooter?

Yes. In a minute of riding at a speed of 18 km / h, you will burn 0.76 kJ per one kilogram of your weight, which means that you will not only stretch your muscles while riding your scooter, but you will also burn fat.

Do scooters have age restrictions?

A scooter is suitable for people of all generations. It does not strain the joints, it improves balance and helps to stretch and strengthen most muscle groups.

Which wheel size should I choose?

The larger the wheels, the faster the scooter due to the lower rolling resistance. It is also true that if both wheels on a scooter are the same size it will be faster than a scooter that has a rear wheel smaller than the front one. On the other hand, scooters with different wheel sizes are more agile. So if you prefer speed, choose scooters with the same size wheels. If you prefer maneuverability, choose a scooter with a smaller rear wheel.

Which type of scooter is suitable for freestyling?

Scooters which are specially modified for freestyling can withstand more aggressive handling and are suitable for tricks, jumps and shorter trips. For this reason, you will also not find freestyle scooters which fold. It is necessary to choose a scooter specially adapted for these purposes. Freestyle scooters are characterized by the following features:

Small wheels
Lightweight frame
Higher load capacity
Lower handlebars

What protection do I need to ride a scooter?

A helmet is the main one of course. When riding for longer be sure not to wear gloves, to avoid unpleasant bruises and blisters. Elbow and knee protectors are also required for children, beginners and freestylers.

Scooters

Different types for different purposes
To the city, freestyle and bike path
For children and adults

Important parameters

Scooter type

City scooters are ideal for shorter distances and are also suitable for children. Due to the fact that the main purpose of city scooters is comfortable transport around the city they are much lighter and often fold. In general, they are more focused on maneuverability rather than speed.
Scooters for longer journeys are the most comfortable. They are almost always made with inflatable wheels, which absorb shocks well and thus handle uneven roads better. They are often made with a slightly larger front wheel, which allows for slightly better handling and still good speed. Scooters with inflatable wheels are also larger and heavier.
Children's scooters are exactly what you would expect. Most of them are smaller folding scooters weighing about 3 kg, but you will also find children's scooters with inflatable wheels. For a child, a scooter is not only a means of transport, but also an opportunity to practice balance and coordination of movement.
Freestyle scooters which allow the rider to perform tricks and jumps more easily, are made of quality parts and can withstand more aggressive handling. They have smaller wheels and lightweight frames. Due to their lower frames, they are more responsive, but there is also a greater risk of them getting stuck on uneven ground.
Electric scooters are a clear choice if you don't want to strain too much. The electric motor provides a range of up to 40 km with a speed of between 20 - 30 kmph. The charging time of the battery is between 4 to 8 hours depending on the type. You can use the motor of the electric scooter for an easy ride, or you can kick to go forward like with a normal non-electric scooter. Both are usually possible but due to the higher resistance it will be more difficult to kick yourself forward without help from the motor.

Wheel size

In principle, the larger the wheels, the faster the scooter but the harder it is to control. So if you are a beginner or you’re choosing a scooter for a child, a model with smaller wheels is better.

Wheel hardness

The hardness of the wheels determines the speed and comfort of the ride. If the wheels are harder, the scooter is faster. Conversely, the softer the wheels the better they absorb bumps so the ride is more comfortable. For scooters with inflatable wheels, the hardness depends on how much you inflate the wheels.

Softer rubber is marked 86A and below. It is more sticky and suitable for beginners. It is slower.
Hard rubber is labeled 88A and above. Suitable for skate-parks. The rubber lasts longer, but you can feel every stone.
The lower the number the softer the rubber.

Bearings

Properly selected bearings are important so that the wheels rotate smoothly and do not pinch. If you find that they are rubbing too much while riding or your scooter makes noises, look for a fault with the bearings. The quality of bearings is marked ABEC from 1 to nine, where 9 represents the highest quality. Bearings marked ABEC 5 to 9 are the most suitable for a high-quality, smooth ride. If you buy a scooter with inflatable wheels, you do not have to worry about the bearings. There are also ILQ and SG bearings, but these usually only indicate the "added value" of the bearings (type of lubricant, material, etc.). Therefore, ILQ / SG / ... 5 is marginally better than ABEC 5.

Handlebar height

The correct handlebar height depends on the rider's height and their riding style. Higher handlebars, which are more comfortable, are suitable for normal/ recreational riding, while lower handlebars, which provide more control, are ideal for Freestyle riding.

Optimal handlebar height for normal riding

Slider height	Handlebar height
100-110 cm	50 cm
110-120 cm	55 cm
120-130 cm	60 cm
130-140 cm	65 cm
140-150 cm	70 cm
150-160 cm	75 cm
160-170 cm	80 cm
170-180 cm	85 cm
180-190 cm	90 cm
190-200 cm	95 cm

Optimal handlebar height for freestyle scooters

Slider height	Handlebar height
100-110 cm	29-34 cm
110-120 cm	34-39 cm
120-130 cm	39-35 cm
130-140 cm	45-50 cm
140-150 cm	50-55 cm
150-160 cm	55-60 cm
160-170 cm	60-65 cm
170-180 cm	65-71 cm
180-190 cm	71-76 cm
190-200 cm	76-81 cm

Glossary - Scooters

Bearings

The higher the quality of the bearing, the lower the resistance of the wheels. When spun, high-quality new bearings come to a stop after a longer period of time, quietly and without jerking. However, older bearings, even if they were of good quality initially may not behave in the same way. You will recognize poor quality or older bearings by the fact you will feel more resistance.

Electric Motor

An electric motor is a device that you can use as a power source after it has been charged. It is used as an auxiliary energy source. Simply put, it is a rechargeable battery.

Freestyle

Freestyle or freestyling is a style of riding in which the rider uses, for example, U-ramps, railings, stairs and other aids to perform jumps and tricks. It is most often practiced when riding on skate-boards, skates or scooters with specially adapted wheels.

Freeride

Freeride is a term for an adrenaline-fueled way of riding in various sports. It is a ride in open terrain, in difficult conditions. The term freeride is most often associated with snowboarding, skiing or cycling.

Glossary