Age, from
The minimum age at which a child can be entrusted with a scooter. These recommendations are quite approximate, but it is highly not recommended to deviate from them. In the case of electric scooters (see "Type"), it is worth considering that in some countries, to control such devices, you need rights obtained from a certain age; so when buying a similar model, it's ok to clarify the requirements of traffic rules.
The allowable load directly depends on the age group; according to this criterion, modern scooters can be divided into
children's(permissible load up to 50 kg),
teenage(from 50 to 80 kg), and
adults(80 kg or more).
Handlebar type
—
T-bar. A traditional scooter handlebar in the form of a horizontal crossbar on a vertical bar. It is found in almost all types of scooters. Note that in kickboards such a steering wheel usually needs to be tilted rather than turned.
—
Bike handlebar. The handlebar has a characteristic curved shape, in which the handles are bent back or moved upward relative to the middle. It is considered more convenient than the classic one, but it is more complex in design and costs more, and the difference in convenience is not so often noticeable. Therefore, this option is found much less frequently, mainly in fairly advanced models — in particular, most bicycle scooters are equipped with just such handlebars.
— Round handle. The handlebar is in the form of a ring or a pair of rings (a kind of “ears”) mounted on a vertical rod; There are also options without a top ring at all, in which the rod ends with a round knob. In any case, this design is used in models where the handlebar does not turn, but tilts from side to side — these can be either kickboards or some specific trikes (see “Type”).
—
Y-bar. A handlebar with a bend in the top tube in the shape of the letter Y. Often in such handlebars, side supports are used to strengthen the structure, due to which Y-shaped handlebars are considered more durable in comparison with classic T-bars.
...— Bat-Wing. The shape of the Bat-Wing resembles Y-shaped rudders, but in the upper segment of this version, there is a special horizontal crossbar to strengthen the structure. Bat-Wing handlebars can withstand heavy loads and are installed primarily on stunt scooters.Wheel rigidity
The rigidity of the wheels supplied in the scooter
The higher the number given in this parameter, the harder materials are used in the design of the wheels and the stiffer they are. Stiff wheels easier roll on different surfaces, it is easier to accelerate on them, they allow you to more accurately feel the surface under your feet and do not wear out as quickly as soft ones; on the other hand, these wheels have less traction, are more prone to vibrations and bumps, and require extra care when cornering. Therefore, wheels with high rigidity are typical mainly for professional models, and soft options are recommended for beginner riders.
Note that most scooters allow wheel replacement; this procedure is mandatory from time to time since the wheels tend to wear out. However, if necessary, you can also change a kit that is quite suitable for riding — to a harder one, or vice versa, a softer one
— 82A. Wheels with a hardness of 82A are optimal for urban scooters. This level of stiffness provides the wheels with good strength, while the wheels tenaciously contact the rolling surface. Such scooters are poorly suited for stunt riding.
— 84A. Wheels with a hardness of 84A are considered universal. These can be found both in city scooters and models for stunt riding. Rigidity at the level of 84A gives the wheels a good level of strength. Such scooters are still able to "softly" contact with the surface of the roll, but the rider will al...ready feel "hard feedback" when hitting bumps.
— 85A Wheels with a hardness of 85A are more related to stunt scooters. This level of rigidity provides the wheels with a good level of strength, but due to the increased rigidity, the soft contact of the wheels with the rolling surface is lost. If the scooter does not have suspension, the stiffness of the wheels will recoil into the platform and steering rack when hitting bumps.
— 86A. Wheels with a hardness of 86A are used in scooters for sports and stunt riding. Rigidity at the level of 86A is considered increased. Scooters with such wheels are usually designed for fairly high loads. Such wheels transmit impact and vibration to the scooter. Scooters without their shock absorption make riding on such hard wheels less comfortable. But at the same time, as the strength characteristics of the wheels increase, the chassis becomes more reliable and durable.
— 88A. Wheels with a hardness of 88A are found in stunt scooters. They are distinguished by increased strength characteristics. Due to the high rigidity of the wheels, they can easily withstand driving on any type of rolling surface. On the other hand, riding on 88A wheels provides very strong feedback to the platform and steering column. Such wheels are recommended for scooters with a built-in shock absorption system.
Bearing
Bearings that the scooter is equipped with. This paragraph usually indicates not the model/brand, but the class of bearings according to the ABEC standard. Standard options for modern scooters are
ABEC 5,
ABEC 7, and
ABEC 9 ; the higher the number, the higher the quality and accuracy of the part.
There is an opinion that better bearings allow you to accelerate better and go faster. This is partly true, but acceleration and speed are highly dependent on a number of other points — the size and material of the wheels, the weight of the scooter, etc. So models with bearings of the same class can differ markedly in speed characteristics. But what this indicator unambiguously affects is durability and price: high accuracy affects the cost, but such bearings last longer and carry loads better.
Also note that for relatively simple use, ABEC 5 class bearings are quite enough. It makes sense to specifically look for a model with ABEC 7 or ABEC 9 only if you need a scooter for advanced stunts or professional high-speed riding. However, if the selected model has high-quality bearings, it will not be worse from them anyway.
Max. height
The maximum height to which the height-adjustable handlebar can be set (or just the height of the handlebar in the working position, if height adjustment is not provided).
The height of the handlebars should be such that the rider can stand on the deck straight, without bending his back, and hold on to the handles with slightly bent arms. At the same time, there is no unambiguous relationship between this parameter and the height of the rider. So the perfect option to determine the optimal height is to try it yourself, and then choose a scooter based on the result.
Deck size
Scooter deck size. This item can indicate both the length and width or only one size — most often this is the length.
In general, this parameter is secondary: manufacturers choose the size of the deck depending on the type, age category, general specialization and other features of the scooter. Legroom, usually, is guaranteed to be enough on the deck. We only note that shorter decks are more agile, and longer ones are stable on the course.
Footspace
This term refers to the useful area of the deck on which you can put your foot. It is size without taking into account the folding mechanism, wheel fastening and other elements that are not intended for the leg.
Weight
The total weight of the scooter; for electric models it is the total operating weight is indicated, with batteries installed.
This option has two meanings. Thus, lighter scooters accelerate and manoeuvre better and require less effort from the user. In turn, more massive models maintain speed longer and are more stable on the course. In addition, note that less weight, other things being equal, means either less strength or more cost.
The lightest modern scooters weigh
less than 2 kg — these are mostly relatively inexpensive classic models and kickboards (see "Type"). Sports models already have a weight
of 2.5 kg, and often more. The most massive among non-self-propelled models are scooters —
from 5 kg. And electric scooters inevitably turn out to be heavy due to motors and batteries, their mass can reach
10 kg or even more.