Range
The maximum distance that an electric scooter can travel on a single battery charge.
Usually the range is indicated for a flat road and driving only on an electric motor, without the help of a rider. So this indicator is quite conditional, in practice, the distance of the trip may be either less or more, depending on the characteristics of the road and driving style. Nevertheless, according to the claimed range, it is quite possible to estimate the autonomy of different models and compare them with each other.
Note that a
large range (more than 50 km) requires capacious batteries, which affects the dimensions and weight of the device. The real need for such autonomy is not required so often, especially since many electric scooters are quite capable of driving in the usual way, without the use of an electric motor.
Wheels
The type and size of wheels used in an electric scooter.
The size is selected by the manufacturer depending on the general purpose of the scooter - whether it is an asphalt road or rough terrain. If we compare similar models with different wheel diameters, then it is worth considering that the larger the wheels, the better they work out the bumps in the road, the higher the cross-country ability and softness of the ride. And small wheels, in turn, are great for smooth asphalt and dynamic driving, they easily accelerate and allow you to make sharp turns.
As for the different types of wheels, there are polyurethane, rubber, inflatable. More about each:
- Polyurethane. Wheels with solid polyurethane tyres. This material provides good cushioning, high-quality grip and at the same time good rolling; it is resistant to temperature extremes and damage, durable, while it is inexpensive.
— Rubber. In this case, we mean wheels with a solid rubber tyre (inflatable wheels are moved to a separate pick-up point). According to the main characteristics, rubber is similar to the polyurethane described above, and in some moments even surpasses it. So, such tyres do not make noise, smooth out the roughness of the asphalt well, have excellent grip and provide high braking efficiency. On the other hand, this material is less durable and does not tolerate temperature extremes.
— Inflatable. The most advanced type of wheels found in modern...scooters. Wheels of this type have an inflatable tyre (as in bicycles), which provides excellent shock absorption, tight grip and high flotation. The disadvantages of inflatable tyres, in addition to the price, include sensitivity to punctures and increased maintenance complexity: you need to monitor the pressure and, if necessary, inflate the tyre.
Front brake
Among the various types of brakes in scooters, you can find
rim,
disc,
drum,
electric. There are also models without a front brake.
- Rim. The rim brake is considered the simplest type of braking system. Such brakes provide a smooth deceleration and a complete stop of the scooter at an average speed. The stopping distance is usually medium or long. The rim brake is represented by pads, which, using a special mechanism, are pressed against the wheel rim. The pads themselves are driven by a lever, which is placed on the handlebar. Among the advantages of a rim brake are low price, and simple design. And drawbacks are fairly quick wear of the pads and the need to adjust the brakes as the friction linings wear out. Additionally, when using a scooter with a rim brake, be aware that the pads become less grippy if the rim is wet. In rainy, cloudy and slushy weather, the rim brake cannot be relied upon.
— Disk. Disc brakes are considered more advanced than rim brakes. The disc brake allows the scooter to stop quickly enough, and the braking distance itself can be either minimal or medium. Such brakes are represented by a friction clutch that acts on a small-diameter disc. The disc is attached to the wheel axle. The clutch is pressed against the brake disc with a sufficiently large force, which allows the disc brakes to b
...e effective even when wet on the clutch. The disc brake is controlled by a lever that is placed on the handlebar. The advantages of a disc brake for a scooter are reliability, durability and the ability to stop quickly. Among the shortcomings, we highlight the high price and the need to adjust as the friction clutch wears out.
- Drum. Drum brakes slow down well and provide a fairly quick stop. In terms of efficiency, the drum brake for a scooter is between the rim and disc brake systems. The drum brake uses pads that are located inside the rim. In this case, the friction plates act on the inside of the rim. The brake with a drum device has many advantages: a large friction contact surface, moisture protection, reliability and durability. Among the shortcomings can be noted: the use of massive wheels, the complexity of service maintenance, and the need for periodic adjustment.
- Electric — braking with the help of recuperation. In this case, the deceleration and stop are produced by the electric motor itself, by reducing the speed. Usually, the electric brake provides a soft and smooth stop. As a rule, the electric brake acts as an auxiliary brake system. Also, advanced scooters often use a recuperative electric brake. In this case, when the speed is slowed down, energy is recovered, which allows you to recharge the battery pack.
- No brake. The front wheel is not equipped with a brake system. The braking can only be provided at the rear.Suspension
The presence of a suspension makes the ride more comfortable, smoothing out vibrations and shaking when moving on an uneven roadway, but reduces control accuracy.
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Front. In models with such shock absorption, the corresponding dampening device is installed only on the front wheel, while the rear wheel is rigidly fixed. Electric scooters with a front shock absorber combine good handling and provide comfortable movement on bad roads or over rough terrain.
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Front and rear. An advanced type of shock absorption system on both wheels of an electric scooter. Models with double cushioning are the best at damping the vibrations felt by the rider and providing proper traction on rough trails.
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No suspension. In electric scooters without suspension, the wheels are rigidly attached to the frame. This design is simple. However, the rider feels all the bumps of the road in full.
Battery capacity
Battery capacity installed in the electric scooter.
Theoretically, a higher battery capacity allows for a longer range, but in fact, not everything is so clear. Firstly, motors of even the same power can differ in efficiency; secondly, the actual amount of energy stored in the battery depends not only on the capacity in amp-hours but also on the voltage in volts. So this parameter is secondary, and when choosing, it is worth focusing not so much on the battery capacity, but on the directly claimed range. You can compare capacity only for models with similar characteristics and the same supply voltage.
Full charge time
Time to fully charge the battery from zero to 100%.
The more powerful the device, the more capacious batteries it needs and, as a rule, the longer the charging time. In the heaviest models, it can reach 20 hours. However, such indicators are rare - most electric scooters are charged for a maximum of 8-9 hours, which allows you to put the device on charge “from evening to morning”.
